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Commentary on Jeremiah 29 verses 15–23
Jeremiah, having given great encouragement to those among the captives whom he knew to be serious and well-affected, assuring them that God had very kind and favourable intentions concerning them, here turns to those among them who slighted the counsels and comforts that Jeremiah ministered to them and depended upon what the false prophets flattered them with. When this letter came from Jeremiah they would be ready to say, "Why should he make himself so busy, and take upon him to advise us? The Lord has raised us up prophets in Babylon, Jer 29:15. We are satisfied with those prophets, and can depend upon them, and have no occasion to hear from any prophets in Jerusalem." See the impudent wickedness of this people; as the prophets, when they prophesied lies, said that they had them from God, so the people, when they invited those prophets thus to flatter them, fathered it upon God, and said that it was the Lord that raised them up those prophets. Whereas we may be sure that those who harden people in their sins, and deceive them with false and groundless hopes of God's mercy, are no prophets of God's raising up. These prophets of their own told them that no more should be carried captive, but that those who were in captivity should shortly return. Now, in answer to this, 1. The prophet here foretells the utter destruction of those who remained still at Jerusalem, notwithstanding what those false prophets said to the contrary: "As for the king and people that dwell in the city, who, you think, will be ready to bid you welcome when you return, you are deceived; they shall be followed with one judgment after another, sword, famine, and pestilence, which shall cut off multitudes; and the poor and miserable remains shall be removed into all kingdoms of the earth," Jer 29:16, Jer 29:18. And thus God will make them, or rather deal with them accordingly, as the salt that has lost its savour, which, being good for nothing, is cast to the dunghill, and so are rotten figs. This refers to the vision and the prophecy upon it which we had Jer 24:1-10. And the reason given for these proceedings against them is the same that has often been given and will justify God in the eternal ruin of impenitent sinners (Jer 29:19): Because they have not hearkened to my words. I called, but they refused. 2. He foretells the judgment of God upon the false prophets in Babylon, who deceived the people of God there. He calls upon all the children of the captivity, who boasted of them as prophets of God's raising up (Jer 29:20): "Stand still, and hear the doom of the prophets you are so fond of." The two prophets are named here, Ahab and Zedekiah, Jer 29:21. Observe, (1.) The crimes charged upon them - impiety and immorality: They prophesied lies in God's name (Jer 29:21), and again (Jer 29:23), They have spoken lying words in my name. Lying was bad, lying to the people of God to delude them into a false hope was worse, but fathering their lies upon the God of truth was worst of all. And no marvel if those that had the face to do that could allow themselves in the gratification of those vile affections to which God, in a way of righteous judgment, gave them up. They have done villainy in Israel, for they have committed adultery with their neighbours' wives. Adultery is villainy in Israel, and in such as pretend to be prophets, who by such wickednesses manifestly disprove their own pretensions. God never sent such profligate wretches on his errands. He is the Lord God of the holy prophets, not of such impure ones. Here it appears why they flattered others in their sins - because they could not reprove them without condemning themselves. These lewd practices of theirs they knew how to conceal from the eye of the world, that they might preserve their credit; but I know it and am a witness, saith the Lord. The most secret sins are known to God; he can see the villainy that is covered with the thickest cloak of hypocrisy, and there is a day coming when he will bring to light all these hidden works of darkness and every man will appear in his own colours. (2.) The judgments threatened against them: The king of Babylon shall slay them before your eyes; nay, he shall put them to a miserable death, roast them in the fire, Jer 29:22. We may suppose that it was not for their impiety and immorality that Nebuchadnezzar punished them thus severely, but for sedition, and some attempts of their turbulent spirits upon the public peace, and stirring up the people to revolt and rebel. So much of their wickedness shall then be detected, and in such a wretched manner they shall end their days, that their names shall be a curse among the captives in Babylon, Jer 29:22. When men would imprecate the greatest evil upon one they hated they would think they could not load them with a heavier curse, in fewer words, than to say, The Lord make thee like Zedekiah and like Ahab. Thus were they made ashamed of the prophets they had been proud of, and convinced at last of their folly in hearkening to them. God's faithful prophets were sometimes charged with being the troublers of the land, and as such were tortured and slain; but their names were a blessing when they were gone and their memory sweet, not as these false prophets. As malefactors are attended with infamy and disgrace, so martyrs with glory and honour.
