King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 44:28 Mean?

Jeremiah 44:28 in the King James Version says “Yet a small number that escape the sword shall return out of the land of Egypt into the land of Judah, and all the remna... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 44 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Jeremiah 44:28 · KJV


Context

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

29

And this shall be a sign unto you, saith the LORD, that I will punish you in this place, that ye may know that my words shall surely stand against you for evil:

30

Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will give Pharaohhophra king of Egypt into the hand of his enemies, and into the hand of them that seek his life; as I gave Zedekiah king of Judah into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, his enemy, and that sought his life.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God declares that only a small number of refugees will return from Egypt to Judah, serving as witnesses that His word, not theirs, stands true. This is similar to Elijah's remnant (1 Kings 19:18) - God always preserves witnesses to His truth. The phrase 'whose words shall stand, mine, or theirs' presents history as the test of prophecy. Time vindicates God's word.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This prophecy emphasized that those fleeing to Egypt would largely perish there, with only a tiny remnant surviving to return. Their deliverance would testify to God's faithfulness.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God preserve witnesses to His truth even in judgment?
  2. What does it mean that God's word will stand when all human words fail?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
וּפְלִיטֵ֨י1 of 24

that escape

H6412

a refugee

חֶ֜רֶב2 of 24

the sword

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

יְשֻׁב֨וּן3 of 24

shall return out

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

מִן4 of 24
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

לְאֶֽרֶץ5 of 24

into the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרַ֙יִם֙6 of 24

of Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

לְאֶֽרֶץ7 of 24

into the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

יְהוּדָ֗ה8 of 24

of Judah

H3063

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

מְתֵ֣י9 of 24

Yet a small

H4962

properly, an adult (as of full length); by implication, a man (only in the plural)

מִסְפָּ֑ר10 of 24

number

H4557

a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration

וְֽיָדְע֞וּ11 of 24

there shall know

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

כָּל12 of 24
H3605

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

שְׁאֵרִ֣ית13 of 24

and all the remnant

H7611

a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion

יְהוּדָ֗ה14 of 24

of Judah

H3063

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

הַבָּאִ֤ים15 of 24

that are gone

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

לְאֶֽרֶץ16 of 24

into the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרַ֙יִם֙17 of 24

of Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

לָג֣וּר18 of 24

to sojourn

H1481

properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e., sojourn (as a guest); also to shrink, fear (as in a strange place);

שָׁ֔ם19 of 24
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

דְּבַר20 of 24

whose words

H1697

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

מִ֥י21 of 24
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

יָק֖וּם22 of 24

shall stand

H6965

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

מִמֶּ֥נִּי23 of 24
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

וּמֵהֶֽם׃24 of 24
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)


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 44:28 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 44:28 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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