What does Jeremias Chapter 44 say, and which statements belong to its speaker?

Jeremias 44 addresses Jews in Magdal, Taphnis, Memphis and Phatures. Jerusalem and Juda’s desolation recall sacrifices to unknown gods, unheard prophets and wrath. The Lord asks why they bring evil against their souls, cutting off men, women, children and sucklings by Egyptian sacrifices. They have forgotten the evils of fathers, kings, kings’ wives, themselves and their wives and remain uncleansed and unfearing. Judgment by sword, famine and pestilence is announced, while the return warning expressly excepts fugitives.

Men knowing their wives’ sacrifices, assembled women and the people refuse Jeremias’s words. They propose vows, sacrifices and libations to the queen of heaven, claiming former abundance and later want after stopping. The edition identifies the queen with the moon. Women ask whether offerings occurred without their husbands; the text does not independently certify prosperity caused by the worship. Jeremias answers that remembered sacrifices and disobedience caused the calamity.

Their professed vows precede the Lord’s declaration that his name will no longer be named by Juda’s men in Egypt. He watches for evil; sword and famine diminish them, but a few escape and return, discovering whose word stands. The sign is delivery of Pharao Efree to enemies, as Sedecias was delivered to Nabuchodonosor. Neither a dated fulfillment nor the death of the entire colony is narrated. Broader claims about all human motives and automatic doctrinal consequences exceed this oracle.