Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version But ever since we stopped burning incense to the Queen of Heaven and pouring out drink offerings to her, we have had nothing and have been perishing by sword and famine.” New Living Translation But ever since we quit burning incense to the Queen of Heaven and stopped worshiping her with liquid offerings, we have been in great trouble and have been dying from war and famine.” English Standard Version But since we left off making offerings to the queen of heaven and pouring out drink offerings to her, we have lacked everything and have been consumed by the sword and by famine.” Berean Standard Bible But from the time we stopped burning incense to the Queen of Heaven and pouring out drink offerings to her, we have lacked everything and have been perishing by sword and famine.” Berean Literal Bible And from the time we stopped burning incense to the queen of the heavens and pouring out drink offerings to her, we have lacked everything, and by the sword and by the famine have been finished off! King James Bible 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. New King James Version But since we stopped burning incense to the queen of heaven and pouring out drink offerings to her, we have lacked everything and have been consumed by the sword and by famine.” New American Standard Bible But since we stopped burning sacrifices to the queen of heaven and pouring out drink offerings to her, we have lacked everything, and have met our end by the sword and by famine.” NASB 1995 “But since we stopped burning sacrifices to the queen of heaven and pouring out drink offerings to her, we have lacked everything and have met our end by the sword and by famine.” NASB 1977 “But since we stopped burning sacrifices to the queen of heaven and pouring out libations to her, we have lacked everything and have met our end by the sword and by famine.” Legacy Standard Bible But since we stopped burning incense to the queen of heaven and pouring out drink offerings to her, we have lacked everything and have met our end by the sword and by famine.” Amplified Bible But since we stopped burning sacrifices to the queen of heaven and pouring out drink offerings to her, we have lacked everything and have been consumed by the sword and by famine.” Berean Annotated Bible But from the time we stopped burning incense to the Queen of Heaven and pouring out drink offerings to her, we have lacked everything and have been perishing by sword and famine.” Christian Standard Bible but from the time we ceased to burn incense to the queen of heaven and to offer her drink offerings, we have lacked everything, and through sword and famine we have met our end.” Holman Christian Standard Bible but from the time we ceased to burn incense to the queen of heaven and to offer her drink offerings, we have lacked everything, and through sword and famine we have met our end.” American Standard Version But since we left off burning incense to the queen of heaven, and pouring out drink-offerings unto her, we have wanted all things, and have been consumed by the sword and by the famine. Contemporary English Version But since the time we stopped burning incense and offering wine sacrifices to her, we have been dying from war and hunger. English Revised Version 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. GOD'S WORD® Translation But since we stopped burning incense to the queen of heaven and pouring out wine offerings to her, we have had nothing but wars and famines." Good News Translation But ever since we stopped sacrificing to the Queen of Heaven and stopped pouring out wine offerings to her, we have had nothing, and our people have died in war and of starvation." International Standard Version From the time we stopped offering sacrifices to the Queen of Heaven and pouring out liquid offerings to her, we have lacked everything, and we have been consumed by the sword and famine. NET Bible But ever since we stopped sacrificing and pouring out drink offerings to the Queen of Heaven, we have been in great need. Our people have died in wars or of starvation." New Heart English Bible But since we left off burning incense to the queen of heaven, and pouring out drink offerings to her, we have wanted all things, and have been consumed by the sword and by the famine." Webster's Bible Translation But since we ceased to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink-offerings to her, we have wanted all things, and have been consumed by the sword and by the famine. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleBut from the time we stopped burning incense to the Queen of Heaven and pouring out drink offerings to her, we have lacked everything and have been perishing by sword and famine.” World English Bible But since we stopped burning incense to the queen of the sky, and pouring out drink offerings to her, we have lacked all things, and have been consumed by the sword and by the famine.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd from the time we have ceased to make incense to the queen of the heavens, and to pour out drink-offerings to her, we have lacked all, and we have been consumed by sword and by famine, Berean Literal Bible And from the time we stopped burning incense to the queen of the heavens and pouring out drink offerings to her, we have lacked everything, and by the sword and by the famine have been finished off! Young's Literal Translation 'And from the time we have ceased to make perfume to the queen of the heavens, and to pour out to her libations, we have lacked all, and by sword and by famine we have been consumed, Smith's Literal Translation From then we ceased to burn incense to the queen of the heavens, and to pour out libations to her, we wanted all things, and were consumed by sword and by famine. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBut since we left off to offer sacrifice to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings to her, we have wanted all things, and have been consumed by the sword, and by famine. Catholic Public Domain Version But since the time that we ceased to offer sacrifice to the queen of heaven, and to pour out libations to her, we have been in need of all things, and we have been consumed by the sword and by famine. New American Bible But ever since we stopped offering sacrifices to the Queen of Heaven and pouring out libations to her, we lack everything and are being destroyed by sword and hunger.” New Revised Standard Version But from the time we stopped making offerings to the queen of heaven and pouring out libations to her, we have lacked everything and have perished by the sword and by famine.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBut since we left off burning incense to the queen of heaven and pouring out drink offerings to her we have lacked everything and have been consumed by sword and by famine. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And behold, when we stopped offering up incense for the service of Heaven and pouring out a drink offering to it, we lack everything, and we are consumed with sword and with starvation!” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917But since we let off to offer 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. Brenton Septuagint Translation But since we left off to burn incense to the queen of heaven, we have all been brought low, and have been consumed by sword and by famine. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Stubbornness of the People…17Instead, we will do everything we vowed to do: We will burn incense to the Queen of Heaven and offer drink offerings to her, just as we, our fathers, our kings, and our officials did in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem. At that time we had plenty of food and good things, and we saw no disaster. 18But from the time we stopped burning incense to the Queen of Heaven and pouring out drink offerings to her, we have lacked everything and have been perishing by sword and famine.” 19“Moreover,” said the women, “when we burned incense to the Queen of Heaven and poured out drink offerings to her, was it without our husbands’ knowledge that we made sacrificial cakes in her image and poured out drink offerings to her?”… Cross References But from the time we stopped burning incense to the Queen of Heaven Jeremiah 7:18 The sons gather wood, the fathers light the fire, and the women knead the dough to make cakes for the Queen of Heaven; they pour out drink offerings to other gods to provoke Me to anger. 2 Kings 23:5 Josiah also did away with the idolatrous priests ordained by the kings of Judah to burn incense on the high places of the cities of Judah and in the places all around Jerusalem—those who had burned incense to Baal, to the sun and moon, to the constellations, and to all the host of heaven. Deuteronomy 17:3 and going to worship other gods, bowing down to them or to the sun or moon or any of the host of heaven—which I have forbidden— and pouring out drink offerings to her, Jeremiah 32:29 And the Chaldeans who are fighting against this city will come in, set it on fire, and burn it, along with the houses of those who provoked Me to anger by burning incense to Baal on their rooftops and by pouring out drink offerings to other gods. Ezekiel 20:28 When I brought them into the land that I swore to give them and they saw any high hill or leafy tree, there they offered their sacrifices, presented offerings that provoked Me, sent up their fragrant incense, and poured out their drink offerings. Isaiah 57:6 Your portion is among the smooth stones of the valley; indeed, they are your lot. Even to them you have poured out a drink offering and offered a grain offering. Should I relent because of these? we have lacked everything Deuteronomy 28:47-48 Because you did not serve the LORD your God with joy and gladness of heart in all your abundance, / you will serve your enemies the LORD will send against you in famine, thirst, nakedness, and destitution. He will place an iron yoke on your neck until He has destroyed you. Haggai 1:6 You have planted much but harvested little. You eat but never have enough. You drink but never have your fill. You put on clothes but never get warm. You earn wages to put into a bag pierced through.” Haggai 1:9-11 You expected much, but behold, it amounted to little. And what you brought home, I blew away. Why? declares the LORD of Hosts. Because My house still lies in ruins, while each of you is busy with his own house. / Therefore, on account of you the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth has withheld its crops. / I have summoned a drought on the fields and on the mountains, on the grain, new wine, and oil, and on whatever the ground yields, on man and beast, and on all the labor of your hands.” and have been perishing by sword and famine.” Jeremiah 15:2 If they ask you, ‘Where shall we go?’ you are to tell them that this is what the LORD says: ‘Those destined for death, to death; those destined for the sword, to the sword; those destined for famine, to famine; and those destined for captivity, to captivity.’ Jeremiah 14:12 Although they may fast, I will not listen to their cry; although they may offer burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Instead, I will finish them off by sword and famine and plague.” Ezekiel 5:12 A third of your people will die by plague or be consumed by famine within you, a third will fall by the sword outside your walls, and a third I will scatter to every wind and unleash a sword behind them. Jeremiah 11:13 Your gods are indeed as numerous as your cities, O Judah; the altars of shame you have set up—the altars to burn incense to Baal—are as many as the streets of Jerusalem.’ Hosea 2:5-13 For their mother has played the harlot and has conceived them in disgrace. For she thought, ‘I will go after my lovers, who give me bread and water, wool and linen, oil and drink.’ / Therefore, behold, I will hedge up her path with thorns; I will enclose her with a wall, so she cannot find her way. / She will pursue her lovers but not catch them; she will seek them but not find them. Then she will say, ‘I will return to my first husband, for then I was better off than now.’ … Ezekiel 8:14 Then He brought me to the entrance of the north gate of the house of the LORD, and I saw women sitting there, weeping for Tammuz. Isaiah 65:11 But you who forsake the LORD, who forget My holy mountain, who set a table for Fortune and fill bowls of mixed wine for Destiny, Treasury of Scripture But since we left off to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings to her, we have wanted all things, and have been consumed by the sword and by the famine. we have Jeremiah 40:12 Even all the Jews returned out of all places whither they were driven, and came to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah, unto Mizpah, and gathered wine and summer fruits very much. Numbers 11:5,6 We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick: … Job 21:14,15 Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways… Jump to Previous Burn Burning Ceased Consumed Drink Drink-Offerings Famine Food Heaven Heavens Incense Met Need Offer Offerings Perfumes Perishing Pour Pouring Queen Sacrifices Sky Stopped Sword Time Wanted WastedJump to Next Burn Burning Ceased Consumed Drink Drink-Offerings Famine Food Heaven Heavens Incense Met Need Offer Offerings Perfumes Perishing Pour Pouring Queen Sacrifices Sky Stopped Sword Time Wanted WastedJeremiah 44 1. Jeremiah expresses the desolation of Judah for their idolatry11. He prophesies the destruction of those who commit idolatry in Egypt 15. The obstinacy of the Jews 20. For which Jeremiah threatens them 29. and for a sign prophesies the destruction of Egypt But from the time we stopped burning incense to the Queen of Heaven This phrase refers to the Israelites' practice of idolatry, specifically worshiping the "Queen of Heaven," likely a reference to a pagan goddess such as Ishtar or Astarte. This practice was prevalent among the Israelites despite God's commandments against idolatry (Exodus 20:3-5). The worship of the Queen of Heaven involved rituals that were directly opposed to the worship of Yahweh, highlighting the Israelites' syncretism and spiritual adultery. Historically, this idolatry was a significant issue during the reigns of certain kings, such as Manasseh, who led Judah into deep idolatry (2 Kings 21:3-5). and pouring out drink offerings to her, we have lacked everything and have been perishing by sword and famine.” Persons / Places / Events 1. JeremiahA prophet called by God to deliver messages of warning and hope to the people of Judah. He is known for his perseverance in the face of opposition. 2. The People of Judah The audience of Jeremiah's message, who had been exiled to Egypt after the fall of Jerusalem. They are struggling with faithfulness to God amidst their hardships. 3. The Queen of Heaven A pagan deity worshiped by some Israelites, often associated with fertility and prosperity. This worship was contrary to the worship of Yahweh. 4. Egypt The place where the remnant of Judah had fled after the destruction of Jerusalem. It represents a place of disobedience and misplaced trust. 5. Sword and Famine Consequences of disobedience and idolatry, symbolizing God's judgment on the people for their unfaithfulness. Teaching Points Idolatry's ConsequencesIdolatry leads to spiritual and physical ruin. The people of Judah experienced lack and destruction because they turned away from God. Misplaced Trust Trusting in anything other than God, such as false gods or human solutions, leads to disappointment and judgment. Faithfulness in Hardship True faithfulness to God is tested in times of hardship. The people of Judah failed this test by reverting to idolatry when faced with difficulties. Repentance and Restoration God desires repentance and offers restoration. The people of Judah had the opportunity to return to God, but they chose otherwise. The Danger of Cultural Influence The influence of surrounding cultures can lead believers away from God. The Israelites in Egypt adopted local pagan practices, which led to their downfall. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Jeremiah 44:18?2. How does Jeremiah 44:18 illustrate consequences of disobedience to God's commands? 3. What can we learn from Judah's actions in Jeremiah 44:18 for today? 4. How does Jeremiah 44:18 connect with Deuteronomy 28 on blessings and curses? 5. How can we avoid the mistakes of Judah as seen in Jeremiah 44:18? 6. What role does repentance play in restoring God's favor, according to Jeremiah 44:18? 7. Why did the Israelites believe their troubles began after ceasing offerings to the Queen of Heaven? 8. How does Jeremiah 44:18 challenge the belief in monotheism? 9. What historical evidence supports the worship of the Queen of Heaven in ancient Judah? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 44? 11. Is Mary referred to as the Queen of Heaven? 12. Does Jeremiah 44:17-19, mentioning worship of the 'Queen of Heaven,' conflict with monotheism or other biblical teachings? 13. How does Elijah's challenge to the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18:21-24 align or conflict with other biblical teachings on monotheism? 14. What does the Bible say about God versus Satan? What Does Jeremiah 44:18 Mean But from the time- The Judeans in Egypt pinpoint a moment when they changed their practice. They frame the timeline to argue that their troubles began only after abandoning idolatry. - Their words reveal selective memory; they ignore long-standing prophetic warnings (Jeremiah 25:4-7) that judgment had already fallen because of idolatry, not because it ceased. - Similar backward reasoning appears in Numbers 21:5-6, when Israel blamed God instead of recognizing their own rebellion. we stopped burning incense to the Queen of Heaven - “Burning incense” is a worship act God reserved for Himself (Exodus 30:7-9). Offering it to a fertility goddess directly violated the first commandment (Exodus 20:3). - The “Queen of Heaven” (also in Jeremiah 7:18) represents the Canaanite-Babylonian goddess Ishtar/Astarte. God’s people had mingled pagan rituals with covenant life, a pattern condemned in Judges 2:11-13. - The people’s complaint shows their hearts remained loyal to false worship despite exile and destruction (2 Kings 17:13-18). and pouring out drink offerings to her - Drink offerings were ordained for the LORD alone (Numbers 15:5-10). Redirecting them symbolized total spiritual infidelity (Isaiah 57:6). - By linking incense with libations, the people highlight a comprehensive worship system handed over to an