King James Version
What Does Jeremiah 44:13 Mean?
“For I will punish them that dwell in the land of Egypt, as I have punished Jerusalem, by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence:”
Jeremiah 44:13 · KJV
Context
11
Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will set my face against you for evil, and to cut off all Judah.
12
And I will take the remnant of Judah, that have set their faces to go into the land of Egypt to sojourn there, and they shall all be consumed, and fall in the land of Egypt; they shall even be consumed by the sword and by the famine: they shall die, from the least even unto the greatest, by the sword and by the famine: and they shall be an execration, and an astonishment, and a curse, and a reproach.
13
For I will punish them that dwell in the land of Egypt, as I have punished Jerusalem, by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence:
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. have: Heb. lift up their soul
15
Then all the men which knew that their wives had burned incense unto other gods, and all the women that stood by, a great multitude, even all the people that dwelt in the land of Egypt, in Pathros, answered Jeremiah, saying,
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryI will punish them that dwell in the land of Egypt, as I have punished Jerusalem (וּפָקַדְתִּי עַל־יוֹשְׁבֵי אֶרֶץ־מִצְרַיִם)—The verb paqad (פָּקַד) means to visit, attend to, or reckon with, often used for divine judgment. God's covenantal justice is geographically impartial: fleeing to Egypt cannot evade His hand.
The triple judgment formula—by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence (בַּחֶרֶב בָּרָעָב וּבַדָּבֶר)—echoes Jeremiah's consistent warning throughout his ministry (14:12, 21:7, 24:10). The remnant's disobedience in fleeing to Egypt despite God's explicit prohibition (42:15-19) now brings the very destruction they sought to escape. Egypt, symbol of pre-Exodus bondage, becomes their final trap.
The triple judgment formula—by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence (בַּחֶרֶב בָּרָעָב וּבַדָּבֶר)—echoes Jeremiah's consistent warning throughout his ministry (14:12, 21:7, 24:10). The remnant's disobedience in fleeing to Egypt despite God's explicit prohibition (42:15-19) now brings the very destruction they sought to escape. Egypt, symbol of pre-Exodus bondage, becomes their final trap.
KJV Study — Public Domain
Historical & Cultural Context
After Jerusalem's fall (586 BC), the Jewish remnant forcibly took Jeremiah to Egypt (43:6-7), settling in Migdol, Tahpanhes, Memphis, and Pathros (southern Egypt). They believed geographic distance from Judah would spare them from Babylon's reach, but Nebuchadnezzar invaded Egypt in 568/567 BC, fulfilling this prophecy.
Reflection Questions
- What 'Egypt' do you run to when seeking security apart from God's will?
- How does this passage expose the futility of geographic solutions to spiritual problems?
- Why does disobedience to clear divine instruction inevitably bring the judgment one seeks to avoid?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 12 wordsפָּקַ֖דְתִּי1 of 12
“For I will punish”
H6485to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
עַ֤ל2 of 12
H5921above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַיּֽוֹשְׁבִים֙3 of 12
“them that dwell”
H3427properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר6 of 12
H834who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
פָּקַ֖דְתִּי7 of 12
“For I will punish”
H6485to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
עַל8 of 12
H5921above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
בַּחֶ֖רֶב10 of 12
“by the sword”
H2719drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
Study Guide
Historical Context
This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Theological Significance
Jeremiah 44:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Cross-References
Verses related to Jeremiah 44:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge