Jeremiah 22 28

Jeremiah 22:28 kjv

Is this man Coniah a despised broken idol? is he a vessel wherein is no pleasure? wherefore are they cast out, he and his seed, and are cast into a land which they know not?

Jeremiah 22:28 nkjv

"Is this man Coniah a despised, broken idol? A vessel in which is no pleasure? Why are they cast out, he and his descendants, And cast into a land which they do not know?

Jeremiah 22:28 niv

Is this man Jehoiachin a despised, broken pot, an object no one wants? Why will he and his children be hurled out, cast into a land they do not know?

Jeremiah 22:28 esv

Is this man Coniah a despised, broken pot, a vessel no one cares for? Why are he and his children hurled and cast into a land that they do not know?

Jeremiah 22:28 nlt

"Why is this man Jehoiachin like a discarded, broken jar?
Why are he and his children to be exiled to a foreign land?

Jeremiah 22 verses

Jeremiah 22 28 meaning

Jeremiah 22:28 asks rhetorical questions lamenting the pathetic state of King Coniah (also known as Jeconiah or Jehoiachin). It portrays him as a "despised, broken pot" or a useless vessel, indicating utter worthlessness, dishonor, and irreparable loss of his kingly function and value in the eyes of the Lord. The verse then declares the tragic reality of his forced exile, along with his descendants, to a foreign land, symbolizing God's judgment and the shattering of his royal prospects and legacy.

Jeremiah 22 28 Context

Jeremiah chapter 22 delivers a series of oracles of judgment against the last kings of Judah. Verses 1-9 set out conditions for national blessing or curse, directly addressing the Davidic throne. Verses 10-12 mourn King Shallum (Jehoahaz). Verses 13-19 condemn Jehoiakim for his unrighteousness and foretell his disgraceful end. Then, in verses 20-30, the prophet focuses on Jehoiachin (also called Jeconiah or Coniah), Jehoiakim's son. Coniah reigned only for a brief period of three months and ten days before surrendering to Nebuchadnezzar during Babylon's first siege of Jerusalem in 597 BC. The chapter is steeped in the historical context of Judah's final decline and impending exile to Babylon, with Jeremiah acting as God's spokesperson to pronounce judgment against the corrupt royal line. Jeremiah 22:28 encapsulates the utter disgrace and destitution awaiting this king, contrasting sharply with the grandeur expected of a ruler.

