Jeremiah 44:7

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;

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};

"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.

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?

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;

Jeremiah 44:7 captures a severe warning from God to the Jewish remnant who had fled to Egypt after the destruction of Jerusalem. Through the prophet Jeremiah, the LORD confronts their persistent idolatry, highlighting that their actions are not merely offensive to Him but are profoundly self-destructive, leading to their complete annihilation.

Context

This verse is part of Jeremiah's final major prophetic message, delivered to the Jewish people who had ignored God's command (see Jeremiah 42:19) and fled to Egypt, settling in various cities. They believed they would find safety there, but instead, they continued their practice of worshipping foreign gods, particularly the "queen of heaven" (Jeremiah 44:17). God, identified as "the LORD, the God of hosts, the God of Israel," emphasizes His supreme authority and covenant relationship, confronting their rebellion and reminding them of the devastating judgment that had already befallen Judah and Jerusalem due to similar sins (Jeremiah 25:9-11).

Key Themes

  • The Self-Destructive Nature of Sin: God directly states that their actions constitute "great evil against your souls." This powerfully conveys that sin, especially idolatry, ultimately harms the sinner more than anyone else, leading to personal and communal ruin.
  • Divine Judgment and Consequences: The verse vividly describes the outcome of their rebellion: "to cut off from you man and woman, child and suckling, out of Judah, to leave you none to remain." This underscores God's justice and the severe, comprehensive consequences of persistent disobedience to His commands.
  • God's Authority and Covenant Faithfulness: The repeated titles "the LORD, the God of hosts, the God of Israel" affirm His omnipotence and His unwavering commitment to His covenant people, even when they stray. He is the one true God who will not tolerate idolatry.
  • Urgency of Repentance: Though not explicitly stated as a call to repentance in this verse, the strong warning implies an urgent need to turn from their destructive path before complete annihilation.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "God of hosts" translates the Hebrew Yahweh Sabaoth (יהוה צבאות), a powerful title that emphasizes God's sovereign power over all heavenly and earthly armies, highlighting His omnipotence and ability to execute His will. The expression "against your souls" uses the Hebrew word nephesh (נפש), which refers not just to the spiritual soul but to the entire being, including one's life, person, and vitality. Thus, "great evil against your souls" means they were committing a grave act that would destroy their very lives and future existence as a people.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 44:7 serves as a timeless reminder that sin, particularly the worship of anything other than the one true God (modern idolatry can include money, power, self, or possessions), is inherently self-destructive. It promises fleeting pleasure but delivers ultimate ruin. This verse encourages believers to:

  • Examine Their Hearts: Identify and remove any "idols" that might be competing with God for ultimate allegiance in their lives.
  • Heed Divine Warnings: Pay attention to God's warnings in Scripture and through wise counsel, understanding that His commands are for our good and protection.
  • Learn from History: Recognize that disobedience has consequences, and God's justice is sure, though often preceded by His gracious warnings.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

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