King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 29:22 Mean?

Jeremiah 29:22 in the King James Version says “And of them shall be taken up a curse by all the captivity of Judah which are in Babylon, saying, The LORD make thee lik...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 29 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And of them shall be taken up a curse by all the captivity of Judah which are in Babylon, saying, The LORD make thee like Zedekiah and like Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire;”

Jeremiah 29:22 · KJV

Context

20

Hear ye therefore the word of the LORD, all ye of the captivity, whom I have sent from Jerusalem to Babylon:

21

Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, of Ahab the son of Kolaiah, and of Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah, which prophesy a lie unto you in my name; Behold, I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon; and he shall slay them before your eyes;

22

And of them shall be taken up a curse by all the captivity of Judah which are in Babylon, saying, The LORD make thee like Zedekiah and like Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire;

23

Because they have committed villany in Israel, and have committed adultery with their neighbours' wives, and have spoken lying words in my name, which I have not commanded them; even I know, and am a witness, saith the LORD.

24

Thus shalt thou also speak to Shemaiah the Nehelamite, saying, Nehelamite: or, dreamer

Read Jeremiah 29 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And of them shall be taken up a curse by all the captivity of Judah which are in Babylon—The Hebrew קְלָלָה (qelalah, curse) refers not to profanity but to invocation of judgment. Ahab and Zedekiah would become proverbial—their names synonymous with divine wrath. The phrase shall be taken up (יִלָּקַח, yiqqach) suggests formal cursing formula.

The LORD make thee like Zedekiah and like Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire—The verb קָלָה (qalah, roasted) appears only here, describing execution by burning alive. This horrific death becomes a covenant curse formula: 'May God burn you like those false prophets!' The irony is brutal: they promised deliverance from Babylon; instead, Babylon became their executioner. Those who prophesy peace when God declares judgment will experience the very judgment they denied.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Execution by fire was rare but attested in ancient Near Eastern law for certain offenses (Gen 38:24, Lev 20:14, 21:9). The Babylonians may have burned them for sedition or because their prophecies threatened political stability. Regardless, their deaths vindicated Jeremiah and terrified the exiles into reconsidering false hope.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do false prophets' judgments serve as warnings to those tempted to believe easy messages?
  2. What modern equivalents exist to 'roasted in fire'—public exposure of false teachers that becomes proverbial?
  3. Why does Scripture preserve even gruesome details like this? What pastoral purpose does it serve?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וְלֻקַּ֤ח1 of 18

“And of them shall be taken up”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

מֵהֶם֙2 of 18
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

קְלָלָ֔ה3 of 18

“a curse”

H7045

vilification

לְכֹל֙4 of 18
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

גָּל֣וּת5 of 18

“by all the captivity”

H1546

captivity; concretely, exiles (collectively)

יְהוּדָ֔ה6 of 18

“of Judah”

H3063

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

אֲשֶׁ֥ר7 of 18
H834

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

בָּבֶ֖ל8 of 18

“of Babylon”

H894

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

לֵאמֹ֑ר9 of 18

“saying”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְשִֽׂמְךָ֤10 of 18

“make”

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

יְהוָה֙11 of 18

“The LORD”

H3068

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

כְּצִדְקִיָּ֣הוּ12 of 18

“thee like Zedekiah”

H6667

tsidkijah, the name of six israelites

וּכְאֶחָ֔ב13 of 18

“and like Ahab”

H256

achab, the name of a king of israel and of a prophet at babylon

אֲשֶׁר14 of 18
H834

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

קָלָ֥ם15 of 18

“roasted”

H7033

to toast, i.e., scorch partially or slowly

מֶֽלֶךְ16 of 18

“whom the king”

H4428

a king

בָּבֶ֖ל17 of 18

“of Babylon”

H894

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

בָּאֵֽשׁ׃18 of 18

“in the fire”

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

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 29:22 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 29:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Daniel 3:6Isaiah 65:15Daniel 3:21Genesis 48:20Ruth 4:111 Corinthians 16:22

Places in This Verse

Babylon 1Settlement · Modern: Babylon · 32.54°N, 44.42°E296 verses across 15 books
View all places in Jeremiah 29 →

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