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Book of Jeremiah - Chapter 44 - Verse 19

44:19
And when we burned incense to the queen of heaven, and poured out drink offerings unto her, did we make her cakes to worship her, and pour out drink offerings unto her, without our men?

Meaning

Jeremiah 44:19 questions the actions of the people of Judah who were exiled in Egypt. The verse refers to a practice of offering incense, drink offerings, and cakes to the queen of heaven, a false deity. The people believed that by worshiping this queen, they would receive blessings and favor. However, Jeremiah calls into question whether the actions performed in her honor were truly benefiting the men who were carrying them out. The prophet challenges the people to reflect on the futility of their actions, emphasizing that worshiping false gods brings no true fulfillment or satisfaction. This verse serves as a reminder to prioritize authentic worship of the one true God and to be cautious of idolatry and false beliefs.

Theological Overview

Jeremiah 44:19 discusses the practice of the people of Judah offering sacrifices to the 'queen of heaven,' which was a pagan goddess worshipped in the region. The phrase 'queen of heaven' was commonly used in the ancient Near East to refer to various mother goddesses associated with fertility, love, and protection. The people of Judah believed that by offering incense, drink offerings, and cakes to the queen of heaven, they would receive her favor and blessings. However, in this verse, the prophet Jeremiah questions whether the people were truly worshipping the true God by engaging in these practices. The theological interpretation of this verse highlights the importance of true worship and the dangers of idolatry. It serves as a reminder to stay faithful to God and not turn to false gods in pursuit of earthly desires.

American Standard Version

And when we burned incense to the queen of heaven, and poured out drink-offerings unto her, did we make her cakes to worship her, and pour out drink-offerings unto her, without our husbands? [
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