The Bible Says
Jeremiah 22:18-23 Meaning

Jehoiakim, who reigned from 609 to 598 BC, was the son of King Josiah, a revered and reform-minded ruler. Jeremiah 22:18 declares that God’s judgment on Jehoiakim will be so severe that no one will mourn him: Therefore thus says the LORD in regard to Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, "They will not lament for him: ‘Alas, my brother!’ or ‘Alas, sister!’ They will not lament for him: ‘Alas for the master!’ or ‘Alas for his splendor!’" (v. 18). Jehoiakim's leadership, marred by self-serving decisions, leads the people astray, and the consequence is a complete lack of sorrow at his downfall. By connecting this to later teachings, we see that godly leadership, ultimately exemplified by Jesus, does not find its worth in human praise, but in obedience to the LORD (Matthew 20:26).

The calling of “Alas, my brother” and “Alas for the master” (v. 18) typically represented widespread mourning for a fallen noble, but here it is distinctly absent. Instead, the verse paints a stark portrayal of the contempt that Jehoiakim’s subjects feel. His tyranny has severed him from genuine respect, reminding us that true honor comes from walking in God’s ways, not from mere political might or royal titles (Proverbs 14:34). In that sense, this announcement of no lamentation stands as a warning for future leaders who place authority above humility and righteousness.

This lack of lament further shows how disobedience to God severs the bonds of community. When leaders depart from righteousness, they lose the people’s trust and the God's blessing. Through Jeremiah, the LORD shows that self-centered governance leads to a legacy of scorn rather than honor. Far from receiving the dignity of a king, Jehoiakim is left without even the basic expressions of human sympathy.

In ancient Judah, even less esteemed community members often received family or communal burials. Jeremiah 22:19 states, "He will be buried with a donkey’s burial, dragged off and thrown out beyond the gates of Jerusalem" (v. 19). To be buried with a donkey’s burial (v. 19) signifies abject humiliation, emphasizing that Jehoiakim’s end is an affront to royal dignity. This act demonstrates that nothing can protect a ruler who opposes God’s commands from divine judgment.

Such a fate illustrates that power does not guarantee respect at death. A donkey’s remains were neither honored nor tended to; they were seen as refuse. This powerful symbolism shows that those who reject God’s ways will find themselves cast out from the blessings of covenant fellowship, just as Jehoiakim’s body is cast out beyond Jerusalem’s gates. Jerusalem, the historical and spiritual center of Judah, becomes a place that no longer welcomes him, highlighting the personal and communal ramifications of turning a blind eye to God’s word (Hebrews 10:31).

God had commanded the kings of Judah to protect justice and uphold the covenant. Through Jeremiah, the LORD reveals how failing to keep His statutes leads to public disgrace. By disobeying the God who defines righteousness and mercy, a ruler forfeits the dignity of an honorable departure, reminding every generation that true greatness is found in faithful service to God rather than in selfish ambition.

The reference to Lebanon, Bashan, and Abarim indicates key locations in or around the broader region of Israel: "Go up to Lebanon and cry out, And lift up your voice in Bashan; Cry out also from Abarim, For all your lovers have been crushed" (v. 20). Lebanon lies north of Israel and is known for majestic cedar forests. Bashan sits to the northeast of the Sea of Galilee, famed for its fertile lands. Abarim is a mountain range east of the Jordan River, often associated with the territory near Moab. These places once symbolized strength, resources, and alliances that the kingdom might rely on, yet now they stand powerless.

The instruction to “cry out” in these locations suggests a desperate search for aid where once alliances seemed strong. Yet God declares that these allies, or “lovers,” have been crushed, indicating that political methods of seeking help or forming coalitions outside of His will are futile (Isaiah 31:1). By scattering the people’s so-called sources of support, God affirms that He alone is the true provider and protector of His people.

In rejecting God, Judah sought security in foreign powers, thereby neglecting the protection of the LORD. This verse directs listeners to witness how far and wide the decay of Judah’s unfaithfulness has spread. Even the once-proud vantage points of Lebanon, Bashan, and Abarim shall echo with the cries of desperation, displaying that no corner of the land can escape the consequences of turning away from God’s covenant promises.

God’s message through Jeremiah reveals a clear pattern: "I spoke to you in your prosperity; But you said, ‘I will not listen!’ This has been your practice from your youth, That you have not obeyed My voice" (v. 21). Prosperity hardened their hearts, breeding spiritual complacency. This verse highlights that complacency in success often keeps people from hearing the warnings and directives of the LORD (Revelation 3:17).

By telling them, “I spoke to you in your prosperity” (v. 21), God reminds Judah that He did not wait to guide them until disaster struck. Instead, He offered instruction continuously. Their refusal to listen dates back to their “youth,” painting a picture of longtime disobedience that gradually escalates into full-blown rebellion. Their consistent pattern of rejecting God’s counsel ultimately leads to calamity.

This ongoing defiance contrasts with those who, even in times of wealth or peace, remain faithful to God and honor His commandments. True devotion does not waver with changing circumstances. God seeks a relationship where His people trust Him in abundance and in need. By warning Judah of their refusal, He calls His followers in every generation to reflect on whether they too have ignored the LORD’s voice amid comfort and prosperity.

Jeremiah 22:22 uses the imagery of shepherding and lovers for the unfaithful leaders in Judah whom He intends to punish: "The wind will sweep away all your shepherds, And your lovers will go into captivity; Then you will surely be ashamed and humiliated Because of all your wickedness" (v. 22). The “shepherds” here symbolize Judah’s leaders-kings, priests, and influential figures meant to guide the people. A swift “wind” sweeping them away conveys the idea of sudden judgment and removal from their positions of authority, exposing the nation ultimately to invasion or exile.

Moreover, the word “lovers” once again represents Judah’s foreign alliances. Since the people placed their trust in these external partnerships instead of relying on God, those allies will likewise be taken captive. Utter shame and humiliation follow, revealing the depth of wrongdoing and shattered pride. In effect, judgment targets not just individual leaders but the false security systems Judah had built around itself (Isaiah 2:22).

Through these images, God shows that disobedience eventually leads to a collapse of both internal and external supports. The leaders who fail to honor God can no longer protect the people, and outside powers that refuse to revere the Almighty cannot stand. It is a lesson that extends beyond any single historical setting: when God’s truth is sidelined, the pillars of a society, no matter how strong they seem, crumble in due time.

Jeremiah 22:23 then communicates that dwelling in Lebanon’s cedar forests suggests a luxurious and secure lifestyle: "You who dwell in Lebanon, Nested in the cedars, How you will groan when pangs come upon you, Pain like a woman in childbirth!" (v. 23). Cedars of Lebanon were a prized resource for building temples, palaces, and fortresses. To “nest” in them connotes comfort and apparent safety. Yet the verse warns that even those who appear well-fortified will experience agonizing distress, comparable to the unstoppable pain of childbirth.

This metaphor signals that no level of earthly security can protect individuals from divine judgment. When God allows calamity, it is as unstoppable and inevitable as labor pains. It calls to mind the unstoppable nature of prophecy: once God’s word goes forth, it accomplishes its purpose (Isaiah 55:11). Those in Judah thought their logistically advantageous and resource-rich positions would shield them, but the verse dismantles that false assumption.

Furthermore, it refers to a deep, personal agony, not just a fleeting moment of discomfort. The internal turmoil the people will face mirrors the external upheaval of invading armies and political collapse. This culminating scene of anguish underscores the central message that rebellion against God’s ways leads to profound sorrow, affecting both rulers and every part of society that shared in the sin.