Jeremiah 44:19
And when we burned incense to the queen of heaven, and poured out drink offerings unto her, did we make her cakes to worship her, and pour out drink offerings unto her, without our men?
Original Language Analysis
וְכִֽי
H3588
וְכִֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 17
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מְקַטְּרִים֙
And when we burned incense
H6999
מְקַטְּרִים֙
And when we burned incense
Strong's:
H6999
Word #:
3 of 17
to smoke, i.e., turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship)
הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם
of heaven
H8064
הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם
of heaven
Strong's:
H8064
Word #:
5 of 17
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
וְהַסֵּ֥ךְ
and poured out
H5258
וְהַסֵּ֥ךְ
and poured out
Strong's:
H5258
Word #:
6 of 17
to pour out, especially a libation, or to cast (metal); by analogy, to anoint a king
אֲנָשֵׁ֗ינוּ
our men
H582
אֲנָשֵׁ֗ינוּ
our men
Strong's:
H582
Word #:
10 of 17
properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)
עָשִׂ֨ינוּ
unto her did we make
H6213
עָשִׂ֨ינוּ
unto her did we make
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
11 of 17
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
כַּוָּנִים֙
her cakes
H3561
כַּוָּנִים֙
her cakes
Strong's:
H3561
Word #:
13 of 17
something prepared, i.e., a sacrificial wafer
לְהַ֣עֲצִבָ֔ה
to worship
H6087
לְהַ֣עֲצִבָ֔ה
to worship
Strong's:
H6087
Word #:
14 of 17
properly, to carve, i.e., fabricate or fashion
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.Jeremiah 44:15Then 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,
Historical Context
Archaeological evidence from Judah shows numerous female figurines and domestic altars from the 7th-6th centuries BC. The 'Queen of Heaven' (likely Astarte/Ishtar) worship involved household rituals conducted primarily by women but requiring male consent in a patriarchal society. Stamped ritual cakes for deity worship are attested throughout ancient Near Eastern cultures.
Questions for Reflection
- How do family structures enable or restrain idolatry in the household?
- What does shared guilt between spouses reveal about marriage's spiritual unity?
- Why does religious activity (baking, rituals) not equal true worship if directed toward false gods?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Did we make her cakes to worship her...without our men? (הֲבִלְעֲדֵי אֲנָשֵׁינוּ)—The Hebrew construction is defensive: "Was it apart from our men?" The women shift responsibility to male authorization, claiming they acted with husbands' knowledge (v.15 confirms this). Cakes (כַּוָּנִים, kawwanim) were ritual offerings stamped with the Queen of Heaven's image, part of organized cult worship.
This verse exposes household idolatry's dynamics: women often administered domestic religious rituals, but with patriarchal approval. The argument reveals both genders' culpability—neither can claim innocence by blaming the other. The drink offerings (נְסָכִים, nesakim)—libations poured out—represent comprehensive devotion: baked goods and liquids, domestic labor and agricultural produce, all consecrated to a false deity.