Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Jeremiah 44:12. It’s a really powerful and unsettling passage about the future of Judah – the people of Israel – and their relationship with Egypt. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a devastating outcome for Judah if they choose to go into Egypt, which is a place of great wealth and power. It’s essentially saying that God intends to punish them severely if they don't follow His instructions. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “And I will take the remnant of Judah…” : Jeremiah is warning about a group of people – Judah, which refers to the Israelites – who are making a choice. They’re choosing to go into Egypt as a temporary refuge. “…that have set their faces to go into the land of Egypt…” : This is crucial. They want to go. They've made a conscious decision to leave their homeland and seek a new home. “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…” : This is where it gets scary. It’s not just about hardship; it's a complete destruction. The verse uses strong words to describe their demise: “Consumed” : They will be utterly wiped out. “Fall in the land of Egypt” : They’ll be trapped and vulnerable, essentially becoming victims of a powerful force (Egypt). “The least even unto the greatest…” : This emphasizes that everyone – from the poorest to the wealthiest – will suffer. It's not a matter of who is most or least privileged; everyone is at risk. “…by the sword and by the famine: they shall die, from the least even unto the greatest…” : This highlights the cause of their destruction. They’ll be killed by violence (the sword) and through starvation (the famine). “and they shall be an execration, [and] an astonishment, and a curse, and a reproach.” : The verse uses figurative language to describe this impending doom: “Execration” : This suggests a judgment that’s completely unjust. “An astonishment” : It's a shocking event, something unexpected and terrible. “A curse” : God is inflicting punishment upon them. “A reproach” : They will be marked as an example of failure and evil. Overall Meaning & Context: Jeremiah 44:12 is a warning about the dangers of disobedience and the consequences of choices that lead to spiritual ruin. It’s a message of judgment from God, emphasizing that choosing to disobey Him will have devastating results for Judah. It's a reminder of the importance of staying faithful to God's laws and instructions. Important Note: This verse is often interpreted as a prophecy about the destruction of Israel, but it also has a deeper theological significance – it’s a reflection of God’s judgment on sin and rebellion. --- Would you like me to: Explain another part of this passage? Discuss what this verse might symbolize in broader biblical themes (like obedience or the consequences of choice)?