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.

Where else these words appear

“queen” Hebrew H4446 · used in 5 verses

  • Jeremiah 7:18 The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods, that they may provoke me to anger.
  • Jeremiah 44:18 But since we left off to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, we have wanted all things, and have been consumed by the sword and by the famine.
  • Jeremiah 44:19 And when we burned incense to the queen of heaven, and poured out drink offerings unto her, did we make her cakes to worship her, and pour out drink offerings unto her, without our men?

“out” Hebrew H5258 · used in 24 verses

  • Genesis 35:14 And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he talked with him, even a pillar of stone: and he poured a drink offering thereon, and he poured oil thereon.
  • 1 Chronicles 11:18 And the three brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: but David would not drink of it, but poured it out to the LORD,
  • Jeremiah 7:18 The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods, that they may provoke me to anger.

“offerings” Hebrew H5262 · used in 62 verses

  • Genesis 35:14 And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he talked with him, even a pillar of stone: and he poured a drink offering thereon, and he poured oil thereon.
  • Numbers 28:24 After this manner ye shall offer daily, throughout the seven days, the meat of the sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD: it shall be offered beside the continual burnt offering, and his drink offering.
  • 2 Kings 16:13 And he burnt his burnt offering and his meat offering, and poured his drink offering, and sprinkled the blood of his peace offerings, upon the altar.

“plenty” Hebrew H7646 · used in 92 verses

  • Exodus 16:8 And Moses said, This shall be, when the LORD shall give you in the evening flesh to eat, and in the morning bread to the full; for that the LORD heareth your murmurings which ye murmur against him: and what are we? your murmurings are not against us, but against the LORD.
  • Psalms 88:3 For my soul is full of troubles: and my life draweth nigh unto the grave.
  • Ecclesiastes 4:8 There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.