Jeremiah 22:19 · Bible study
Jeremiah 22:19 Commentary: The Donkey's Burial
Hebrew · 11 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Explore how Jeremiah's prophecy of Jehoiakim's shameful death reveals divine justice and the certainty of God's word.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Jehoiakim will die unmourned and unburied, treated like a dead donkey dragged out of Jerusalem.
- Key words: 'burial of a donkey' (keburat chamor), a shameful, no-ritual disposal; 'drawn' (sachov), dragged; 'cast forth' (hashlekh), thrown out.
- Main debate: Does 2 Kings 24:6 ('he slept with his fathers') contradict this prophecy? Most commentators say no: it refers to death, not burial.
- Theological theme: Divine justice against oppression. God defends the poor and judges rulers who abuse power.
- Best use: A stark warning that no human authority can escape God's judgment; also a call to pursue justice as true knowledge of God.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
He will be buried like a donkey, dragged away and thrown outside the gates of Jerusalem.
WEB World English Bible 2000
He will be buried with the burial of a donkey, drawn and cast out beyond the gates of Jerusalem.”
KJV King James Version 1769
He shall be buried with the burial of an ass, drawn and cast forth beyond the gates of Jerusalem.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
He shall be buried with the burial of an ass, drawn and cast forth beyond the gates of Jerusalem.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
The burial of an ass--he is buried, Dragged and cast out thence to the gates of Jerusalem.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
He shall be buried with the burial of an ass, dragged along and cast forth beyond the gates of Jerusalem.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
He shall be buried with the burial of an ass, rotten and cast forth without the gates of Jerusalem.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
En sepultura de asno será enterrado, arrastrándole y echándole fuera de las puertas de Jerusalem.
Com sepultamento de asno será sepultado; arrastando e lançando -o longe, fora das portas de Jerusalém.
Il aura la sépulture d’ un âne,
Er soll wie ein Esel begraben werden, zerschleift und hinausgeworfen vor die Tore Jerusalems.
Met een ezelsbegrafenis zal hij begraven worden; men zal hem slepen en daarhenen werpen, verre weg van de poorten van Jeruzalem.
Sarà sepolto come si seppellisce un asino, trascinato e gettato fuori delle porte di Gerusalemme.
Pogrzebem oślim pogrzebiony bądzie; wywleczony i wyrzucony będzie za bramy Jeruzalemskie.
Ослиным погребением будет он погребен; вытащат его и бросят далеко за ворота Иерусалима.
他被埋葬，好像埋 驢一樣，要拉出去 扔 在耶路撒冷 的城門 之外。
They will do to him what they do to the dead body of an ass; his body will be pulled out and placed on the earth outside the doors of Jerusalem.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · Jeremiah 22:19
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree this verse foretells the final disgrace of King Jehoiakim: he would receive no proper burial. The 'burial of a donkey' means being dragged out and left to rot, without mourners or ceremony. Calvin states that Jehoiakim would be 'cast away with the dogs, drawn out and cast forth.' Gill notes the word 'drawn' implies being dragged by dogs or as a malefactor. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown and Keil & Delitzsch argue that this prophecy was fulfilled, even though 2 Kings 24:6 says he 'slept with his fathers.' That phrase refers only to death, not honourable burial. The silence on burial in Kings confirms the prophecy. Cambridge Bible adds that the prediction 'was doubtless fulfilled, or it would not have been included.' The consensus is that Jehoiakim's end was as Jeremiah said, shameful, lonely, and a clear sign of God's judgment on oppression.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Harmonizing interpretation: 2 Kings 24:6 uses 'slept with his fathers' as a euphemism for death, not burial. The omission of burial details confirms the prophecy. Most commentators (Keil, Jamieson-Fausset-Brown, Calvin) hold this view.
- Non-harmonizing interpretation: Some readers take 'slept with his fathers' to imply peaceful burial with ancestors, creating a contradiction. This view is not held by the supplied commentators, but it is raised as a question in Bible studies.
