What does Jeremiah 44:28 mean?
“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 theirs.” — Jeremiah 44:28
Jeremiah 44:28 in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible reads, "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 theirs." This verse is part of a larger passage in the book of Jeremiah, in which the prophet warns the Israelites in Egypt of impending judgment from God for their idolatry and disobedience.
To fully understand the meaning and significance of Jeremiah 44:28, it is important to consider the historical and cultural context in which it was written. At the time, the nation of Judah had been conquered by the Babylonians, and many of its people had been taken into exile in Babylon. However, some of the remaining remnant of Judah had fled to Egypt in an attempt to escape the Babylonian rule. Despite Jeremiah's warnings, the people in Egypt continued to worship false gods and refused to repent of their sinful ways.
In this passage, Jeremiah prophesies that even those who had fled to Egypt would ultimately face the consequences of their disobedience. The "small number that escape the sword" refers to the few who would survive the judgment that God would bring upon them. These survivors would eventually return to the land of Judah, having witnessed the fulfillment of Jeremiah's words and the failure of their own false prophets. This return to Judah would serve as a stark reminder to the remnant of Judah in Egypt that it is God's words that will stand, not the words of false prophets or their own desires.
One of the key themes in this verse is the sovereignty of God. Throughout the book of Jeremiah, and indeed the entire Bible, we see a consistent message of God's ultimate authority and control over the affairs of humanity. Here, Jeremiah is reminding the people that it is God's words that will ultimately prevail, not the false promises or declarations of their own making. This theme serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the importance of aligning oneself with God's will.
Another important theme in this verse is the concept of repentance and obedience. Despite Jeremiah's warnings, the people in Egypt continued in their sinful ways, choosing to follow their own desires and the words of false prophets. The consequences of their disobedience serve as a cautionary tale for all readers, challenging us to consider our own actions and the importance of heeding the word of God.
Symbolism also plays a significant role in this verse. The land of Egypt symbolizes a place of refuge and safety for the Israelites, as well as a place of temptation and idolatry. The return to the land of Judah symbolizes a return to God's people and the consequences of their actions. The sword represents the judgment and consequences that the people will face as a result of their disobedience.
In conclusion, Jeremiah 44:28 serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty, the importance of repentance and obedience, and the consequences of disobedience. It challenges us to consider our own actions and the words we choose to heed, ultimately pointing us towards a greater understanding of God's will and the importance of aligning ourselves with it.
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Artwork for Jeremiah 44:28
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."
"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." - Jeremiah 44:28
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,"
Deuteronomy 28:44 - "He shall lend to thee, and thou shalt not lend to him: he shall be the head, and thou shalt be the tail."
Jeremiah 44:5 - "But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear to turn from their wickedness, to burn no incense unto other gods."
Genesis 44:28 - "And the one went out from me, and I said, Surely he is torn in pieces; and I saw him not since:"
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."
Ezekiel 44:28 - "And it shall be unto them for an inheritance: I am their inheritance: and ye shall give them no possession in Israel: I am their possession."
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,"
Jeremiah 28:12 - "Then the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah the prophet, after that Hananiah the prophet had broken the yoke from off the neck of the prophet Jeremiah, saying,"
Jeremiah 38:28 - "So Jeremiah abode in the court of the prison until the day that Jerusalem was taken: and he was there when Jerusalem was taken."
Isaiah 44:28 - "That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid."
Jeremiah 28:5 - "Then the prophet Jeremiah said unto the prophet Hananiah in the presence of the priests, and in the presence of all the people that stood in the house of the LORD,"
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."
"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 28:10 - "Then Hananiah the prophet took the yoke from off the prophet Jeremiah's neck, and brake it."
Jeremiah 28:15 - "Then said the prophet Jeremiah unto Hananiah the prophet, Hear now, Hananiah; The LORD hath not sent thee; but thou makest this people to trust in a lie."
Jeremiah 28:17 - "So Hananiah the prophet died the same year in the seventh month."
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."