Jeremiah 22:11

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:

For thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068} touching {H413} Shallum {H7967} the son {H1121} of Josiah {H2977} king {H4428} of Judah {H3063}, which reigned {H4427} instead of Josiah {H2977} his father {H1}, which went forth {H3318} out of this place {H4725}; He shall not return {H7725} thither any more:

For this is what ADONAI says about Shalum the son of Yoshiyahu, king of Y'hudah, who succeeded Yoshiyahu his father as king: "He has left this place, never to return;

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

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

Commentary

Context of Jeremiah 22:11

Jeremiah 22:11 is part of a prophetic oracle delivered by the prophet Jeremiah, condemning the unrighteous kings of Judah who succeeded the godly King Josiah. This specific verse concerns Shallum, who is also known as Jehoahaz. After the death of his father, King Josiah, who was killed in battle against Pharaoh Necho II of Egypt at Megiddo (as recorded in 2 Kings 23:29), the people of Judah anointed Shallum (Jehoahaz) king. However, his reign was very brief—only three months—before Pharaoh Necho removed him from the throne and took him captive to Egypt. This verse pronounces God's definitive judgment on Shallum's fate, declaring he would never return to his homeland.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Unalterable Decree: The LORD's declaration, "He shall not return thither any more," underscores the finality and certainty of God's judgment. Shallum's exile was not a temporary setback but a permanent removal, a direct consequence of the spiritual decline and disobedience prevalent in Judah, even among its leaders. This judgment reflects the broader covenant curses outlined in Deuteronomy 28:36 for covenant unfaithfulness.
  • The Transience of Earthly Power: The verse vividly illustrates the fleeting nature of human authority when it stands against God's will. Shallum's rapid ascent and swift downfall serve as a stark reminder that God ultimately controls the destinies of kings and nations, raising up and bringing down rulers as He sees fit, a truth echoed in Daniel 2:21.
  • Prophetic Authority and Fulfillment: Jeremiah's bold pronouncement against a reigning king, even one briefly in power, highlights the unwavering authority of God's word. The subsequent historical fulfillment of Shallum's permanent exile validated Jeremiah's ministry and demonstrated God's active involvement in the unfolding history of His people.

Linguistic Insights

The name Shallum (שַׁלֻּם, Shallum) is significant. While his birth name was Jehoahaz, the use of Shallum in this prophetic context might carry a subtle meaning related to "retribution" or "requital." This could be interpreted as a divine naming, underscoring that his fate was a just repayment for the sins of his reign or his family line. The phrase "went forth out of this place" specifically refers to his forcible removal from Jerusalem and Judah, emphasizing the loss of his royal seat and homeland.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 22:11 offers enduring lessons for believers today:

  • Accountability in Leadership: This verse serves as a powerful reminder that all leaders, regardless of their position, are ultimately accountable to God. Their choices have profound consequences, not only for themselves but for those they lead.
  • The Gravity of Disobedience: God's judgments are real and certain. While His mercy is vast, persistent disobedience eventually leads to consequences, urging us to heed divine warnings and walk in faithfulness.
  • God's Sovereign Control: Even amidst political turmoil, injustice, or personal hardship, this verse reaffirms God's ultimate sovereignty. He is in control of history and the destinies of individuals and nations, providing a foundation for trust and hope even in uncertain times.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Chronicles 3:15 (4 votes)

    And the sons of Josiah [were], the firstborn Johanan, the second Jehoiakim, the third Zedekiah, the fourth Shallum.

  • 2 Kings 23:34 (3 votes)

    And Pharaohnechoh made Eliakim the son of Josiah king in the room of Josiah his father, and turned his name to Jehoiakim, and took Jehoahaz away: and he came to Egypt, and died there.

  • 2 Chronicles 36:1 (3 votes)

    ¶ Then the people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah, and made him king in his father's stead in Jerusalem.

  • 2 Chronicles 36:4 (3 votes)

    And the king of Egypt made Eliakim his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem, and turned his name to Jehoiakim. And Necho took Jehoahaz his brother, and carried him to Egypt.

  • 2 Kings 23:31 (2 votes)

    ¶ Jehoahaz [was] twenty and three years old when he began to reign; and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. And his mother's name [was] Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.

  • 2 Chronicles 34:22 (2 votes)

    And Hilkiah, and [they] that the king [had appointed], went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvath, the son of Hasrah, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college:) and they spake to her to that [effect].

  • 2 Chronicles 28:12 (2 votes)

    Then certain of the heads of the children of Ephraim, Azariah the son of Johanan, Berechiah the son of Meshillemoth, and Jehizkiah the son of Shallum, and Amasa the son of Hadlai, stood up against them that came from the war,