What is clear: Jehoiakim's end was shameful—he died without proper burial or mourning, as a direct judgment from God for his oppression and violence. The exact historical details are not fully recorded, but the prophecy's main point is certain.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning of 'burial of a donkey' | All traditions agree it means no proper burial, being left unburied or dragged out like a dead animal. | Some (e.g. Calvin, Gill) emphasize the dragging and casting out; others focus on the lack of mourning. The exact treatment is not described in historical records, leading to minor speculation. |
| Reconciliation with 2 Kings 24:6 | Most commentators agree that 'slept with his fathers' refers to death only, not burial. | Some earlier interpreters may have seen a contradiction, but among the supplied sources all affirm harmonization. The debate today is minimal. |
| Historical fulfillment | The prophecy was fulfilled, as no burial of Jehoiakim is recorded and the silence is significant. | Whether Jehoiakim was killed in Jerusalem or died in Babylon is debated. Calvin and Gill suggest he was slain and dragged outside Jerusalem; others think he died in chains and was denied burial there. |
| Theological significance of lack of mourning | The absence of lamentation (vv.18-19) signifies complete rejection by the community. | The specific phrases 'Ah my brother!' and 'Ah lord!' are interpreted as professional mourners' cries (Keil & Delitzsch) vs. personal laments (common reading). This does not affect the main meaning. |
Historical & Cultural Context
In ancient Israel, a proper burial was a sacred duty and a sign of being blessed. To be left unburied was a curse (Jeremiah 15:3; 1 Kings 14:10; 1 Kings 21:23). Jeremiah's phrase 'burial of a donkey' shocked his hearers. Donkeys were despised and their carcasses thrown out. This fate meant Jehoiakim would be treated as worse than an animal, no grave, no lament, no honour.
The context of Jeremiah 22 shows why. Jehoiakim, son of the good king Josiah, ruled with greed and violence. He forced unpaid labour to build his lavish palace (vv.13-14). He shed innocent blood (v.17). Jeremiah contrasts him with Josiah, who 'did justice and righteousness' and cared for the poor and needy (vv.15-16). Knowing God meant acting justly; Jehoiakim knew only covetousness.
Historically, Jehoiakim was placed on the throne by Egypt but soon became a vassal of Babylon. He rebelled, leading to Babylonian attacks (2 Kings 24:1-2). He likely died during the siege. 2 Chronicles 36:6 says Nebuchadnezzar 'bound him in fetters to carry him to Babylon.' No burial is recorded. The prophecy probably came true when his body was dragged out of Jerusalem and left exposed. The 'gates of Jerusalem' were the centre of civic life; to be cast out beyond them was exclusion from the community and from any hope of a proper burial.
Textual Notes
The supplied commentaries note that the LXX omits the phrase 'alas sister' (v.18), possibly to avoid applying it to Jehoiakim's death literally. Keil & Delitzsch mention this as an unnecessary change. No other significant variants are reported for verse 19. The Hebrew text is stable across manuscripts.
Reception History
In early church tradition, Jerome recorded a Jewish account that Jehoiakim was killed by raiders and left unburied. Reformation commentators like Calvin emphasized the verse as a demonstration of God's justice against oppressive rulers. The passage has often been referenced in discussions of biblical prophecy and its historical confirmation. It serves as a sober reminder that God holds leaders accountable for their treatment of the weak.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- God sees oppression. Jeremiah pronounces woe on Jehoiakim for building his house by unrighteousness and shedding innocent blood (Jer 22:13-17). No king is above God's law.
- God's judgment is sure. The 'burial of a donkey' is a vivid picture of disgrace. Jehoiakim would die unmourned and unburied. History confirms that no proper burial is recorded for him.
- God's word stands. The apparent conflict with 2 Kings 24:6 is resolved by understanding 'slept with his fathers' as a euphemism for death, not burial. Prophecy and history harmonize when read carefully.
Five-point outline
- The king's sin: Oppression, forced labour, and murder (Jer 22:13-17).
- The contrast: Josiah's righteous reign vs. Jehoiakim's wickedness.
- The announcement: No lament, no proper burial (vv.18-19).
- The fulfillment: The silence of Kings and Chronicles about his burial points to the prophecy's accuracy.
- The lesson: God's justice cuts through human power and palace walls. Rulers are accountable.
Illustration hooks
- An unmarked grave: In many cultures, a grave without a marker or mourners is a sign of shame. Imagine a criminal buried in a potter's field with no name. Jehoiakim's end was even worse, no burial at all.
- A spoiled reputation: When a public figure dies disgraced, their legacy is ruined. Jehoiakim's name is forever tied to oppression and a donkey's burial.
- Justice for the powerless: A story of a corrupt official who builds a mansion with stolen money and dies alone in prison. The biblical message: God sees and will act.
Questions your congregation is asking
- How can a prophecy be true if 2 Kings says he 'slept with his fathers'?
- What does this tell us about God's attitude toward the rich who oppress the poor today?
