What does Jeremiah 44:17 mean?
"But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth, to burn incense unto the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, as we have done, we, and our fathers, our kings, and our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem: for then had we plenty of victuals, and were well, and saw no evil." - Jeremiah 44:17
Jeremiah 44:17 in the King James Version of the Bible reads, "But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth, to burn incense unto the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, as we have done, we, and our fathers, our kings, and our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem: for then had we plenty of victuals, and were well, and saw no evil."
This verse is part of a larger passage in the book of Jeremiah that addresses the Israelites who had been taken captive to Egypt. They had brought their idolatrous practices with them and continued to worship false gods, including the "queen of heaven," a pagan goddess. In this verse, the people are expressing their determination to continue the worship of this false deity, despite the warnings and admonitions of the prophet Jeremiah.
The context of this verse is important to understanding its meaning and significance. The Israelites had a long history of turning away from the true God and worshiping idols. In the book of Jeremiah, the prophet repeatedly warned them of the consequences of their disobedience and urged them to repent and return to the Lord. However, the people stubbornly refused to listen and persisted in their idolatry, even in the face of impending judgment and exile.
The theme of obedience and disobedience to God is central to this passage. The Israelites' refusal to heed Jeremiah's warnings and their determination to continue their idolatrous practices demonstrate their rebellious and unrepentant hearts. They are openly defying the word of the Lord and choosing to follow their own desires and traditions instead. This theme echoes throughout the Bible, as the consequences of disobedience and the blessings of obedience are repeatedly emphasized.
The symbolism in this verse is found in the worship of the "queen of heaven" and the refusal to recognize the sovereignty of the one true God. The Israelites' devotion to a false deity represents their rejection of God and His commandments. The "queen of heaven" was a pagan goddess worshiped by many ancient cultures, and the Israelites' affinity for her reflects their susceptibility to the influences of the surrounding nations and their propensity to stray from the pure worship of the Lord.
The determination of the people to "certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth" signifies their pride and self-righteousness. They are asserting their independence and autonomy, asserting their right to determine their own course of action, regardless of the consequences or the will of God. This attitude reflects a lack of humility and a refusal to submit to the authority of the Lord.
In conclusion, Jeremiah 44:17 serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the danger of placing our own desires and traditions above the will of God. The Israelites' stubborn commitment to idolatry and their rejection of the prophet's warnings serve as a cautionary tale for all believers. We are called to heed the word of the Lord, to humble ourselves, and to submit to His authority, trusting in His wisdom and His perfect plan for our lives. Let us learn from the mistakes of the Israelites and seek to live in obedience and faithfulness to the one true God.
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Jeremiah 44:17 Artwork
Jeremiah 44:17 - "But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth, to burn incense unto the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, as we have done, we, and our fathers, our kings, and our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem: for then had we plenty of victuals, and were well, and saw no evil."
"But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth, to burn incense unto the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, as we have done, we, and our fathers, our kings, and our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem: for then had we plenty of victuals, and were well, and saw no evil." - Jeremiah 44:17
Jeremiah 44:24 - "Moreover Jeremiah said unto all the people, and to all the women, Hear the word of the LORD, all Judah that are in the land of Egypt:"
Jeremiah 44:20 - "¶ Then Jeremiah said unto all the people, to the men, and to the women, and to all the people which had given him that answer, saying,"
Jeremiah 44:1 - "The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the Jews which dwell in the land of Egypt, which dwell at Migdol, and at Tahpanhes, and at Noph, and in the country of Pathros, saying,"
Jeremiah 44:5 - "But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear to turn from their wickedness, to burn no incense unto other gods."
Jeremiah 44:16 - "As for the word that thou hast spoken unto us in the name of the LORD, we will not hearken unto thee."
Jeremiah 44:13 - "For I will punish them that dwell in the land of Egypt, as I have punished Jerusalem, by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence:"
Jeremiah 44:1 The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the Jews who dwell in the land of Egypt, who dwell at Migdol, at Tahpanhes, at Noph, and in the country of Pathros, saying,
Jeremiah 44:6 - "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."
Jeremiah 44:15 - "¶ Then all the men which knew that their wives had burned incense unto other gods, and all the women that stood by, a great multitude, even all the people that dwelt in the land of Egypt, in Pathros, answered Jeremiah, saying,"
1 Samuel 17:44 - "And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field."
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."
Jeremiah 44:11 - "¶ Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will set my face against you for evil, and to cut off all Judah."
Psalms 44:17 - "All this is come upon us; yet have we not forgotten thee, neither have we dealt falsely in thy covenant."
Jeremiah 17:17 - "Be not a terror unto me: thou art my hope in the day of evil."
"Moreover Jeremiah said unto all the people, and to all the women, Hear the word of the LORD, all Judah that are in the land of Egypt:" - Jeremiah 44:24
"¶ Then Jeremiah said unto all the people, to the men, and to the women, and to all the people which had given him that answer, saying," - Jeremiah 44:20
Jeremiah 44:29 - "¶ And 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:"
Jeremiah 44:4 - "Howbeit I sent unto you all my servants the prophets, rising early and sending them, saying, Oh, do not this abominable thing that I hate."
Jeremiah 44:5 But they did not listen or incline their ear to turn from their wickedness, to burn no incense to other gods.
Jeremiah 44:10 - "They are not humbled even unto this day, neither have they feared, nor walked in my law, nor in my statutes, that I set before you and before your fathers."
Jeremiah 44:3 - "Because of their wickedness which they have committed to provoke me to anger, in that they went to burn incense, and to serve other gods, whom they knew not, neither they, ye, nor your fathers."
Jeremiah 44:21 - "The incense that ye burned in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, ye, and your fathers, your kings, and your princes, and the people of the land, did not the LORD remember them, and came it not into his mind?"
Jeremiah 44:13 For I will punish those who dwell in the land of Egypt, as I have punished Jerusalem, by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence,
Jeremiah 17:7-8
Jeremiah 44:18 - "But since we left off to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, we have wanted all things, and have been consumed by the sword and by the famine."
Jeremiah 17:7-8
Jeremiah 17:7-8
Jeremiah 17:7-8