Jeremiah 22:18-19
Therefore thus says the LORD concerning Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah: “They shall not lament for him, saying, ‘Ah, my brother!’ or ‘Ah, sister!’ They shall not lament for him, saying, ‘Ah, lord!’ or ‘Ah, his majesty!’ With the burial of a donkey he shall be buried, dragged and dumped beyond the gates of Jerusalem.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Instead of the usual expressions of grief for family or ruler, God declares that no one will mourn Jehoiakim with phrases like "Ah, my brother!" or "Ah, lord!" This isn't just about a lack of sorrow; it signifies that he will be so utterly disgraced that even basic kinship and respect will be absent in death. His demise will be so ignominious it will erase even the common courtesies of mourning reserved for ordinary people.
Jeremiah is addressing King Jehoiakim, Josiah’s son, who has proven to be a wicked ruler in stark contrast to his godly father. Following prophecies about the impending destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of its people, this passage focuses specifically on Jehoiakim's ignominious end. The prophet declares that Jehoiakim will not receive the customary, heartfelt mournings reserved for even ordinary family members or respected leaders, highlighting the complete lack of respect he will earn.
Why would God decree that a king wouldn't even receive a proper lament? This verse paints a stark picture of divine judgment on Jehoiakim.
Jeremiah 22:18 declares that there will be no traditional lamentations for King Jehoiakim. The typical cries of "Ah, my brother!" or "Ah, sister!" from relatives, and "Ah, lord!" or "Ah, his majesty!" from subjects, would be absent.
This absence of mourning isn't just about a lack of grief; it signifies a profound loss of respect and honor. In ancient cultures, communal mourning was a vital way to affirm a person's value and their place within the community and family. To be denied this was to be cast out, even in death.
Jehoiakim's reign was marked by oppression, injustice, and turning away from God, even in contrast to his righteous father, Josiah. His end, therefore, would reflect the emptiness of his reign – no genuine sorrow, no honorable remembrance.
Jehoiakim's father, Josiah, was deeply mourned. Why does Jeremiah bring him up, and what does it reveal about Jehoiakim's own fate?
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The verse specifically names Jehoiakim as the "son of Josiah." This isn't just a genealogical note; it's a sharp contrast. Josiah was a king known for his deep piety and his efforts to reform Judah according to God's law. When he died, his people mourned him deeply (as noted in 2 Chronicles 35:25).
By invoking Josiah's name, Jeremiah highlights how far Jehoiakim had fallen. He was a stark disappointment, a rejection of his father's legacy and God's covenant. The lack of mourning for Jehoiakim isn't an oversight; it's a divine consequence. He forfeited the honor and respect that genuine righteousness and leadership would have earned him, and which his father had received.
Understand the original words
saphad · Hebrew Verb
To mourn or wail; the formal expression of grief, often performed at funerals. The denial of lament was a sign of extreme social dishonor.
Jeremiah's prophecy of Jehoiakim's ignominious death and lack of mourning stands in stark contrast to the widespread lament for his godly father, Josiah, highlighting Jehoiakim's wicked reign and Judah's impending doom.
609 BC
Josiah's Death at Megiddo
King Josiah, a godly reformer, is killed in battle against Pharaoh Necho of Egypt. His death plunges Judah into crisis.
609 BC
Jehoahaz's Brief Reign
Josiah's son, Jehoahaz, is made king but reigns only three months before being deposed and exiled by Pharaoh Necho.
609 BC— this verse
Jehoiakim Appointed King
Pharaoh Necho installs Jehoiakim, another son of Josiah, as king of Judah, changing his name from Eliakim. He begins his corrupt reign.
605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon defeats the Egyptians and begins exiling Judah's elite, including young Daniel, to Babylon.
598 BC
Jehoiakim's Rebellion and Death
Jehoiakim rebels against Babylonian rule. He dies during the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem, possibly in chains, facing a dishonorable end.
This passage also speaks to the deep-seated pagan practices within Israel, highlighting how 'Ah, lord!' and 'Ah, his glory!' may have been echoes of lamentations for pagan deities, showing how far Jehoiakim's reign was from true worship.
Jeremiah 34:5This verse mentions that people would lament for kings with phrases like 'Ah, lord!' and 'Ah, his glory,' confirming that Jeremiah is referencing the specific, traditional forms of royal mourning that Jehoiakim would NOT receive.
2 Kings 24:6This verse states that Jehoiakim 'slept with his fathers,' a common euphemism for dying, but contrasts sharply with the ignominious burial described in Jeremiah, underscoring the severity of God's judgment.
Psalm 79:2-3This psalm describes the bodies of God's people being left unburied and exposed, mirroring the disgrace prophesied for Jehoiakim and showing that such extreme judgment, though rare, is a sign of God's severe displeasure.
2 Chronicles 35:25Jeremiah contrasts Jehoiakim's unlamented death with the profound mourning for his righteous father Josiah, emphasizing how Jehoiakim's wickedness led to a complete loss of honor and respect, even in death.
calvinJeremiah 22:18-19: "Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah; They shall not lament for him, saying, Ah my brother! or, Ah sister! they shall not lament for him, saying, Ah lord! or, Ah his glory!"
Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah; They shall not lament for him, saying, Ah my brother! or, Ah sister! they shall not lament for him, saying, Ah lord! or, Ah his glory!
Propterea sic dicit Jehova ad J…
pulpitJeremiah 22:18: "Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah; They shall not lament for him, saying, Ah my brother! or, Ah sister! they shall not lament for him, saying, Ah lord! or, Ah his glory!"
Verse 18. - Josiah had been bitterly missed and universally lamented (2 Chronicles 35:25); and so, only perhaps with less heartiness in most cases, Jehoiakim's other predecessors (Jeremiah 34:5). The Babylonian kings, too, received the honors of public mourning,…
Instead of the usual expressions of grief for family or ruler, God declares that no one will mourn Jehoiakim with phrases like "Ah, my brother!" or "Ah, lord!" This isn't just about a lack of sorrow; it signifies that he will be so utterly disgraced that even basic kinship and respect will be absent in death. His demise will be so ignominious it will erase even the common courtesies of mourning reserved for ordinary people.
Jeremiah is addressing King Jehoiakim, Josiah’s son, who has proven to be a wicked ruler in stark contrast to his godly father. Following prophecies about the impending destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of its people, this passage focuses specifically on Jehoiakim's ignominious end. The prophet declares that Jehoiakim will not receive the customary, heartfelt mournings reserved for even ordinary family members or respected leaders, highlighting the complete lack of respect he will earn.
Jeremiah is addressing King Jehoiakim, Josiah’s son, who has proven to be a wicked ruler in stark contrast to his godly father. Following prophecies about the impending destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of its people, this passage focuses specifically on Jehoiakim's ignominious end. The prophet declares that Jehoiakim will not receive the customary, heartfelt mournings reserved for even ordinary family members or respected leaders, highlighting the complete lack of respect he will earn.
"Therefore thus says the LORD concerning Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah:
“They shall not lament for him, saying,
‘Ah, my brother!’ or ‘Ah, sister!’
They shall not lament for him, saying,
‘Ah, lord!’ or ‘…" — Instead of the usual expressions of grief for family or ruler, God declares that no one will mourn Jehoiakim with phrases like "Ah, my brother!" or "Ah, lord!" This isn't just about a lack of sorrow;…
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