Jeremiah 22 28 Word analysis

• Is this man Coniah (הֲעֶצֶב כְּנֹנְיָהוּ - ha-ʻetzeḇ Konîyā́hû):
  • הֲעֶצֶב (ha-ʻetzeḇ): This isn't strictly "man," but functions as a demonstrative with a particle, highlighting "this" specific, despised individual. The "Ha" indicates a rhetorical question.
  • כְּנֹנְיָהוּ (Konîyā́hû): The Hebrew name means "The Lord establishes" or "The Lord upholds." The irony here is potent; despite his name, the Lord is definitively not establishing or upholding him, but casting him down. He is also known as Jehoiachin (Yehoiakhin) and Jeconiah (Yekonyahu), all related forms meaning "The Lord establishes." This name interchangeability underscores the divine certainty of judgment.
• a despised, broken pot (גּוּפִין מָנוּאעַן - gûpîn mā́nûaʻ):
  • גּוּפִין (kə-li niḇzeh nišbār): This phrase translates to "vessel, despised, broken." The combination of "despised" and "broken" indicates a complete loss of value and utility.
  • כְּלִי (k'li): "Vessel" or "pot." It represents usefulness and purpose. Here, it refers to Coniah as a once-potentially useful object, a king.
  • נִבְזֶה (nivzeh): "Despised," "scorned," "contemptible." This points to extreme dishonor and worthlessness, stripping him of all royal dignity.
  • נִשְׁבָּר (nishbar): "Broken," "shattered." Implies irreparable damage. A broken clay pot is useless and generally discarded; it cannot be truly repaired to its original function. This symbolizes Coniah's ruined kingship and destiny.
• Is he a vessel no one cares for? (כְּלִי אֵין בּוֹ חֵפֶץ - k'li ʾein bo ḥēp̄ets):
  • כְּלִי אֵין בּוֹ חֵפֶץ (k'li ein bo chefetz): "A vessel in which there is no pleasure" or "no desire/delight." This reinforces the preceding imagery. It means completely worthless, of no value, unwanted, and discarded. This is the ultimate rejection for one destined to rule.
• Why are they cast out, he and his offspring (מַדּוּעַ הוּטְּלוּ הֵמָּה וְזַרְעוֹ - maddûaʻ hûttəlû hêmmâ wəzarʻô):
  • מַדּוּעַ (maddûaʻ): "Why?" Another rhetorical question, not seeking information but emphasizing the profound and stark reality of the situation, the deep divine decree.
  • הוּטְּלוּ (hûttəlû): "They are cast out/thrown." This strong verb denotes a violent, forceful ejection. It implies divine action, as God is the ultimate agent behind his downfall, not just human enemies. The passive voice points to the irresistible force behind their removal.
  • הֵמָּה וְזַרְעוֹ (hêmâ wəzarʻô): "He and his offspring/seed." This expands the judgment beyond Coniah himself to his descendants, directly impacting the Davidic royal line and its future prospects, notably fulfilled in Jeremiah 22:30.
• and thrown into a land that they do not know (וְהֻשְׁלְכוּ עַל אֶרֶץ לֹא יָדָעוּ - wəhûšləḵû ʻal ʾerets lōʼ yādāʻû):
  • וְהֻשְׁלְכוּ (wəhûšləḵû): "And they were thrown/cast off." A repetition and reinforcement of the verb, further emphasizing the finality and harshness of their exile.
  • אֶרֶץ לֹא יָדָעוּ (ʼerets lōʼ yādāʻû): "A land that they do not know." This highlights the terrifying aspect of exile – displacement from familiar land, culture, and the comfort of the promised land. It is a sign of covenant curse (Deut 28:36).

Jeremiah 22 28 Bonus section

The severe curse upon Jeconiah in Jeremiah 22, especially regarding his lineage ("Write this man down as childless, a man who will not succeed in his days, for none of his offspring shall ever sit on the throne of David or rule again in Judah" - Jer 22:30), created a theological dilemma for the messianic hope. The Messiah was prophesied to be from the lineage of David, yet a key king in that direct lineage was cursed such that his descendants would never sit on the throne.

The New Testament addresses this in Matthew's genealogy of Jesus (Matt 1:1-17). Matthew includes "Jechoniah the father of Salathiel," acknowledging Coniah in the line. However, a significant interpretive point among scholars is how Jesus' lineage bypasses the curse. Matthew traces Jesus' legal lineage through Joseph, who was a descendant of Jeconiah. Joseph, however, was not Jesus' biological father (Matt 1:18-25; Luke 1:35). Luke's genealogy, on the other hand, traces Mary's lineage (usually considered so, though not explicitly stated) back to David through a different son, Nathan, bypassing Jeconiah's cursed line entirely while still confirming Jesus' direct Davidic ancestry through Mary. This double lineage allows Jesus to fulfill both requirements: legally part of the royal Davidic line through Joseph, while physically inheriting the non-cursed Davidic bloodline through Mary, thereby demonstrating God's faithful preservation of His promises even amidst judgment.

Jeremiah 22 28 Commentary

Jeremiah 22:28 delivers a stark prophetic indictment against King Coniah (Jehoiachin), articulating his abject humiliation through powerful rhetorical questions and imagery. The comparison to a "despised, broken pot" signifies a complete loss of honor, value, and functionality. For a king, this is the ultimate degradation – stripped of royal dignity, considered worthless and beyond repair, unlike valuable metal vessels. The question "Is he a vessel no one cares for?" heightens this sense of divine rejection and abandonment. The following questions confirm the inevitable: not only is Coniah deemed worthless, but he and his descendants are violently "cast out" and "thrown" into exile in an unknown land. This is divine judgment in action, highlighting God's sovereignty over kings and nations. It serves as a dire warning of the consequences for disobedience and a reminder that even royal lineage offers no escape from divine reckoning, as promised in Jeremiah 22:30, which explicitly states that none of his offspring will prosper on David's throne.