Jeremiah 44:7 Meaning and Explanation
“Therefore now thus saith the LORD, the God of hosts, the God of Israel; Wherefore commit ye this great evil against your souls, to cut off from you man and woman, child and suckling, out of Judah, to leave you none to remain;”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God asks why the exiles are committing evil that destroys their own future.
The Context of Jeremiah 44:7
God questions why they continue evil that destroys them.
What Does Jeremiah 44:7 Mean?
The turning point: God shifts from recounting the past to directly confronting the exiles in Egypt. He calls their current behavior—implied to be continued idolatry—'this great evil.' The phrase 'against your souls' emphasizes that they are harming themselves, not defying an external tyrant. The consequences they face are self-inflicted through choices they are actively making.
God's rhetorical question 'Wherefore' is pointed: What possible reason do you have for continuing this path? The stakes mentioned—'man and woman, child and suckling'—show that their rebellion brings death to the entire community, including the innocent. They are not just risking their own lives but those of the next generation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 44:7
What does Jeremiah 44:7 mean?
God asks why the exiles are committing evil that destroys their own future.
What is the context of Jeremiah 44:7?
God questions why they continue evil that destroys them.