King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 22:30 Mean?

Jeremiah 22:30 in the King James Version says “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... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Jeremiah 22:30 · KJV


Context

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

KJV Study Commentary
Write ye this man childless (כִּתְבוּ אֶת־הָאִישׁ הַזֶּה עֲרִירִי, kitvu et-ha'ish hazeh ariri)—the Hebrew עֲרִירִי (ariri, 'childless/stripped/bare') doesn't mean biological childlessness (he had seven sons, 1 Chronicles 3:17-18) but legal nullification of dynasty. A man that shall not prosper in his days—the verb צָלֵחַ (tsaleach, 'prosper/succeed') is negated. Why? For no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling any more in Judah. The Davidic covenant promise (2 Samuel 7:12-16) appears terminated.

The command to 'write' suggests official royal annals, public records declaring dynastic end. Yet Matthew 1:11-12 includes Jeconiah in Jesus's genealogy—through the legal line of Joseph, not the biological line. God's curse is both fulfilled (no descendant ruled as king) and circumvented (Jesus came through this line but not from Joseph's seed biologically). The virgin birth becomes theologically necessary to navigate this curse. God's judgments are real, yet His grace finds a way where none existed.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jehoiachin's sons Shealtiel and Pedaiah (1 Chronicles 3:17-19) never ruled as kings. His grandson Zerubbabel served as governor but not monarch. The curse effectively ended the Davidic monarchy until Jesus—a gap of ~600 years. Jewish genealogical records meticulously tracked this line despite the curse, preserving the lineage through which Messiah would come.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you reconcile God's severe judgments with His ultimate redemptive purposes?
  2. What 'curses' in your life might God be working around or through for His glory?
  3. How does Jesus's inclusion of Jeconiah in His genealogy demonstrate grace triumphing over judgment?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
כֹּ֣ה׀1 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

אָמַ֣ר2 of 24

Thus saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֗ה3 of 24

the LORD

H3068

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

כִּתְב֞וּ4 of 24

Write

H3789

to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)

אֶת5 of 24
H853

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

אִ֚ישׁ6 of 24

for no man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

הַזֶּה֙7 of 24
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

עֲרִירִ֔י8 of 24

childless

H6185

bare, i.e., destitute (of children)

גֶּ֖בֶר9 of 24

a man

H1397

properly, a valiant man or warrior; generally, a person simply

לֹא10 of 24
H3808

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

יִצְלַ֜ח11 of 24

shall prosper

H6743

to push forward, in various senses (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)

בְּיָמָ֑יו12 of 24

in his days

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

כִּי֩13 of 24
H3588

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

לֹ֨א14 of 24
H3808

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

יִצְלַ֜ח15 of 24

shall prosper

H6743

to push forward, in various senses (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)

מִזַּרְע֗וֹ16 of 24

of his seed

H2233

seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

אִ֚ישׁ17 of 24

for no man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

יֹשֵׁב֙18 of 24

sitting

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

עַל19 of 24
H5921

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

כִּסֵּ֣א20 of 24

upon the throne

H3678

properly, covered, i.e., a throne (as canopied)

דָוִ֔ד21 of 24

of David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

וּמֹשֵׁ֥ל22 of 24

and ruling

H4910

to rule

ע֖וֹד23 of 24
H5750

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

בִּיהוּדָֽה׃24 of 24

any more in Judah

H3063

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


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 22:30 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 22:30 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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