Jeremiah 22:26

KJV

And I will cast thee out, and thy mother that bare thee, into another country, where ye were not born; and there shall ye die.

KJV (with Strong's)

And I will cast thee out {H2904}, and thy mother {H517} that bare {H3205} thee, into another {H312} country {H776}, where ye were not born {H3205}; and there shall ye die {H4191}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I will hurl you and the mother who gave birth to you into a country different from the one you were born in, and you will die there.

Berean Standard Bible

I will hurl you and the mother who gave you birth into another land, where neither of you were born—and there you both will die.

American Standard Version

And I will cast thee out, and thy mother that bare thee, into another country, where ye were not born; and there shall ye die.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 22:26 delivers a stark divine judgment against King Coniah (Jehoiachin) and his mother, Nehushta, prophesying their forceful expulsion from Judah into a foreign land where they would ultimately die. This declaration underscores God's absolute sovereignty over earthly rulers and the inevitable consequences of persistent unrighteousness and covenant infidelity, culminating in a humiliating and permanent exile from their homeland and ancestral burial grounds.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 22:26 is situated within a series of prophetic oracles delivered by Jeremiah concerning the unrighteous kings of Judah, specifically following pronouncements against Jehoiakim, Coniah's father. The chapter opens with a call for justice and righteousness from the Davidic king and his people, warning of severe consequences for disobedience. Verses 20-23 lament Jerusalem's desolation and her allies' failure, setting the stage for the direct condemnation of Coniah in verses 24-30. This particular verse, 26, is a direct, personal sentence against the king and his mother, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the impending judgment and the end of their royal line as legitimate rulers in Judah.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy targets Coniah, also known as Jeconiah or Jehoiachin, who reigned for a mere three months and ten days (598-597 BC) before Jerusalem was captured by Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonian forces. His mother, Nehushta, held a prominent position, and her inclusion in the judgment highlights the collective responsibility and the thoroughness of the divine decree, which often extended to the royal household in ancient Near Eastern contexts. The "another country" refers specifically to Babylon, where they were indeed exiled. For an Israelite, dying and being buried outside the Promised Land, away from one's ancestors, was considered a profound disgrace and a severe curse, symbolizing a complete severance from their heritage and God's covenant blessings.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several key themes prevalent throughout Jeremiah and the broader prophetic literature. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Judgment** upon unrighteous leadership and a disobedient nation. God's **Sovereignty** over nations and kings is unequivocally demonstrated, as He orchestrates the downfall of even powerful rulers who defy His covenant. The **Consequences of Disobedience** are laid bare, showing that persistent idolatry, injustice, and rebellion against God's law inevitably lead to severe and often humiliating outcomes, as warned in passages like [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"). Furthermore, the prophecy highlights the **End of a Dynasty** (at least in terms of direct, legitimate rule from Jerusalem), marking a pivotal moment in Judah's history and the beginning of the Babylonian exile, a period of profound national crisis that shaped Israelite identity and theology for centuries, as seen in [2 Kings 24:15](/2_kings/24-15 "2 Kings 24:15 - Jehoiachin's Exile").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Cast out (Hebrew, _ṭûwl'_):** From H2904, a primitive root meaning "to pitch over or reel; hence (transitively) to cast down or out; carry away, (utterly) cast (down, forth, out), send out." This word conveys a sense of violent, forceful expulsion, not a gentle or voluntary departure. It emphasizes the divine agency behind the deportation, portraying it as an act of judgment where God Himself is the one "casting" them out, utterly uprooting them from their position and land.
