King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 22:26 Mean?

Jeremiah 22:26 in the King James Version says “And I will cast thee out, and thy mother that bare thee, into another country, where ye were not born; and there shall y... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Jeremiah 22:26 · KJV


Context

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

28

Is this man Coniah a despised broken idol? is he a vessel wherein is no pleasure? wherefore are they cast out, he and his seed, and are cast into a land which they know not?


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And I will cast thee out, and thy mother that bare thee, into another country—the Hebrew שָׁלַךְ (shalakh, 'to cast/hurl') conveys violent ejection, not gentle relocation. Both king and queen mother would be expelled where ye were not born; and there shall ye die. The queen mother (גְּבִירָה, gebirah) held significant political power in Judah's court, making her inclusion in judgment noteworthy. To die in foreign land meant exclusion from ancestral burial plots and community—a devastating fate in ancient Near Eastern culture.

This curse fulfills Deuteronomy's covenant warnings: 'The LORD shall bring thee...unto a nation which neither thou nor thy fathers have known' (Deuteronomy 28:36). Exile represented covenant divorce—God removing His people from His land. The specific mention of the mother recalls the generational nature of sin and judgment (Exodus 20:5), yet also God's justice in holding accountable those who wielded power. Even royal birth and privilege cannot shield from divine wrath.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Nehushta, Jehoiachin's mother, is specifically mentioned in 2 Kings 24:8, 15 as being deported with her son to Babylon in 597 BC. As queen mother, she would have held considerable influence during his brief reign. Both died in Babylon, never returning to Judah. This fulfilled the prophetic word exactly—they died in the land where they were not born.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the inclusion of 'thy mother' in judgment challenge individualistic views of accountability?
  2. What does it mean to be 'cast out' from God's presence and blessing in your context?
  3. In what ways might generational patterns of sin require generational repentance?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וְהֵֽטַלְתִּ֣י1 of 15

And I will cast thee out

H2904

to pitch over or reel; hence (transitively) to cast down or out

אֹתְךָ֗2 of 15
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

וְאֶֽת3 of 15
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אִמְּךָ֙4 of 15

and thy mother

H517

a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])

אֲשֶׁ֣ר5 of 15
H834

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

יֻלַּדְתֶּ֖ם6 of 15

that bare

H3205

to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage

עַ֚ל7 of 15
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הָאָ֣רֶץ8 of 15

country

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אַחֶ֔רֶת9 of 15

thee into another

H312

properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc

אֲשֶׁ֥ר10 of 15
H834

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

לֹֽא11 of 15
H3808

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

יֻלַּדְתֶּ֖ם12 of 15

that bare

H3205

to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage

שָׁ֑ם13 of 15
H8033

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

וְשָׁ֖ם14 of 15
H8033

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

תָּמֽוּתוּ׃15 of 15

and there shall ye die

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill


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 22:26 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 22:26 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study