Jeremiah 22:18

KJV

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!

KJV (with Strong's)

Therefore thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068} concerning Jehoiakim {H3079} the son {H1121} of Josiah {H2977} king {H4428} of Judah {H3063}; They shall not lament {H5594} for him, saying, Ah {H1945} my brother {H251}! or, Ah {H1945} sister {H269}! they shall not lament {H5594} for him, saying, Ah {H1945} lord {H113}! or, Ah {H1945} his glory {H1935}!

Complete Jewish Bible

Therefore here is what ADONAI says concerning Y'hoyakim the son of Yoshiyahu, king of Y'hudah: "There will be no one to mourn for him, 'Oh! My brother!' or 'Oh! My sister!' There will be no one to mourn for him, 'Oh! My master!' or 'Oh! His glory!'

Berean Standard Bible

Therefore this is what the LORD says concerning Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah: “They will not mourn for him: ‘Alas, my brother! Alas, my sister!’ They will not mourn for him: ‘Alas, my master! Alas, his splendor!’

American Standard Version

Therefore thus saith Jehovah 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!

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 22:18 delivers a profound and severe prophetic pronouncement from the LORD concerning King Jehoiakim of Judah, declaring that his death would be met with an unprecedented and deeply dishonorable lack of lamentation. Unlike the customary mourning rites for a deceased king or even a family member, Jehoiakim's passing would evoke no cries of "Ah my brother! or, Ah sister!" from his kin, nor "Ah lord! or, Ah his glory!" from his subjects. This stark absence of grief signifies a deeply despised and unmourned end, serving as a direct divine judgment and a stark consequence of his oppressive, unjust, and unrighteous reign.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within a broader section of Jeremiah's prophecies (chapters 21-23) that specifically address the kings of Judah, forming a series of oracles against the royal house. Following a general condemnation of Jerusalem and its inhabitants, Jeremiah turns his prophetic gaze directly to the throne, exposing the moral failings of its occupants. The verses immediately preceding [Jeremiah 22:18](/jeremiah/22-18 "Jeremiah 22:18 - Prophecy Against Jehoiakim") vividly detail Jehoiakim's luxurious lifestyle, his use of forced labor, his unjust practices, and his shedding of innocent blood, contrasting sharply with the righteous example of his father, Josiah (see [Jeremiah 22:13-17](/jeremiah/22-13-17 "Jeremiah 22:13-17 - Jehoiakim's Injustice and Josiah's Righteousness")). Therefore, [Jeremiah 22:18](/jeremiah/22-18 "Jeremiah 22:18 - Prophecy Against Jehoiakim") serves as the direct divine verdict against Jehoiakim's wickedness, a stark antithesis to the widespread national mourning that accompanied the death of his righteous father, Josiah, as recorded in [2 Chronicles 35:24-25](/2_chronicles/35-24-25 "2 Chronicles 35:24-25 - Mourning for King Josiah"). The prophecy of Jehoiakim's ignominious burial in [Jeremiah 22:19](/jeremiah/22-19 "Jeremiah 22:19 - Jehoiakim's Ignominious Burial") further amplifies the disgrace foretold in this verse, cementing his legacy of dishonor.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King Jehoiakim, son of the revered King Josiah, reigned over Judah from 609 to 598 BC. His reign unfolded during a tumultuous geopolitical period marked by the decline of the Neo-Assyrian Empire and the ascendance of the Babylonian Empire, with Egypt also vying for regional control. Jehoiakim initially served as a vassal of Egypt, later shifting his allegiance to Babylon, only to rebel against Nebuchadnezzar, leading to the first Babylonian siege of Jerusalem. Unlike his father Josiah, who initiated significant religious reforms and sought to uphold the Mosaic covenant, Jehoiakim was characterized by his greed, injustice, and idolatry. He was infamous for building lavish palaces through forced labor, failing to pay his workers, and for his ruthless suppression of dissent, including the execution of the prophet Uriah ([Jeremiah 26:20-23](/jeremiah/26-20-23 "Jeremiah 26:20-23 - The Prophet Uriah's Martyrdom")). In ancient Near Eastern cultures, elaborate mourning rituals were profoundly significant for honoring the dead, especially kings. Public laments, often accompanied by professional mourners, demonstrated respect, solidified the deceased's legacy, and affirmed the social and political order. The absence of such mourning, as prophesied for Jehoiakim, was the ultimate sign of disgrace and divine rejection, indicating that he was utterly despised by his people and abandoned by God.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of [Jeremiah](/jeremiah/1 "Jeremiah - The Prophet of Judgment and Restoration") and the broader prophetic literature. Primarily, it underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment** against unrighteous leadership. Jehoiakim's fate is presented as a direct, divinely ordained consequence of his persistent sin, oppression, and defiance of God's commands, contrasting sharply with the blessings promised to righteous rulers in [Jeremiah 22:3-4](/jeremiah/22-3-4 "Jeremiah 22:3-4 - Call to Justice and Righteousness"). Secondly, the prophecy highlights the pervasive theme of **Consequences of Disobedience**, demonstrating that even kings are not exempt from God's moral standards and that a life lived in self-interest and injustice inevitably leads to a desolate and dishonorable end. The specific nature of the judgment—the absence of lamentation—emphasizes the theme of **Lack of Honor and Legacy**, suggesting that true honor is not derived from earthly power or wealth, but from integrity, justice, and faithfulness to God. Jehoiakim's unmourned death serves as a vivid illustration of the principle that "the name of the wicked will rot" ([Proverbs 10:7](/proverbs/10-7 "Proverbs 10:7 - The Memory of the Righteous and the Wicked")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Ah (Hebrew, _hôwy'_):** From H1945, this interjection is a prolonged form of הוֹ (akin to אוֹי), primarily expressing woe, lament, or a cry of despair. It can also introduce a prophetic judgment or a call for attention. In this context, its fourfold repetition ("Ah my brother! ... Ah sister! ... Ah lord! ... Ah his glory!") powerfully emphasizes the expected sounds of mourning that would be conspicuously absent, highlighting the depth of Jehoiakim's disgrace and the profound lack of genuine sorrow for his demise. It underscores the severity of the divine verdict and the utter contempt in which he was held.
