Jeremiah 44:7

KJV

Therefore now thus saith the LORD, the God of hosts, the God of Israel; Wherefore commit ye [this] great evil against your souls, to cut off from you man and woman, child and suckling, out of Judah, to leave you none to remain;

KJV (with Strong's)

Therefore now thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}, the God {H430} of hosts {H6635}, the God {H430} of Israel {H3478}; Wherefore commit {H6213} ye this great {H1419} evil {H7451} against your souls {H5315}, to cut off {H3772} from you man {H376} and woman {H802}, child {H5768} and suckling {H3243}, out {H8432} of Judah {H3063}, to leave {H3498} you none to remain {H7611};

Complete Jewish Bible

"Therefore now, ADONAI-Tzva'ot, the God of Isra'el, says this: 'Why are you committing this great sin against yourselves? The result can only be to cut you off from Y'hudah - men, women, children and babies - so that none of you remain.

Berean Standard Bible

So now, this is what the LORD God of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: Why are you doing such great harm to yourselves by cutting off from Judah man and woman, child and infant, leaving yourselves without a remnant?

American Standard Version

Therefore now thus saith Jehovah, the God of hosts, the God of Israel: Wherefore commit ye this great evil against your own souls, to cut off from you man and woman, infant and suckling, out of the midst of Judah, to leave you none remaining;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 44:7 delivers a severe divine indictment against the Jewish remnant who had fled to Egypt, defying God's explicit command. Through the prophet Jeremiah, the LORD, identified by His supreme covenant titles, confronts their continued idolatry, declaring that their actions constitute a "great evil" against their very existence. This persistent rebellion, mirroring the sins that led to Judah's destruction, is portrayed as profoundly self-destructive, inevitably leading to their complete annihilation—man, woman, child, and infant—leaving no survivor from Judah among them in Egypt.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Jeremiah's final prophetic messages, specifically in chapter 44, which records God's pronouncements against the Jewish remnant who, against divine counsel, migrated to Egypt after the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC. Chapters [42](/jeremiah/42 "Jeremiah 42 - Warning Against Going to Egypt") and [43](/jeremiah/43 "Jeremiah 43 - The Remnant Goes to Egypt") detail the people's defiance of Jeremiah's warning not to go to Egypt, choosing instead to seek refuge there. Jeremiah 44 then serves as a comprehensive and final denunciation of their idolatry in Egypt, particularly their devotion to the "queen of heaven" ([Jeremiah 44:17](/jeremiah/44-17 "Jeremiah 44:17 - Worship of the Queen of Heaven")). Verse 7 directly follows God's reminder of the desolation brought upon Jerusalem and Judah due to their previous idolatry ([Jeremiah 44:2-6](/jeremiah/44-2 "Jeremiah 44:2-6 - Reminder of Judah's Desolation")), setting the stage for the stark warning of impending judgment if they persist in their sin. The immediate flow highlights God's patience running out and the inevitable consequences of unrepentant rebellion.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop is the tumultuous period following the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 586 BC. A small Jewish remnant, including Jeremiah, was left in Judah under Gedaliah's governorship. After Gedaliah's assassination, fearing Babylonian reprisal, many Jews, against God's explicit command through Jeremiah ([Jeremiah 42:19](/jeremiah/42-19 "Jeremiah 42:19 - God's Prohibition on Going to Egypt")), fled to Egypt, settling in cities like Migdol, Tahpanhes, Noph (Memphis), and Pathros (Upper Egypt) ([Jeremiah 44:1](/jeremiah/44-1 "Jeremiah 44:1 - The Remnant in Egypt")). Culturally, Egypt was a land steeped in polytheism, and the Jewish exiles, already prone to syncretism, readily adopted local deities, most notably the "queen of heaven," an ancient Near Eastern fertility goddess (often identified with Ishtar/Astarte). This verse underscores the severe cultural pressure and the deep-seated spiritual apostasy that plagued Israel throughout its history, culminating in this final, desperate act of defiance and idolatry on foreign soil.

* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 44:7 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Jeremiah and biblical theology. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the **self-destructive nature of sin**, particularly idolatry, as God explicitly states their actions are "great evil against your souls." This emphasizes that sin is not merely an offense against God but fundamentally harms the sinner's well-being and existence. Secondly, the verse highlights the theme of **divine judgment and consequences**, portraying a comprehensive and inescapable annihilation for persistent disobedience, underscoring God's justice and His unwavering commitment to His covenant demands. The detailed description of "man and woman, child and suckling" being cut off reinforces the totality of this judgment, echoing previous prophecies of desolation ([Jeremiah 25:9-11](/jeremiah/25-9 "Jeremiah 25:9-11 - Seventy Years of Desolation")). Finally, the repeated divine titles "the LORD, the God of hosts, the God of Israel" reaffirm God's **sovereign authority and covenant faithfulness**, even in the face of His people's rebellion, asserting His ultimate power to execute His word.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **great (Hebrew, _gâdôwl'_):** From the root meaning "to be great," this word signifies something immense, significant, or profound in any sense. Here, when paired with "evil," it emphasizes the extreme magnitude and severity of the sin committed by the people. It's not a minor transgression but an offense of immense proportion, highlighting the gravity of their idolatry and rebellion in God's eyes.
* **evil (Hebrew, _raʻ'_):** This term denotes something bad, wicked, or morally corrupt. It encompasses both natural calamity and moral depravity. In this context, it refers to the moral wickedness of their actions—their idolatry and disobedience—which God declares to be inherently destructive and harmful, not only to His honor but "against your souls."
* **souls (Hebrew, _nephesh'_):** This highly versatile word refers to the entire living being, encompassing one's life, person, vitality, and inner self. It is not limited to a spiritual component but signifies the whole person. Thus, "great evil against your souls" means their actions were profoundly self-destructive, jeopardizing their very lives, well-being, and future as a people. It's an act that leads to existential ruin.
* **cut off (Hebrew, _kârath'_):** A primitive root meaning "to cut (off, down, or asunder)," this word carries strong connotations of destruction, consumption, and termination. It is also notably used for "making a covenant" (by cutting flesh). Here, it signifies a complete and decisive termination of their existence, an act of divine judgment that will utterly sever them from life and from their identity as a remnant of Judah.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore now thus saith the LORD, the God of hosts, the God of Israel;":** This opening establishes the divine authority behind the message. "The LORD" (Yahweh) emphasizes His covenant name and faithfulness. "The God of hosts" (Yahweh Sabaoth) proclaims His omnipotent sovereignty over all heavenly and earthly armies, underscoring His power to execute His will. "The God of Israel" reiterates His unique covenant relationship with His people, even as they rebel, highlighting the personal nature of their betrayal against *their* God.
* **"Wherefore commit ye [this] great evil against your souls,":** This is a rhetorical question, expressing God's incredulity and condemnation. He directly challenges their rationale for engaging in such a "great evil." The phrase "against your souls" is crucial, emphasizing that their idolatry and disobedience are not just an offense to God but are profoundly self-destructive, leading to their own demise and ruin, impacting their very life and existence.
* **"to cut off from you man and woman, child and suckling, out of Judah,":** This clause describes the devastating consequence of their "great evil." The phrase "cut off" signifies complete annihilation. The comprehensive list—"man and woman, child and suckling"—emphasizes the totality of the impending judgment, indicating that no one, regardless of age or gender, will be spared. This highlights the severity and comprehensiveness of God's judgment, ensuring that no remnant of Judah will survive in Egypt.
* **"to leave you none to remain;":** This final phrase reinforces the absolute and complete nature of the judgment. It underscores that their self-destructive actions will result in utter extinction, leaving no survivor or remnant. This is the ultimate consequence of their unrepentant idolatry and defiance, a tragic end to their presence as a distinct people in that land.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 44:7 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its urgent and severe message. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, "Wherefore commit ye [this] great evil against your souls?" This question is not seeking information but serves as a forceful rebuke, expressing God's astonishment and condemnation of their irrational and self-destructive behavior. It compels the audience to confront the senselessness of their actions. **Repetition** of divine titles—"the LORD, the God of hosts, the God of Israel"—serves to underscore God's unwavering authority, omnipotence, and covenant faithfulness, lending immense weight and solemnity to His pronouncement. Furthermore, the verse uses striking **Hyperbole** or **Exaggeration** in describing the extent of the judgment: "to cut off from you man and woman, child and suckling, out of Judah, to leave you none to remain." While a literal absolute extinction might seem extreme, it vividly conveys the totality and severity of the impending divine wrath, emphasizing that the consequences will be comprehensive and leave no viable future for them as a community in Egypt. Finally, the phrase "great evil against your souls" functions as a form of **Metonymy**, where "souls" (referring to the whole person/life) stands for their very existence and well-being, highlighting the direct, self-inflicted harm of their sin.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 44:7 profoundly articulates the biblical truth that sin, particularly idolatry and rebellion against God's explicit commands, is inherently self-destructive. It is not merely an external offense but an internal corruption that leads to personal and communal ruin. The divine declaration that their actions are "great evil against your souls" underscores that God's laws and warnings are not arbitrary restrictions but are given for humanity's flourishing and preservation. When humanity deviates from the divine order, it inevitably invites consequences that undermine its very existence. This verse serves as a stark reminder of God's unwavering justice and His commitment to upholding His covenant, even when it means executing judgment upon His own people who persistently reject His ways. The comprehensive nature of the threatened judgment—encompassing all ages and genders—highlights the gravity of their sin and the totality of divine wrath against unrepentant apostasy.

* [Deuteronomy 30:19](/deuteronomy/30-19 "Deuteronomy 30:19 - Choose Life")
* [Galatians 6:7-8](/galatians/6-7 "Galatians 6:7-8 - Sowing and Reaping")
* [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 44:7 serves as a timeless and sobering warning for all generations. It compels us to recognize that sin, particularly the idolatry of placing anything or anyone above the one true God, is not a harmless indulgence but a profoundly self-destructive act. In our contemporary world, "idols" may not be physical statues but can manifest as an obsessive pursuit of wealth, power, comfort, self-image, or even human relationships, all of which promise fulfillment but ultimately lead to spiritual and relational emptiness. This verse challenges us to critically examine our allegiances and motivations, asking what truly holds the ultimate place in our hearts and lives. It reminds us that God's commands are not burdensome restrictions but loving guidelines designed for our holistic well-being and flourishing. To ignore divine warnings, whether from Scripture or through the wise counsel of the Spirit-led community, is to invite inevitable and often devastating consequences. Our task is to heed God's voice, to turn away from anything that competes for His rightful place, and to trust in His wisdom, knowing that true life and lasting peace are found only in Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "great evils" might I be committing "against my soul" in my life today, perhaps unknowingly or subtly?**
* **In what ways do I, like the remnant, seek security or fulfillment outside of God's explicit will or commands?**
* **How does this verse challenge my understanding of the consequences of sin, both for myself and for society?**
* **Am I truly listening to and heeding God's warnings in Scripture and through His Spirit, or am I prone to dismiss them?**

### FAQ
**Why is God so angry and seemingly harsh in this verse?**

Answer: God's anger here is not a capricious outburst but a righteous response to profound and persistent rebellion, particularly idolatry. The Jewish remnant in Egypt had repeatedly defied His explicit commands, even after witnessing the devastating judgment that befell Jerusalem precisely because of similar sins ([Jeremiah 44:2-6](/jeremiah/44-2 "Jeremiah 44:2-6 - God's Judgment on Judah")). God's character includes both love and justice. His warnings, though severe, are an expression of His holiness and His covenant faithfulness. He cannot tolerate sin, especially the worship of other gods, because it fundamentally undermines His unique relationship with His people and leads to their destruction. The "harshness" reflects the gravity of their sin and the inevitable consequences of rejecting the only source of life and truth.

