King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 44:17 Mean?

Jeremiah 44:17 in the King James Version says “But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth, to burn incense unto the queen of heaven, an...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 44 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Jeremiah 44:17 · KJV

Context

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

18

But since we left off to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, we have wanted all things, and have been consumed by the sword and by the famine.

19

And when we burned incense to the queen of heaven, and poured out drink offerings unto her, did we make her cakes to worship her, and pour out drink offerings unto her, without our men? men: or, husbands?

Read Jeremiah 44 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The remnant in Egypt explicitly chooses idolatry, vowing to worship 'the queen of heaven' (likely Ishtar/Astarte). Their rationale is pragmatic rather than theological - they prospered during idolatry but suffered after Josiah's reforms. This inverts cause and effect: they attribute judgment (due to idolatry) to reform, and past blessings (God's patience) to idol worship. Hardened hearts interpret all data to justify rebellion.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The 'queen of heaven' worship involved women making cakes and burning incense. This was widespread in Jeremiah's time (7:18) and proved the depth of Judah's apostasy.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do people misinterpret God's patience as approval of their sin?
  2. What forms of 'queen of heaven' worship (substitutes for God) exist today?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 32 words
כִּי֩1 of 32
H3588

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

עָשִׂ֜ינוּ2 of 32

“But we will certainly”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

עָשִׂ֜ינוּ3 of 32

“But we will certainly”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

אֶֽת4 of 32
H853

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

כָּל5 of 32
H3605

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

הַדָּבָ֣ר׀6 of 32

“whatsoever thing”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

אֲשֶׁר7 of 32
H834

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

יָצָ֣א8 of 32

“goeth forth”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim