Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Because of them, all the exiles from Judah who are in Babylon will use this curse: ‘May the LORD treat you like Zedekiah and Ahab, whom the king of Babylon burned in the fire.’ New Living Translation Their terrible fate will become proverbial, so that the Judean exiles will curse someone by saying, ‘May the LORD make you like Zedekiah and Ahab, whom the king of Babylon burned alive!’ English Standard Version Because of them this curse shall be used by all the exiles from Judah in Babylon: “The LORD make you like Zedekiah and Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire,” Berean Standard Bible Because of them, all the exiles of Judah who are in Babylon will use this curse: ‘May the LORD make you like Zedekiah and Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire!’ Berean Literal Bible And because of them shall be taken up a curse for all the captivity of Judah who are in Babylon, saying: ‘May YHWH make you like Zedekiah and like Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire! King James Bible 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; New King James Version And because of them a curse shall be taken up by all the captivity of Judah who are in Babylon, saying, “The LORD make you like Zedekiah and Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire”; New American Standard Bible Because of them a curse will be used by all the exiles from Judah who are in Babylon, saying, ‘May the LORD make you like Zedekiah and Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire,’ NASB 1995 ‘Because of them a curse will be used by all the exiles from Judah who are in Babylon, saying, “May the LORD make you like Zedekiah and like Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire, NASB 1977 ‘And because of them a curse shall be used by all the exiles from Judah who are in Babylon, saying, “May the LORD make you like Zedekiah and like Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire, Legacy Standard Bible And because of them a curse will be used by all the exiles from Judah who are in Babylon, saying, “May Yahweh make you like Zedekiah and like Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire Amplified Bible Because of them, this curse shall be taken up and used by all the exiles from Judah who are in Babylon, saying, “May the LORD make you like Zedekiah and like Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire, Berean Annotated Bible Because of them, all the exiles of Judah (praised) who are in Babylon (confusion by mixing) will use this curse: ‘May the LORD {YHWH} make you like Zedekiah (YHWH is righteous) and Ahab (father's brother), whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire!’ Christian Standard Bible Based on what happens to them, all the exiles of Judah who are in Babylon will create a curse that says, ‘May the LORD make you like Zedekiah and Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire! ’ Holman Christian Standard Bible Based on what happens to them, all the exiles of Judah who are in Babylon will create a curse that says, ‘May the LORD make you like Zedekiah and Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire!’ American Standard Version and of them shall be taken up a curse by all the captives of Judah that are in Babylon, saying, Jehovah make thee like Zedekiah and like Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire; English Revised Version and of them shall be taken up a curse by all the captives of Judah which are in Babylon, saying, The LORD make thee like Zedekiah and like Ahab, whom the king Babylon roasted in the fire: GOD'S WORD® Translation Because of them, all the captives from Judah who are in Babylon will use this curse: May the LORD curse you as he cursed Zedekiah and Ahab, whom the king of Babylon burned to death. Good News Translation When the people who were taken away as prisoners from Jerusalem to Babylonia want to bring a curse on someone, they will say, 'May the LORD treat you like Zedekiah and Ahab, whom the king of Babylonia roasted alive!' International Standard Version What happens to them will be the basis for a curse for all the Judean exiles who are in Babylon. People will say, "May the LORD make you like Zedekiah and Ahab, whom the LORD roasted in the fire, NET Bible And all the exiles of Judah who are in Babylon will use them as examples when they put a curse on anyone. They will say, "May the LORD treat you like Zedekiah and Ahab whom the king of Babylon roasted to death in the fire!" New Heart English Bible and of them shall be taken up a curse by all the captives of Judah who are in Babylon, saying, "The LORD make you like Zedekiah and like Ahiab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire"; Webster's Bible Translation And concerning them shall be taken up a curse by all the captivity of Judah who are in Babylon, saying, The LORD make thee like Zedekiah and like Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire; Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleBecause of them, all the exiles of Judah who are in Babylon will use this curse: ‘May the LORD make you like Zedekiah and Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire!’ World English Bible A curse will be taken up about them by all the captives of Judah who are in Babylon, saying, ‘Yahweh make you like Zedekiah and like Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire;’ Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand because of them a reviling has been taken by all the expulsion of Judah that [are] in Babylon, saying, YHWH sets you as Zedekiah, and as Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted with fire; Berean Literal Bible And because of them shall be taken up a curse for all the captivity of Judah who are in Babylon, saying: ‘May YHWH make you like Zedekiah and like Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire! Young's Literal Translation And taken from them hath been a reviling by all the removed of Judah that are in Babylon, saying, Jehovah doth set thee as Zedekiah, and as Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted with fire; Smith's Literal Translation And a curse was taken from them to all the captivity of Judah which are in Babylon, saying, Jehovah will set thee as Zedekiah, and as Ahab, whom the king of Babel roasted them in fire; Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd of them shall be taken up a curse by all the captivity of Juda, that are in Babylon, saying: The Lord make thee like Sedecias, and like Achab, whom the king of Babylon fried in the fire : Catholic Public Domain Version And a curse will be taken up about them, by all the captives of Judah that are in Babylon, saying: ‘May the Lord make you like Zedekiah, and like Ahab, whom the king of Babylon fried in the fire!’ New American Bible And because of them this curse will be used by all the exiles of Judah in Babylon: “May the LORD make you like Zedekiah and Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in fire,” New Revised Standard Version And on account of them this curse shall be used by all the exiles from Judah in Babylon: “The LORD make you like Zedekiah and Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire,” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd of them shall be taken up a curse by all the exiles who are in Babylon; they shall say, The LORD make you like Zedekiah and like Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire; Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And they shall be a curse to all the captives of Judea who are in Babel, and they shall say: ‘May LORD JEHOVAH make you as Tsedeqia and like Ahab whom the King of Babel broiled in fire!’ OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917and of them shall be taken up a curse by all the captivity of Judah that are in Babylon, saying: 'The LORD make thee like Zedekiah and like Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire'; Brenton Septuagint Translation And they shall make of them a curse in all the captivity of Juda in Babylon, saying, The Lord do to thee as he did to Sedekias, and as he did to Achiab, whom the king of Babylon fried in the fire; Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Jeremiah's Letter to the Exiles…21This is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says about Ahab son of Kolaiah and Zedekiah son of Maaseiah, who are prophesying to you lies in My name: “I will deliver them to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and he will kill them before your very eyes. 22Because of them, all the exiles of Judah who are in Babylon will use this curse: ‘May the LORD make you like Zedekiah and Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire!’ 23For they have committed an outrage in Israel by committing adultery with the wives of their neighbors and speaking lies in My name, which I did not command them to do. I am He who knows, and I am a witness, declares the LORD.”… Cross References Because of them, Jeremiah 24:9 I will make them a horror and an offense to all the kingdoms of the earth, a disgrace and an object of scorn, ridicule, and cursing wherever I have banished them. Jeremiah 25:18 to make them a ruin, an object of horror and contempt and cursing, as they are to this day—Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, its kings and officials; Jeremiah 42:18 For this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: ‘Just as My anger and wrath were poured out on the residents of Jerusalem, so will My wrath be poured out on you if you go to Egypt. You will become an object of cursing and horror, of vilification and disgrace, and you will never see this place again.’ all the exiles of Judah who are in Babylon 2 Kings 24:14-16 He carried into exile all Jerusalem—all the commanders and mighty men of valor, all the craftsmen and metalsmiths—ten thousand captives in all. Only the poorest people of the land remained. / Nebuchadnezzar carried away Jehoiachin to Babylon, as well as the king’s mother, his wives, his officials, and the leading men of the land. He took them into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. / The king of Babylon also brought into exile to Babylon all seven thousand men of valor and a thousand craftsmen and metalsmiths—all strong and fit for battle. Daniel 1:1-2 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. / And the Lord delivered into his hand Jehoiakim king of Judah, along with some of the articles from the house of God. He carried these off to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, where he put them in the treasury of his god. Psalm 137:1 By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion. will use this curse: Isaiah 65:15 You will leave behind your name as a curse for My chosen ones, and the Lord GOD will slay you; but to His servants He will give another name. Zechariah 8:13 As you have been a curse among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so I will save you, and you will be a blessing. Do not be afraid; let your hands be strong.” Deuteronomy 28:37 You will become an object of horror, scorn, and ridicule among all the nations to which the LORD will drive you. ‘May the LORD make you like Zedekiah and Ahab, 1 Kings 22:24-28 Then Zedekiah son of Chenaanah went up, struck Micaiah in the face, and demanded, “Which way did the Spirit of the LORD go when He departed from me to speak with you?” / Micaiah replied, “You will soon see, on that day when you go and hide in an inner room.” / And the king of Israel declared, “Take Micaiah and return him to Amon the governor of the city and to Joash the king’s son, … Deuteronomy 18:20-22 But if any prophet dares to speak a message in My name that I have not commanded him to speak, or to speak in the name of other gods, that prophet must be put to death.” / You may ask in your heart, “How can we recognize a message that the LORD has not spoken?” / When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD and the message does not come to pass or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. The prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him. Jeremiah 28:15-17 Then the prophet Jeremiah said to the prophet Hananiah, “Listen, Hananiah! The LORD did not send you, but you have persuaded this people to trust in a lie. / Therefore this is what the LORD says: ‘I am about to remove you from the face of the earth. You will die this year because you have preached rebellion against the LORD.’” / And in the seventh month of that very year, the prophet Hananiah died. whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire!’ Daniel 3:19-23 At this, Nebuchadnezzar was filled with rage, and the expression on his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He gave orders to heat the furnace seven times hotter than usual, / and he commanded some mighty men of valor in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing fiery furnace. / So they were tied up, wearing robes, trousers, turbans, and other clothes, and they were thrown into the blazing fiery furnace. … 2 Kings 25:9-10 He burned down the house of the LORD, the royal palace, and all the houses of Jerusalem—every significant building. / And the whole army of the Chaldeans under the captain of the guard broke down the walls around Jerusalem. 2 Chronicles 36:19-20 Then the Chaldeans set fire to the house of God and broke down the wall of Jerusalem. They burned down all the palaces and destroyed every article of value. / Those who escaped the sword were carried by Nebuchadnezzar into exile in Babylon, and they became servants to him and his sons until the kingdom of Persia came to power. Daniel 3:6 And whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into the blazing fiery furnace.” Treasury of Scripture And of them shall be taken up a curse by all the captivity of Judah which are in Babylon, saying, The LORD make you like Zedekiah and like Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire; shall be. Genesis 48:20 And he blessed them that day, saying, In thee shall Israel bless, saying, God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh: and he set Ephraim before Manasseh. Ruth 4:11 And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said, We are witnesses. The LORD make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem: Isaiah 65:15 And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen: for the Lord GOD shall slay thee, and call his servants by another name: roasted. Deuteronomy 3:6,21 And we utterly destroyed them, as we did unto Sihon king of Heshbon, utterly destroying the men, women, and children, of every city… Jump to Previous Ahab Babylon Captives Captivity Curse Exiles Fate Fire Judah Prisoners Removed Reviling Roasted Treat Use Used Zedekiah Zedeki'ahJump to Next Ahab Babylon Captives Captivity Curse Exiles Fate Fire Judah Prisoners Removed Reviling Roasted Treat Use Used Zedekiah Zedeki'ahJeremiah 29 1. Jeremiah sends a letter to the captives in Babylon to be quiet there,8. and not to believe the dreams of their prophets; 10. and that they shall return with grace after seventy years. 