Jeremiah 44:10
They are not humbled even unto this day, neither have they feared, nor walked in my law, nor in my statutes, that I set before you and before your fathers.
Original Language Analysis
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
דֻכְּא֔וּ
They are not humbled
H1792
דֻכְּא֔וּ
They are not humbled
Strong's:
H1792
Word #:
2 of 16
to crumble; transitively, to bruise (literally or figuratively)
עַ֖ד
H5704
עַ֖ד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
3 of 16
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
הַיּ֣וֹם
even unto this day
H3117
הַיּ֣וֹם
even unto this day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
4 of 16
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הַזֶּ֑ה
H2088
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
6 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָרְא֗וּ
neither have they feared
H3372
יָרְא֗וּ
neither have they feared
Strong's:
H3372
Word #:
7 of 16
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
8 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
הָלְכ֤וּ
nor walked
H1980
הָלְכ֤וּ
nor walked
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
9 of 16
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
בְתֽוֹרָתִי֙
in my law
H8451
בְתֽוֹרָתִי֙
in my law
Strong's:
H8451
Word #:
10 of 16
a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
12 of 16
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נָתַ֥תִּי
that I set
H5414
נָתַ֥תִּי
that I set
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
13 of 16
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
וְלִפְנֵ֥י
before
H6440
וְלִפְנֵ֥י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
14 of 16
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
Cross References
Proverbs 28:14Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.Revelation 15:4Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.Jeremiah 8:12Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore shall they fall among them that fall: in the time of their visitation they shall be cast down, saith the LORD.1 Peter 5:6Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
Historical Context
Despite the trauma of 586 BC—mass death, starvation, deportation, temple destruction—the Egyptian refugees remained spiritually unchanged. This fulfills warnings about hardened hearts (Deuteronomy 29:4; Isaiah 6:9-10). Archaeological evidence of Elephantine later shows Jewish syncretism, validating Jeremiah's warnings. The 'law and statutes' reference the Torah given at Sinai and renewed in Deuteronomy, establishing a 700+ year covenant heritage.
Questions for Reflection
- What level of judgment or suffering would it take to produce genuine humility and fear of God in your heart?
- How can people experience devastating consequences yet remain spiritually unchanged?
- What does it mean to 'walk in' God's law versus merely knowing it intellectually?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
They are not humbled even unto this day—lōʾ-dukkeʾû (they are not humbled/crushed) uses the Pual perfect of dākāʾ, a term for being crushed or broken (Psalm 34:18, 51:17; Isaiah 57:15). The phrase ʿad hayyôm hazzeh (even unto this day) emphasizes the ongoing nature of their hardness—witnessing Jerusalem's destruction produced no brokenness. Neither have they feared (wəlōʾ yārēʾû)—the absence of yirʾâ (fear, reverence) shows no holy awe despite seeing God's terrifying judgments.
Nor walked in my law, nor in my statutes (wəlōʾ-hāləkû bətôrātî ûbəḥuqqōtay)—tôrâ (law, instruction) and ḥuqqôt (statutes, decrees) represent the covenant stipulations. The verb hālaḵ (to walk) depicts lifestyle orientation, not mere intellectual assent. That I set before you and before your fathers recalls Mosaic covenant language (Deuteronomy 4:8, 44; 11:32). The historical continuity ('you and your fathers') shows they're rejecting a long-established, well-attested covenant, not responding to new or unclear demands. Their hardness is inexcusable because the standards were clear, public, and historically validated.