Jeremiah 29:22

KJV

And of them shall be taken up a curse by all the captivity of Judah which [are] in Babylon, saying, The LORD make thee like Zedekiah and like Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire;

KJV (with Strong's)

And of them shall be taken up {H3947} a curse {H7045} by all the captivity {H1546} of Judah {H3063} which are in Babylon {H894}, saying {H559}, The LORD {H3068} make {H7760} thee like Zedekiah {H6667} and like Ahab {H256}, whom the king {H4428} of Babylon {H894} roasted {H7033} in the fire {H784};

Complete Jewish Bible

In fact, all those exiled from Y'hudah who are in Bavel will take up this formula for cursing: "May ADONAI make you like Tzidkiyahu and Ach'av, whom the king of Bavel roasted in the fire!"

Berean Standard Bible

Because of them, all the exiles of Judah who are in Babylon will use this curse: ‘May the LORD make you like Zedekiah and Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire!’

American Standard Version

and of them shall be taken up a curse by all the captives of Judah that are in Babylon, saying, Jehovah make thee like Zedekiah and like Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 29:22 pronounces a severe prophetic judgment against two false prophets, Zedekiah and Ahab, who were actively deceiving the Judean exiles in Babylon with promises of a swift return to Judah. This verse serves as a stark, divinely-decreed warning, declaring that these deceivers would meet a gruesome and public end—being "roasted in the fire" by the very king of Babylon—thereby becoming a proverbial curse among the captives and definitively validating Jeremiah's authentic, divinely inspired message of a prolonged, yet ultimately hopeful, period of exile.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 29:22 is situated within a crucial letter (Jeremiah 29:1-32) dispatched by the prophet Jeremiah from Jerusalem to the Jewish exiles who had been forcibly deported to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar. This letter directly confronts and refutes the widespread, optimistic, but ultimately false prophecies circulating among the exiles that promised an imminent return to their homeland. In stark contrast, Jeremiah instructs the exiles to settle down, build homes, plant gardens, marry, and pray for the welfare of Babylon, indicating a significant and prolonged period of captivity, as detailed in [Jeremiah 29:5-7](/jeremiah/29-5-7 "Jeremiah 29:5-7 - Instructions for Exiles"). The specific condemnation of Zedekiah and Ahab in this verse immediately follows Jeremiah's broader warning against false prophets (found in [Jeremiah 29:8-9](/jeremiah/29-8-9 "Jeremiah 29:8-9 - Warning Against False Prophets")) and precedes the renowned promise of future hope and restoration (articulated in [Jeremiah 29:10-14](/jeremiah/29-10-14 "Jeremiah 29:10-14 - Promise of Restoration")), thereby emphasizing the immediate and severe spiritual danger these deceivers posed to the exiles' faith and well-being.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for this prophecy is the Judean exile in Babylon, specifically following the initial major deportation in 597 BC, which included King Jehoiachin and many of Jerusalem's elite. In times of national crisis and displacement, false prophets frequently emerged, offering comforting but deceptive messages of quick deliverance, preying on the people's understandable longing for home. The method of punishment described—being "roasted in the fire"—was a known, albeit extreme and terrifying, form of execution in the ancient Near East, particularly associated with Babylonian legal and penal practices for severe offenses. This public, agonizing, and brutal form of capital punishment would have served as a powerful deterrent and a clear, unmistakable sign of divine judgment, understood within the cultural norms of the time as a mark of extreme dishonor, a profound curse, and a public spectacle of retribution.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several foundational themes within the book of Jeremiah and the broader prophetic corpus. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Judgment on False Prophets**, unequivocally demonstrating God's unwavering opposition to those who presume to speak lies in His name and lead His people astray with deceptive messages. The gruesome fate of Zedekiah and Ahab underscores the gravity of this sin and the severity of its consequences. It also highlights the **Authenticity of True Prophecy**, as Jeremiah's precise and verifiable prediction of their demise would serve as a powerful vindication of his own message as genuinely from the LORD, in stark contrast to the empty promises of the false prophets (a principle articulated in [Deuteronomy 18:22](/deuteronomy/18-22 "Deuteronomy 18:22 - The Test of a Prophet") and echoed in [Jeremiah 28:9](/jeremiah/28-9 "Jeremiah 28:9 - Test of a True Prophet")). Furthermore, the verse vividly illustrates the **Consequences of Deception and Disobedience**, demonstrating that defying God's revealed word and misleading His people incurs severe repercussions, making their names synonymous with a curse. Finally, it subtly reinforces **God's Sovereignty Even in Exile**, showing that even amidst national judgment and under the apparent control of a pagan empire, God remains actively engaged, exposing falsehood, executing justice, and fulfilling His purposes through unexpected instruments, even through the king of Babylon.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **taken up (Hebrew, _lâqach'_):** H3947, a primitive root meaning "to take (in the widest variety of applications); accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win." In this context, the passive voice implies that a curse would be "taken up" or "uttered" using their names, signifying that their horrific fate would become a common byword, a proverbial example of divine retribution, or a public imprecation.
* **curse (Hebrew, _qᵉlâlâh'_):** H7045, from קָלַל (qâlal), meaning "vilification; (ac-) curse(-d, -ing)." This noun denotes a malediction, an imprecation, or a pronouncement of evil. Here, it means that the names of Zedekiah and Ahab would become a proverbial expression of a curse, invoked when someone wished ill upon another, or as a lasting testament to a terrible, divinely-ordained fate for those who deceive.
* **roasted (Hebrew, _qâlâh'_):** H7033, a primitive root (rather identical with קָלָה through the idea of shrinkage by heat); "to toast, i.e. scorch partially or slowly; dried, loathsome, parch, roast." This verb vividly describes a method of execution by fire, implying a slow, agonizing, and public burning. The choice of this specific and gruesome verb emphasizes the horrific and humiliating nature of their punishment, which was likely a known Babylonian practice for severe offenses against the state or its order.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And of them shall be taken up a curse by all the captivity of Judah which are in Babylon":** This opening clause establishes the lasting infamy of Zedekiah and Ahab. Their ignominious and divinely-ordained end would become so notorious and severe among the Judean exiles in Babylon that their names would be invoked as a byword for a curse, serving as a public warning or an expression of extreme misfortune and divine judgment.
* **"saying, The LORD make thee like Zedekiah and like Ahab":** This is the precise form of the imprecation, revealing how the exiles would use the names of these false prophets. When wishing for a dire, divinely-sent outcome upon someone, they would invoke the names of Zedekiah and Ahab, whose suffering and death would represent the epitome of divine judgment and public disgrace. This highlights the profound and lasting infamy associated with their deception.
* **"whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire;":** This final clause unveils the specific and brutal manner of their execution. It explicitly attributes their death to "the king of Babylon," underscoring God's absolute sovereignty even over pagan rulers, whom He uses as instruments of His righteous justice. The method, "roasted in the fire," implies a particularly cruel, public, and agonizing death, ensuring their fate would be widely known and serve as a terrifying, tangible example of the consequences of false prophecy.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 29:22 masterfully employs several potent **literary devices** to convey its message with chilling clarity and profound impact. The most prominent is **Prophetic Prediction**, where Jeremiah, speaking on behalf of the LORD, foretells a specific, gruesome, and verifiable future event as a direct consequence of the false prophets' deceptive actions, thereby validating his own divine authority and discrediting his rivals. The verse also utilizes powerful **Irony**: these false prophets promised deliverance from Babylon, yet Babylon itself, through its king, becomes the very instrument of their horrific demise. Furthermore, the passage employs **Proverbial Language** or a **Byword**, as the names of Zedekiah and Ahab are destined to become a common expression for a curse, transforming their personal tragedy into a lasting public warning against spiritual deception. Finally, the graphic description of being "roasted in the fire" serves as **Vivid Imagery**, designed to shock the audience and impress upon them the terrifying severity of God's righteous judgment against those who corrupt His sacred message.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 29:22 profoundly underscores God's unwavering commitment to absolute truth and His severe, uncompromising judgment against those who corrupt His divine message and intentionally mislead His people. It reveals that divine justice, though not always immediate, is ultimately certain and comprehensive, often employing surprising instruments—even a pagan king—to accomplish His righteous purposes. The theological implication is that true prophecy, even when difficult, unpopular, or seemingly contradictory to popular sentiment, will always be vindicated by God, while false prophecy, which caters to human desires or offers empty assurances rather than divine truth, will inevitably lead to destruction and public disgrace. This passage serves as a timeless, sobering warning against spiritual deception and a powerful call for discerning truth, reminding us that God holds His messengers to the highest standard of truthfulness and integrity.

