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?


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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

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

מִפִּ֗ינוּ9 of 32

out of our own mouth

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

לְקַטֵּ֞ר10 of 32

to burn incense

H6999

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

לִמְלֶ֣כֶת11 of 32

unto the queen

H4446

a queen

הַשָּׁמַיִם֮12 of 32

of heaven

H8064

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

וְהַסֵּֽיךְ13 of 32

and to pour out

H5258

to pour out, especially a libation, or to cast (metal); by analogy, to anoint a king

לָ֣הּ14 of 32
H0
נְסָכִים֒15 of 32

drink offerings

H5262

a libation; also a cast idol

כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר16 of 32
H834

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

עָשִׂ֜ינוּ17 of 32

But we will certainly

H6213

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

אֲנַ֤חְנוּ18 of 32
H587

we

וַאֲבֹתֵ֙ינוּ֙19 of 32

we and our fathers

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

מְלָכֵ֣ינוּ20 of 32

our kings

H4428

a king

וְשָׂרֵ֔ינוּ21 of 32

and our princes

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

בְּעָרֵ֣י22 of 32

in the cities

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

יְהוּדָ֔ה23 of 32

of Judah

H3063

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

וּבְחֻצ֖וֹת24 of 32

and in the streets

H2351

properly, separate by a wall, i.e., outside, outdoors

יְרוּשָׁלִָ֑ם25 of 32

of Jerusalem

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

וַנִּֽשְׂבַּֽע26 of 32

for then had we plenty

H7646

to sate, i.e., fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively)

לֶ֙חֶם֙27 of 32

of victuals

H3899

food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)

וַנִּֽהְיֶ֣ה28 of 32
H1961

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

טוֹבִ֔ים29 of 32

and were well

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

וְרָעָ֖ה30 of 32

no evil

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

לֹ֥א31 of 32
H3808

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

רָאִֽינוּ׃32 of 32

and saw

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)


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 44:17 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 44:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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