Jeremiah 44:6

Authorized King James Version

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Wherefore my fury and mine anger was poured forth, and was kindled in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem; and they are wasted and desolate, as at this day.

Original Language Analysis

וַתִּתַּ֤ךְ was poured forth H5413
וַתִּתַּ֤ךְ was poured forth
Strong's: H5413
Word #: 1 of 13
to flow forth (literally or figuratively); by implication, to liquify
חֲמָתִי֙ Wherefore my fury H2534
חֲמָתִי֙ Wherefore my fury
Strong's: H2534
Word #: 2 of 13
heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever)
וְאַפִּ֔י and mine anger H639
וְאַפִּ֔י and mine anger
Strong's: H639
Word #: 3 of 13
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
וַתִּבְעַר֙ and was kindled H1197
וַתִּבְעַר֙ and was kindled
Strong's: H1197
Word #: 4 of 13
to be(-come) brutish
בְּעָרֵ֣י in the cities H5892
בְּעָרֵ֣י in the cities
Strong's: H5892
Word #: 5 of 13
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
יְהוּדָ֔ה of Judah H3063
יְהוּדָ֔ה of Judah
Strong's: H3063
Word #: 6 of 13
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
וּבְחֻצ֖וֹת and in the streets H2351
וּבְחֻצ֖וֹת and in the streets
Strong's: H2351
Word #: 7 of 13
properly, separate by a wall, i.e., outside, outdoors
יְרֽוּשָׁלִָ֑ם of Jerusalem H3389
יְרֽוּשָׁלִָ֑ם of Jerusalem
Strong's: H3389
Word #: 8 of 13
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
וַתִּהְיֶ֛ינָה H1961
וַתִּהְיֶ֛ינָה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 9 of 13
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לְחָרְבָּ֥ה and they are wasted H2723
לְחָרְבָּ֥ה and they are wasted
Strong's: H2723
Word #: 10 of 13
properly, drought, i.e., (by implication) a desolation
לִשְׁמָמָ֖ה and desolate H8077
לִשְׁמָמָ֖ה and desolate
Strong's: H8077
Word #: 11 of 13
devastation; figuratively, astonishment
כַּיּ֥וֹם as at this day H3117
כַּיּ֥וֹם as at this day
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 12 of 13
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הַזֶּֽה׃ H2088
הַזֶּֽה׃
Strong's: H2088
Word #: 13 of 13
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

Analysis & Commentary

Wherefore my fury and mine anger was poured forth—the consecutive watittak (and it was poured out) depicts divine wrath as liquid judgment, using the same verb for pouring out drink offerings. Fury (ḥămātî) and anger (ʾappî) represent God's intense covenant response to betrayal—not capricious rage but holy indignation against covenant-breaking. Was kindled (wattiqad) uses fire imagery—God's wrath burns against sin (Deuteronomy 32:22; Psalm 89:46).

In the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem—the comprehensive pairing (cities/capital, Judah/Jerusalem) shows total judgment. They are wasted and desolate, as at this day (wayyihyû ləḥorbâ lišmāmâ kəhayyôm hazzeh)—the perfect tense with present result emphasizes ongoing devastation. The phrase kəhayyôm hazzeh (as at this very day) serves as empirical proof. God points to visible ruins as evidence that His covenant threats aren't idle. This creates the argument structure: cause (v. 3-5: idolatry) → consequence (v. 6: judgment) → continuing danger (v. 7-12: don't repeat it in Egypt).

Historical Context

The destruction of 586 BC was comprehensive. Babylonian records and archaeology confirm widespread burning and demolition. Lamentations 1-5 captures the horror. By 582 BC when Jeremiah spoke this oracle, Jerusalem remained a depopulated ruin. The phrase 'as at this day' indicates Jeremiah spoke from Egypt while Jerusalem's ruins remained visible evidence of covenant judgment.

Questions for Reflection

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