Jeremiah 44:27
Behold, I will watch over them for evil, and not for good: and all the men of Judah that are in the land of Egypt shall be consumed by the sword and by the famine, until there be an end of them.
Original Language Analysis
שֹׁקֵ֧ד
Behold I will watch
H8245
שֹׁקֵ֧ד
Behold I will watch
Strong's:
H8245
Word #:
2 of 17
to be alert, i.e., sleepless; hence to be on the lookout (whether for good or ill)
עֲלֵיהֶ֛ם
H5921
עֲלֵיהֶ֛ם
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
3 of 17
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
לְרָעָ֖ה
over them for evil
H7451
לְרָעָ֖ה
over them for evil
Strong's:
H7451
Word #:
4 of 17
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
5 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
לְטוֹבָ֑ה
and not for good
H2896
לְטוֹבָ֑ה
and not for good
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
6 of 17
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
וְתַמּוּ֩
shall be consumed
H8552
וְתַמּוּ֩
shall be consumed
Strong's:
H8552
Word #:
7 of 17
to complete, in a good or a bad sense, literal, or figurative, transitive or intransitive
כָל
H3605
כָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
8 of 17
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אִ֨ישׁ
and all the men
H376
אִ֨ישׁ
and all the men
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
9 of 17
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
יְהוּדָ֜ה
of Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָ֜ה
of Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
10 of 17
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
אֲשֶׁ֧ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֧ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
11 of 17
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בְּאֶֽרֶץ
that are in the land
H776
בְּאֶֽרֶץ
that are in the land
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
12 of 17
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
בַּחֶ֥רֶב
by the sword
H2719
בַּחֶ֥רֶב
by the sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
14 of 17
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
Cross References
Jeremiah 31:28And it shall come to pass, that like as I have watched over them, to pluck up, and to break down, and to throw down, and to destroy, and to afflict; so will I watch over them, to build, and to plant, saith the LORD.Jeremiah 1:10See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.2 Kings 21:14And I will forsake the remnant of mine inheritance, and deliver them into the hand of their enemies; and they shall become a prey and a spoil to all their enemies;
Historical Context
Egypt, Israel's traditional false refuge (Isaiah 30:1-3, 31:1), proves a deathrap rather than sanctuary. Babylonian forces under Nebuchadnezzar invaded Egypt circa 568 BC (Jeremiah 43:8-13), fulfilling this prophecy. Archaeological evidence shows destruction of Egyptian border settlements during this period.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's 'watching for evil' demonstrate active judgment rather than mere abandonment?
- What modern 'Egypts' do people flee to for security apart from God's will?
- Why is there no geographic escape from covenant accountability before God?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
I will watch over them for evil, and not for good (שֹׁקֵד אֲנִי עֲלֵיהֶם לְרָעָה וְלֹא לְטוֹבָה)—The verb shoqed (שֹׁקֵד) means 'watching vigilantly,' used of God's watchful care for Israel (Jeremiah 1:12, 31:28). Here the divine watchfulness inverts from blessing to curse—God actively superintends their destruction. Compare Amos 9:4: 'I will set mine eyes upon them for evil.'
Consumed by the sword and by the famine—The covenant curses of Deuteronomy 28:22, 48-51 follow the unfaithful even into Egypt. Geographic escape provides no refuge from covenant judgment. Until there be an end of them (עַד־כְּלוֹתָם) signals complete consumption, the Hebrew kalah meaning utter termination.