Jeremiah 44:21
The 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?
Original Language Analysis
הֲל֣וֹא
H3808
הֲל֣וֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 21
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַקִּטֵּ֗ר
that ye burned
H6999
הַקִּטֵּ֗ר
that ye burned
Strong's:
H6999
Word #:
3 of 21
to smoke, i.e., turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship)
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
4 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בְּעָרֵ֤י
in the cities
H5892
בְּעָרֵ֤י
in the cities
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
6 of 21
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
יְהוּדָה֙
of Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָה֙
of Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
7 of 21
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
וּבְחֻצ֣וֹת
and in the streets
H2351
וּבְחֻצ֣וֹת
and in the streets
Strong's:
H2351
Word #:
8 of 21
properly, separate by a wall, i.e., outside, outdoors
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֔ם
of Jerusalem
H3389
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֔ם
of Jerusalem
Strong's:
H3389
Word #:
9 of 21
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
וַאֲבֽוֹתֵיכֶ֛ם
ye and your fathers
H1
וַאֲבֽוֹתֵיכֶ֛ם
ye and your fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
11 of 21
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
וְעַ֣ם
and the people
H5971
וְעַ֣ם
and the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
14 of 21
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
אֹתָם֙
H853
אֹתָם֙
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
16 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
זָכַ֣ר
remember
H2142
זָכַ֣ר
remember
Strong's:
H2142
Word #:
17 of 21
properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
יְהוָ֔ה
did not the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
did not the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
18 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וַֽתַּעֲלֶ֖ה
them and came
H5927
וַֽתַּעֲלֶ֖ה
them and came
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
19 of 21
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
Cross References
Isaiah 64:9Be not wroth very sore, O LORD, neither remember iniquity for ever: behold, see, we beseech thee, we are all thy people.Psalms 79:8O remember not against us former iniquities: let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us: for we are brought very low.Jeremiah 11:13For according to the number of thy cities were thy gods, O Judah; and according to the number of the streets of Jerusalem have ye set up altars to that shameful thing, even altars to burn incense unto Baal.Jeremiah 44:17But 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.Jeremiah 44:9Have ye forgotten the wickedness of your fathers, and the wickedness of the kings of Judah, and the wickedness of their wives, and your own wickedness, and the wickedness of your wives, which they have committed in the land of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem?Jeremiah 14:10Thus saith the LORD unto this people, Thus have they loved to wander, they have not refrained their feet, therefore the LORD doth not accept them; he will now remember their iniquity, and visit their sins.Amos 8:7The LORD hath sworn by the excellency of Jacob, Surely I will never forget any of their works.Hosea 7:2And they consider not in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness: now their own doings have beset them about; they are before my face.
Historical Context
Jeremiah references multi-generational idolatry: ye, and your fathers, your kings, and your princes, and the people of the land—every social stratum across generations participated. From Manasseh's reign (697-643 BC) through the final kings, state-sponsored and popular idolatry saturated Judah until Josiah's brief reforms, which failed to transform hearts.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's 'remembering' sin relate to His patience and ultimate justice?
- What does multi-generational, society-wide sin reveal about spiritual decline's momentum?
- Why do people assume God overlooks or forgets persistent covenant violation?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Did not the LORD remember them, and came it not into his mind? (הֲלוֹא אֹתָם זָכַר יְהוָה וַתַּעֲלֶה עַל־לִבּוֹ)—The verb zakar (זָכַר, remember) in Hebrew means more than mental recall; it means to act upon what is remembered, to reckon with. God's 'remembering' their incense (הַקְּטֹרֶת, haqtoret) burned in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem signifies His judicial attention to their comprehensive, public idolatry.
The rhetorical question expects the answer 'Yes!'—God most certainly remembered and acted. The phrase came it not into his mind (וַתַּעֲלֶה עַל־לִבּוֹ, literally 'did it not ascend upon His heart') emphasizes divine awareness penetrating to the seat of judgment. Their sin wasn't overlooked; it accumulated into the covenantal reckoning that became Jerusalem's destruction.