Jeremiah 22:27
But to the land whereunto they desire to return, thither shall they not return.
Original Language Analysis
וְעַל
H5921
וְעַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
1 of 12
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
3 of 12
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
מְנַשְּׂאִ֥ים
whereunto they desire
H5375
מְנַשְּׂאִ֥ים
whereunto they desire
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
5 of 12
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 12
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
נַפְשָׁ֖ם
H5315
נַפְשָׁ֖ם
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
7 of 12
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
יָשֽׁוּבוּ׃
thither shall they not return
H7725
יָשֽׁוּבוּ׃
thither shall they not return
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
8 of 12
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
שָׁ֑ם
H8033
שָׁ֖מָּה
H8033
שָׁ֖מָּה
Strong's:
H8033
Word #:
10 of 12
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
Historical Context
Despite persistent hopes among Judean exiles that return was imminent (refuted by Jeremiah in chapter 29), Jehoiachin never returned to Judah. He was released from prison in Babylon after 37 years (2 Kings 25:27-30) but died in exile. His descendants, including Zerubbabel, eventually returned, but Jehoiachin himself fulfilled this prophecy by dying in the land of his captivity.
Questions for Reflection
- What are you longing to 'return' to that God may be preventing for your spiritual good?
- How does the inability to go back force you forward into God's future purposes?
- In what ways does your homesickness for earthly things prevent you from seeking your true home?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
But to the land whereunto they desire to return, thither shall they not return (וְעַל־הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר־הֵם מְנַשְּׂאִים אֶת־נַפְשָׁם לָשׁוּב שָׁם שָׁמָּה לֹא יָשׁוּבוּ, v'al-ha'arets asher-hem m'nassim et-nafsham lashuv sham shammah lo yashuvu). The phrase נָשָׂא נֶפֶשׁ (nasa nefesh, 'lift up the soul/desire') indicates intense longing—they would yearn for homeland constantly. But the emphatic negative לֹא (lo) plus the threefold repetition of return language (שׁוּב, shuv—used three times) creates an insurmountable barrier.
The irony is profound: they can desire but never attain. This psychological torture—permanent homesickness—serves as temporal judgment for covenant breaking. Yet the verb שׁוּב (shuv) also means 'repent.' Physical return to the land required spiritual return to Yahweh. Jesus later taught that longing for earthly Jerusalem without seeking the heavenly city is futile (Hebrews 11:13-16). Jehoiachin's exile prefigures humanity's exile from Eden—we long for home but cannot return except through divine grace.