King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 44:21 Mean?

Jeremiah 44:21 in the King James Version says “The incense that ye burned in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, ye, and your fathers, your kings, an... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 44 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

The incense that ye burned in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, ye, and your fathers, your kings, and your princes, and the people of the land, did not the LORD remember them, and came it not into his mind?

Jeremiah 44:21 · KJV


Context

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?

20

Then Jeremiah said unto all the people, to the men, and to the women, and to all the people which had given him that answer , saying,

21

The incense that ye burned in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, ye, and your fathers, your kings, and your princes, and the people of the land, did not the LORD remember them, and came it not into his mind?

22

So that the LORD could no longer bear, because of the evil of your doings, and because of the abominations which ye have committed; therefore is your land a desolation, and an astonishment, and a curse, without an inhabitant, as at this day.

23

Because ye have burned incense, and because ye have sinned against the LORD, and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD, nor walked in his law, nor in his statutes, nor in his testimonies; therefore this evil is happened unto you, as at this day.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Did not the LORD remember them, and came it not into his mind? (הֲלוֹא אֹתָם זָכַר יְהוָה וַתַּעֲלֶה עַל־לִבּוֹ)—The verb zakar (זָכַר, remember) in Hebrew means more than mental recall; it means to act upon what is remembered, to reckon with. God's 'remembering' their incense (הַקְּטֹרֶת, haqtoret) burned in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem signifies His judicial attention to their comprehensive, public idolatry.

The rhetorical question expects the answer 'Yes!'—God most certainly remembered and acted. The phrase came it not into his mind (וַתַּעֲלֶה עַל־לִבּוֹ, literally 'did it not ascend upon His heart') emphasizes divine awareness penetrating to the seat of judgment. Their sin wasn't overlooked; it accumulated into the covenantal reckoning that became Jerusalem's destruction.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Jeremiah references multi-generational idolatry: ye, and your fathers, your kings, and your princes, and the people of the land—every social stratum across generations participated. From Manasseh's reign (697-643 BC) through the final kings, state-sponsored and popular idolatry saturated Judah until Josiah's brief reforms, which failed to transform hearts.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's 'remembering' sin relate to His patience and ultimate justice?
  2. What does multi-generational, society-wide sin reveal about spiritual decline's momentum?
  3. Why do people assume God overlooks or forgets persistent covenant violation?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
הֲל֣וֹא1 of 21
H3808

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

אֶת2 of 21
H853

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

הַקִּטֵּ֗ר3 of 21

that ye burned

H6999

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

אֲשֶׁ֨ר4 of 21
H834

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

קִטַּרְתֶּ֜ם5 of 21

The incense

H7002

perfume

בְּעָרֵ֤י6 of 21

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)

יְהוּדָה֙7 of 21

of Judah

H3063

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

וּבְחֻצ֣וֹת8 of 21

and in the streets

H2351

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

יְרוּשָׁלִַ֔ם9 of 21

of Jerusalem

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

אַתֶּ֧ם10 of 21
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

וַאֲבֽוֹתֵיכֶ֛ם11 of 21

ye and your fathers

H1

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

מַלְכֵיכֶ֥ם12 of 21

your kings

H4428

a king

וְשָׂרֵיכֶ֖ם13 of 21

and your princes

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

וְעַ֣ם14 of 21

and the people

H5971

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

הָאָ֑רֶץ15 of 21

of the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֹתָם֙16 of 21
H853

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

זָכַ֣ר17 of 21

remember

H2142

properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male

יְהוָ֔ה18 of 21

did not the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וַֽתַּעֲלֶ֖ה19 of 21

them and came

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

עַל20 of 21
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

לִבּֽוֹ׃21 of 21

it not into his mind

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything


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 44:21 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 44:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study