idol—echoing the syncretism in Hosea 2:8 where gifts from God were credited to Baal. - Their admission underscores culpability; they cannot plead ignorance but knowingly transferred sacred acts to a forbidden deity. we have lacked everything - The community interprets economic loss as proof that abandoning the goddess displeased her. They misread providence, much like Israel complained of “no water” in Exodus 17:3 while standing before the Rock that would provide. - Scripture teaches the opposite cause-and-effect: obedience brings blessing (Deuteronomy 28:1-6); disobedience brings lack (Haggai 1:5-11). - Their statement exposes misplaced trust; instead of repenting toward the LORD who controls rain and harvest (Jeremiah 5:24), they cling to a counterfeit source. and have been perishing by sword and famine. - Sword and famine are covenant curses explicitly listed in Leviticus 26:25-26 and Jeremiah 14:12—disciplinary tools God uses when His people persist in sin. - The very disasters they cite fulfill Jeremiah’s earlier prophecies (Jeremiah 27:8, 42:17). Far from proving the goddess’s power, these hardships confirm God’s Word is true and active. - Their logic inverts reality: rather than see judgment as validation of Scripture, they interpret it as evidence against obeying God. summary The people claim that stopping their offerings to the Queen of Heaven triggered scarcity, sword, and famine. In truth, Scripture shows that these calamities resulted from the very idolatry they defend. Jeremiah 44:18 exposes a heart hardened by misplaced loyalty and spiritual blindness: they reinterpret God’s corrective discipline as a sign to return to false worship. The passage challenges believers to trust the LORD’s covenant promises and warnings, recognizing that life and provision flow from obedience to Him alone, not from any rival deity or self-made solution. (18) To burn incense to the queen of heaven.--This form of worship, characterised specially by its offerings of crescent-shaped cakes, would seem to have been the dominant fashion of the idolatry of the time. (See Note on Jeremiah 7:18.) The men who felt themselves condemned by the prophet's words vindicate their line of action. They had practised this worship of old, and would practise it still, and they set their experience of the prosperity of those past days against the prophet's picture of the evil that had followed. Might they not argue, as the Romans did in the calamities that fell on the Empire (Tertull. Apol. c. 40; August. De Civ. Dei, I. c. 36), that they suffered because they had left off the worship under the influence of a different teaching?Hebrew But from the timeוּמִן־ (ū·min-) Conjunctive waw | Preposition Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of we stopped חָדַ֜לְנוּ (ḥā·ḏal·nū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common plural Strong's 2308: To be flabby, desist, be lacking, idle burning incense לְקַטֵּ֨ר (lə·qaṭ·ṭêr) Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct Strong's 6999: To smoke, turn into fragrance by fire to the queen לִמְלֶ֧כֶת (lim·le·ḵeṯ) Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 4446: A queen of heaven הַשָּׁמַ֛יִם (haš·šā·ma·yim) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 8064: Heaven, sky and pouring out וְהַסֵּֽךְ־ (wə·has·sêḵ-) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive absolute Strong's 5258: To pour out, a libation, to cast, to anoint a, king drink offerings נְסָכִ֖ים (nə·sā·ḵîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 5262: A libation, a cast idol to her, לָ֥הּ (lāh) Preposition | third person feminine singular Strong's Hebrew we have lacked חָסַ֣רְנוּ (ḥā·sar·nū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common plural Strong's 2637: To lack, need, be lacking, decrease everything כֹ֑ל (ḵōl) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every and have been perishing תָּֽמְנוּ׃ (tā·mə·nū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common plural Strong's 8552: To be complete or finished by sword וּבַחֶ֥רֶב (ū·ḇa·ḥe·reḇ) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 2719: Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword and famine.” וּבָרָעָ֖ב (ū·ḇā·rā·‘āḇ) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7458: Famine, hunger Links Jeremiah 44:18 NIVJeremiah 44:18 NLT Jeremiah 44:18 ESV Jeremiah 44:18 NASB Jeremiah 44:18 KJV Jeremiah 44:18 BibleApps.com Jeremiah 44:18 Biblia Paralela Jeremiah 44:18 Chinese Bible Jeremiah 44:18 French Bible Jeremiah 44:18 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Jeremiah 44:18 But since we left off burning incense (Jer.) |
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