Jeremiah 36:30

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Therefore thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068} of Jehoiakim {H3079} king {H4428} of Judah {H3063}; He shall have none to sit {H3427} upon the throne {H3678} of David {H1732}: and his dead body {H5038} shall be cast out {H7993} in the day {H3117} to the heat {H2721}, and in the night {H3915} to the frost {H7140}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Therefore ADONAI says this about Y'hoyakim king of Y'hudah: "He will have no one to occupy David's throne; and his dead body will be thrown out to lie in the heat by day and in the frost by night.

Berean Standard Bible

Therefore this is what the LORD says about Jehoiakim king of Judah: He will have no one to sit on David’s throne, and his body will be thrown out and exposed to heat by day and frost by night.

American Standard Version

Therefore thus saith Jehovah concerning 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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 36:30 delivers a severe, divinely ordained judgment against King Jehoiakim of Judah, declaring that his immediate lineage would be cut off from the Davidic throne, ensuring no direct successor would reign after him. Furthermore, it pronounces an ignominious end for the king himself: his dead body would be denied a proper burial, left exposed to the extreme elements—the scorching heat of day and the biting frost of night—a profound and public symbol of divine curse, utter disgrace, and complete rejection. This unyielding divine decree underscores the grave consequences of Jehoiakim's defiant rejection of God's prophetic word.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This potent prophecy is delivered as an immediate and direct divine response to King Jehoiakim’s unprecedented act of defiance: the burning of the scroll containing God's solemn warnings and judgments. The preceding verses in [Jeremiah 36](/jeremiah/36 "Jeremiah 36 - Jehoiakim Burns the Scroll") meticulously detail the process: Baruch faithfully records the Lord's words as dictated by Jeremiah, the scroll is read to the people and then to the royal officials, who, alarmed, suggest it be read to the king. However, upon hearing just a few columns, Jehoiakim, in a fit of contemptuous rage, cuts the scroll with a scribe's knife and casts it into the fire, burning it completely ([Jeremiah 36:23](/jeremiah/36-23 "Jeremiah 36:23 - Jehoiakim Burns the Scroll")). This act was not merely a dismissal of Jeremiah's message but a brazen, direct affront to the Lord Himself, a symbolic attempt to nullify God's revealed will. The judgment in [Jeremiah 36:30](/jeremiah/36-30 "Jeremiah 36:30 - Judgment on Jehoiakim") therefore stands as a stark and immediate divine consequence, emphasizing the direct cause-and-effect relationship between Jehoiakim's profound impiety and his catastrophic, dishonorable fate. The narrative flow powerfully highlights God's unwavering sovereignty and the inevitable repercussions for those who defiantly resist His revealed word.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King Jehoiakim reigned over Judah from 609-598 BC, a period of intense geopolitical upheaval marked by the decline of the Assyrian and Egyptian empires and the ascendance of the Neo-Babylonian Empire under Nebuchadnezzar. Jehoiakim was placed on the throne by Pharaoh Neco II of Egypt, succeeding his righteous father, King Josiah. Unlike Josiah, Jehoiakim was characterized by idolatry, oppression, and a persistent policy of aligning with Egypt, directly contravening God's warnings delivered through Jeremiah to submit to Babylon. In the ancient Near East, a proper burial was a sacred and essential rite, signifying dignity, honor, and a peaceful transition into the afterlife. To be denied burial and left exposed to the elements was the ultimate indignity, a public declaration of divine curse, utter dishonor, and a fate often reserved for the most despised enemies or criminals. This cultural understanding profoundly amplifies the severity of the judgment against Jehoiakim, indicating his complete rejection by both God and man, a fate far worse than mere physical death. This prophecy also aligns with the broader historical trajectory of Judah's rapid decline towards the Babylonian exile, a period of immense national and spiritual crisis.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Jeremiah and the broader prophetic literature. It underscores **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment**, demonstrating God's absolute authority over kings and nations, and His readiness to execute righteous judgment on those who defiantly reject His word. Jehoiakim's fate serves as a stark illustration of the **Consequences of Disobedience and Rebellion**, particularly against divine revelation. His contempt for the scroll highlights the critical theme of the **Rejection of God's Word**, emphasizing that such deliberate defiance leads to severe and inescapable repercussions. Furthermore, the prophecy touches upon the **Davidic Covenant**, clarifying that while God promised an eternal dynasty to David ([2 Samuel 7:16](/2_samuel/7-16 "2 Samuel 7:16 - The Davidic Covenant")), the immediate succession and personal reign of individual kings were contingent upon their obedience and faithfulness. Jehoiakim's line was specifically cut off from sitting on the throne, a direct fulfillment of the conditional aspects of the covenant. Finally, the vivid imagery of his unburied body emphasizes the theme of a **Shameful End and Utter Dishonor**, a fate also prophesied in [Jeremiah 22:19](/jeremiah/22-19 "Jeremiah 22:19 - Prophecy of Jehoiakim's Burial").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **sit (Hebrew, _yâshab'_):** H3427. This primitive root means "to sit down," specifically in a position of authority (as a judge) or to "dwell" or "remain." In this context, "to sit upon the throne" refers to the act of occupying the royal seat, signifying the exercise of kingly authority and the continuation of a dynastic line. The declaration that "He shall have none to sit upon the throne of David" directly negates the continuation of Jehoiakim's immediate lineage as rightful, legitimate, and enduring heirs to the kingship, representing a profound curse on his succession and a shattering of his dynastic hopes.
* **dead body (Hebrew, _nᵉbêlâh'_):** H5038. Derived from a root meaning "to be flabby" or "to fall," this term refers to a "carcase" or "carrion," whether human or animal. It carries a strong connotation of something fallen, lifeless, decaying, and often, ritually unclean. Its use here emphasizes the utter degradation of Jehoiakim's corpse, reducing the once-powerful king to a mere carcass, devoid of honor, dignity, and subject to the elements and potential scavengers, a dehumanizing fate.
* **cast out (Hebrew, _shâlak'_):** H7993. A primitive root meaning "to throw out, down or away" (literally or figuratively). This verb implies a violent, contemptuous expulsion or abandonment, rather than a natural or respectful disposition. The passive voice ("shall be cast out") strongly suggests divine agency or the actions of those who would show no respect, highlighting the deliberate and public nature of this act of discarding, underscoring the complete lack of care or reverence for his remains.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore thus saith the LORD of Jehoiakim king of Judah":** This opening clause unequivocally establishes the divine origin and absolute authority of the pronouncement. It is not Jeremiah's personal opinion or a political prediction, but a direct, authoritative word from Yahweh, the sovereign God, specifically targeting Jehoiakim, the reigning king of Judah. The emphatic "Therefore" links this judgment directly and immediately to Jehoiakim's recent, audacious act of burning the scroll, demonstrating God's swift, decisive, and just response to such profound defiance.
* **"He shall have none to sit upon the throne of David":** This constitutes the first and dynastic aspect of the two-fold judgment. It signifies that none of Jehoiakim's direct descendants would establish a lasting, legitimate, or stable succession on the throne of Judah. This was a devastating blow in a culture where dynastic continuity was paramount, a sign of divine favor, and the foundation of national stability. While his son Jehoiachin did briefly reign for a mere three months and ten days before being exiled to Babylon ([2 Kings 24:8-15](/2_kings/24-8-15 "2 Kings 24:8-15 - Jehoiachin's Brief Reign and Exile")), this short, unstable, and ultimately terminated reign effectively fulfilled the prophecy, denying Jehoiakim a stable, legitimate, and lasting dynastic succession through his immediate offspring.
* **"and his dead body shall be cast out in the day to the heat, and in the night to the frost":** This describes the second, equally severe, and deeply humiliating aspect of the judgment: Jehoiakim would be denied a proper, honorable burial. His corpse would be left exposed to the harsh, relentless elements—the scorching sun during the day and the freezing temperatures at night. This vivid and gruesome imagery emphasizes the extreme dishonor, public disgrace, and utter vulnerability of his death, signifying a complete lack of respect for his person, even in death. It stands in stark contrast to the customary burial rites and the honor usually afforded to kings, marking him as utterly cursed, rejected, and abandoned by God.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 36:30 employs powerful **Imagery** to convey the visceral severity of Jehoiakim's judgment. The vivid description of his "dead body" being "cast out in the day to the heat, and in the night to the frost" paints a stark and disturbing picture of utter dishonor, decay, and public shame. This imagery evokes a profound sense of vulnerability and abandonment, contrasting sharply with the customary reverence and careful burial afforded to deceased royalty. The use of **Contrast** between "day" and "night" and "heat" and "frost" emphasizes the relentless, inescapable, and extreme nature of this judgment, suggesting that his body would be subjected to the harshest extremes of the natural world, without respite, dignity, or protection. There is also a strong element of **Irony**, as a king who wielded immense power and authority, even daring to burn God's sacred word, is ultimately reduced to a powerless, unburied corpse, utterly at the mercy of the elements. This serves as a potent **Symbolism** of divine rejection, the futility of human defiance against the Almighty, and the ultimate triumph of God's word over human will.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly illustrates the immutable principle that God's word is not to be trifled with, and defiant rejection of divine revelation carries severe, tangible consequences. Jehoiakim's ignominious fate serves as a stark reminder that even those in positions of ultimate earthly power are held accountable to the ultimate Sovereign. The judgment on his throne signifies God's absolute control over human dynasties and His sovereign ability to raise up or cast down kings according to His righteous will, even within the framework of His covenant promises. It also highlights the sacredness of the human body and the deep cultural and spiritual significance of proper burial, making Jehoiakim's unburied state the ultimate symbol of divine curse, public disgrace, and complete abandonment. This passage powerfully affirms the authority and efficacy of God's word, demonstrating that it will accomplish its purpose, regardless of human resistance.

