Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will give Pharaohhophra king of Egypt into the hand of his enemies, and into the hand of them that seek his life; as I gave Zedekiah king of Judah into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, his enemy, and that sought his life.

JEREMIAH 44:30KJV
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Jeremiah 44:30 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 44:30 mean?

Jeremiah 44:30 says that God will hand over Pharaoh Hophra, the king of Egypt, to his enemies, just as He did with Zedekiah, the king of Judah, who was given into the power of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. This verse is a warning that Pharaoh Hophra will not escape defeat, just as Zedekiah did not.

In this verse, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking God’s message to the Jewish people living in Egypt after Jerusalem’s fall. The people had fled to Egypt for safety, but God tells them through Jeremiah that Egypt’s king will also fall to his enemies. The verse draws a direct comparison between the fate of Judah’s last king and Egypt’s ruler, showing that no earthly power can stand against God’s judgment.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 44:30

  • "give" (נָתַן, natan): This word is used twice, once for Pharaoh Hophra and once for Zedekiah, emphasizing that both kings are delivered over by God’s deliberate action, not just by chance or human power.
  • "hand" (יָד, yad): The phrase "into the hand of his enemies" uses this word, which often means power or control. Being given into someone’s "hand" means being completely at their mercy.
  • "enemies" (אֹיֵב, oyev): This word highlights that those receiving Pharaoh Hophra are not just political opponents but those actively seeking his harm, underlining the seriousness of the threat.

Why Jeremiah 44:30 matters

  • Jeremiah 44:30 clarifies that fleeing to Egypt would not guarantee safety for the people of Judah, since Egypt itself would soon face disaster.
  • The verse connects the fates of two kings—Zedekiah and Pharaoh Hophra—showing that God’s judgment is consistent and not limited by national boundaries.
  • This warning helps explain the larger context of Jeremiah’s message: trusting in foreign powers instead of God leads to the same outcome, no matter where people run.

Where else these words appear

“Nebuchadrezzar” Hebrew H5019 · used in 59 verses

  • 2 Kings 24:1 In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his servant three years: then he turned and rebelled against him.
  • Jeremiah 25:1 The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the people of Judah in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, that was the first year of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon;
  • Jeremiah 43:10 And say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will send and take Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will set his throne upon these stones that I have hid; and he shall spread his royal pavilion over them.

“Zedekiah” Hebrew H6667 · used in 62 verses

  • 1 Kings 22:11 And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made him horns of iron: and he said, Thus saith the LORD, With these shalt thou push the Syrians, until thou have consumed them.
  • Jeremiah 27:12 I spake also to Zedekiah king of Judah according to all these words, saying, Bring your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him and his people, and live.
  • Jeremiah 38:5 Then Zedekiah the king said, Behold, he is in your hand: for the king is not he that can do any thing against you.