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Jeremiah 44:14

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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.

So that none of the remnant {H7611} of Judah {H3063}, which are gone {H935} into the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714} to sojourn {H1481} there, shall escape {H6412} or remain {H8300}, that they should return {H7725} into the land {H776} of Judah {H3063}, to the which they have {H5375} a desire {H5315} to return {H7725} to dwell {H3427} there: for none shall return {H7725} but such as shall escape {H6405}.

so that none of the remnant of Y'hudah who went into the land of Egypt to live as aliens will escape or remain, to be able to return to the land of Y'hudah. They long to return and live there, but none will return except a few refugees.'"

so that none of the remnant of Judah who have gone to reside in Egypt will escape or survive to return to the land of Judah, where they long to return and live; for none will return except a few fugitives.”

so that none of the remnant of Judah, that are gone into the land of Egypt to sojourn there, shall escape or be left, to return into the land of Judah, to which they have a desire to return to dwell there: for none shall return save such as shall escape.

Commentary

Jeremiah 44:14 delivers a stark prophecy from the Lord concerning the fate of the Judahites who had fled to Egypt, defying God's command. Despite their yearning to return to their homeland, this verse declares that very few, if any, would ever make it back, sealed by divine judgment.

Context

This verse is part of Jeremiah's final major prophetic message, delivered to the Jewish remnant who had gone to Egypt after the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC and the subsequent assassination of Gedaliah, the governor appointed by Babylon. Against God's explicit warnings through Jeremiah (see Jeremiah 42:19 and Jeremiah 42:22), they sought refuge in Egypt, believing it would be safer than remaining in Judah under Babylonian rule. Chapter 44 reveals that not only did they disobey, but they also continued in rampant idolatry in Egypt, particularly the worship of the "Queen of Heaven" (Jeremiah 44:17), provoking God's wrath even further.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Consequences: The verse underscores God's severe judgment against those who willfully disobey His direct commands. Their desire to return is thwarted by the consequences of their choices.
  • Futility of Disobedience: Despite their longing for Judah, their decision to flee to Egypt, against God's will, sealed their fate. Human desires and plans are powerless when they contradict divine decree.
  • God's Unwavering Word: The prophecy highlights God's sovereignty and the certainty of His word. What He declares will come to pass, whether it be blessing for obedience or judgment for rebellion.
  • The "Remnant" Defined: This passage distinguishes between those who were truly God's faithful remnant (who would later return from Babylonian captivity) and this disobedient group who chose Egypt. The term "remnant of Judah" here refers to a specific group who made a wrong choice, not the blessed, preserved remnant.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "shall escape or remain" emphasizes the totality of the coming judgment. The Hebrew term for "escape" (palat - פָּלַט) often implies a narrow deliverance from danger, but here it suggests that even such a small escape would be denied to this group. The repetition "none shall return but such as shall escape" is a powerful rhetorical device, essentially meaning that the number of survivors returning would be negligible, only a handful at best, reinforcing the severity of the impending doom.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 44:14 serves as a timeless warning about the importance of obedience to God's revealed will. It teaches us:

  1. The Danger of Seeking Safety Outside God's Plan: When faced with fear or uncertainty, it's tempting to devise our own solutions rather than trusting God's guidance. This verse reminds us that true security comes only from walking in obedience to Him.
  2. Consequences of Stubbornness: The Judahites in Egypt were not ignorant of God's word; they deliberately rejected it. Their stubbornness led to dire consequences. Our persistent disobedience can lead us further from God's blessings and into difficult circumstances.
  3. God's Warnings Are Real: God's warnings are not idle threats but expressions of His righteous character and the natural outcomes of defying Him. We should take His warnings seriously and adjust our lives accordingly.
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Cross-References

  • Romans 9:27 (4 votes)

    Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:

  • Jeremiah 22:26 (4 votes)

    And I will cast thee out, and thy mother that bare thee, into another country, where ye were not born; and there shall ye die.

  • Jeremiah 22:27 (4 votes)

    But to the land whereunto they desire to return, thither shall they not return.

  • Isaiah 4:2 (3 votes)

    ¶ In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth [shall be] excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel.

  • Jeremiah 42:17 (3 votes)

    So shall it be with all the men that set their faces to go into Egypt to sojourn there; they shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence: and none of them shall remain or escape from the evil that I will bring upon them.

  • Isaiah 10:20 (3 votes)

    ¶ And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] the remnant of Israel, and such as are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no more again stay upon him that smote them; but shall stay upon the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth.

  • Jeremiah 44:27 (3 votes)

    Behold, I will watch over them for evil, and not for good: and all the men of Judah that [are] in the land of Egypt shall be consumed by the sword and by the famine, until there be an end of them.