What does Jeremiah 44:21 mean?
"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 44:21
Jeremiah 44:21 (KJV) says, "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?"
This verse is part of a larger passage in the book of Jeremiah in the Old Testament, where the prophet Jeremiah is speaking to the people of Judah who have turned away from God and are worshiping false gods. In this verse, Jeremiah is reminding the people of their history of idolatry and the consequences of their actions.
The theme of this verse is the remembrance of God and the consequences of sin. The people of Judah had been burning incense to false gods in the cities and streets, and Jeremiah is pointing out that the Lord remembers these acts of idolatry. The use of incense in the context of ancient Judah was often associated with worship and offering sacrifices to pagan deities. By burning incense in this manner, the people were actively engaging in idolatry and turning away from the one true God.
The context of this verse is important for understanding its significance. The people of Judah had a history of turning away from God and worshiping false gods, despite the warnings and admonitions of the prophets. Jeremiah is reminding them of their past actions and the consequences that resulted from their disobedience. He is calling them to repentance and urging them to turn back to the Lord.
Symbolism plays a significant role in this verse. The burning of incense symbolizes the worship and devotion of the people, but in this case, it represents their misplaced worship and idolatry. The act of burning incense to false gods was a direct affront to the Lord, and it symbolizes the spiritual adultery of the people.
The imagery of the cities of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem serves to emphasize the widespread nature of the idolatry. It was not just a few individuals who were engaging in this sin, but the entire nation, including the kings, princes, and people of the land. The reference to "your fathers" also underscores the deep-rooted nature of this sin, stretching back through generations.
The rhetorical question posed by Jeremiah, "did not the Lord remember them, and came it not into his mind?" highlights the inevitability of God's judgment. The Lord had not forgotten the actions of the people, and their sins were not hidden from His sight. This serves as a warning to the people that they cannot escape the consequences of their actions.
Overall, Jeremiah 44:21 serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of obedience and faithfulness to the one true God. It emphasizes the significance of worshiping Him alone and the consequences of turning away from His commandments. The verse also speaks to the mercy and justice of God, as He remembers the actions of the people and calls them to repentance. It serves as a timeless message for believers to remain faithful to God and to heed His warnings against idolatry and sin.
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Jeremiah 44:21 Artwork
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?"
"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 44:21
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,"
Psalms 44:21 - "Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart."
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,"
Ezekiel 44:21 - "Neither shall any priest drink wine, when they enter into the inner court."
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."
Matthew 21:44 - "And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder."
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,"
Genesis 44:21 - "And thou saidst unto thy servants, Bring him down unto me, that I may set mine eyes upon him."
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."
Jeremiah 21:3 - "¶ Then said Jeremiah unto them, Thus shall ye say to Zedekiah:"
"Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart." - Psalms 44:21
"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."
"And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder." - Matthew 21:44
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 25:21 - "Edom, and Moab, and the children of Ammon,"
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."