King James Version
What Does Jeremiah 22:28 Mean?
“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?”
Context
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?
29
O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the LORD.
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.
Commentary
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers(28) **Is this man Coniah a despised broken idol?**—Better, *a broken piece of handiwork. *The word is not the same as that elsewhere rendered “idol,” though connected with it, and the imagery which underlies the words is not that of an idol which men have worshipped and flung away, but of the potter (as in Jeremiah 19:11) rejecting and breaking what his own hands have made. (Comp. Psalm 2:9; Psalm 31:12.) The question implies an affirmative answer. The prophet speaks as identifying himself with those who gazed with wonder and pity at the doom which fell on one so young, and yet not the less does he pronounce that doom to be inevitable.
Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.
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 22:28 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 22:28
Cross-references from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge