King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 44:15 Mean?

Jeremiah 44:15 in the King James Version says “Then all the men which knew that their wives had burned incense unto other gods, and all the women that stood by, a grea... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 44 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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,

Jeremiah 44:15 · KJV


Context

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.

17

But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth, to burn incense unto the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, as we have done, we, and our fathers, our kings, and our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem: for then had we plenty of victuals, and were well, and saw no evil. queen: or, frame of heaven victuals: Heb. bread


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
All the men which knew that their wives had burned incense unto other gods (כָּל־הָאֲנָשִׁים הַיֹּדְעִים)—The verb yada (יָדַע, to know) indicates conscious awareness and complicity. These husbands weren't passive; they knew and permitted, making them equally culpable (cf. v.19 where wives claim male consent). The gathering includes a great multitude (קָהָל גָּדוֹל, qahal gadol), suggesting systematic, public idolatry.

Pathros (פַּתְרוֹס)—Upper (southern) Egypt, indicating the Jewish refugees had spread throughout Egypt. This confrontation represents not a private rebuke but a national reckoning. The defiance is corporate, shameless, and absolute—a hardened community that has collectively rejected prophetic authority.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Pathros (Egyptian p3-t3-rsy, 'the southern land') was Upper Egypt, centered around Thebes. Jewish mercenary colonies existed there as early as the 7th century BC (later evidenced by the Elephantine papyri). The scene depicts an organized, established community publicly defending their syncretistic worship.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does 'knowing' about sin without intervening constitute participation in it?
  2. What enables an entire community to collectively justify idolatry as a response to hardship?
  3. Why is public, corporate defiance of God's word particularly egregious?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וַיַּעֲנ֣וּ1 of 23

answered

H6030

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

אֶֽת2 of 23
H853

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

יִרְמְיָ֗הוּ3 of 23

Jeremiah

H3414

jirmejah, the name of eight or nine israelites

כָּל4 of 23
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הָאֲנָשִׁ֤ים5 of 23
H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

הַיֹּֽדְעִים֙6 of 23

which knew

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

כִּֽי7 of 23
H3588

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

מְקַטְּר֤וֹת8 of 23

had burned incense

H6999

to smoke, i.e., turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship)

הַנָּשִׁ֥ים9 of 23

and all the women

H802

a woman

לֵאלֹהִ֣ים10 of 23

gods

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

אֲחֵרִ֔ים11 of 23

unto other

H312

properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc

וְכָל12 of 23
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַנָּשִׁ֥ים13 of 23

and all the women

H802

a woman

הָעֹמְד֖וֹת14 of 23

that stood by

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

קָהָ֣ל15 of 23

multitude

H6951

assemblage (usually concretely)

גָּד֑וֹל16 of 23

a great

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

וְכָל17 of 23
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הָעָ֛ם18 of 23

even all the people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

הַיֹּשְׁבִ֥ים19 of 23

that dwelt

H3427

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

בְּאֶֽרֶץ20 of 23

in the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרַ֖יִם21 of 23

of Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

בְּפַתְר֥וֹס22 of 23

in Pathros

H6624

pathros, a part of egypt

לֵאמֹֽר׃23 of 23

saying

H559

to say (used with great latitude)


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 44:15 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 44:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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