Jeremiah 44:8 Meaning and Explanation
“In that ye provoke me unto wrath with the works of your hands, burning incense unto other gods in the land of Egypt, whither ye be gone to dwell, that ye might cut yourselves off, and that ye might be a curse and a reproach among all the nations of the earth?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →By burning incense to other gods in Egypt, the exiles provoke God and bring shame upon themselves.
The Context of Jeremiah 44:8
Continued idolatry in Egypt brings isolation and shame.
What Does Jeremiah 44:8 Mean?
The exiles have moved to Egypt, yet they continue the very sin that destroyed their homeland. Geography has not changed their hearts or practices. They 'provoke' God—actively challenge His authority—through deliberate incense-burning to foreign gods. The repetition of this specific sin shows it is their defining rebellion, not a peripheral error.
More significantly, their continued idolatry will result in being 'cut off'—isolated and destroyed—making them 'a curse and a reproach among all the nations.' The nations will point to them as examples of a people abandoned by their God, a living object lesson in the futility of rejecting divine warning. Their actions bring not just personal judgment but communal shame.
Jeremiah 44:8 in the Original Language
nagaf (נָגַף), 'provoke' — literally to strike or plague, suggesting that their actions prompt God to move against them.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 44:8
What does Jeremiah 44:8 mean?
By burning incense to other gods in Egypt, the exiles provoke God and bring shame upon themselves.
What is the context of Jeremiah 44:8?
Continued idolatry in Egypt brings isolation and shame.