King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 22:25 Mean?

Jeremiah 22:25 in the King James Version says “And I will give thee into the hand of them that seek thy life, and into the hand of them whose face thou fearest, even i...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And I will give thee into the hand of them that seek thy life, and into the hand of them whose face thou fearest, even into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of the Chaldeans.”

Jeremiah 22:25 · KJV

Context

23

O inhabitant of Lebanon, that makest thy nest in the cedars, how gracious shalt thou be when pangs come upon thee, the pain as of a woman in travail! inhabitant: Heb. inhabitress

24

As I live, saith the LORD, though Coniah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah were the signet upon my right hand, yet would I pluck thee thence;

25

And I will give thee into the hand of them that seek thy life, and into the hand of them whose face thou fearest, even into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of the Chaldeans.

26

And I will cast thee out, and thy mother that bare thee, into another country, where ye were not born; and there shall ye die.

27

But to the land whereunto they desire to return, thither shall they not return. desire: Heb. lift up their mind

Read Jeremiah 22 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And I will give thee into the hand of them that seek thy life (נְתַתִּיךָ בְּיַד מְבַקְשֵׁי נַפְשֶׁךָ, netatikha b'yad m'vakshei nafshekha)—the phrase 'seek your life/soul' means 'seek to kill you.' Specifically, God identifies the agents: into the hand of them whose face thou fearest, even into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of the Chaldeans. The repetition of 'into the hand of' emphasizes the comprehensive nature of this surrender. What Jehoiachin feared would indeed overtake him.

The theological principle here is sobering: God actively delivers His people to judgment, not merely permitting it. The verb נָתַן (natan, 'to give/deliver') indicates divine agency. This challenges simplistic views of God's sovereignty—He uses pagan empires as instruments of covenant discipline. Paul later teaches that God 'gave them over' to sin's consequences (Romans 1:24, 26, 28). The face you fear reveals the idol you've served instead of Yahweh.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jehoiachin surrendered Jerusalem to Nebuchadnezzar in 597 BC to avoid total destruction. The Babylonian Chronicles confirm this event, stating that Nebuchadnezzar 'captured the king' and 'appointed a king of his own choice.' Jehoiachin was imprisoned in Babylon for decades, archaeological evidence of his rations found in Babylonian records referring to 'Jehoiachin, king of Judah.'

Reflection Questions

  1. What are you most afraid of, and how might that fear indicate misplaced trust?
  2. How does understanding God's active role in judgment affect your view of contemporary crises?
  3. In what ways might God be 'handing you over' to the consequences of your choices?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וּנְתַתִּ֗יךָ1 of 15

“And I will give”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

וּבְיַ֥ד2 of 15

“and into the hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

מְבַקְשֵׁ֣י3 of 15

“of them that seek”

H1245

to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after

נַפְשֶׁ֔ךָ4 of 15

“thy life”

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

וּבְיַ֥ד5 of 15

“and into the hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

אֲשֶׁר6 of 15
H834

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

אַתָּ֥ה7 of 15
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

יָג֖וֹר8 of 15

“thou fearest”

H3016

fearful

מִפְּנֵיהֶ֑ם9 of 15

“of them whose face”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

וּבְיַ֥ד10 of 15

“and into the hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

נְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֥ר11 of 15

“of Nebuchadrezzar”

H5019

nebukadnetstsar (or nebukadretsts(-ar, or)), king of babylon

מֶֽלֶךְ12 of 15

“king”

H4428

a king

בָּבֶ֖ל13 of 15

“of Babylon”

H894

babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire

וּבְיַ֥ד14 of 15

“and into the hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

הַכַּשְׂדִּֽים׃15 of 15

“of the Chaldeans”

H3778

a kasdite, or descendant of kesed; by implication, a chaldaean (as if so descended); also an astrologer (as if proverbial of that people

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 22:25 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 22:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 34:20-21Jeremiah 21:72 Kings 24:15-16Jeremiah 38:16Jeremiah 22:28Proverbs 10:24

Places in This Verse

Babylon 1Settlement · Modern: Babylon · 32.54°N, 44.42°E296 verses across 15 books
ChaldeaRegion · Modern: Tell el Muqayyar · 30.96°N, 46.10°E85 verses across 11 books
View all places in Jeremiah 22 →

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