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 44:15KJV
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Jeremiah 44:15 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 44:15 mean?

Jeremiah 44:15 describes how a large group of men and women living in Egypt, including those who knew their wives had offered incense to other gods, gathered together and responded to the prophet Jeremiah. The verse sets the stage for their reply, showing that Jeremiah was addressing a crowd deeply involved in worship practices forbidden in Israel’s faith.

In this scene, Jeremiah is in Egypt speaking to Jewish exiles. The people he addresses are not just a few individuals but a great multitude, including both men and women, especially those connected to idol worship. The verse highlights the seriousness of the situation: the entire community, aware of their actions, is about to answer Jeremiah after he has warned them about their unfaithfulness to God.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 44:15

  • The word for "incense" is קָטַר (qāṭar), which means to burn incense or make offerings. This word often points to ritual worship, and here it signals that the people were actively participating in religious practices devoted to other gods.
  • The word for "other" is אַחֵר (’aḥēr), meaning "another" or "different." In this context, it emphasizes that the gods being worshiped were not Israel’s God, but foreign deities.
  • The word for "multitude" is קָהָל (qāhāl), which refers to an assembly or congregation. This shows that the response to Jeremiah was not isolated but represented a significant collective stance.
  • The word for "answered" is עָנָה (ʿānāh), meaning to respond or reply. This signals a direct and intentional response from the people to Jeremiah’s message, not just passive listening.

Why Jeremiah 44:15 matters

  • Jeremiah 44:15 makes clear that the issue of idol worship was widespread among the Jewish exiles in Egypt, involving both men and women and not limited to a few individuals.
  • The verse sets up the confrontation that follows, showing that the people were not ignorant of their actions but were openly prepared to defend them to Jeremiah.
  • By naming specific locations like Egypt and Pathros, the verse connects the story to real historical places, grounding the narrative in a concrete setting and highlighting the spread of these practices among the exiles.

Where else these words appear

“Pathros” Hebrew H6624 · used in 5 verses

  • Isaiah 11:11 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.
  • 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 29:14 And I will bring again the captivity of Egypt, and will cause them to return into the land of Pathros, into the land of their habitation; and they shall be there a base kingdom.

“incense” Hebrew H6999 · used in 112 verses

  • Exodus 29:13 And thou shalt take all the fat that covereth the inwards, and the caul that is above the liver, and the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them, and burn them upon the altar.
  • Leviticus 9:20 And they put the fat upon the breasts, and he burnt the fat upon the altar:
  • 2 Chronicles 28:3 Moreover he burnt incense in the valley of the son of Hinnom, and burnt his children in the fire, after the abominations of the heathen whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel.

“multitude” Hebrew H6951 · used in 116 verses

  • Genesis 28:3 And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou mayest be a multitude of people;
  • 1 Kings 8:22 And Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven:
  • Nehemiah 5:13 Also I shook my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labour, that performeth not this promise, even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. And all the congregation said, Amen, and praised the LORD. And the people did according to this promise.

“Jeremiah” Hebrew H3414 · used in 133 verses

  • 2 Kings 23:31 Jehoahaz was twenty and three years old when he began to reign; and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.
  • 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 38:7 Now when Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, one of the eunuchs which was in the king's house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the dungeon; the king then sitting in the gate of Benjamin;