Jeremiah 22:30

Thus saith the LORD, Write ye this man childless, a man [that] shall not prosper in his days: for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling any more in Judah.

Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}, Write {H3789} ye this man {H376} childless {H6185}, a man {H1397} that shall not prosper {H6743} in his days {H3117}: for no man {H376} of his seed {H2233} shall prosper {H6743}, sitting {H3427} upon the throne {H3678} of David {H1732}, and ruling {H4910} any more in Judah {H3063}.

This what ADONAI says: "List this man as childless; he is a lifetime failure - none of his offspring will succeed, none will sit on David's throne or rule again in Y'hudah."

This is what the LORD says: “Enroll this man as childless, a man who will not prosper in his lifetime. None of his descendants will prosper to sit on the throne of David or to rule again in Judah.”

Thus saith Jehovah, Write ye this man childless, a man that shall not prosper in his days; for no more shall a man of his seed prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling in Judah.

Commentary

Context

Jeremiah 22:30 is a powerful declaration of divine judgment against King Coniah, also known as Jeconiah or Jehoiachin, who reigned in Judah for a mere three months and ten days (2 Kings 24:8). This verse concludes a series of prophetic pronouncements in Jeremiah chapter 22 against the unfaithful kings of Judah, including Shallum (Jehoahaz) and Jehoiakim, Coniah's father. At this time, Judah was teetering on the brink of Babylonian exile, a direct consequence of its persistent idolatry and disobedience to the LORD's commands. The prophecy underscores God's absolute sovereignty over human rulers and the destiny of nations, even the Davidic monarchy.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Consequences: The verse highlights God's severe judgment on unfaithful leadership. Coniah's unrighteous reign, though brief, led to this significant curse, demonstrating that sin, especially by those in authority, brings dire consequences.
  • End of a Royal Line (through Coniah): The declaration "Write ye this man childless" does not necessarily mean Coniah had no biological children, but rather that none of his literal descendants would ever legitimately sit on the throne of David and rule in Judah. This effectively severed the royal succession through his direct line.
  • God's Unwavering Word: Despite the human desire for continuity, God's prophetic word stands firm. His pronouncements of judgment, like His promises, are utterly reliable and will be fulfilled.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Write ye this man childless" (Hebrew: katvu et ha'ish hazeh 'ariri) carries a strong legal and prophetic weight. While Coniah did have children (1 Chronicles 3:17-18), the term 'ariri here signifies a man bereft of an heir to his position or inheritance – in this specific context, an heir to the throne. It's a declaration of a dynastic dead end for his lineage regarding the kingship of Judah. The pronouncement "shall not prosper in his days" and "no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David" reinforces this political and royal barrenness, not necessarily a personal or financial one.

Prophetic Significance & Application

This verse presents a crucial point in the Davidic covenant, which promised an eternal dynasty (2 Samuel 7:16). How could the Messiah, Jesus, be a descendant of David if Coniah's line was cursed? This prophecy is precisely fulfilled and demonstrates God's meticulous plan:

  • Jesus' Lineage: While Matthew's genealogy traces Jesus' legal lineage through Joseph, who was a descendant of Coniah, Jesus was not Joseph's biological son.
  • Fulfillment Through Mary: Luke's genealogy traces Jesus' biological lineage through Mary, who was also a descendant of David, but through Nathan, another son of David, rather than Solomon and Coniah. Thus, Jesus inherited the legal right to the throne through Joseph but avoided the curse of Coniah's line through Mary, ensuring He could legitimately fulfill the promise of an eternal king (Jeremiah 23:5).

This passage reminds us that God's word is precise and always fulfilled, even when it seems contradictory or impossible. It also underscores that while human sin brings judgment, God's ultimate redemptive plan for humanity through the Messiah remains unhindered, demonstrating His faithfulness, wisdom, and sovereign control over history.

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 36:30

    Therefore thus saith the LORD of Jehoiakim king of Judah; He shall have none to sit upon the throne of David: and his dead body shall be cast out in the day to the heat, and in the night to the frost.

  • Psalms 94:20

    Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law?

  • Matthew 1:11

    And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon:

  • Matthew 1:16

    And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

  • Jeremiah 10:21

    For the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the LORD: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered.

  • Luke 1:32

    He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

  • Luke 1:33

    And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
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