15. He foretells the destruction of the rest for their disobedience. 20. He shows the fearful end of Ahab and Zedekiah, two false prophets. 24. Shemaiah writes a letter against Jeremiah. 30. Jeremiah foretells his doom. Because of them This phrase refers to the false prophets Zedekiah and Ahab, who misled the people of Judah. Their actions had significant consequences, serving as a warning against false prophecy. In the broader biblical context, false prophets are consistently condemned (Deuteronomy 18:20-22), and their presence is a recurring issue throughout the Old Testament. all the exiles of Judah who are in Babylon will use this curse ‘May the LORD make you like Zedekiah and Ahab whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire!’ Persons / Places / Events 1. Zedekiah and AhabThese are not the well-known King Zedekiah of Judah or King Ahab of Israel, but rather two false prophets among the exiles in Babylon. They were notorious for their false prophecies and immoral behavior, leading to their execution by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. 2. Exiles of Judah These are the people of Judah who were taken captive and exiled to Babylon. They are the audience to whom Jeremiah's letter, including this verse, is addressed. 3. Babylon The empire that conquered Judah and took its people into exile. It serves as the backdrop for the events described in this passage. 4. Nebuchadnezzar The king of Babylon who executed Zedekiah and Ahab. His actions against these false prophets serve as a warning to the exiles. 5. Jeremiah The prophet who conveyed God's message to the exiles in Babylon, warning them against false prophets and encouraging them to seek the welfare of the city where they were exiled. Teaching Points The Danger of False ProphecyFalse prophets can lead people away from God's truth, resulting in severe consequences. We must discern and adhere to true biblical teaching. God's Justice God's justice is evident in the punishment of Zedekiah and Ahab. He holds individuals accountable for leading others astray. The Importance of Discernment Believers must be discerning, testing all teachings against Scripture to avoid being misled by false prophets. God's Sovereignty in Exile Even in exile, God is in control. He uses circumstances to purify and instruct His people, as seen in the lives of the exiles in Babylon. The Power of a Godly Example The contrasting outcomes of Zedekiah and Ahab with faithful figures like Daniel and his friends remind us of the impact of living a life aligned with God's will. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Jeremiah 29:22?2. How does Jeremiah 29:22 illustrate consequences of disobedience to God's commands? 3. What lessons can we learn from the fate of Ahab and Zedekiah? 4. How does Jeremiah 29:22 connect with God's justice throughout Scripture? 5. How can we apply the warnings in Jeremiah 29:22 to modern life? 6. What role does prophecy play in understanding God's will in Jeremiah 29:22? 7. What historical events led to the prophecy in Jeremiah 29:22? 8. How does Jeremiah 29:22 reflect God's judgment and justice? 9. What is the significance of the curse mentioned in Jeremiah 29:22? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 29? 11. In Jeremiah 37:2, how can we reconcile the claim that King Zedekiah and his officials refused to listen to God's word with other passages suggesting they occasionally sought Jeremiah's counsel? 12. How do skeptics reconcile Jeremiah 22:24-27's prophecy against Coniah with his later release and royal favor in Babylon (2 Kings 25:27-30)? 13. In Jeremiah 28:1-4, how can Hananiah's prophecy of a short Babylonian captivity be trusted given the historical evidence of a much longer exile? 14. Jeremiah 34:3 - How could God promise Zedekiah would not die by the sword if 2 Kings 25:7 says Nebuchadnezzar blinded him and took him captive? What Does Jeremiah 29:22 Mean Because of them,• “Them” points back to Zedekiah son of Maaseiah and Ahab son of Koliah (Jeremiah 29:21). • God declares these two men to be false prophets who “have committed an outrage in Israel” (Jeremiah 29:23). • Their lies threatened the faith and stability of the exiled community, much as earlier false prophets had misled Judah (Deuteronomy 13:1-5; Jeremiah 23:16). • The Lord’s response shows that deceit spoken in His name brings real, visible judgment. all the exiles of Judah who are in Babylon • The audience is every deported Judean living under Nebuchadnezzar (Jeremiah 29:1). • God is working with these exiles, promising future hope (Jeremiah 29:10-14) yet also preserving holiness among them (Ezekiel 11:16-21). • Their shared experience in a foreign land gives the coming curse a communal weight—everyone will know the story firsthand. will use this curse: • A curse formula was a common way to wish divine judgment upon wrongdoers (Numbers 5:21; Psalm 109:17). • By turning Zedekiah and Ahab into a proverb, God ensures their fate becomes a standing warning (Deuteronomy 28:37; Jeremiah 24:9). • The whole community will quote it, reinforcing that opposing God’s truth is never forgotten. ‘May the LORD make you like Zedekiah and Ahab, • The wording puts the Lord at the center—He, not Babylon, is the final Judge (Psalm 75:7). • Mentioning the men by name personalizes the curse; it is not abstract but tied to real historical figures whose fate is documented (Jeremiah 29:21). • Anyone tempted to mimic their rebellion hears this as a sober deterrent (Proverbs 26:10). whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire!’ • Nebuchadnezzar literally executed them by burning, a punishment he could impose at will (Daniel 3:19-20 shows the same king using fire). • The graphic detail reminds exiles that divine judgment can be carried out through earthly authorities (Romans 13:4). • Fire imagery underscores total destruction (Genesis 19:24; Revelation 20:15), signaling God’s abhorrence of false prophecy. • Their deaths, witnessed or soon heard about by the exiles, stamped the curse with undeniable credibility. summary Jeremiah 29:22 turns the fate of two specific false prophets into a community-wide proverb. Because Zedekiah and Ahab knowingly spoke lies in God’s name, the Lord handed them over to Nebuchadnezzar, who burned them alive. From then on, every Judean exile in Babylon would invoke their names as a dire warning: “May the LORD make you like Zedekiah and Ahab.” The verse teaches that God guards the purity of His word, that He judges rebellion in real history, and that He uses even pagan rulers to display His righteousness so His people will fear Him and remain faithful. (22) Of them shall be taken up a curse . . .--We note the characteristic tendency of Hebrew thought to fix on individual cases of highest blessedness, as in Ruth 4:11, or of deepest shame, as here, and to bring them into formulae of blessing and of cursing.Verse 22. - A curse; i.e. a formula of cursing (comp. Isaiah 65:15). There is here a play upon words, such as the Biblical writers delighted in, partly with the view of assisting the memory. "A curse" is in Hebrew kelalah, and "to roast" is kalah. Roasted in the fire. "Casting into the midst of a burning fiery furnace" was a common punishment both among the Assyrians and the Babylonians, see e.g. ' Records of the Past,' vol. 9. p. 56; and comp. Daniel 3.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Becauseוְלֻקַּ֤ח (wə·luq·qaḥ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - QalPass - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3947: To take of them, מֵהֶם֙ (mê·hem) Preposition-m | Pronoun - third person masculine plural Strong's 1992: They all לְכֹל֙ (lə·ḵōl) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every the exiles גָּל֣וּת (gā·lūṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 1546: Captivity, exiles of Judah יְהוּדָ֔ה (yə·hū·ḏāh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites who אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that are in Babylon בְּבָבֶ֖ל (bə·ḇā·ḇel) Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 894: Babylon -- an eastern Mediterranean empire and its capital city will use this curse: קְלָלָ֔ה (qə·lā·lāh) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 7045: Vilification ‘May the LORD יְהוָה֙ (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel make יְשִֽׂמְךָ֤ (yə·śim·ḵā) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | second person masculine singular Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set you like Zedekiah כְּצִדְקִיָּ֣הוּ (kə·ṣiḏ·qî·yā·hū) Preposition-k | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 6667: Zedekiah -- 'Yah is righteousness', six Israelites and Ahab, וּכְאֶחָ֔ב (ū·ḵə·’e·ḥāḇ) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-k | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 256: Ahab -- 'father's brother', a king of Israel, also a false prophet whom אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-) Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that the king מֶֽלֶךְ־ (me·leḵ-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 4428: A king of Babylon בָּבֶ֖ל (bā·ḇel) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 894: Babylon -- an eastern Mediterranean empire and its capital city roasted קָלָ֥ם (qā·lām) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural Strong's 7033: To toast, scorch partially, slowly in the fire!’ בָּאֵֽשׁ׃ (bā·’êš) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - common singular Strong's 784: A fire Links Jeremiah 29:22 NIVJeremiah 29:22 NLT Jeremiah 29:22 ESV Jeremiah 29:22 NASB Jeremiah 29:22 KJV Jeremiah 29:22 BibleApps.com Jeremiah 29:22 Biblia Paralela Jeremiah 29:22 Chinese Bible Jeremiah 29:22 French Bible Jeremiah 29:22 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Jeremiah 29:22 And of them shall be taken up (Jer.) |
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