* [Jeremiah 22:19](/jeremiah/22-19 "Jeremiah 22:19 - Prophecy of Jehoiakim's Burial"): "He shall be buried with the burial of an ass, drawn and cast forth beyond the gates of Jerusalem."
* [Proverbs 13:13](/proverbs/13-13 "Proverbs 13:13 - Consequences of Despising the Word"): "Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded."
* [Hebrews 4:7](/hebrews/4-7 "Hebrews 4:7 - Today, If You Hear His Voice"): "Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 36:30 offers a timeless and sobering lesson on the profound seriousness of our response to God's revealed truth. Jehoiakim's defiant act of burning the scroll was not merely a political maneuver but a profound spiritual rejection of the Lord Himself and His authoritative word. This passage challenges us to deeply consider how we receive and respond to God's word in our own lives today. Do we approach it with reverence, humility, and a readiness to obey, or do we, like Jehoiakim, dismiss, distort, rationalize away, or even actively oppose its message when it convicts us, challenges our desires, or demands a difficult change? The consequences for Jehoiakim were severe, public, and utterly humiliating, serving as a powerful reminder that God is not mocked, and His word will not return to Him empty. For believers today, this underscores the vital importance of cultivating a heart that is eager to hear, understand, and obediently embrace God's voice, recognizing that His warnings are given out of perfect love and for our ultimate flourishing and good. Our posture towards His word fundamentally shapes not only our spiritual destiny but also the quality, direction, and ultimate outcome of our earthly lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does my daily response to God's word truly reflect my reverence and submission to Him?**
* **Are there specific areas in my life where I am tempted to dismiss, rationalize, or ignore God's clear instructions or warnings?**
* **What practical and intentional steps can I take this week to cultivate a more humble, receptive, and obedient heart toward God's truth?**

