King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 22:18 Mean?

Jeremiah 22:18 in the King James Version says “Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah; They shall not lament for him, sayin...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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 22:18 · KJV

Context

16

He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well with him: was not this to know me? saith the LORD.

17

But thine eyes and thine heart are not but for thy covetousness, and for to shed innocent blood, and for oppression, and for violence, to do it. violence: or, incursion

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!

19

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

20

Go up to Lebanon, and cry; and lift up thy voice in Bashan, and cry from the passages: for all thy lovers are destroyed.

Read Jeremiah 22 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
They shall not lament for him, saying, Ah my brother! or, Ah sister! The Hebrew הוֹי (hoy, 'Ah!' or 'Alas!') was the traditional funeral cry—but Jehoiakim would receive no mourning ritual, no familial grief (achi, 'my brother'; achot, 'sister'). Neither would there be royal lamentation: Ah lord! or, Ah his glory! (הוֹי אָדוֹן וְהוֹי הֹדוֹ, hoy adon v'hoy hodo). The fourfold absence of mourning—domestic and regal, male and female—signifies complete rejection.

This divine judgment strips away the honor culture provided kings. Jehoiakim built monuments to himself but would be remembered with silence and contempt. Contrast this with David, whose death occasioned national mourning (1 Kings 2:10), or even Josiah, for whom Jeremiah himself composed laments (2 Chronicles 35:25). A dishonorable death exposes a dishonorable life—no amount of propaganda can manufacture genuine legacy.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Kings customarily received elaborate mourning rituals lasting days, with professional mourners, funeral songs, and public lamentations. The denial of proper burial and mourning was considered one of the worst curses in ancient Near Eastern culture, signifying divine abandonment and erasing one's memory from the community.

Reflection Questions

  1. What kind of legacy are you building—one that will be genuinely mourned or merely noted?
  2. How does our culture's obsession with self-promotion mirror Jehoiakim's temple-building ego?
  3. What would it mean for you to live in such a way that your absence creates genuine grief?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
לָכֵ֞ן1 of 24
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

כֹּֽה2 of 24
H3541

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

אָמַ֣ר3 of 24

“Therefore thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֗ה4 of 24

“the LORD”

H3068

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

אֶל5 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יְהוֹיָקִ֤ים6 of 24

“concerning Jehoiakim”

H3079

jehojakim, a jewish king

בֶּן7 of 24

“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

יֹאשִׁיָּ֙הוּ֙8 of 24

“of Josiah”

H2977

joshijah, the name of two israelites

מֶ֣לֶךְ9 of 24

“king”

H4428

a king

יְהוּדָ֔ה10 of 24

“of Judah”

H3063

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

לֹא11 of 24
H3808

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

יִסְפְּד֣וּ12 of 24

“they shall not lament”

H5594

properly, to tear the hair and beat the breasts (as middle easterners do in grief); generally to lament; by implication, to wail

ל֔וֹ13 of 24
H0
וְה֥וֹי14 of 24

“or Ah”

H1945

oh!

אָחִ֖י15 of 24

“my brother”

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

וְה֥וֹי16 of 24

“or Ah”

H1945

oh!

אָח֑וֹת17 of 24

“sister”

H269

a sister (used very widely [like h0251], literally and figuratively)

לֹא18 of 24
H3808

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

יִסְפְּד֣וּ19 of 24

“they shall not lament”

H5594

properly, to tear the hair and beat the breasts (as middle easterners do in grief); generally to lament; by implication, to wail

ל֔וֹ20 of 24
H0
וְה֥וֹי21 of 24

“or Ah”

H1945

oh!

אָד֖וֹן22 of 24

“lord”

H113

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

וְה֥וֹי23 of 24

“or Ah”

H1945

oh!

הֹדֹֽה׃24 of 24

“his glory”

H1935

grandeur (i.e., an imposing form and appearance)

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 22:18 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 22:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 16:61 Kings 13:30Jeremiah 22:10Jeremiah 16:42 Samuel 1:262 Samuel 3:33-38

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Jeremiah 22 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterJeremiah Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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