Jeremiah 22:24

[As] I live, saith the LORD, though Coniah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah were the signet upon my right hand, yet would I pluck thee thence;

As I live {H2416}, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}, though Coniah {H3659} the son {H1121} of Jehoiakim {H3079} king {H4428} of Judah {H3063} were the signet {H2368} upon my right {H3225} hand {H3027}, yet would I pluck {H5423} thee thence;

"As I live," says ADONAI, "even if Koniyahu the son of Y'hoyakim king of Y'hudah were the signet ring on my right hand, I would pull you off

“As surely as I live,” declares the LORD, “even if you, Coniah son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, were a signet ring on My right hand, I would pull you off.

As I live, saith Jehovah, though Coniah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah were the signet upon my right hand, yet would I pluck thee thence;

Commentary

Jeremiah 22:24 delivers a powerful and stern pronouncement from the LORD concerning King Coniah, also known as Jehoiachin. This verse underscores God's absolute sovereignty and His unwavering commitment to justice, even against those who held the highest positions of authority and favor.

Context of Jeremiah 22:24

This prophecy is part of a larger section in Jeremiah (chapters 21-23) where the prophet delivers messages of judgment against the kings of Judah and false prophets. Coniah, also known as Jehoiachin (or Jeconiah), was the son of King Jehoiakim. He reigned for only three months and ten days in Jerusalem before being taken captive to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar, along with the queen mother, his servants, princes, and officers (2 Kings 24:15). The phrase "As I live, saith the LORD" introduces a solemn oath, emphasizing the certainty and immutability of God's declaration.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment and Rejection: The core message is God's resolute decision to remove Coniah from his throne and favor. Despite his royal lineage and initial position, his unfaithfulness and the nation's continued sin led to this severe judgment.
  • God's Absolute Sovereignty: This verse powerfully demonstrates that God is the ultimate authority, capable of raising up and casting down kings according to His will. No human position, no matter how elevated, can circumvent His divine plan or escape His judgment.
  • Broken Covenant: The kings of Judah, including Coniah, consistently failed to uphold the covenant with God, leading to the severe consequences prophesied by Jeremiah. This rejection of Coniah symbolizes the broader rejection of the unfaithful Davidic line in favor of God's righteous judgment.

Linguistic Insights: "Signet Upon My Right Hand"

The metaphor of the "signet upon my right hand" is crucial for understanding the depth of God's statement. A signet ring (Hebrew: chotam) was an extremely valuable and personal item in ancient times. It was used to authenticate documents, symbolizing the owner's authority, identity, and personal ownership. Wearing it on the right hand signified its prominence and importance. By saying Coniah was like His signet ring, God implies that Coniah held a position of extreme closeness, value, and trust in God's eyes, akin to a cherished personal possession. Yet, despite this profound intimacy and importance, God declares He would "pluck thee thence," meaning He would forcefully remove him. This emphasizes the gravity of Coniah's (and Judah's) sin—it was so egregious that it severed even such a deeply cherished connection.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 22:24 serves as a timeless reminder of several spiritual truths:

  • Accountability in High Places: Those in positions of leadership or influence, especially spiritual leadership, are held to a higher standard of accountability before God.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: No amount of privilege, heritage, or past favor can negate the consequences of continued unfaithfulness and disobedience to God's commands. God's unwavering commitment to His word means His promises of blessing for obedience are as sure as His warnings of judgment for sin.
  • God's Ultimate Authority: This verse reinforces that God's will is supreme. He is not bound by human expectations, traditions, or even perceived divine favor, but acts righteously according to His perfect character. Our security and blessing come from aligning ourselves with His will, not from our position.
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

  • Jeremiah 37:1

    ¶ And king Zedekiah the son of Josiah reigned instead of Coniah the son of Jehoiakim, whom Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon made king in the land of Judah.

  • 1 Chronicles 3:16

    And the sons of Jehoiakim: Jeconiah his son, Zedekiah his son.

  • Song Of Solomon 8:6

    Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love [is] strong as death; jealousy [is] cruel as the grave: the coals thereof [are] coals of fire, [which hath a] most vehement flame.

  • 2 Kings 24:6

    So Jehoiakim slept with his fathers: and Jehoiachin his son reigned in his stead.

  • 2 Kings 24:8

    ¶ Jehoiachin [was] eighteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. And his mother's name [was] Nehushta, the daughter of Elnathan of Jerusalem.

  • Haggai 2:23

    In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith the LORD, and will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee, saith the LORD of hosts.

  • Jeremiah 22:28

    [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?