* **Country (Hebrew, _ʼerets'_):** From H776, meaning "the earth (at large, or partitively a land); [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] nations, way, [phrase] wilderness, world." In this context, `ʼerets` specifically refers to a foreign land—Babylon—as opposed to their native land of Judah. The shift from "the land" (referring to the Promised Land) to "another country" signifies a loss of covenant inheritance and a displacement into a realm outside of God's direct, protective presence in their homeland.
* **Die (Hebrew, _mûwth'_):** From H4191, a primitive root meaning "to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill." This is a stark and definitive pronouncement. It signifies not merely a physical death, but a death in exile, away from the sacred soil of Judah and the burial places of their ancestors. In ancient Israelite culture, such a death was a mark of shame and a complete forfeiture of the blessings associated with the covenant land.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I will cast thee out":** This clause immediately establishes God as the active agent of judgment. The "I" is Yahweh, emphasizing His sovereignty and direct involvement in the fate of King Coniah. The action of "casting out" signifies a forceful, humiliating expulsion, stripping the king of his power, position, and presence in the land.
* **"and thy mother that bare thee":** The inclusion of the king's mother, Nehushta, highlights the comprehensive nature of the judgment, extending beyond the individual ruler to his immediate family and the royal household. This also underscores the public nature of their disgrace and the complete dismantling of their royal authority and lineage in Judah.
* **"into another country, where ye were not born":** This specifies the destination of their exile—a foreign land, Babylon. The phrase "where ye were not born" emphasizes the alien nature of their new home and the complete severance from their heritage, roots, and the land promised to their forefathers. It highlights the profound loss of identity and belonging that accompanies forced displacement.
* **"and there shall ye die":** This final, grim pronouncement seals their fate. It means they would not return to Judah, nor would they be buried with their ancestors. This was a particularly severe aspect of the judgment, signifying a permanent separation from the covenant land and a complete end to their legitimate presence within the Davidic line in Jerusalem.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 22:26 employs several powerful literary devices. **Divine Pronouncement** is central, as God Himself declares the judgment ("I will cast thee out"), underscoring His ultimate authority and active role in human history. The verse uses **Foreshadowing** by predicting the precise manner of King Coniah's and his mother's end, which was historically fulfilled in the Babylonian exile. The stark contrast between "where ye were not born" and "there shall ye die" creates a sense of **Irony** and tragic finality, emphasizing the complete reversal of their fortunes from royal privilege to ignominious death in a foreign land. The use of **Hyperbole** or extreme language in "cast thee out" (a forceful, violent expulsion) highlights the severity and divine wrath behind the judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 22:26 powerfully articulates God's unwavering commitment to justice and His absolute sovereignty over all earthly powers. It serves as a stark reminder that covenant blessings are contingent upon obedience, and persistent rebellion, especially from those in leadership, will inevitably incur divine judgment. The exile of Coniah and his mother was not merely a political event but a theological consequence, demonstrating that God's word, whether of promise or warning, is sure and will be fulfilled. This judgment also foreshadows the broader theme of the scattering and gathering of Israel, a recurring motif in prophetic literature that speaks to God's discipline and ultimate faithfulness to His covenant people.

