King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 44:30 Mean?

Jeremiah 44:30 in the King James Version says “Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will give Pharaohhophra king of Egypt into the hand of his enemies, and into the hand of ... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 44 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Jeremiah 44:30 · KJV


Context

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
Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will give Pharaoh-hophra king of Egypt into the hand of his enemies (הִנְנִי נֹתֵן אֶת־פַּרְעֹה חָפְרַע מֶלֶך־מִצְרַיִם בְּיַד אֹיְבָיו)—specific, falsifiable prophecy. Hophra (Pharaoh Apries, 589-570 BC) encouraged Judah's rebellion against Babylon and briefly lifted Jerusalem's siege (37:5-11), making him the remnant's hoped-for protector. God declares: the man you're trusting for security will himself fall to enemies.

And into the hand of them that seek his life (וּבְיַד מְבַקְשֵׁי נַפְשׁוֹ)—adding emphasis: not just military defeat but mortal threat. As I gave Zedekiah king of Judah into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, his enemy, and that sought his life—the parallel is devastating. They fled Judah's fate under Zedekiah, placing hope in Hophra—but Egypt's Pharaoh will suffer identical doom. Hophra was eventually overthrown by rival Amasis (570 BC) and killed, fulfilling this prophecy within years of its utterance.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Pharaoh Hophra (Greek: Apries) reigned 589-570 BC. Herodotus (Histories 2.161-169) and Egyptian sources record his overthrow: after military failures (likely including Nebuchadnezzar's 568/7 BC invasion), general Amasis led rebellion, defeated Hophra, and strangled him. The parallel to Zedekiah (captured 586 BC, sons killed before him, eyes put out, taken to Babylon, 39:4-7) was precise—both Judah and Egypt's kings fell to Babylonian power.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does trusting human rulers for security that only God can provide inevitably lead to disappointment?
  2. What does the exact parallel (Zedekiah's fate = Hophra's fate) teach about God's consistent justice across nations?
  3. When have you seen God fulfill specific prophecies in your lifetime—how does this strengthen confidence in unfulfilled promises?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 28 words
כֹּ֣ה׀1 of 28
H3541

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

אָמַ֣ר2 of 28

Thus saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֗ה3 of 28

the LORD

H3068

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

הִנְנִ֣י4 of 28
H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

נָתַ֜תִּי5 of 28

Behold I will give

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

אֶת6 of 28
H853

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

פַּרְעֹ֨ה7 of 28
H0
חָפְרַ֤ע8 of 28

Pharaohhophra

H6548

paroh-chophra, an egyptian king

מֶֽלֶךְ9 of 28

king

H4428

a king

מִצְרַ֙יִם֙10 of 28

of Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

בְּיַ֨ד11 of 28

and into the 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

אֹיְב֖וֹ12 of 28

his enemy

H341

hating; an adversary

בְּיַ֨ד13 of 28

and into the 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

וּמְבַקֵּ֥שׁ14 of 28

and that sought

H1245

to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after

נַפְשֽׁוֹ׃15 of 28

his life

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר16 of 28
H834

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

נָתַ֜תִּי17 of 28

Behold I will give

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

אֶת18 of 28
H853

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

צִדְקִיָּ֣הוּ19 of 28

Zedekiah

H6667

tsidkijah, the name of six israelites

מֶֽלֶךְ20 of 28

king

H4428

a king

יְהוּדָ֗ה21 of 28

of Judah

H3063

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

בְּיַ֨ד22 of 28

and into the 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

נְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֧ר23 of 28

of Nebuchadrezzar

H5019

nebukadnetstsar (or nebukadretsts(-ar, or)), king of babylon

מֶֽלֶךְ24 of 28

king

H4428

a king

בָּבֶ֛ל25 of 28

of Babylon

H894

babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire

אֹיְב֖וֹ26 of 28

his enemy

H341

hating; an adversary

וּמְבַקֵּ֥שׁ27 of 28

and that sought

H1245

to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after

נַפְשֽׁוֹ׃28 of 28

his life

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment


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 44:30 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 44:30 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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