Old Testament
Jeremiah 44:27
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
I am watching over them — not to help them, but to harm them. Every person from Judah who is in Egypt will be destroyed by war and famine until they are completely wiped out.
Compare translations
Behold, I will watch over them for evil, and not for good: and all the men of Judah that are in the land of Egypt shall be consumed by the sword and by the famine, until there be an end of them.
What Jeremiah 44:27 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, God is declaring His intention to watch over the people of Judah who have fled to Egypt, but not in a protective way. Instead, He is watching to ensure their destruction due to their disobedience and idolatry. The message is clear: those who have turned away from God and sought refuge in a foreign land will face dire consequences. War and famine will be their fate, leading to their complete annihilation. This reflects God's judgment on those who refuse to heed His warnings and continue in their sinful ways. The verse serves as a stark reminder of the seriousness of turning away from God and the inevitable consequences that follow such choices. It emphasizes that God's oversight can be a means of judgment rather than protection when people choose to reject His guidance and pursue their own paths.
How to apply Jeremiah 44:27 to your life
This verse challenges us to reflect on our own lives and choices. Are we seeking refuge in things that lead us away from God? It serves as a warning to stay faithful and obedient to God's guidance, as straying from Him can lead to dire consequences.
Curated for this public verse page. Jeremiah Summary
Explore more of the Bible
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.
Illustrated scene from Ruth's story: Three Widows (Ruth 1:1–5)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Ruth
Photo: Zeev Stein / PikiWiki Israel, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY 2.5. Source. Location: Tel Beer Sheva National Park, Israel. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Beersheba
Where Abraham and Isaac dug wells and worshiped the LORD, at the southern edge of the land.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Jeremiah 44:27
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Jeremiah 44:27
Related Bible verses
Key themes
Related topics
At a Glance — the Book of Jeremiah
- Author
- Jeremiah the prophet, with Baruch
- Written
- Around 600 BC
- Genre
- Prophecy
- Original Audience
- Judah before and during the Babylonian exile
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Jeremiah 44:27 mean?
Jeremiah 44:27 means that God is observing the people of Judah in Egypt, but not to protect them. Instead, He intends to bring about their destruction due to their disobedience and idolatry.
What is the significance of God's judgment in Jeremiah 44:27?
The significance of God's judgment in Jeremiah 44:27 highlights the consequences of turning away from Him. It shows that those who reject God's guidance and seek refuge in foreign lands will face severe repercussions.
What does 'watching over them for evil' imply in Jeremiah 44:27?
'Watching over them for evil' implies that God's attention is focused on ensuring their punishment rather than their protection. This indicates a shift from care to judgment due to their sinful actions.
What are the consequences mentioned in Jeremiah 44:27?
The consequences mentioned in Jeremiah 44:27 include destruction by war and famine. This reflects the dire fate awaiting the people of Judah who have turned away from God.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.