Jeremiah 44:14
So that none of the remnant of Judah, which are gone into the land of Egypt to sojourn there, shall escape or remain, that they should return into the land of Judah, to the which they have a desire to return to dwell there: for none shall return but such as shall escape.
Original Language Analysis
וְלֹ֨א
H3808
וְלֹ֨א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 28
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִהְיֶ֜ה
H1961
יִהְיֶ֜ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
2 of 28
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לִשְׁאֵרִ֣ית
So that none of the remnant
H7611
לִשְׁאֵרִ֣ית
So that none of the remnant
Strong's:
H7611
Word #:
5 of 28
a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion
יְהוּדָ֗ה
of Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָ֗ה
of Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
6 of 28
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
הַבָּאִ֥ים
which are gone
H935
הַבָּאִ֥ים
which are gone
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
7 of 28
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
לָגֽוּר
to sojourn
H1481
לָגֽוּר
to sojourn
Strong's:
H1481
Word #:
8 of 28
properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e., sojourn (as a guest); also to shrink, fear (as in a strange place);
שָׁ֖ם
H8033
יָשׁ֖וּבוּ
that they should return
H7725
יָשׁ֖וּבוּ
that they should return
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
12 of 28
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
יְהוּדָ֗ה
of Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָ֗ה
of Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
14 of 28
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
15 of 28
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
מְנַשְּׂאִ֤ים
to the which they have
H5375
מְנַשְּׂאִ֤ים
to the which they have
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
17 of 28
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
18 of 28
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
נַפְשָׁם֙
a desire
H5315
נַפְשָׁם֙
a desire
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
19 of 28
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
יָשׁ֖וּבוּ
that they should return
H7725
יָשׁ֖וּבוּ
that they should return
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
20 of 28
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
לָשֶׁ֣בֶת
to dwell
H3427
לָשֶׁ֣בֶת
to dwell
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
21 of 28
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
שָׁ֔ם
H8033
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
23 of 28
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
24 of 28
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָשׁ֖וּבוּ
that they should return
H7725
יָשׁ֖וּבוּ
that they should return
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
25 of 28
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
26 of 28
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Cross References
Romans 9:27Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:Isaiah 4:2In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel.Isaiah 10:20And it shall come to pass in that day, that the remnant of Israel, and such as are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no more again stay upon him that smote them; but shall stay upon the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth.Jeremiah 42:17So shall it be with all the men that set their faces to go into Egypt to sojourn there; they shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence: and none of them shall remain or escape from the evil that I will bring upon them.
Historical Context
The Jewish community in Egypt grew substantially in the post-exilic period, eventually centered in Alexandria. However, the specific generation that fled to Egypt in 586 BC perished there, unable to participate in the return under Cyrus (538 BC). Historical records suggest few if any from this rebellious group survived to see Judah again.
Questions for Reflection
- How does presuming on remnant status while living in disobedience reflect modern church complacency?
- What does 'lifting up your soul' toward something reveal about the relationship between desire and obedience?
- Why does God preserve a remnant even within a judged community?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
None of the remnant of Judah...shall escape or remain (וְלֹא־יִהְיֶה פָּלִיט וְשָׂרִיד)—The paired terms paliyt (פָּלִיט, escapee) and sarid (שָׂרִיד, survivor) form a comprehensive negation. Those who thought themselves 'remnant' (שְׁאֵרִית, she'erit) by surviving Jerusalem's destruction will themselves become extinct through their rebellion.
They have a desire to return (מְנַשְּׂאִים אֶת־נַפְשָׁם לָשׁוּב)—literally "lifting up their soul to return," expressing intense longing. The tragedy: they will desire the land of promise but never possess it, having forfeited it through disobedience. Only a tiny remnant who escape (פְּלֵטִים, peleytim)—likely those who didn't participate in idolatry—will return, fulfilling God's sovereign preservation of a faithful seed.