Jeremiah 22 11

Jeremiah 22:11 kjv

For thus saith the LORD touching Shallum the son of Josiah king of Judah, which reigned instead of Josiah his father, which went forth out of this place; He shall not return thither any more:

Jeremiah 22:11 nkjv

For thus says the LORD concerning Shallum the son of Josiah, king of Judah, who reigned instead of Josiah his father, who went from this place: "He shall not return here anymore,

Jeremiah 22:11 niv

For this is what the LORD says about Shallum son of Josiah, who succeeded his father as king of Judah but has gone from this place: "He will never return.

Jeremiah 22:11 esv

For thus says the LORD concerning Shallum the son of Josiah, king of Judah, who reigned instead of Josiah his father, and who went away from this place: "He shall return here no more,

Jeremiah 22:11 nlt

For this is what the LORD says about Jehoahaz, who succeeded his father, King Josiah, and was taken away as a captive: "He will never return.

Jeremiah 22 verses

Jeremiah 22 11 meaning

Jeremiah 22:11 conveys a divine pronouncement concerning Shallum, who is identified as Jehoahaz, son of King Josiah. This verse explicitly declares that Shallum, who briefly succeeded his righteous father Josiah on the throne of Judah and was subsequently taken into exile from Jerusalem, will never return to his homeland. It is a definitive statement of permanent banishment and the complete cessation of any hope for his return to rule or even reside within the land of Judah.

Jeremiah 22 11 Context

Jeremiah chapter 22 delivers a series of divine judgments primarily against the unrighteous kings of Judah, following the faithful reign and tragic death of King Josiah. The chapter opens with a general warning to the Davidic dynasty (Jer 22:1-5) that continued obedience to God's covenant, particularly in executing justice and righteousness, is necessary to prevent their downfall. Verses 6-9 declare Jerusalem's palaces will be made desolate due to the people's idolatry and covenant breaking. This sets the stage for specific pronouncements. Jeremiah 22:10, directly preceding verse 11, presents a somber lament: "Weep not for him who is dead, nor grieve for him, but weep bitterly for him who goes away, for he shall never return to see his native land." This verse immediately highlights that the greater tragedy is not Josiah's honorable death but the fate of the exiled king. Jeremiah 22:11 then identifies this "one who goes away" as Shallum, son of Josiah, cementing his fate. This specific prophecy contrasts the righteous Josiah with his wicked son, Shallum (Jehoahaz), who briefly reigned for three months before being taken into captivity by Pharaoh Neco II to Egypt (2 Kgs 23:31-34). Thus, the verse functions as an explicit declaration of irreversible divine judgment on a king chosen by the people who departed from God's ways, serving as a dark foreshadowing of the wider exilic fate awaiting the entire nation of Judah.

Jeremiah 22 11 Word analysis

• For thus says the LORD: (`כֹּה אָמַר יְהוָה`, _koh amar YHWH_) This opening phrase, a quintessential prophetic formula, asserts that the subsequent words are a direct, authoritative divine utterance. It underscores the certainty and absolute truth of the prophecy.
• concerning Shallum: (`שַׁלּוּם`, _Shallum_). This refers to Jehoahaz, the son of Josiah. "Shallum" ("recompense" or "retribution") might be his birth name or a name prophetically used to symbolize his eventual judgment and removal.
• the son of Josiah, king of Judah: (`בֶן יֹאשִׁיָּהוּ מֶלֶךְ יְהוּדָה`, _ben Yo'shiyyahu melekh Yehudah_). This identifies him precisely, linking him to his revered father, Josiah, but highlighting the contrast between the righteous father and his disobedient son, who inherited the throne but not the faith.
• who reigned instead of Josiah his father: (`אֲשֶׁר מָלַךְ תַּחַת יֹאשִׁיָּהוּ אָבִיו`, _asher malakh takhat Yo'shiyyahu aviv_). This describes his accession; he was enthroned by the people after Josiah's death, bypassing an older brother. His kingship was thus human-initiated and brief (only three months), emphasizing its instability and lack of true divine blessing.
• and who went out from this place: (`וַאֲשֶׁר יָצָא מִן הַמָּקוֹם הַזֶּה`, _va'asher yatsa min ha'maqom hazzeh_). "Went out" (`יָצָא`, _yatsa_) here signifies forced departure, an involuntary removal. "This place" (`הַמָּקוֹם הַזֶּה`, _ha'maqom hazzeh_) points specifically to Jerusalem and the land of Judah, his homeland and kingdom. This refers to his capture and deportation to Egypt by Pharaoh Neco II.
• He shall not return there again: (`לֹא יָשׁוּב שָׁם עוֹד`, _lo yashuv sham od_). This is the irreversible core of the prophecy. `לֹא יָשׁוּב` (_lo yashuv_) is a strong, permanent negative. `שָׁם` (_sham_ - "there") refers to his homeland, and `עוֹד` (_od_ - "again" or "any longer") powerfully underscores the finality of this decree. It shattered any hope among the people for his eventual re-establishment or even revisit.

• "For thus says the LORD concerning Shallum the son of Josiah, king of Judah": This grouping emphasizes the direct divine focus on a specific, but unrighteous, ruler within the Davidic line. It highlights the divine judgment falling on a royal figure despite his high status.
• "who reigned instead of Josiah his father, and who went out from this place": This phrase concisely details the brevity and forced termination of Shallum's kingship and presence in Judah. It underlines that his rule was fleeting and ended with an involuntary departure, in contrast to Josiah's full life and righteous end.
• "He shall not return there again": This sentence stands as the stark, climactic, and unchangeable judgment. It confirms the absolute and eternal severance of Shallum from his land and people, representing a severe and final consequence for his wickedness and God's sovereign hand in human affairs.

Jeremiah 22 11 Bonus section

The identification of "Shallum" with "Jehoahaz" is widely accepted based on 2 Kings 23 and 2 Chronicles 36, which detail the immediate succession of Josiah's sons. The prophet's choice to use "Shallum" could be its original, lesser-known personal name, or a more pointed, symbolic reference to the outcome of his rule, "recompense" signifying his received judgment. The emphasis on weeping for the exiled rather than the deceased (Jer 22:10) powerfully sets the stage, elevating the tragedy of permanent banishment over even a king's death. This prophecy regarding Shallum marks one of the earliest explicit warnings against Judah's last kings, setting a pattern of pronouncements that would continue until the nation's final collapse and widespread exile. It shows that even the popular will or geopolitical power cannot override God's determined judgment against unfaithful leaders.

Jeremiah 22 11 Commentary

Jeremiah 22:11 serves as a grim and decisive divine oracle against Shallum, or Jehoahaz, the son of the righteous King Josiah. This king's short, evil reign and subsequent deposition by Pharaoh Neco and exile to Egypt are sealed by God's pronouncement: he will never return to Judah. This statement is profoundly significant, acting as a vivid illustration of irreversible divine judgment on individual wickedness within leadership. It contrasts sharply with Josiah's memory and foreshadows the broader, increasing severity of God's judgment that would soon engulf the entire nation of Judah, emphasizing that even a king chosen by the people cannot escape the consequences of his unrighteousness before a sovereign God. The verse underscores God's ultimate authority over earthly thrones and the finality of certain divine decrees.