King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 44:3 Mean?

Jeremiah 44:3 in the King James Version says “Because of their wickedness which they have committed to provoke me to anger, in that they went to burn incense, and to ...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 44 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Because of their wickedness which they have committed to provoke me to anger, in that they went to burn incense, and to serve other gods, whom they knew not, neither they, ye, nor your fathers.”

Jeremiah 44:3 · KJV

Context

1

The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the Jews which dwell in the land of Egypt, which dwell at Migdol, and at Tahpanhes, and at Noph, and in the country of Pathros, saying,

2

Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Ye have seen all the evil that I have brought upon Jerusalem, and upon all the cities of Judah; and, behold, this day they are a desolation, and no man dwelleth therein,

3

Because of their wickedness which they have committed to provoke me to anger, in that they went to burn incense, and to serve other gods, whom they knew not, neither they, ye, nor your fathers.

4

Howbeit I sent unto you all my servants the prophets, rising early and sending them, saying, Oh, do not this abominable thing that I hate.

5

But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear to turn from their wickedness, to burn no incense unto other gods.

Read Jeremiah 44 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Because of their wickedness which they have committed to provoke me to anger—the causal Hebrew particle mippənê (because of, on account of) establishes clear moral causation. The term wickedness (rāʿātām) denotes active moral evil, not mere weakness. The phrase to provoke me to anger (ləhaḵʿîsēnî) uses the Hiphil infinitive, emphasizing deliberate causation—their sin wasn't accidental but intentionally provocative.

They went to burn incense, and to serve other gods—qəṭar (burn incense) and ʿābad (serve) describe comprehensive false worship, combining ritual and devotion. The devastating phrase whom they knew not, neither they, ye, nor your fathers emphasizes these gods' fraudulent claims. Unlike Yahweh, who revealed Himself historically to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, these deities had no covenantal history with Israel. The Hebrew yādaʿ (to know) implies covenant relationship—these gods were covenant strangers. The threefold repetition (they, ye, your fathers) creates a damning continuity: each generation persisted in serving entities with no legitimate claim on their worship.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The specific idolatry likely included worship of Egyptian deities and the 'Queen of Heaven' (Jeremiah 44:17-19, 25), probably Ishtar/Astarte. Incense burning was central to ancient Near Eastern worship and explicitly forbidden in Israel's cult except to Yahweh (Exodus 30:37-38). The refugees' idolatry in Egypt represents a tragic irony—they fled to the land that had enslaved their ancestors, now worshiping that land's false gods.

Reflection Questions

  1. What modern equivalents exist to 'serving gods you knew not'—trusting systems or ideologies with no proven covenant faithfulness?
  2. How does the deliberate nature of sin ('to provoke me to anger') challenge contemporary views of sin as weakness or mistake?
  3. Why is the historical relationship between God and His people emphasized as the basis for exclusive worship?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
מִפְּנֵ֣י1 of 16

“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

רָעָתָ֗ם2 of 16

“of their wickedness”

H7451

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

אֲשֶׁ֤ר3 of 16
H834

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

עָשׂוּ֙4 of 16

“which they have committed”

H6213

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

לְהַכְעִסֵ֔נִי5 of 16

“to provoke me to anger”

H3707

to trouble; by implication, to grieve, rage, be indignant

לָלֶ֣כֶת6 of 16
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

לְקַטֵּ֔ר7 of 16

“to burn incense”

H6999

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

לַעֲבֹ֖ד8 of 16

“and to serve”

H5647

to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc

לֵאלֹהִ֣ים9 of 16

“gods”

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

אֲחֵרִ֑ים10 of 16

“other”

H312

properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc

אֲשֶׁר֙11 of 16
H834

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

לֹ֣א12 of 16
H3808

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

יְדָע֔וּם13 of 16

“whom they knew”

H3045

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

הֵ֖מָּה14 of 16
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

אַתֶּ֥ם15 of 16
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

וַאֲבֹתֵיכֶֽם׃16 of 16

“not neither they ye nor your fathers”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

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 44:3 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 44:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 29:26Deuteronomy 13:6Deuteronomy 32:17Jeremiah 44:8Jeremiah 2:17-19Nehemiah 9:33

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