Jeremiah 44:25

Authorized King James Version

Thus 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.

Word-by-Word Analysis

כֹּֽה

H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

לֵאמֹר֒

H559

Thus saith

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָֽה

H3068

the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

צְבָאוֹת֩

H6635

of hosts

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

אֱלֹהֵ֨י

H430

the God

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל

H3478

of Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

לֵאמֹר֒

H559

Thus saith

to say (used with great latitude)

אַתֶּ֨ם

H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

וּנְשֵׁיכֶ֜ם

H802

Ye and your wives

a woman

#10

וַתְּדַבֵּ֣רְנָה

H1696

have both spoken

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

#11

בְּפִיכֶם֮

H6310

with your mouths

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

#12

וּבִידֵיכֶ֣ם

H3027

with your hand

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

#13

מִלֵּאתֶ֣ם׀

H4390

and fulfilled

to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)

#14

לֵאמֹר֒

H559

Thus saith

to say (used with great latitude)

#15

תַעֲשֶׂ֖ינָה

H6213

We will surely

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

#16

תַעֲשֶׂ֖ינָה

H6213

We will surely

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

#17

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#18

נִדְרֵיכֶֽם׃

H5088

our vows

a promise (to god); also (concretely) a thing promised

#19

אֲשֶׁ֤ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#20

נָדַ֙רְנוּ֙

H5087

that we have vowed

to promise (pos., to do or give something to god)

#21

לְקַטֵּר֙

H6999

to burn incense

to smoke, i.e., turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship)

#22

לִמְלֶ֣כֶת

H4446

to the queen

a queen

#23

הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם

H8064

of heaven

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

#24

וּלְהַסֵּ֥ךְ

H5258

and to pour out

to pour out, especially a libation, or to cast (metal); by analogy, to anoint a king

#25

לָ֖הּ

#26

נְסָכִ֑ים

H5262

drink offerings

a libation; also a cast idol

#27

תָּקִ֙ימְנָה֙

H6965

accomplish

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

#28

תָּקִ֙ימְנָה֙

H6965

accomplish

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

#29

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#30

נִדְרֵיכֶֽם׃

H5088

our vows

a promise (to god); also (concretely) a thing promised

#31

תַעֲשֶׂ֖ינָה

H6213

We will surely

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

#32

תַעֲשֶׂ֖ינָה

H6213

We will surely

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

#33

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#34

נִדְרֵיכֶֽם׃

H5088

our vows

a promise (to god); also (concretely) a thing promised

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

How does this verse's literary context within Jeremiah chapter 44 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
How might the original audience's understanding of divine sovereignty differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

People

Jeremiah