Jeremiah 22:19 Meaning and Explanation
“He shall be buried with the burial of an ass, drawn and cast forth beyond the gates of Jerusalem.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jehoiakim will be denied proper burial, his body disposed of like that of a donkey outside the city.
The Context of Jeremiah 22:19
The ultimate humiliation is denial of honorable burial and proper rites.
What Does Jeremiah 22:19 Mean?
The burial of an ass—dragged and left unburied outside the city walls—was the ultimate indignity. It violated every norm of human dignity and proper treatment of the deceased. This prophecy describes a death so shameful and a disposal so degrading that it would have shocked the original audience.
To be cast beyond the gates meant exclusion from the city and its burial grounds, leaving the body to exposure and scavenging. This was not merely an unfortunate end but an enacted curse, the physical embodiment of judgment.
Jeremiah 22:19 in the Original Language
chamor (חֲמוֹר), 'ass'—a donkey; used metaphorically for the basest treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 22:19
What does Jeremiah 22:19 mean?
Jehoiakim will be denied proper burial, his body disposed of like that of a donkey outside the city.
What is the context of Jeremiah 22:19?
The ultimate humiliation is denial of honorable burial and proper rites.