Jeremiah 44:23
Because ye have burned incense, and because ye have sinned against the LORD, and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD, nor walked in his law, nor in his statutes, nor in his testimonies; therefore this evil is happened unto you, as at this day.
Original Language Analysis
מִפְּנֵי֩
Because
H6440
מִפְּנֵי֩
Because
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
1 of 23
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
2 of 23
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
קִטַּרְתֶּ֜ם
ye have burned incense
H6999
קִטַּרְתֶּ֜ם
ye have burned incense
Strong's:
H6999
Word #:
3 of 23
to smoke, i.e., turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship)
וַאֲשֶׁ֧ר
H834
וַאֲשֶׁ֧ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
4 of 23
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
חֲטָאתֶ֣ם
and because ye have sinned
H2398
חֲטָאתֶ֣ם
and because ye have sinned
Strong's:
H2398
Word #:
5 of 23
properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn
יְהוָ֔ה
against the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
against the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
6 of 23
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְלֹ֤א
H3808
וְלֹ֤א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
7 of 23
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
שְׁמַעְתֶּם֙
and have not obeyed
H8085
שְׁמַעְתֶּם֙
and have not obeyed
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
8 of 23
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
יְהוָ֔ה
against the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
against the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
10 of 23
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וּבְתֹרָת֧וֹ
in his law
H8451
וּבְתֹרָת֧וֹ
in his law
Strong's:
H8451
Word #:
11 of 23
a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
14 of 23
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
הֲלַכְתֶּ֑ם
nor walked
H1980
הֲלַכְתֶּ֑ם
nor walked
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
15 of 23
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
16 of 23
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כֵּ֞ן
H3651
כֵּ֞ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
17 of 23
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
קָרָ֥את
is happened
H7122
קָרָ֥את
is happened
Strong's:
H7122
Word #:
18 of 23
to encounter, whether accidentally or in a hostile manner
אֶתְכֶ֛ם
H853
אֶתְכֶ֛ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
19 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָרָעָ֥ה
therefore this evil
H7451
הָרָעָ֥ה
therefore this evil
Strong's:
H7451
Word #:
20 of 23
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
Cross References
1 Kings 9:9And they shall answer, Because they forsook the LORD their God, who brought forth their fathers out of the land of Egypt, and have taken hold upon other gods, and have worshipped them, and served them: therefore hath the LORD brought upon them all this evil.Psalms 119:150They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law.Nehemiah 13:18Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the sabbath.
Historical Context
Jeremiah's prophetic ministry (627-585 BC) witnessed Judah's final decline: from Josiah's reforms through four weak kings to Babylonian destruction. Throughout, he consistently warned that covenant violation brings covenant curse—a message vindicated by events but rejected by survivors who preferred any explanation except their own guilt.
Questions for Reflection
- Why is correctly identifying the cause of suffering essential for responding appropriately?
- How does comprehensive covenant violation (law, statutes, testimonies) differ from isolated sin?
- What prevents people from accepting responsibility for consequences of their rebellion?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Because ye have burned incense (מִפְּנֵי אֲשֶׁר קִטַּרְתֶּם)—Jeremiah establishes clear causation using mippene (מִפְּנֵי, because of, on account of). The verdict directly contradicts the people's claim (v.18): suffering came because they burned incense to idols, not because they stopped. Four charges follow:
The triple legal terminology—torah (תּוֹרָה, instruction), chuqqot (חֻקִּים, statutes), edot (עֵדְוֹת, testimonies)—covers God's entire revealed will.
The verdict: therefore this evil is happened unto you (עַל־כֵּן קָרָאת אֶתְכֶם הָרָעָה הַזֹּאת)—inevitable consequence meets willful cause.