King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 44:26 Mean?

Jeremiah 44:26 in the King James Version says “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... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 44 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Jeremiah 44:26 · KJV


Context

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.

28

Yet a small number that escape the sword shall return out of the land of Egypt into the land of Judah, and all the remnant of Judah, that are gone into the land of Egypt to sojourn there, shall know whose words shall stand, mine, or theirs. mine: Heb. from me, or, from them


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
I have sworn by my great name (נִשְׁבַּעְתִּי בִשְׁמִי הַגָּדוֹל)—God invokes His own name as witness, the highest possible oath since nothing greater exists (Hebrews 6:13). The shem gadol (great name) represents His essential character and reputation—the very name the exiles profaned through idolatry.

My name shall no more be named in the mouth of any man of Judah—The divine decree eliminates covenant privilege: no Egyptian Jew would validly invoke Yahweh's name in oath or worship. The Lord GOD liveth (חַי אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה) was the standard oath formula (Ruth 3:13, 1 Samuel 14:39)—now forbidden. This judgment reverses blessing, transforming covenant people into effective pagans unable to call on God's name.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This oath-judgment finds partial fulfillment in the extinction of the Egyptian Jewish exile community. Unlike Babylonian exiles who returned under Ezra/Nehemiah, Egyptian refugees assimilated and disappeared from redemptive history. The Elephantine papyri (5th century BC) show syncretistic worship combining Yahweh with pagan deities.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does God swearing by His own name reveal about the absolute certainty of His judgments?
  2. How does losing the privilege to invoke God's name represent ultimate covenant exclusion?
  3. In what ways might modern believers take lightly the privilege of calling on the Lord's name?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 31 words
לָכֵן֙1 of 31
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

שִׁמְע֣וּ2 of 31

Therefore hear

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

דְבַר3 of 31

ye the word

H1697

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

יְהוָ֔ה4 of 31

of the LORD

H3068

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

כָּל5 of 31
H3605

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

יְהוּדָ֗ה6 of 31

all Judah

H3063

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

הַיֹּשְׁבִ֖ים7 of 31

that dwell

H3427

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

אֶ֥רֶץ8 of 31

in all the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרָֽיִם׃9 of 31

of Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

הִנְנִ֨י10 of 31
H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

נִשְׁבַּ֜עְתִּי11 of 31

Behold I have sworn

H7650

to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)

שְׁמִ֜י12 of 31

name

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

הַגָּדוֹל֙13 of 31

by my great

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

אֹמֵ֛ר14 of 31

saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֔ה15 of 31

of the LORD

H3068

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

אִם16 of 31
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

יִהְיֶה֩17 of 31
H1961

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

ע֨וֹד18 of 31
H5750

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

שְׁמִ֜י19 of 31

name

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

נִקְרָ֣א׀20 of 31

shall no more be named

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

בְּפִ֣י׀21 of 31

in the mouth

H6310

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

כָּל22 of 31
H3605

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

אִ֣ישׁ23 of 31

of any man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

יְהוּדָ֗ה24 of 31

all Judah

H3063

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

אֹמֵ֛ר25 of 31

saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

חַי26 of 31

liveth

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

אֲדֹנָ֥י27 of 31

The Lord

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

יְהוִ֖ה28 of 31

GOD

H3069

god

בְּכָל29 of 31
H3605

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

אֶ֥רֶץ30 of 31

in all the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרָֽיִם׃31 of 31

of Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt


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 44:26 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 44:26 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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