* [Deuteronomy 28:36](/deuteronomy/28-36 "Deuteronomy 28:36 - Prophecy of Exile")
* [2 Kings 24:15](/2_kings/24-15 "2 Kings 24:15 - Jehoiachin's Exile to Babylon")
* [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Promise of Return from Exile")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 22:26 offers profound lessons for believers today, particularly concerning the accountability of leadership and the consequences of unrepentant sin. It reminds us that God holds those in authority, whether in government, business, or the church, to a high standard. Their actions have far-reaching implications, not only for themselves but for those they lead. The verse challenges us to examine our own lives for areas of disobedience or injustice, recognizing that God's character is consistent: He is both merciful and just. While we live under grace, the principle that sin carries consequences remains. This passage should cultivate a healthy fear of the Lord, inspiring us to walk in humility and obedience, trusting in His unwavering word and seeking to live righteously in every sphere of influence.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the judgment against King Coniah challenge our modern understanding of leadership and accountability?**
* **In what ways might we, as individuals or communities, be tempted to disregard God's warnings, similar to the kings of Judah?**
* **What does the fulfillment of this prophecy teach us about the reliability of God's word and His active involvement in human history?**

### FAQ
**Who is "thee" and "thy mother" in this verse, and why are they both mentioned?**

Answer: "Thee" refers to King Coniah, also known as Jeconiah or Jehoiachin, who was king of Judah for a very short period (3 months, 10 days) before the first major Babylonian deportation. "Thy mother that bare thee" refers to Nehushta, his mother. Both are mentioned because Nehushta held a significant position in the royal court, and her inclusion emphasizes the comprehensive nature of God's judgment, extending to the entire royal household and signifying a complete dismantling of their authority and presence in Judah. This collective judgment was a common feature in ancient Near Eastern punitive actions against royal families. Their exile is historically recorded in [2 Kings 24:15](/2_kings/24-15 "2 Kings 24:15 - Jehoiachin and Nehushta exiled to Babylon").

**What is the significance of dying "in another country, where ye were not born"?**

Answer: For an ancient Israelite, dying and being buried outside the Promised Land was considered a profound curse and a deep dishonor. It symbolized a complete severance from their heritage, their ancestral land, and the covenant blessings associated with it. Burial in one's native land among one's forefathers was highly valued, signifying continuity and belonging. This prophecy meant that Coniah and Nehushta would not only be exiled but would also suffer the ultimate indignity of a permanent separation from their homeland, never to return, and never to be laid to rest in the land of Judah. This underlines the severity of God's judgment for their unrighteousness and disobedience, as warned in passages like [Deuteronomy 28:36](/deuteronomy/28-36 "Deuteronomy 28:36 - The Curse of Exile").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 22:26, with its grim prophecy of a king's forceful expulsion and death in a foreign land, stands in stark contrast to the true King, Jesus Christ. While Coniah was "cast out" due to his unrighteousness and ultimately died in exile, Christ, though innocent, voluntarily "cast himself out" of heavenly glory through the incarnation, humbling himself to be born into "another country"—this fallen world—where he was not originally from ([Philippians 2:6-8](/philippians/2-6 "Philippians 2:6-8 - Christ's Humiliation")). He did not die in exile as a consequence of His own sin, but rather, He willingly embraced death on a cross, a foreign and shameful form of execution, to bear the sins of humanity ([Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - Christ's Suffering for Our Sins")). Unlike Coniah, whose death in a foreign land signified the end of his earthly reign and a curse, Christ's death was a redemptive act, leading to His glorious resurrection and the establishment of an eternal kingdom that knows no end ([Revelation 11:15](/revelation/11-15 "Revelation 11:15 - The Kingdom of Christ")). He is the King who was "cast out" for us, so that we might be brought into His eternal homeland, never to be cast out again, but to live eternally with Him ([John 14:3](/john/14-3 "John 14:3 - Jesus Prepares a Place for Us")).

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

2 Kings 24:15

And he carried away Jehoiachin to Babylon, and the king's mother, and the king's wives, and his officers, and the mighty of the land, [those] carried he into captivity from Jerusalem to Babylon.

Isaiah 22:17

Behold, the LORD will carry thee away with a mighty captivity, and will surely cover thee.

Jeremiah 15:2

And it shall come to pass, if they say unto thee, Whither shall we go forth? then thou shalt tell them, Thus saith the LORD; Such as [are] for death, to death; and such as [are] for the sword, to the sword; and such as [are] for the famine, to the famine; and such as [are] for the captivity, to the captivity.

Jeremiah 15:4

And I will cause them to be removed into all kingdoms of the earth, because of Manasseh the son of Hezekiah king of Judah, for [that] which he did in Jerusalem.

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.

Ezekiel 19:9

And they put him in ward in chains, and brought him to the king of Babylon: they brought him into holds, that his voice should no more be heard upon the mountains of Israel.

Ezekiel 19:14

And fire is gone out of a rod of her branches, [which] hath devoured her fruit, so that she hath no strong rod [to be] a sceptre to rule. This [is] a lamentation, and shall be for a lamentation.