King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 44:14 Mean?

Jeremiah 44:14 in the King James Version says “So that none of the remnant of Judah, which are gone into the land of Egypt to sojourn there, shall escape or remain, th... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 44 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Jeremiah 44:14 · KJV


Context

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,

16

As for the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the name of the LORD, we will not hearken unto thee.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
None of the remnant of Judah...shall escape or remain (וְלֹא־יִהְיֶה פָּלִיט וְשָׂרִיד)—The paired terms paliyt (פָּלִיט, escapee) and sarid (שָׂרִיד, survivor) form a comprehensive negation. Those who thought themselves 'remnant' (שְׁאֵרִית, she'erit) by surviving Jerusalem's destruction will themselves become extinct through their rebellion.

They have a desire to return (מְנַשְּׂאִים אֶת־נַפְשָׁם לָשׁוּב)—literally "lifting up their soul to return," expressing intense longing. The tragedy: they will desire the land of promise but never possess it, having forfeited it through disobedience. Only a tiny remnant who escape (פְּלֵטִים, peleytim)—likely those who didn't participate in idolatry—will return, fulfilling God's sovereign preservation of a faithful seed.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Jewish community in Egypt grew substantially in the post-exilic period, eventually centered in Alexandria. However, the specific generation that fled to Egypt in 586 BC perished there, unable to participate in the return under Cyrus (538 BC). Historical records suggest few if any from this rebellious group survived to see Judah again.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does presuming on remnant status while living in disobedience reflect modern church complacency?
  2. What does 'lifting up your soul' toward something reveal about the relationship between desire and obedience?
  3. Why does God preserve a remnant even within a judged community?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 28 words
וְלֹ֨א1 of 28
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יִהְיֶ֜ה2 of 28
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

פְּלֵטִֽים׃3 of 28

there shall escape

H6412

a refugee

וְשָׂרִיד֙4 of 28

or remain

H8300

a survivor

לִשְׁאֵרִ֣ית5 of 28

So that none of the remnant

H7611

a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion

יְהוּדָ֗ה6 of 28

of Judah

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

הַבָּאִ֥ים7 of 28

which are gone

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

לָגֽוּר8 of 28

to sojourn

H1481

properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e., sojourn (as a guest); also to shrink, fear (as in a strange place);

שָׁ֖ם9 of 28
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

אֶ֣רֶץ10 of 28

into the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרָ֑יִם11 of 28

of Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

יָשׁ֖וּבוּ12 of 28

that they should return

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

אֶ֣רֶץ13 of 28

into the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

יְהוּדָ֗ה14 of 28

of Judah

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

אֲשֶׁר15 of 28
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הֵ֜מָּה16 of 28
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

מְנַשְּׂאִ֤ים17 of 28

to the which they have

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

אֶת18 of 28
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

נַפְשָׁם֙19 of 28

a desire

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

יָשׁ֖וּבוּ20 of 28

that they should return

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

לָשֶׁ֣בֶת21 of 28

to dwell

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

שָׁ֔ם22 of 28
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

כִּ֥י23 of 28
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

לֹֽא24 of 28
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יָשׁ֖וּבוּ25 of 28

that they should return

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

כִּ֥י26 of 28
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אִם27 of 28
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

פְּלֵטִֽים׃28 of 28

there shall escape

H6412

a refugee


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 44:14 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 44:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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