But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth, to burn incense unto the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, as we have done, we, and our fathers, our kings, and our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem: for then had we plenty of victuals, and were well, and saw no evil.

JEREMIAH 44:17KJV
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Jeremiah 44:17 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 44:17 mean?

Jeremiah 44:17 records the people of Judah declaring their intention to continue worshiping the "queen of heaven" by burning incense and pouring out drink offerings, insisting that this practice brought them prosperity and safety in the past. They reject Jeremiah’s warning and claim that their troubles only began when they stopped these rituals.

In this verse, it is the people of Judah speaking back to Jeremiah while they are living in Egypt after Jerusalem’s fall. They defend their idol worship, saying it was a tradition of their ancestors, kings, and leaders in Judah and Jerusalem. Their argument is that their material needs ("plenty of victuals") were met and they experienced no misfortune ("saw no evil") when they honored this goddess, so they see no reason to change.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 44:17

  • "Queen" (מְלֶכֶת, meleket): This word means "queen," and here refers to a pagan goddess often identified with Ishtar or Astarte. The use of this title shows the people's devotion to a specific foreign deity, not just a general idol.
  • "Incense" (קָטַר, qatar): This verb means "to burn incense," a key act of worship in ancient rituals. The people are emphasizing their commitment to these specific religious practices.
  • "Plenty" (שָׂבַע, sava'): This word means "to be satisfied" or "to have enough." The people connect their well-being and abundance directly to their idol worship, revealing their belief that these rituals brought tangible benefits.

Why Jeremiah 44:17 matters

  • Jeremiah 44:17 shows that the people of Judah were not just passively drifting into idol worship; they were actively defending it, even in the face of prophetic warning.
  • The verse highlights a common human tendency to link prosperity with religious rituals, assuming that what seems to "work" materially must be right spiritually.
  • This verse sets up the conflict in the chapter, as Jeremiah will respond to their claim and explain the real reason for their suffering, clarifying the consequences of turning away from God.