Definition: Therefore now thus saith the LORD, the God of hosts, the God of Israel; Wherefore commit ye [this] great evil against your souls, to cut off from you man and woman, child and suckling, out of Judah, to leave you none to remain;

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Jeremiah 44:7. It's a really serious warning with a lot of layers. Here’s a simplified explanation: The Basic Message: This verse is saying that God is sending a terrible and devastating punishment to the people of Judah. He’s telling them to intentionally harm themselves and their families, essentially ending life for everyone they love – men, women, children, and even infants. Let's unpack it word by word: “Jeremiah 44:7 Therefore now thus saith the LORD, the God of hosts…” - This establishes that this is a significant and important message from God. "Thus saith the Lord" means God is speaking directly to us. “…the God of Israel.” - This confirms who God is – the God of Israel, which refers to the Israelites in ancient Judah. “Wherefore commit ye [this] great evil against your souls…” - This is a key phrase. "Commit ye" means “you must do” or “you are obligated to.” It’s urging them to actively choose and practice this evil. "...to cut off from you man and woman, child and suckling, out of Judah..." - This is the core of the warning. He's telling them to actively eliminate people – specifically men, women, children, and infants – from the land of Judah. "Judah" refers to the region around Jerusalem, which was under a period of great political and religious turmoil. "...to leave you none to remain." - This is the most chilling part. It’s saying that they must leave everything behind – their families, their lives, their homes. They are instructed to be left with no one. What's it really about? Jeremiah 44:7 is a response to a situation where Judah was becoming increasingly divided and rebellious. God is warning them that this behavior will lead to devastating consequences – war, famine, destruction, and ultimately, the loss of all life. It’s a desperate plea for repentance and a call to turn away from their wickedness. Important Context: This verse comes before a large portion of the Book of Jeremiah, which details God's judgment on Judah. It’s a crucial part of a larger narrative about God’s plan to bring about his kingdom and ultimately, his restoration of Israel. In short, it’s a warning about the consequences of evil choices and a plea for repentance. --- Disclaimer: I am an AI Chatbot and not a biblical scholar. This explanation is based on common interpretations of this verse within religious traditions. Do you have any specific questions about this passage that you'd like me to answer? For example, would you like me to: Explain the historical context more deeply? Discuss different theological interpretations?