* **lord (Hebrew, _ʼâdôwn'_):** From H113, this term denotes a sovereign, a controller, or a master, whether human or divine. In the context of a king, "lord" refers to his authoritative position and the respect due to his office. The prophecy explicitly states that the traditional cry of "Ah lord!"—a public and formal lamentation for a respected ruler acknowledging his authority and loss—would not be uttered for Jehoiakim. This signifies his complete failure as a king and the contempt in which he was held by his subjects, who would not recognize him as a worthy "lord" in death.
* **glory (Hebrew, _hôwd'_):** From H1935, this word refers to grandeur, an imposing form and appearance, beauty, comeliness, excellency, or majesty. It encapsulates the regal splendor, honor, and inherent dignity associated with the king's office and person. The absence of lament for "his glory" signifies that Jehoiakim's reign brought no true honor, majesty, or lasting legacy. His death would not be mourned as the passing of a glorious or respected figure, but rather as the end of an ignominious and oppressive rule, devoid of any genuine "glory" in the eyes of God or his people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah;":** This opening clause establishes the divine authority and specific target of the prophecy, emphasizing that this is not merely Jeremiah's personal opinion but a direct, authoritative word from Yahweh (the LORD), the covenant God of Israel. The precise identification of Jehoiakim by his lineage and royal title ("the son of Josiah king of Judah") ironically highlights the stark contrast between his unrighteous reign and the righteous legacy of his father, Josiah, setting the stage for the severe judgment that follows.
* **"They shall not lament for him, [saying], Ah my brother! or, Ah sister!":** This part of the prophecy foretells the complete absence of intimate, familial mourning. The cries of "Ah my brother!" or "Ah sister!" are traditional expressions of deep personal grief, typically uttered by close family members or those with whom one shares a bond of kinship or profound affection. Their explicit absence signifies that even those closest to Jehoiakim would not genuinely mourn his passing, perhaps due to his oppressive nature, his cruelty, or the shame he brought upon his house, indicating a profound personal alienation.
* **"they shall not lament for him, [saying], Ah lord! or, Ah his glory!":** This second part extends the prophecy to the public and national sphere, indicating a complete lack of official or public mourning. The cries of "Ah lord!" or "Ah his glory!" were customary laments for a deceased king, acknowledging his royal status, his perceived majesty, and the collective sense of loss for his leadership. Their absence for Jehoiakim means that his subjects, far from mourning, would feel no sense of loss, respect, or sorrow for his rule. This signifies his profound unpopularity, his failure to embody true kingship, and the ignominy of his end, stripped of all the honor typically afforded to a monarch.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 22:18 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its stark message of divine judgment and dishonor. **Repetition** is prominently used with the phrase "they shall not lament for him" and the interjection "Ah," which is repeated four times. This insistent repetition underscores the utter and absolute absence of mourning, emphasizing the severity of the judgment and the complete lack of honor Jehoiakim would receive. **Antithesis** is powerfully evident in the contrast between the expected, customary, and elaborate mourning for a king (especially one whose father, Josiah, was widely mourned) and the foretold absence of any lamentation for Jehoiakim. This stark opposition highlights Jehoiakim's moral failure and the divine rejection of his reign. Furthermore, there is a strong element of **Irony** in the prophecy. As a king, Jehoiakim would have expected a grand funeral and public mourning, yet the divine decree is precisely the opposite, stripping him of the very honor he likely craved and sought through his lavish lifestyle, thereby exposing the futility and emptiness of his self-serving rule. The specific cries of "Ah my brother/sister" and "Ah lord/his glory" also employ **Synecdoche**, where a part (the specific lament) stands for the whole (the entire mourning process), vividly illustrating the complete and utter lack of grief, both personal and public, for the deceased king.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 22:18 serves as a profound theological statement on divine justice, the unwavering accountability of leadership, and the ultimate futility of a life lived apart from righteousness. God, as the ultimate sovereign and moral arbiter, holds even kings accountable for their actions. Jehoiakim's unmourned death is a stark testament to the principle that true character and justice, not earthly power or accumulated wealth, define a lasting legacy and earn genuine honor. The absence of lamentation signifies a complete divine and human rejection, illustrating that true honor is not conferred by status or title but is earned through integrity, compassion, and unwavering obedience to God's will. This prophecy underscores God's unwavering commitment to justice and His righteous judgment against oppression and unrighteousness, demonstrating that He will not allow wickedness to go unpunished, even in the highest offices of human authority. It is a powerful reminder that God sees and judges the heart and actions of all, and His standards of righteousness are immutable.