Not everyone who prophesies is holy, nor is everyone who casts out devils religious. Even Balaam the son of Beor the prophet did prophesy, though he was himself ungodly, as also did Caiaphas, the falsely named high priest. No, the devil foretells many things, and the demons, about Christ. Yet for all that, there is not a spark of piety in them. They are oppressed with ignorance, by reason of their voluntary wickedness. It is clear, therefore, that the ungodly, although they prophesy, do not by their prophesying cover their own impiety. Nor will those who cast out demons be sanctified by the demons being made subject to them. They only mock one another, as they do who play childish tricks for mirth, and destroy those who give heed to them. For neither is a wicked king any longer a king but a tyrant. Nor is a bishop oppressed with ignorance or an evil disposition a bishop, but he is called so falsely. He is not one sent out by God but by people, as Ananiah and Samoeah in Jerusalem, and Zedekiah and Achiah the false prophets in Babylon. Indeed, Balaam the prophet, when he had corrupted Israel by Baalpeor, suffered punishment. Caiaphas at last was his own murderer. The sons of Sceva, endeavoring to cast out demons, were wounded by them and fled away in an undignified way. The kings of Israel and of Judah, when they became impious, suffered all sorts of punishments. It is therefore evident how bishops and elders, also called so falsely, will not escape the judgment of God. For it will be said to them even now, “O priests that despise my name, I will deliver you up to the slaughter, as I did Zedekiah and Achiah, whom the king of Babylon fried in a frying pan,” as says Jeremiah the prophet. We say these things, not in contempt of true prophecies, for we know that they are wrought in holy people by the inspiration of God, but to put a stop to the boldness of conceited people, and add this, that from such as these God takes away his grace. “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
[Daniel 13:60] "And the whole congregration (Vulgate: assembly) cried out with a great voice and blessed God, who saveth those who trust in Him..." If the whole congregation put them to death, the view which we mentioned earlier is apparently refuted, namely that these were the elders Ahab and Zedekiah, in conformity with Jeremiah's statement (Jeremiah 29:22). The only other possibility is that instead of taking the statement, "They killed them," literally, we interpret it as meaning that they gave them over to the king of Babylon to be put to death. That would be just like when we say that the Jews put the Savior to death; not that they smote Him themselves, but they gave Him over to be slain and cried out, "Crucify Him! Crucify Him!" (John 19:15).
So long as we are held down by this frail body, so long as we have our treasure in earthen vessels, so long as the flesh lusts against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh, there can be no sure victory. “Our adversary the devil goes about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.” “You make darkness,” David says, “and it is night, in which all the beasts of the forest do creep forth. The young lions roar after their prey and seek their meat from God.” The devil does not look for unbelievers, for those who are outside, whose flesh the Assyrian king roasted in the furnace. It is the church of Christ that he “hurries to spoil.” According to Habakkuk, “His food is the choicest.” Job is the victim of his scheming, and after devouring Judas he seeks power to sift the other apostles. The Savior came not to send peace on the earth but a sword. Lucifer fell, Lucifer who used to rise at dawn, and he who was raised in a paradise of delight had the well-earned sentence passed on him, “Though you exalt yourself as the eagle, and though you set your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down, says the Lord.” For he had said in his heart, “I will exalt my throne above the stars of God,” and “I will be like the most High.” Therefore God says every day to the angels, as they descend the ladder that Jacob saw in his dream, “I have said you are gods, and all of you are children of the most High. But you shall die like mortals and fall like one of the princes.” The devil fell first, and since “God stands in the congregation of the gods and judged among the gods,” the apostle writes to those who are ceasing to be gods, “Since there is among you envy and strife, are you not carnal and walk as humans?”
