Chapter 44 – Idolatry Rebellion in Egypt and G‑d’s Final Judgment

1. G‑d’s Warning to the Jews in Egypt (44:1–6)

The word of G‑d came to Yirmiyahu concerning all the Jews living in Egypt—in Migdol, Tachpanches, Nof, and Pathros. G‑d reminded them of the destruction of Yerushalayim and the cities of Yehudah, which lay desolate because of their sins. They had provoked G‑d by burning incense and worshiping foreign gods unknown to them or their ancestors. Despite repeated warnings through His prophets, they refused to listen or repent. As a result, G‑d’s anger burned against Yehudah, leaving the land in ruins.

2. The People’s Continued Idolatry (44:7–10)

G‑d rebuked them for repeating the same sins in Egypt, burning incense to other gods and bringing disaster upon themselves. He warned that their actions would lead to the destruction of men, women, and children, leaving no remnant. They had not humbled themselves or obeyed the Torah and statutes given to their forefathers.

3. G‑d’s Judgment Declared (44:11–14)

G‑d announced that He would set His face against the remnant of Yehudah in Egypt for harm, not good. They would perish by sword and famine until none remained, except for a few fugitives who would escape and return to Yehudah. Egypt would suffer the same punishments as Yerushalayim—sword, famine, and pestilence.

4. The People’s Defiant Response (44:15–19)

The men and women answered Yirmiyahu defiantly, rejecting his prophecy. They declared their intention to continue burning incense and pouring libations to the “Queen of Heaven,” claiming that when they worshiped her in Yehudah, they had prosperity, but since stopping, they had suffered famine and war. The women insisted they acted with their husbands’ consent, showing their stubborn commitment to idolatry.

5. Yirmiyahu’s Rebuke and G‑d’s Oath (44:20–27)

Yirmiyahu reminded them that G‑d had indeed remembered their idolatry, which led to the desolation of Yehudah. Because they persisted in sin and refused to obey His Torah, disaster had come upon them. G‑d swore by His great Name that no Jew in Egypt would ever again invoke His Name in an oath. He would bring calamity upon them—sword and famine—until they were consumed, leaving only a few survivors.

6. The Sign of Judgment (44:28–30)

G‑d declared that the few fugitives who returned to Yehudah would prove whose word stands—His or theirs. As a sign, Pharaoh Chophra, king of Egypt, would be handed over to his enemies, just as Tzidkiyahu, king of Yehudah, was delivered into the hands of Nebuchadnetzar.