King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 44:25 Mean?

Jeremiah 44:25 in the King James Version says “Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying; Ye and your wives have both spoken with your mouths, and fulfil... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 44 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying; Ye and your wives have both spoken with your mouths, and fulfilled with your hand, saying, We will surely perform our vows that we have vowed, to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her: ye will surely accomplish your vows, and surely perform your vows.

Jeremiah 44:25 · KJV


Context

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:

25

Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying; Ye and your wives have both spoken with your mouths, and fulfilled with your hand, saying, We will surely perform our vows that we have vowed, to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her: ye will surely accomplish your vows, and surely perform your vows.

26

Therefore hear ye the word of the LORD, all Judah that dwell in the land of Egypt; Behold, I have sworn by my great name, saith the LORD, that my name shall no more be named in the mouth of any man of Judah in all the land of Egypt, saying, The Lord GOD liveth.

27

Behold, I will watch over them for evil, and not for good: and all the men of Judah that are in the land of Egypt shall be consumed by the sword and by the famine, until there be an end of them.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God says sarcastically 'ye will surely accomplish your vows' to worship the queen of heaven. If they're determined to sin, God will not prevent it - He gives them over to their desires (Rom 1:24-28). This is judicial hardening where God removes restraining grace, allowing sin's natural consequences. 'Accomplish ye vows' is bitter permission, not approval.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The women particularly were devoted to queen of heaven worship (44:15-19). God's response acknowledges their determination while pronouncing judgment.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean when God 'gives people over' to their sinful desires?
  2. How does persistent sin lead to spiritual hardening?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 34 words
כֹּֽה1 of 34
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

לֵאמֹר֒2 of 34

Thus saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָֽה3 of 34

the LORD

H3068

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

צְבָאוֹת֩4 of 34

of hosts

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

אֱלֹהֵ֨י5 of 34

the God

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל6 of 34

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

לֵאמֹר֒7 of 34

Thus saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אַתֶּ֨ם8 of 34
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

וּנְשֵׁיכֶ֜ם9 of 34

Ye and your wives

H802

a woman

וַתְּדַבֵּ֣רְנָה10 of 34

have both spoken

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

בְּפִיכֶם֮11 of 34

with your mouths

H6310

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

וּבִידֵיכֶ֣ם12 of 34

with your hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

מִלֵּאתֶ֣ם׀13 of 34

and fulfilled

H4390

to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)

לֵאמֹר֒14 of 34

Thus saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

תַעֲשֶׂ֖ינָה15 of 34

We will surely

H6213

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

תַעֲשֶׂ֖ינָה16 of 34

We will surely

H6213

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

אֶת17 of 34
H853

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

נִדְרֵיכֶֽם׃18 of 34

our vows

H5088

a promise (to god); also (concretely) a thing promised

אֲשֶׁ֤ר19 of 34
H834

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

נָדַ֙רְנוּ֙20 of 34

that we have vowed

H5087

to promise (pos., to do or give something to god)

לְקַטֵּר֙21 of 34

to burn incense

H6999

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

לִמְלֶ֣כֶת22 of 34

to the queen

H4446

a queen

הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם23 of 34

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

וּלְהַסֵּ֥ךְ24 of 34

and to pour out

H5258

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

לָ֖הּ25 of 34
H0
נְסָכִ֑ים26 of 34

drink offerings

H5262

a libation; also a cast idol

תָּקִ֙ימְנָה֙27 of 34

accomplish

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

תָּקִ֙ימְנָה֙28 of 34

accomplish

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

אֶת29 of 34
H853

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

נִדְרֵיכֶֽם׃30 of 34

our vows

H5088

a promise (to god); also (concretely) a thing promised

תַעֲשֶׂ֖ינָה31 of 34

We will surely

H6213

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

תַעֲשֶׂ֖ינָה32 of 34

We will surely

H6213

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

אֶת33 of 34
H853

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

נִדְרֵיכֶֽם׃34 of 34

our vows

H5088

a promise (to god); also (concretely) a thing promised


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 44:25 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 44:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study