Jeremiah 44:17
But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth, to burn incense unto the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, as we have done, we, and our fathers, our kings, and our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem: for then had we plenty of victuals, and were well, and saw no evil.
Original Language Analysis
כִּי֩
H3588
כִּי֩
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 32
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
עָשִׂ֜ינוּ
But we will certainly
H6213
עָשִׂ֜ינוּ
But we will certainly
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
2 of 32
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
עָשִׂ֜ינוּ
But we will certainly
H6213
עָשִׂ֜ינוּ
But we will certainly
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
3 of 32
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אֶֽת
H853
אֶֽת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 32
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
5 of 32
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַדָּבָ֣ר׀
whatsoever thing
H1697
הַדָּבָ֣ר׀
whatsoever thing
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
6 of 32
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
7 of 32
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יָצָ֣א
goeth forth
H3318
יָצָ֣א
goeth forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
8 of 32
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
מִפִּ֗ינוּ
out of our own mouth
H6310
מִפִּ֗ינוּ
out of our own mouth
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
9 of 32
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
לְקַטֵּ֞ר
to burn incense
H6999
לְקַטֵּ֞ר
to burn incense
Strong's:
H6999
Word #:
10 of 32
to smoke, i.e., turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship)
הַשָּׁמַיִם֮
of heaven
H8064
הַשָּׁמַיִם֮
of heaven
Strong's:
H8064
Word #:
12 of 32
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
וְהַסֵּֽיךְ
and to pour out
H5258
וְהַסֵּֽיךְ
and to pour out
Strong's:
H5258
Word #:
13 of 32
to pour out, especially a libation, or to cast (metal); by analogy, to anoint a king
כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
16 of 32
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עָשִׂ֜ינוּ
But we will certainly
H6213
עָשִׂ֜ינוּ
But we will certainly
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
17 of 32
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
וַאֲבֹתֵ֙ינוּ֙
we and our fathers
H1
וַאֲבֹתֵ֙ינוּ֙
we and our fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
19 of 32
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
בְּעָרֵ֣י
in the cities
H5892
בְּעָרֵ֣י
in the cities
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
22 of 32
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
יְהוּדָ֔ה
of Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָ֔ה
of Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
23 of 32
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
וּבְחֻצ֖וֹת
and in the streets
H2351
וּבְחֻצ֖וֹת
and in the streets
Strong's:
H2351
Word #:
24 of 32
properly, separate by a wall, i.e., outside, outdoors
יְרוּשָׁלִָ֑ם
of Jerusalem
H3389
יְרוּשָׁלִָ֑ם
of Jerusalem
Strong's:
H3389
Word #:
25 of 32
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
וַנִּֽשְׂבַּֽע
for then had we plenty
H7646
וַנִּֽשְׂבַּֽע
for then had we plenty
Strong's:
H7646
Word #:
26 of 32
to sate, i.e., fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively)
לֶ֙חֶם֙
of victuals
H3899
לֶ֙חֶם֙
of victuals
Strong's:
H3899
Word #:
27 of 32
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
וַנִּֽהְיֶ֣ה
H1961
וַנִּֽהְיֶ֣ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
28 of 32
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
טוֹבִ֔ים
and were well
H2896
טוֹבִ֔ים
and were well
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
29 of 32
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
Cross References
Jeremiah 7:18The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods, that they may provoke me to anger.Nehemiah 9:34Neither have our kings, our princes, our priests, nor our fathers, kept thy law, nor hearkened unto thy commandments and thy testimonies, wherewith thou didst testify against them.Exodus 16:3And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.Deuteronomy 23:23That which is gone out of thy lips thou shalt keep and perform; even a freewill offering, according as thou hast vowed unto the LORD thy God, which thou hast promised with thy mouth.Jeremiah 19:13And the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses of the kings of Judah, shall be defiled as the place of Tophet, because of all the houses upon whose roofs they have burned incense unto all the host of heaven, and have poured out drink offerings unto other gods.Jeremiah 44:21The incense that ye burned in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, ye, and your fathers, your kings, and your princes, and the people of the land, did not the LORD remember them, and came it not into his mind?Jeremiah 44:25Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying; Ye and your wives have both spoken with your mouths, and fulfilled with your hand, saying, We will surely perform our vows that we have vowed, to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her: ye will surely accomplish your vows, and surely perform your vows.Ezekiel 20:8But they rebelled against me, and would not hearken unto me: they did not every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt: then I said, I will pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt.2 Kings 17:16And they left all the commandments of the LORD their God, and made them molten images, even two calves, and made a grove, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served Baal.Numbers 30:12But if her husband hath utterly made them void on the day he heard them; then whatsoever proceeded out of her lips concerning her vows, or concerning the bond of her soul, shall not stand: her husband hath made them void; and the LORD shall forgive her.
Historical Context
The 'queen of heaven' worship involved women making cakes and burning incense. This was widespread in Jeremiah's time (7:18) and proved the depth of Judah's apostasy.
Questions for Reflection
- How do people misinterpret God's patience as approval of their sin?
- What forms of 'queen of heaven' worship (substitutes for God) exist today?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The remnant in Egypt explicitly chooses idolatry, vowing to worship 'the queen of heaven' (likely Ishtar/Astarte). Their rationale is pragmatic rather than theological - they prospered during idolatry but suffered after Josiah's reforms. This inverts cause and effect: they attribute judgment (due to idolatry) to reform, and past blessings (God's patience) to idol worship. Hardened hearts interpret all data to justify rebellion.