**What does "the God of hosts" mean, and why is it used here?**

Answer: "The God of hosts" translates the Hebrew title _Yahweh Sabaoth_ (יהוה צבאות), which is a powerful and significant divine name. "Hosts" (sabaoth) refers to armies, whether human or heavenly (angels, stars). Thus, "the God of hosts" signifies God's sovereign power and authority over all creation, including all spiritual and earthly forces. Its use in [Jeremiah 44:7](/jeremiah/44-7 "Jeremiah 44:7 - God's Warning to the Remnant in Egypt") emphasizes God's omnipotence and His absolute ability to execute the judgment He declares. It serves as a reminder to the rebellious remnant that they are not defying a weak or limited deity, but the supreme Commander of all cosmic and earthly armies, who possesses the power to bring about the complete annihilation He threatens.

**What does it mean to commit "great evil against your souls"?**

Answer: The phrase "great evil against your souls" is a powerful expression indicating that the people's actions—their idolatry and disobedience—were profoundly self-destructive. The Hebrew word for "souls" (_nephesh_) refers to the entire living being, encompassing one's life, person, and vitality. Therefore, committing "evil against your souls" means they were engaging in behavior that would ultimately lead to their own ruin, death, and existential annihilation, rather than merely offending God externally. It highlights the inherent, destructive nature of sin, which, by its very essence, works against the well-being and life of the sinner. Their choices were literally cutting off their own future and existence as a people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 44:7, with its stark warning of self-inflicted destruction due to idolatry and rebellion, finds its ultimate resolution and redemptive fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "great evil" committed by humanity against its own "souls"—the pervasive sin that leads to spiritual and physical death ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin"))—is precisely what Christ came to address. While the Old Covenant revealed God's justice and the severe consequences of disobedience, it also foreshadowed a coming deliverer. Jesus, as the perfect Lamb of God ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), bore the full weight of the "great evil" of human sin on the cross, becoming the ultimate sacrifice to "cut off" the power of sin and death over those who believe in Him ([Colossians 2:13-14](/colossians/2-13 "Colossians 2:13-14 - Forgiveness and Victory")). He offers a new covenant, not written on stone tablets but on the hearts of believers, enabling true worship "in spirit and truth" ([John 4:24](/john/4-24 "John 4:24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")), thereby eradicating the very root of idolatry. Through His resurrection, Christ conquered death, ensuring that those who are in Him will not be "cut off" or left with "none to remain," but will have eternal life and an imperishable inheritance ([1 Peter 1:3-4](/1_peter/1-3 "1 Peter 1:3-4 - A Living Hope")). Thus, the judgment threatened in Jeremiah 44:7, while real for the unrepentant, is overcome by the grace and redemptive power of Christ for all who turn to Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Habakkuk 2:10

Thou hast consulted shame to thy house by cutting off many people, and hast sinned [against] thy soul.

Jeremiah 51:22

With thee also will I break in pieces man and woman; and with thee will I break in pieces old and young; and with thee will I break in pieces the young man and the maid;

Numbers 16:38

The censers of these sinners against their own souls, let them make them broad plates [for] a covering of the altar: for they offered them before the LORD, therefore they are hallowed: and they shall be a sign unto the children of Israel.

Jeremiah 9:21

For death is come up into our windows, [and] is entered into our palaces, to cut off the children from without, [and] the young men from the streets.

Proverbs 5:22

His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.

Deuteronomy 32:25

The sword without, and terror within, shall destroy both the young man and the virgin, the suckling [also] with the man of gray hairs.

Jeremiah 44:14

So that none of the remnant of Judah, which are gone into the land of Egypt to sojourn there, shall escape or remain, that they should return into the land of Judah, to the which they have a desire to return to dwell there: for none shall return but such as shall escape.