* [Proverbs 10:7](/proverbs/10-7 "Proverbs 10:7 - The Memory of the Righteous and the Wicked")
* [Micah 6:8](/micah/6-8 "Micah 6:8 - What the LORD Requires")
* [Matthew 7:20](/matthew/7-20 "Matthew 7:20 - By Their Fruits You Will Know Them")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The stark prophecy concerning Jehoiakim's unmourned death offers profound and enduring lessons for all, particularly those in positions of influence and authority, but also for every individual. It challenges us to deeply consider the true nature of legacy and honor, reminding us that earthly power, material wealth, and self-indulgence are fleeting and ultimately hollow. A life built on injustice, oppression, and defiance of God's commands, no matter how outwardly successful or seemingly secure, ultimately leads to a desolate, dishonorable, and unremembered end in the eyes of eternity. True honor, lasting impact, and a blessed remembrance are cultivated through integrity, compassion, humility, and an unwavering commitment to righteousness, reflecting God's character in our interactions with others and in our stewardship of all that is entrusted to us. This verse powerfully calls us to prioritize eternal values over temporal gains, to lead with humility and justice in our spheres of influence, and to live in such a way that our passing would evoke genuine sorrow and gratitude, not indifference or relief. It is a potent reminder that our actions echo far beyond our lifetime, shaping the way we are remembered, not by our titles or possessions, but by the fruit of our character and our faithfulness to God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jehoiakim's unmourned death challenge my understanding of true success and what constitutes a meaningful legacy in life?**
* **In what areas of my life—personal, professional, or relational—might I be tempted to prioritize self-interest or fleeting gain over righteousness, integrity, and the well-being of others?**
* **What kind of "lament" or remembrance do I hope to leave behind, and what concrete steps can I take today to cultivate a life that genuinely honors God and serves others justly and compassionately?**