### FAQ
**Why was Jehoiakim punished so severely, particularly with the denial of a proper burial?**

Answer: Jehoiakim's severe punishment was a direct and proportional consequence of his profound and repeated defiance against God, culminating in his contemptuous act of burning the scroll containing divine warnings. This was not merely a political act but a brazen, sacrilegious rejection of God's authority and His prophetic word delivered through Jeremiah. In ancient Near Eastern culture, a proper burial was paramount, signifying honor, dignity, and peace in death. To be denied burial and left exposed to the elements was the ultimate disgrace, a public declaration of divine curse and utter dishonor. This fate was typically reserved for the most wicked, despised, or accursed individuals, signifying God's complete rejection of Jehoiakim's reign and person, as also prophesied earlier in [Jeremiah 22:19](/jeremiah/22-19 "Jeremiah 22:19 - Prophecy of Jehoiakim's Burial"). It served as a stark object lesson for all who would dare to defy the Lord and His revealed will.

**What does "He shall have none to sit upon the throne of David" mean in light of the Davidic covenant, which promised an eternal dynasty?**

Answer: This prophecy does not negate the eternal nature of the Davidic covenant (e.g., [2 Samuel 7:16](/2_samuel/7-16 "2 Samuel 7:16 - The Davidic Covenant")), but rather highlights its conditional aspects regarding individual kings and their immediate succession. While God promised an enduring lineage for David, ensuring a descendant would always sit on the throne, the personal reign and immediate succession of individual kings were contingent upon their obedience and faithfulness to God. Jehoiakim's direct son, Jehoiachin, did briefly sit on the throne for a mere three months and ten days before being exiled to Babylon along with the royal family and many nobles ([2 Kings 24:8-15](/2_kings/24-8-15 "2 Kings 24:8-15 - Jehoiachin's Brief Reign and Exile")). This brief, unstable, and effectively terminated reign fulfilled the prophecy, as Jehoiachin did not establish a lasting, legitimate, or stable dynastic succession from Jehoiakim. The line of kings directly from Jehoiakim was indeed cut off, leading eventually to Zedekiah (Jehoiakim's brother) and then the end of the monarchy in Judah, until the ultimate and perfect fulfillment of the Davidic covenant in Jesus Christ, whose kingdom is eternal.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 36:30, with its stark prophecy of a king's ignominious end and the cessation of his direct dynastic line, powerfully foreshadows the profound need for a King whose reign is not contingent on human obedience and whose body would never suffer such disgrace. Jehoiakim's defiant failure to heed God's word and his subsequent judgment stand in stark contrast to Jesus Christ, the true and eternal Son of David. Unlike Jehoiakim, who contemptuously burned God's word, Jesus perfectly embodied, proclaimed, and fulfilled the very Word of God, being the living Word made flesh ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Became Flesh")). His kingship is not subject to human rebellion, the whims of earthly powers, or the limitations of a mortal lineage; rather, He is the eternal King, upon whose throne there will always be One to sit, for "Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever" ([Hebrews 1:8](/hebrews/1-8 "Hebrews 1:8 - Christ's Eternal Throne")). While Jehoiakim's body was cast out in shame to decay, Jesus, though crucified and buried, did not see decay ([Acts 2:27](/acts/2-27 "Acts 2:27 - Christ's Resurrection Foretold")) and was raised in glorious resurrection, conquering death and the grave forever. His ultimate sacrifice and triumphant resurrection ensure that He reigns eternally, "King of kings, and Lord of lords" ([Revelation 19:16](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings and Lord of Lords")), establishing an everlasting kingdom that will never be overthrown ([Daniel 7:14](/daniel/7-14 "Daniel 7:14 - The Everlasting Kingdom")), thereby perfectly fulfilling the Davidic covenant in a way no earthly king ever could.

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

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.

2 Kings 24:12

And Jehoiachin the king of Judah went out to the king of Babylon, he, and his mother, and his servants, and his princes, and his officers: and the king of Babylon took him in the eighth year of his reign.

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.

Genesis 31:40

[Thus] I was; in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep departed from mine eyes.

Jeremiah 22:18

Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah; They shall not lament for him, [saying], Ah my brother! or, Ah sister! they shall not lament for him, [saying], Ah lord! or, Ah his glory!

Jeremiah 22:19

He shall be buried with the burial of an ass, drawn and cast forth beyond the gates of Jerusalem.