Jeremiah Chapter 44 · Verse 13

Authorized King James Version

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For I will punish them that dwell in the land of Egypt, as I have punished Jerusalem, by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence:

Original Language Analysis

פָּקַ֖דְתִּי For I will punish H6485
פָּקַ֖דְתִּי For I will punish
Strong's: H6485
Word #: 1 of 12
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
עַ֤ל H5921
עַ֤ל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 2 of 12
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַיּֽוֹשְׁבִים֙ them that dwell H3427
הַיּֽוֹשְׁבִים֙ them that dwell
Strong's: H3427
Word #: 3 of 12
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
בְּאֶ֣רֶץ in the land H776
בְּאֶ֣רֶץ in the land
Strong's: H776
Word #: 4 of 12
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
מִצְרַ֔יִם of Egypt H4714
מִצְרַ֔יִם of Egypt
Strong's: H4714
Word #: 5 of 12
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר H834
כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 6 of 12
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
פָּקַ֖דְתִּי For I will punish H6485
פָּקַ֖דְתִּי For I will punish
Strong's: H6485
Word #: 7 of 12
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 8 of 12
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יְרֽוּשָׁלִָ֑ם Jerusalem H3389
יְרֽוּשָׁלִָ֑ם Jerusalem
Strong's: H3389
Word #: 9 of 12
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
בַּחֶ֖רֶב by the sword H2719
בַּחֶ֖רֶב by the sword
Strong's: H2719
Word #: 10 of 12
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
בָּרָעָ֖ב by the famine H7458
בָּרָעָ֖ב by the famine
Strong's: H7458
Word #: 11 of 12
hunger (more or less extensive)
וּבַדָּֽבֶר׃ and by the pestilence H1698
וּבַדָּֽבֶר׃ and by the pestilence
Strong's: H1698
Word #: 12 of 12
a pestilence

Analysis & Commentary

I will punish them that dwell in the land of Egypt, as I have punished Jerusalem (וּפָקַדְתִּי עַל־יוֹשְׁבֵי אֶרֶץ־מִצְרַיִם)—The verb paqad (פָּקַד) means to visit, attend to, or reckon with, often used for divine judgment. God's covenantal justice is geographically impartial: fleeing to Egypt cannot evade His hand.

The triple judgment formula—by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence (בַּחֶרֶב בָּרָעָב וּבַדָּבֶר)—echoes Jeremiah's consistent warning throughout his ministry (14:12, 21:7, 24:10). The remnant's disobedience in fleeing to Egypt despite God's explicit prohibition (42:15-19) now brings the very destruction they sought to escape. Egypt, symbol of pre-Exodus bondage, becomes their final trap.

Historical Context

After Jerusalem's fall (586 BC), the Jewish remnant forcibly took Jeremiah to Egypt (43:6-7), settling in Migdol, Tahpanhes, Memphis, and Pathros (southern Egypt). They believed geographic distance from Judah would spare them from Babylon's reach, but Nebuchadnezzar invaded Egypt in 568/567 BC, fulfilling this prophecy.

Questions for Reflection