- Does God still judge nations and leaders who act unjustly?
Leading a Discussion
This passage confronts us with the reality of divine justice. Jehoiakim's reign of oppression led to a shameful end. As you read, consider how God's call to justice applies to your life and community.
Discussion questions
- Read Jeremiah 22:13-19. What specific sins does God charge Jehoiakim with?
- How does Jehoiakim compare with his father Josiah (vv.15-16)? What does 'knowing God' mean in this context?
- The burial of a donkey: why was this such a severe judgment? What did proper burial mean in ancient Israel?
- Some readers struggle to reconcile this verse with 2 Kings 24:6. How do the commentators explain the phrase 'slept with his fathers'?
- What does this prophecy teach about God's character and His concern for the poor and oppressed?
- In what ways might we be tempted to build our own 'palaces' at the expense of others? How can we pursue justice instead?
- How does this Old Testament passage point to the ultimate justice and mercy found in Jesus Christ?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| I Kings 14:10 | therefore, behold, I will bring evil on the house of Jeroboam, and will cut off from Jeroboam everyone who urinates on a wall, he who is shut up and he who is left at large in Israel, and will utterly sweep away the house of Jeroboam, as a man sweeps away dung until it is all gone. |
| I Kings 21:23 | Yahweh also spoke of Jezebel, saying, “The dogs will eat Jezebel by the rampart of Jezreel. |
| I Kings 21:24 | The dogs will eat whoever dies of Ahab in the city; and the birds of the sky will eat whoever dies in the field.” |
| II Kings 9:35 | They went to bury her, but they found no more of her than the skull, the feet, and the palms of her hands. |
| II Chronicles 36:6 | Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against him, and bound him in fetters to carry him to Babylon. |
| Jeremiah 15:3 | “I will appoint over them four kinds,” says Yahweh: “the sword to kill, the dogs to tear, the birds of the sky, and the animals of the earth, to devour and to destroy. |
| Jeremiah 36:6 | Therefore you go, and read from the scroll which you have written from my mouth, Yahweh’s words, in the ears of the people in Yahweh’s house on the fast day. Also you shall read them in the ears of all Judah who come out of their cities. |
| Jeremiah 36:30 | Therefore Yahweh says concerning Jehoiakim king of Judah: “He will have no one to sit on David’s throne. His dead body will be cast out in the day to the heat, and in the night to the frost. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
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What the Commentators Say
9 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke explains that being buried like an ass means being cast out and left unburied, or at best interred without any funeral rites, solemnities, or lamentations. The disgrace lies not merely in death but in the total absence of honor and mourning.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes interprets the phrase "the burial of an ass" to mean the person will simply be dragged out of the way and left to decay, with no proper burial or honor. He adds that nothing is known of this prophecy's fulfillment.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin focuses on the word "ass" to underscore Jehoiakim's utter disgrace. Being buried with the burial of an ass means he was not given a proper grave at all. Instead he was dragged out and cast beyond Jerusalem's gates like a contemptible animal, unworthy even of being seen by men.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentator notes that while 2 Kings 24:6 says Jehoiakim slept with his fathers, it significantly omits any mention of burial, supporting the prophecy that he would be cast out dishonored like a donkey. The passage may have been added later to Jeremiah's scroll, but its inclusion implies it was fulfilled.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva note stresses the utter degradation of this burial: the body is not even interred but dragged and tossed outside Jerusalem's gates like a dead donkey. The shame lies not just in a dishonorable grave but in being treated as refuse, denied even the dignity of a proper burial.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill explains that "burial of an ass" means no burial at all; the king's corpse was dragged out and thrown beyond Jerusalem's gates like a dead brute, left for dogs and birds. This shameful end, he suggests, was carried out by the Chaldeans, who denied Jehoiakim even a common grave.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB harmonizes the prophecy that Jehoiakim would receive a donkey's burial with the statement that he slept with his fathers. He argues that "slept with his fathers" refers only to dying, not to being buried in the family tomb. The king was slain by Nebuchadnezzar and left unburied outside Jerusalem, exactly as prophesied.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange contrasts Jehoiakim's trust in cedar palaces with Josiah's foundation of justice: a kingdom rests on righteousness, not architecture. The prophecy's fulfillment came when Jehoiakim died on the way to Babylon, his corpse dragged and cast out like an ass, denied proper burial.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley highlights the complete absence of honor at this person's burial. No one accompanies him to the grave, and no one mourns for him. He is buried with the same indifference shown to a dead donkey.