Jeremiah 44:28
Yet a small number that escape the sword shall return out of the land of Egypt into the land of Judah, and all the remnant of Judah, that are gone into the land of Egypt to sojourn there, shall know whose words shall stand, mine, or their's.
Original Language Analysis
חֶ֜רֶב
the sword
H2719
חֶ֜רֶב
the sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
2 of 24
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
יְשֻׁב֨וּן
shall return out
H7725
יְשֻׁב֨וּן
shall return out
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
3 of 24
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
4 of 24
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
יְהוּדָ֗ה
of Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָ֗ה
of Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
8 of 24
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
מְתֵ֣י
Yet a small
H4962
מְתֵ֣י
Yet a small
Strong's:
H4962
Word #:
9 of 24
properly, an adult (as of full length); by implication, a man (only in the plural)
מִסְפָּ֑ר
number
H4557
מִסְפָּ֑ר
number
Strong's:
H4557
Word #:
10 of 24
a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration
וְֽיָדְע֞וּ
there shall know
H3045
וְֽיָדְע֞וּ
there shall know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
11 of 24
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
12 of 24
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
שְׁאֵרִ֣ית
and all the remnant
H7611
שְׁאֵרִ֣ית
and all the remnant
Strong's:
H7611
Word #:
13 of 24
a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion
יְהוּדָ֗ה
of Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָ֗ה
of Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
14 of 24
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
הַבָּאִ֤ים
that are gone
H935
הַבָּאִ֤ים
that are gone
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
15 of 24
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
לָג֣וּר
to sojourn
H1481
לָג֣וּר
to sojourn
Strong's:
H1481
Word #:
18 of 24
properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e., sojourn (as a guest); also to shrink, fear (as in a strange place);
שָׁ֔ם
H8033
דְּבַר
whose words
H1697
דְּבַר
whose words
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
20 of 24
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
מִ֥י
H4310
מִ֥י
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
21 of 24
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
יָק֖וּם
shall stand
H6965
יָק֖וּם
shall stand
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
22 of 24
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
Cross References
Jeremiah 44:14So that none of the remnant of Judah, which are gone into the land of Egypt to sojourn there, shall escape or remain, that they should return into the land of Judah, to the which they have a desire to return to dwell there: for none shall return but such as shall escape.Isaiah 10:19And the rest of the trees of his forest shall be few, that a child may write them.Psalms 33:11The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.Jeremiah 44:29And this shall be a sign unto you, saith the LORD, that I will punish you in this place, that ye may know that my words shall surely stand against you for evil:Zechariah 1:6But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned and said, Like as the LORD of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us.
Historical Context
This prophecy emphasized that those fleeing to Egypt would largely perish there, with only a tiny remnant surviving to return. Their deliverance would testify to God's faithfulness.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God preserve witnesses to His truth even in judgment?
- What does it mean that God's word will stand when all human words fail?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
God declares that only a small number of refugees will return from Egypt to Judah, serving as witnesses that His word, not theirs, stands true. This is similar to Elijah's remnant (1 Kings 19:18) - God always preserves witnesses to His truth. The phrase 'whose words shall stand, mine, or theirs' presents history as the test of prophecy. Time vindicates God's word.