* [Deuteronomy 18:20-22](/deuteronomy/18-20-22 "The Test of a Prophet")
* [Ezekiel 13:3-7](/ezekiel/13-3-7 "Prophecy Against False Prophets")
* [2 Peter 2:1-3](/2_peter/2-1-3 "Warning Against False Teachers")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 29:22 offers a profoundly sobering yet vital lesson for believers in every age: the paramount importance of discerning truth from falsehood, especially in matters claiming divine authority. In an era saturated with information, diverse voices, and competing spiritual claims, we are constantly challenged to identify teachings that genuinely align with God's revealed Word versus those that might merely appeal to our desires for comfort, prosperity, or quick solutions. This verse serves as a stark reminder that God takes spiritual deception with utmost seriousness, and those who intentionally mislead His flock will ultimately face His righteous judgment. It calls us to be vigilant, to diligently study and meditate upon Scripture, and to cultivate a spirit of discernment, recognizing that true faith often involves embracing difficult truths, enduring patiently through trials, and trusting in God's long-term plan rather than seeking immediate, easy answers. Our ultimate trust must be firmly placed in the unchanging character and infallible promises of God, not in the fleeting assurances or charismatic pronouncements of human voices, however appealing they may seem.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jeremiah 29:22 challenge my own willingness to critically discern between popular messages and biblical truth in my spiritual journey?**
* **In what ways might I be susceptible to "easy answers," comforting falsehoods, or messages that cater to my desires rather than God's will?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate greater discernment in my personal walk with God and in evaluating the teachings and influences I encounter?**

### FAQ

**What was the specific crime of Zedekiah and Ahab?**

Answer: Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah and Ahab the son of Kolaiah were false prophets who were actively misleading the Jewish exiles in Babylon. Their primary crime was speaking lies in the name of the LORD, directly contradicting Jeremiah's true prophecy of a prolonged exile and promising a swift, premature return to Jerusalem (as highlighted in [Jeremiah 29:8-9](/jeremiah/29-8-9 "Jeremiah 29:8-9 - Warning Against False Prophets")). Their messages offered false hope, causing the exiles to disregard God's actual plan for them to settle and seek the welfare of Babylon for a set period, as outlined in [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Promise of Seventy Years")).

**Why were they "roasted in the fire" by the king of Babylon?**

Answer: The specific reason for their execution by the king of Babylon is not explicitly stated in the text beyond their being false prophets. However, it is highly probable that their false prophecies, which likely stirred up unrest, sedition, or false hopes among the exiles, were perceived as a threat to Babylonian authority and stability. Such actions could be seen as undermining Babylonian rule or causing civil disturbance, meriting a severe and public punishment. Burning was a known, albeit extreme, form of execution in the ancient Near East for serious offenses against the state or its order. In this context, God used Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, as an unwitting instrument of His divine judgment against these deceivers, demonstrating His sovereignty even over foreign rulers.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 29:22, with its stark portrayal of judgment against false prophets, finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound counterpoint in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. While Zedekiah and Ahab faced a gruesome end for their deception and for leading God's people astray, Jesus, the true and ultimate Prophet (as foretold in [Deuteronomy 18:15-18](/deuteronomy/18-15-18 "Deuteronomy 18:15-18 - The Prophet Like Moses")), willingly faced a far more horrific death on the cross. He did so not for His own sin, but as the perfect, sinless sacrifice for the sins of humanity, absorbing the curse that was due to us ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse")). Jesus never spoke lies or offered false hope; instead, He declared the profound, often challenging, truth of God's kingdom, embodying both grace and truth in His very person ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). Unlike the false prophets who scattered and misled the flock, Jesus is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep ([John 10:11](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - The Good Shepherd")), leading them to abundant and eternal life. His resurrection from the dead is the ultimate vindication of His truth, authority, and divine claims, demonstrating that He is indeed the Way, the Truth, and the Life ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). The judgment against false prophets in the Old Testament foreshadows the ultimate triumph of Christ's truth over all deception and the final accountability of all who reject Him and His authentic message, as vividly described in New Testament passages like [Matthew 7:15-20](/matthew/7-15-20 "Matthew 7:15-20 - Beware of False Prophets") and the ultimate fate of the deceiver in [Revelation 20:10](/revelation/20-10 "Revelation 20:10 - The Fate of the Devil and False Prophet"). In Christ, we find not only absolute truth but also the only path to genuine, lasting hope and salvation, a stark and glorious contrast to the destructive lies of those who speak falsely in God's name.

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

Daniel 3:6

And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.

Isaiah 65:15

And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen: for the Lord GOD shall slay thee, and call his servants by another name:

Daniel 3:21

Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their [other] garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

Genesis 48:20

And he blessed them that day, saying, In thee shall Israel bless, saying, God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh: and he set Ephraim before Manasseh.

Ruth 4:11

And all the people that [were] in the gate, and the elders, said, [We are] witnesses. The LORD make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem:

1 Corinthians 16:22

If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.