Jeremiah 22:30
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.
Original Language Analysis
כֹּ֣ה׀
H3541
כֹּ֣ה׀
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
1 of 24
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יְהוָ֗ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֗ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 24
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כִּתְב֞וּ
Write
H3789
כִּתְב֞וּ
Write
Strong's:
H3789
Word #:
4 of 24
to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אִ֚ישׁ
for no man
H376
אִ֚ישׁ
for no man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
6 of 24
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)
הַזֶּה֙
H2088
גֶּ֖בֶר
a man
H1397
גֶּ֖בֶר
a man
Strong's:
H1397
Word #:
9 of 24
properly, a valiant man or warrior; generally, a person simply
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
10 of 24
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִצְלַ֜ח
shall prosper
H6743
יִצְלַ֜ח
shall prosper
Strong's:
H6743
Word #:
11 of 24
to push forward, in various senses (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)
בְּיָמָ֑יו
in his days
H3117
בְּיָמָ֑יו
in his days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
12 of 24
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
כִּי֩
H3588
כִּי֩
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
13 of 24
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לֹ֨א
H3808
לֹ֨א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
14 of 24
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִצְלַ֜ח
shall prosper
H6743
יִצְלַ֜ח
shall prosper
Strong's:
H6743
Word #:
15 of 24
to push forward, in various senses (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)
מִזַּרְע֗וֹ
of his seed
H2233
מִזַּרְע֗וֹ
of his seed
Strong's:
H2233
Word #:
16 of 24
seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
אִ֚ישׁ
for no man
H376
אִ֚ישׁ
for no man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
17 of 24
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)
יֹשֵׁב֙
sitting
H3427
יֹשֵׁב֙
sitting
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
18 of 24
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
19 of 24
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כִּסֵּ֣א
upon the throne
H3678
כִּסֵּ֣א
upon the throne
Strong's:
H3678
Word #:
20 of 24
properly, covered, i.e., a throne (as canopied)
Cross References
Jeremiah 36:30Therefore thus saith the LORD of Jehoiakim king of Judah; He shall have none to sit upon the throne of David: and his dead body shall be cast out in the day to the heat, and in the night to the frost.Psalms 94:20Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law?
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you reconcile God's severe judgments with His ultimate redemptive purposes?
- What 'curses' in your life might God be working around or through for His glory?
- How does Jesus's inclusion of Jeconiah in His genealogy demonstrate grace triumphing over judgment?
Related Resources
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Analysis & 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.