[Daniel 13:5] "And there were two of the elders of the people (the Vulgate omits: of the people) who were appointed judges that year." There was a Jew who used to allege that these men were Ahab and Zedekiah (variant: Alchias and Zedekiah), of whom Jeremiah wrote: "The Lord do to thee as Ahab and Zedekiah, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire because of the iniquity they had wrought in Israel and because they had committed adultery (variant: were committing adultery) with the wives of their citizens" (Jeremiah 29:22-23).
"It was concerning them that the Lord said that iniquity came forth from Babylon on the part of the ancient judges who appeared to govern the people. They used to frequent the house of Joakim..." Very appropriately it is not said of these sinful elders, "They governed the people," but rather, "They appeared to govern." For those who furnish good leadership to the people are the ones who govern them, but those who merely have the title of judge and lead the people unjustly only appear to govern the people rather than actually doing so.
(Verses 21-23) This is what the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, says to Ahaziah son of Coliah, and to Zedekiah son of Maasiah, who prophesy to you falsely in my name: Behold, I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and he will strike them down before your eyes. And a curse will be taken up against all the exiles from Judah who are in Babylon, saying, 'May the Lord make you like Zedekiah and like Ahaziah, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire, because they have done foolishness (or wickedness) in Israel and have committed adultery with the wives of their friends (or fellow citizens); and they have spoken a false word in my name, which I did not command them. I am the judge and witness, says the Lord.' The Hebrews say that these are the elders who have done foolishness in Israel and have committed adultery with the wives of their neighbors. To one of them, Daniel speaks: Old age of evil days. And to another: The seed of Chan has deceived you, not Judah, and desire has undermined your heart. This is what you did to the daughters of Israel, and they, being afraid, spoke with you; but the daughter of Judah did not endure your wickedness. And what the Prophet now speaks: And they have spoken a word in my name falsely, which I did not command them; they think that it signifies that those wretched women who are carried about by every wind of doctrine have deceived them, by saying to them that because they were of the tribe of Judah, Christ was to be born from their own seed; enticed by desire, they offered their bodies as if they were future mothers of Christ; But what is said at present: whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire, seems to contradict the story of Daniel. For he asserts that they were stoned to death according to the judgment of Daniel by the people: but here it is written, that the king of Babylon cast them into the fire. Hence, by most and almost all Hebrews, it is not received as a true story, nor read in their synagogues, as if it were a fable itself. For, say they, how could it happen that captive princes and their prophets had the power of stoning? And they affirm more strongly that this is true, which Jeremiah writes, that the elders were convicted indeed by Daniel, but that the judgment against them was pronounced by the king of Babylon, who held dominion over the captives as a victor and lord. How many, similar to Ahab and Zedekiah from our flock, prophesy falsehood in the name of the Lord, and commit foolishness in Israel, and commit adultery with the wives of their fellow citizens who were born in the same city of the Church! Those whom the true Nebuchadnezzar freezes in the fire of sin, as the prophet Hosea says: 'All those who commit adultery are like an overheated oven, ignited by the baker' (Hosea 7:4). Blessed is he who takes off the yoke from his youth, and sits alone, because he is filled with bitterness (Lamentations 3); he can say with David: 'I have not sat in the council of the wicked, and I will not enter with the evildoers' (Psalm 26:4). And what the Prophet now declares: 'I am the judge and witness,' says the Lord, has this meaning: 'What I say about the two false prophets, who speak my word falsely in my name, which I did not command them, I did not know by mere opinion, but I know for sure to be true, which no one can hide, nor escape from the truth of my judgment.'
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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
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
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.
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
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). 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).
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), 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). 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). 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), 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). 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 and the ultimate fate of the deceiver in Revelation 20:10. 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.