Jeremiah 44:12
And I will take the remnant of Judah, that have set their faces to go into the land of Egypt to sojourn there, and they shall all be consumed, and fall in the land of Egypt; they shall even be consumed by the sword and by the famine: they shall die, from the least even unto the greatest, by the sword and by the famine: and they shall be an execration, and an astonishment, and a curse, and a reproach.
Jeremiah 44:12 · King James Version
Meaning
In this verse, the prophet Jeremiah is warning the remnant of Judah against seeking refuge in Egypt to escape the impending judgment of God. By choosing to flee to Egypt, these individuals are going against God's will and putting themselves in even greater danger. The prophet predicts that those who choose to go to Egypt will ultimately meet a tragic end - they will be consumed by the sword and famine, resulting in death for all, regardless of status or age. This verse serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the importance of trusting in God's plans, even in the face of adversity. Through these words, Jeremiah conveys the severity of God's judgment and the inevitability of facing the consequences of one's actions.
Theological Overview
In this verse, the prophet Jeremiah condemns the remnant of Judah who have decided to flee to Egypt in defiance of God's command to remain in their land. The theological interpretation of this verse reveals God's judgment against those who disobey Him and seek refuge in man-made solutions rather than trusting in Him. It serves as a warning against the consequences of turning away from God's guidance and following one's own desires. Additionally, the word "remnant" in this context signifies a small group of people who have survived a great crisis, yet are still at risk of destruction due to their disobedience. The repeated mention of "sword" and "famine" emphasizes the severity of the punishment that awaits those who reject God's plan for their lives. Overall, this verse highlights the importance of obedience and faithfulness to God's will, demonstrating the consequences of disobedience and the need for repentance.
Jeremiah 44:12 in other translations
American Standard Version
And I will take the remnant of Judah, that have set their faces to go into the land of Egypt to sojourn there, and they shall all be consumed; in the land of Egypt shall they fall; they shall be consumed by the sword and by the famine; they shall die, from the least even unto the greatest, by the sword and by the famine; and they shall be an execration, [and] an astonishment, and a curse, and a reproach.
World English Bible
I will take the remnant of Judah, that have set their faces to go into the land of Egypt to live there, and they shall all be consumed; in the land of Egypt shall they fall; they shall be consumed by the sword and by the famine; they shall die, from the least even to the greatest, by the sword and by the famine; and they shall be an object of horror, an astonishment, and a curse, and a reproach.
Douay-Rheims
And I will take the remnant of Juda that have set their faces to go into the land of Egypt, and to dwell there; and they shall be all consumed in the land of Egypt: they shall fall by the sword, and by the famine: and they shall be consumed from the least even to the greatest, by the sword, and by the famine shall they die: and they shall be for an execration, and for a wonder, and for a curse, and for a reproach.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And I will take the remnant of Iudah, that haue set their faces to goe into the lande of Egypt there to dwell, and they shall all bee consumed and fall in the lande of Egypt: they shall euen bee consumed by the sworde and by the famine: they shall die from the least vnto the most, by the sworde, and by the famine, and they shall be a detestation and an astonishment and a curse and a reproche.