Jeremiah 44:15
Then all the men which knew that their wives had burned incense unto other gods, and all the women that stood by, a great multitude, even all the people that dwelt in the land of Egypt, in Pathros, answered Jeremiah, saying,
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּעֲנ֣וּ
answered
H6030
וַיַּעֲנ֣וּ
answered
Strong's:
H6030
Word #:
1 of 23
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
אֶֽת
H853
אֶֽת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יִרְמְיָ֗הוּ
Jeremiah
H3414
יִרְמְיָ֗הוּ
Jeremiah
Strong's:
H3414
Word #:
3 of 23
jirmejah, the name of eight or nine israelites
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
4 of 23
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָאֲנָשִׁ֤ים
H376
הָאֲנָשִׁ֤ים
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
5 of 23
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
הַיֹּֽדְעִים֙
which knew
H3045
הַיֹּֽדְעִים֙
which knew
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
6 of 23
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
7 of 23
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מְקַטְּר֤וֹת
had burned incense
H6999
מְקַטְּר֤וֹת
had burned incense
Strong's:
H6999
Word #:
8 of 23
to smoke, i.e., turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship)
לֵאלֹהִ֣ים
gods
H430
לֵאלֹהִ֣ים
gods
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
10 of 23
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
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
12 of 23
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָעֹמְד֖וֹת
that stood by
H5975
הָעֹמְד֖וֹת
that stood by
Strong's:
H5975
Word #:
14 of 23
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
17 of 23
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָעָ֛ם
even all the people
H5971
הָעָ֛ם
even all the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
18 of 23
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
הַיֹּשְׁבִ֥ים
that dwelt
H3427
הַיֹּשְׁבִ֥ים
that dwelt
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
19 of 23
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
Cross References
Proverbs 11:21Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.Nehemiah 13:26Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin.Matthew 7:13Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:Genesis 19:4But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter:
Historical Context
Pathros (Egyptian p3-t3-rsy, 'the southern land') was Upper Egypt, centered around Thebes. Jewish mercenary colonies existed there as early as the 7th century BC (later evidenced by the Elephantine papyri). The scene depicts an organized, established community publicly defending their syncretistic worship.
Questions for Reflection
- How does 'knowing' about sin without intervening constitute participation in it?
- What enables an entire community to collectively justify idolatry as a response to hardship?
- Why is public, corporate defiance of God's word particularly egregious?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
All the men which knew that their wives had burned incense unto other gods (כָּל־הָאֲנָשִׁים הַיֹּדְעִים)—The verb yada (יָדַע, to know) indicates conscious awareness and complicity. These husbands weren't passive; they knew and permitted, making them equally culpable (cf. v.19 where wives claim male consent). The gathering includes a great multitude (קָהָל גָּדוֹל, qahal gadol), suggesting systematic, public idolatry.
Pathros (פַּתְרוֹס)—Upper (southern) Egypt, indicating the Jewish refugees had spread throughout Egypt. This confrontation represents not a private rebuke but a national reckoning. The defiance is corporate, shameless, and absolute—a hardened community that has collectively rejected prophetic authority.