Jeremiah 44:17
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 44:17 · King James Version
Meaning
The verse refers to a practice common in ancient Judah of worshiping the "queen of heaven" by burning incense and pouring out drink offerings to her. This deity was likely a fertility goddess prevalent in ancient Near Eastern religions. The people of Judah believed that by carrying out these rituals, they would ensure prosperity, abundance, and protection from harm. They attribute their past successes and well-being to the worship of this deity, claiming that in the cities of Judah and streets of Jerusalem, they had plenty of food, were healthy, and experienced peace. The verse highlights the deep-rooted tradition of idol worship and the belief in the power of these rituals to bring blessings and security. Despite warnings against such practices in the Bible, the people of Judah continued to follow the ways of their ancestors, including their kings and princes, in offering sacrifices to the queen of heaven.
Theological Overview
This verse from the book of Jeremiah illustrates a troubling aspect of the people's behavior towards the false goddess known as the "queen of heaven." Despite being warned by the prophet Jeremiah against worshiping idols and false deities, the people of Judah stubbornly persisted in their rebellious ways. By saying they will continue to offer incense and drink offerings to the queen of heaven, they are essentially defying the will of the one true God. Their actions not only reveal their disobedience, but also their lack of faith in God's ability to provide for them. The reference to having plenty of food and being prosperous when they worshiped the queen of heaven serves to highlight their misplaced trust in false gods. This verse serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of idolatry and the importance of remaining faithful to the one true God.
Jeremiah 44:17 in other translations
American Standard Version
But we will certainly perform every word that is gone forth out of our 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.
World English Bible
But we will certainly perform every word that has gone out of our mouth, to burn incense to the queen of the sky, and to pour out drink offerings to 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 food, and were well, and saw no evil.
Douay-Rheims
But we will certainly do every word that shall proceed out of our own mouth, to sacrifice to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings to her, as we and our fathers have done, our kings, and our princes in the cities of Juda, and in the streets of Jerusalem: and we were filled with bread, and it was well with us, and we saw no evil.
Geneva Bible (1599)
But wee will doe whatsoeuer thing goeth out of our owne mouth, as to burne incense vnto the Queene of heauen, and to powre out drinke offerings vnto her, as we haue done, both we and our fathers, our Kings and our princes in the cities of Iudah, and in the streetes of Ierusalem: for then had wee plentie of vitailes and were well and felt none euill.