Definition: The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the Jews which dwell in the land of Egypt, which dwell at Migdol, and at Tahpanhes, and at Noph, and in the country of Pathros, saying,
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Jeremiah 44:1. It’s a really important and somewhat unsettling passage about a situation with the Jewish people in Egypt. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: Jeremiah was receiving a message – a warning – to the Jewish community living in Egypt, specifically in Migdol, Tahpanhes, Noph, and Pathros (a region near the Mediterranean). He was telling them about something very serious that was coming. Here’s what he was saying, broken down: “The word that came to Jeremiah” : This refers to a specific prophecy or message Jeremiah received from God. “Concerning all the Jews” : He was speaking specifically about the Jewish people living in these areas. “Which dwell at Migdol, and at Tahpanhes, and at Noph, and in the country of Pathros” : This is where it gets a little more specific. These are different locations within Egypt – places that held significant importance to the Egyptian kingdom. He's listing several cities and regions. “Saying…” : Jeremiah was delivering this message to them as a warning or a challenge. What’s the “serious” part? The verse doesn’t tell us exactly what it is, but the context suggests it involves a significant threat or problem. It's hinting at something that will disrupt their lives and perhaps even lead to conflict with Egypt. Why is this important? This passage is one of the earliest examples of God speaking directly to humanity through prophecy. It’s a reminder that God has a plan for all his people, and sometimes those plans can be challenging, even frightening. It also highlights the importance of listening to God's word – even when it seems difficult or ominous. In short, Jeremiah was warning the Jewish community in Egypt about a potential crisis that would impact their lives and their relationship with Egypt. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of this verse in more detail? Talk about the historical context of this passage? Explore what the message might mean for today’s Jewish community?