Jeremiah 22:10

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 22:10 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Weep ye not for the dead, neither bemoan him; but weep sore for him that goeth away; for he shall return no more, nor see his native country.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Weep ye not for the dead, neither bemoan him; but weep sore for him that goeth away; for he shall return no more, nor see his native country.
Jeremiah 22:10 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 22

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
10Weep ye not for the dead, neither bemoan him; but weep sore for him that goeth away; for he shall return no more, nor see his native country.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Weep ye not for the dead, neither bemoan him, etc.] Not Jehoiakim, as Jarchi and Kimchi; but King Josiah, slain by Pharaohnecho; who, being a pious prince, a good king, and very useful, and much beloved by his people, great lamentation was made for him by them, and by the prophet also; but now he exhorts them to cease weeping, or at least not to weep so much for him, it being well with him, and he taken away from evil to come; and especially since they had other and worse things to lament; (see <143524>2 Chronicles 35:24,25); [but] weep sore for him that goeth away: or, “in weeping weep”f440: weep bitterly, and in good earnest; there is reason for it; for him that was about to go, or was…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Weep . . . not for--that is, not so much for Josiah, who was taken away by death from the evil to come (Kg2 22:20; Isa 57:1); as for Shallum or Jehoahaz, his son (Kg2 23:30), who, after a three months' reign, was carried off by Pharaoh-necho into Egypt, never to see his native land again (Kg2 23:31-34). Dying saints are justly to be envied, while living sinners are to be pitied. The allusion is to the great weeping of the people at the death of Josiah, and on each anniversary of it, in which Jeremiah himself took a prominent part (Ch2 35:24-25). The name "Shallum" is here given in irony to Jehoahaz, who reigned but three months; as if he were a second Shallum, son of Jabesh, who reigned only…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“In the two foregoing prophecies Jeremiah stated the general principle on which depend the rise and downfall of kings and nations. He now adds for Zedekiah’s warning the history of three thrones which were not established. The first is that of Shallum the successor of Josiah, who probably took the name of Jehoahaz on his accession (see the marginal references notes). Jeremiah 22:10 The dead - i. e., Josiah 2 Chronicles 35:25. That goeth away - Rather, that is gone away. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Weep not - For Josiah your dead prince. Josiah is happy, you need not trouble yourselves for him; but weep for Jehoahaz, who is to go into captivity. Jeremiah 22:11”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“22:10-30 This section contains a series of severe indictments against the descendants of Josiah. 22:10-12 The dead king was Josiah, who was killed by the Egyptians at the Battle of Megiddo in 609 BC. The people of Judah were not to weep or mourn his death. Their sorrow should center on Josiah’s son, whom they had chosen as the new king. After three months, King Jehoahaz was taken into exile in Egypt, where he spent the rest of his life (2 Kgs 23:1-33; 2 Chr 36:1-8).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Weep ye: Kg2 22:20, Kg2 23:30; Ch2 35:23-25; Ecc 4:2; Isa 57:1; Lam 4:9; Luk 23:28 weep sore: Jer 22:11; Kg2 23:30-34; Eze 19:3, Eze 19:4 Jeremiah 22:11”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“On Jehoahaz. - Jer 22:10. "Weep not for the dead, neither bemoan him; weep rather for him that is gone away, for he shall no more return and see the land of his birth. Jer 22:11. For thus saith Jahveh concerning Shallum, the son of Josiah king of Judah, who became king in his father Josiah's stead, and who went forth from this place: He shall not return thither more; Jer 22:12. but in the place whither they have carried hi captive, there shall he die and see this land no more." The clause: weep not for the dead, with which the prophecy on Shallum is begun, shows that the mourning for King Josiah was kept up and was still heartily felt amongst the people ( Ch2 35:24.), and that the…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification