King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 44:22 Mean?

Jeremiah 44:22 in the King James Version says “So that the LORD could no longer bear, because of the evil of your doings, and because of the abominations which ye have... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 44 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Jeremiah 44:22 · KJV


Context

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.

24

Moreover Jeremiah said unto all the people, and to all the women, Hear the word of the LORD, all Judah that are in the land of Egypt:


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
So that the LORD could no longer bear (וְלֹא־יוּכַל יְהוָה עוֹד לָשֵׂאת)—The verb nasa (נָשָׂא) means to bear, carry, or endure. Even God's longsuffering has limits; His patience, though extensive, is not infinite. The phrase evokes a weight that has become unbearable—the accumulated evil of your doings (רֹעַ מַעַלְלֵיכֶם) and abominations (תֹּעֵבֹת, to'evot—ceremonially detestable acts) reached critical mass.

The result: your land a desolation, and an astonishment, and a curse (שְׁמָמָה וּלְחָרְבָּה וְלִקְלָלָה)—three covenant curses from Deuteronomy 28. The phrase as at this day (כַּיּוֹם הַזֶּה) points to present reality as proof. Jeremiah argues empirically: your desolate homeland is evidence of God's judgment for idolatry, not blessing for faithfulness!

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Historical & Cultural Context

By 585 BC when this confrontation occurred, Jerusalem lay in ruins, fulfilling the covenant curses precisely. The people witnessed these curses yet still inverted cause and effect. Archaeological evidence confirms widespread destruction of Judean cities from the Babylonian campaigns (589-586 BC), with many sites remaining unoccupied for generations.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does 'God could no longer bear' reveal about the relationship between divine patience and justice?
  2. How can people witness covenant curses yet still misattribute their cause?
  3. What makes 'abominations' particularly unbearable to God compared to other sins?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וְלֹֽא1 of 21
H3808

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

יוּכַל֩2 of 21

could

H3201

to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)

יְהוָ֨ה3 of 21

So that the LORD

H3068

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

ע֜וֹד4 of 21
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

לָשֵׂ֗את5 of 21

no longer bear

H5375

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

מִפְּנֵ֥י6 of 21

and because

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

רֹ֣עַ7 of 21

of the evil

H7455

badness (as marring), physically or morally

מַעַלְלֵיכֶ֔ם8 of 21

of your doings

H4611

an act (good or bad)

מִפְּנֵ֥י9 of 21

and because

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

הַתּוֹעֵבֹ֖ת10 of 21

of the abominations

H8441

properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e., (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol

אֲשֶׁ֣ר11 of 21
H834

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

עֲשִׂיתֶ֑ם12 of 21

which ye have committed

H6213

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

וַתְּהִ֣י13 of 21
H1961

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

אַ֠רְצְכֶם14 of 21

therefore is your land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

לְחָרְבָּ֨ה15 of 21

a desolation

H2723

properly, drought, i.e., (by implication) a desolation

וּלְשַׁמָּ֧ה16 of 21

and an astonishment

H8047

ruin; by implication, consternation

וְלִקְלָלָ֛ה17 of 21

and a curse

H7045

vilification

מֵאֵ֥ין18 of 21
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

יוֹשֵׁ֖ב19 of 21

without an inhabitant

H3427

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

כְּהַיּ֥וֹם20 of 21

as at this day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַזֶּֽה׃21 of 21
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that


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 44:22 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 44:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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