### FAQ
**Who was King Jehoiakim, and why was he so despised?**

Answer: King Jehoiakim reigned over Judah from 609 to 598 BC, succeeding his righteous father, Josiah. Unlike Josiah, who was renowned for his reforms and faithfulness, Jehoiakim was a wicked and oppressive king who consistently defied God's commands. He was known for his luxurious lifestyle, which he financed by exploiting his people through forced labor for his palace construction, failing to pay his workers their rightful wages ([Jeremiah 22:13-14](/jeremiah/22-13-14 "Jeremiah 22:13-14 - Jehoiakim's Injustice")). He also shed innocent blood, persecuted prophets like Uriah, and was characterized by his insatiable greed and profound injustice. His blatant disregard for the Mosaic covenant and his defiance of God's prophetic warnings led to widespread contempt among his people and ultimately, severe divine judgment. His actions directly contrasted with the righteous rule God expected of Judah's kings, leading to the prophecy of his dishonorable end.

**What was the significance of "lamentation" in ancient Israelite culture, and why was its absence for Jehoiakim so severe?**

Answer: In ancient Israelite culture, lamentation was a deeply significant and customary practice for mourning the dead, reflecting both personal grief and communal respect. It involved public expressions of sorrow, often accompanied by professional mourners, wailing, tearing clothes, and ritualistic displays of grief. For a king, elaborate mourning rites were not merely customary but essential, signifying profound respect for his office, his legacy, and the stability of the kingdom. The cries of "Ah my brother!" or "Ah sister!" were intimate familial laments, expressing deep personal loss, while "Ah lord!" or "Ah his glory!" were public, royal laments, acknowledging the king's status and the collective sense of loss for his majesty and rule. The prophecy that none of these would be uttered for Jehoiakim was the ultimate curse of dishonor. It meant he was so despised, or his reign so destructive, that neither his family nor his subjects would feel genuine sorrow or respect upon his death. This complete absence of mourning was a public declaration of his utter failure as a king and a man, signifying that his life had no positive legacy worthy of remembrance or grief. It was a fate worse than death itself, as it stripped him of all dignity in memory and demonstrated God's complete rejection of his unrighteous rule.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 22:18, with its prophecy of an unmourned king, finds a profound Christ-centered fulfillment not in a direct parallel of an unmourned death, but in a powerful **antithesis** that highlights the unique nature of Christ's suffering, death, and ultimate vindication. While Jehoiakim was despised and unmourned due to his own sin, oppression, and injustice, Jesus, the true and righteous King of Judah, was also "despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief" ([Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - Despised and Rejected")). He was mocked, abandoned by His disciples, and crucified outside the city gates, receiving no earthly honor or lament from the very people He came to save. Yet, unlike Jehoiakim, Christ's suffering was not for His own sin, but as the sinless Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). His death, though seemingly a defeat and devoid of human lament from the masses, was the ultimate act of love, obedience, and self-sacrifice, leading to His glorious resurrection and exaltation. While Jehoiakim's "glory" faded into oblivion, Christ's "glory" was revealed in His triumph over death, leading to His enthronement at the right hand of God, where "every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" ([Philippians 2:10-11](/phil/2-10-11 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Christ's Exaltation and Lordship")). Thus, Jehoiakim's unmourned end serves as a dark backdrop against which the unparalleled, redemptive suffering and eternal glory of Christ shine even brighter, reminding us that true kingship is defined by self-sacrificial love and righteousness, not self-serving power, and that God's ultimate judgment is always just and righteous.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Kings 13:30

And he laid his carcase in his own grave; and they mourned over him, [saying], Alas, my brother!

Jeremiah 16:6

Both the great and the small shall die in this land: they shall not be buried, neither shall [men] lament for them, nor cut themselves, nor make themselves bald for them:

Jeremiah 22:10

¶ Weep ye not for the dead, neither bemoan him: [but] weep sore for him that goeth away: for he shall return no more, nor see his native country.

Jeremiah 16:4

They shall die of grievous deaths; they shall not be lamented; neither shall they be buried; [but] they shall be as dung upon the face of the earth: and they shall be consumed by the sword, and by famine; and their carcases shall be meat for the fowls of heaven, and for the beasts of the earth.

2 Chronicles 21:19

And it came to pass, that in process of time, after the end of two years, his bowels fell out by reason of his sickness: so he died of sore diseases. And his people made no burning for him, like the burning of his fathers.

2 Chronicles 21:20

Thirty and two years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years, and departed without being desired. Howbeit they buried him in the city of David, but not in the sepulchres of the kings.

2 Samuel 3:33

And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth?