King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 44:29 Mean?

Jeremiah 44:29 in the King James Version says “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 ...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 44 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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:”

Jeremiah 44:29 · KJV

Context

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.

Read Jeremiah 44 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And this shall be a sign unto you, saith the LORD (וְזֹאת־לָכֶם הָאוֹת נְאֻם־יְהוָה)—an authenticating ot (אוֹת, sign), proving God's threatened judgment will certainly occur. Biblical 'signs' confirm prophetic authority (Deuteronomy 18:21-22, 1 Samuel 2:34, Isaiah 7:14, 37:30). Here God graciously provides evidence before the fact, eliminating later claims that disaster was random rather than covenantal. That I will punish you in this place (כִּי־פֹקֵד אָנֹכִי עֲלֵיכֶם בַּמָּקוֹם הַזֶּה)—Egypt, their chosen refuge, becomes the execution site for covenant curses.

That ye may know that My words shall surely stand against you for evil (לְמַעַן תֵּדְעוּ כִּי קוֹם יָקוּמוּ דְבָרַי עֲלֵיכֶם לְרָעָה)—emphatic Hebrew construction: qom yaqumu (standing, they shall stand), doubling the verb for certainty. The word ra'ah (evil/calamity) echoes the covenant curse terminology. God's reputation is at stake—His words must prove reliable, whether blessing or curse. Tragically, only the curse will convince them His word is true.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This oracle (580s BC) came after the remnant rejected Jeremiah's word and forcibly took him to Egypt (43:6-7), settling in Tahpanhes, Migdol, Memphis, and Pathros (44:1). They resumed pagan worship, particularly of the 'Queen of Heaven' (likely Ishtar/Astarte, 44:17-19), claiming idolatry brought prosperity. This verse warns them before Babylon's invasion that their doom is sealed—fulfilled when Nebuchadnezzar conquered Egypt (568/7 BC).

Reflection Questions

  1. Why does God provide signs/evidence of coming judgment—what does this reveal about His desire for people to recognize His justice?
  2. What does it mean that God's words 'stand against you for evil'—how does divine word become agent of judgment?
  3. When have you seen God's word prove true through painful consequences, forcing recognition of His authority?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וְזֹאת1 of 19
H2063

this (often used adverb)

לָכֶ֤ם2 of 19
H0
הָאוֹת֙3 of 19

“And this shall be a sign”

H226

a signal (literally or figuratively), as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc

נְאֻם4 of 19

“unto you saith”

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָ֔ה5 of 19

“the LORD”

H3068

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

כִּֽי6 of 19
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

פֹקֵ֥ד7 of 19

“that I will punish”

H6485

to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc

אֲנִ֛י8 of 19
H589

i

עֲלֵיכֶ֖ם9 of 19
H5921

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

בַּמָּק֣וֹם10 of 19

“you in this place”

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

הַזֶּ֑ה11 of 19
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

לְמַ֙עַן֙12 of 19
H4616

properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that

תֵּֽדְע֔וּ13 of 19

“that ye may know”

H3045

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

כִּי֩14 of 19
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

יָק֧וּמוּ15 of 19

“shall surely”

H6965

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

יָק֧וּמוּ16 of 19

“shall surely”

H6965

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

דְבָרַ֛י17 of 19

“that my words”

H1697

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

עֲלֵיכֶ֖ם18 of 19
H5921

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

לְרָעָֽה׃19 of 19

“against you for evil”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

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 44:29 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 44:29 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Proverbs 19:21Matthew 24:15-16Jeremiah 44:30Isaiah 40:8Mark 13:14-16Luke 21:20-21

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