King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 22:11 Mean?

Jeremiah 22:11 in the King James Version says “For thus saith the LORD touching Shallum the son of Josiah king of Judah, which reigned instead of Josiah his father, wh...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“For thus saith the LORD touching Shallum the son of Josiah king of Judah, which reigned instead of Josiah his father, which went forth out of this place; He shall not return thither any more:”

Jeremiah 22:11 · KJV

Context

9

Then they shall answer, Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD their God, and worshipped other gods, and served them.

10

Weep ye not for the dead, neither bemoan him: but weep sore for him that goeth away: for he shall return no more, nor see his native country.

11

For thus saith the LORD touching Shallum the son of Josiah king of Judah, which reigned instead of Josiah his father, which went forth out of this place; He shall not return thither any more:

12

But he shall die in the place whither they have led him captive, and shall see this land no more.

13

Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong; that useth his neighbour's service without wages, and giveth him not for his work;

Read Jeremiah 22 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For thus saith the LORD touching Shallum the son of Josiah king of Judah—God identifies the exiled king by his personal name Shallum (שַׁלֻּם), meaning 'retribution' or 'recompense,' rather than his throne name Jehoahaz. This may be intentional irony: his name means 'retribution,' and he experienced exactly that for failing to follow his father's righteousness. The phrase touching (el, אֶל) means 'concerning' or 'regarding.' Which reigned instead of Josiah his father emphasizes succession: he inherited his father's throne but not his character. 2 Kings 23:32 says, 'And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his fathers had done,' directly contradicting Josiah's faithfulness.

Which went forth out of this place; He shall not return thither any more—asher yatza min-hamakom hazeh lo yashuv sham od (אֲשֶׁר יָצָא מִן־הַמָּקוֹם הַזֶּה לֹא־יָשׁוּב שָׁם עוֹד). The word makom (מָקוֹם, 'place') can mean geographic location, but often refers theologically to the place where God's name dwells—Jerusalem/the temple. Shallum 'went forth' from God's place and will never return. The finality is emphatic: lo yashuv...od (לֹא־יָשׁוּב...עוֹד, 'not return...anymore'). This is exile as ultimate covenant curse, fulfilling Deuteronomy 28:36: 'The LORD shall bring thee, and thy king...unto a nation which neither thou nor thy fathers have known.'

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Historical & Cultural Context

Shallum/Jehoahaz reigned only three months (July-September 609 BC) before Pharaoh Neco deposed him and took him to Egypt (2 Kings 23:31-34). The historical context is crucial: after Josiah's death at Megiddo, Judah became vassal to Egypt. Neco removed Jehoahaz (whom the people had chosen) and installed his brother Jehoiakim as puppet king, demanding massive tribute (2 Kings 23:33-35). Jehoahaz died in Egypt, never seeing Judah again. His brief reign and exile marked the beginning of Judah's final collapse: after him came Jehoiakim (puppet of Egypt then Babylon), Jehoiachin (exiled to Babylon after 3 months), and Zedekiah (whose rebellion brought Jerusalem's destruction). The prophecy's fulfillment was rapid and exact: within verse 12's timeframe, Shallum died in Egyptian captivity. His fate foreshadowed the greater Babylonian exile to come, when the entire nation would 'go forth from this place' and many would never return.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the use of Shallum's personal name rather than throne name suggest about God seeing beyond royal titles to personal character and accountability?
  2. How does Shallum's failure to emulate Josiah's righteousness, despite being his son and successor, illustrate that spiritual heritage is not inherited automatically?
  3. What does the phrase 'went forth out of this place' reveal about exile as not merely geographic displacement but separation from the 'place' of God's covenantal presence?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
כִּ֣י1 of 23
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

כֹ֣ה2 of 23
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָֽמַר3 of 23

“For thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְ֠הוָה4 of 23

“the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֶל5 of 23

“touching”

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

שַׁלֻּ֨ם6 of 23

“Shallum”

H7967

shallum, the name of fourteen israelites

בֶּן7 of 23

“the son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יֹאשִׁיָּ֣הוּ8 of 23

“instead of Josiah”

H2977

joshijah, the name of two israelites

מֶ֣לֶךְ9 of 23

“king”

H4428

a king

יְהוּדָ֗ה10 of 23

“of Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

הַמֹּלֵךְ֙11 of 23

“which reigned”

H4427

to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel

תַּ֚חַת12 of 23
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

יֹאשִׁיָּ֣הוּ13 of 23

“instead of Josiah”

H2977

joshijah, the name of two israelites

אָבִ֔יו14 of 23

“his father”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

אֲשֶׁ֥ר15 of 23
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יָצָ֖א16 of 23

“which went forth”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

מִן17 of 23
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַמָּק֣וֹם18 of 23

“out of this place”

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

הַזֶּ֑ה19 of 23
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

לֹֽא20 of 23
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יָשׁ֥וּב21 of 23

“He shall not return”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

שָׁ֖ם22 of 23
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

עֽוֹד׃23 of 23
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 22:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 22:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Chronicles 3:152 Kings 23:342 Chronicles 36:1-42 Chronicles 28:122 Kings 23:312 Chronicles 34:22

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