And I will give thee into the hand of them that seek thy life, and into the hand of them whose face thou fearest, even into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of the Chaldeans.

JEREMIAH 22:25KJV
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Jeremiah 22:25 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 22:25 mean?

Jeremiah 22:25 announces God’s judgment on King Jeconiah of Judah, also called Coniah. God says he will hand the king over to the Babylonian forces he fears. Jeconiah’s position as king will not protect him from capture by his enemies.

God speaks through Jeremiah in the first person: “I will give thee.” The repeated phrase “into the hand” pictures Jeconiah passing under someone else’s power. After the image of a signet ring in verse 24, this verse names the people who will receive him.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 22:25

  • “hand” — יָד (yad): This word can mean a physical hand or someone’s power or control. Its repeated use makes clear that Nebuchadrezzar and the Chaldeans will have control over Jeconiah.
  • “life” — נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh): This word can refer to a living person or to that person’s life. Here, those who “seek thy life” are pursuing Jeconiah himself with deadly intent.
  • “face” — פָּנִים (panim): The word means “face,” but it can also refer to a person’s presence. Jeconiah fears the people he will have to confront, not merely their appearance.

Why Jeremiah 22:25 matters

  • The threat comes from a named ruler and people. “Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon” identifies the king, while “the Chaldeans” names his people and forces.
  • The passage points to exile, not just defeat. Verse 26 says Jeconiah and his mother will be cast into another country, where they will die.
  • The words address a king personally. The KJV’s “thee” and “thy” are singular, matching the address to Coniah in verse 24.

Where else these words appear

“fearest” Hebrew H3016 · used in 2 verses

  • Jeremiah 39:17 But I will deliver thee in that day, saith the LORD: and thou shalt not be given into the hand of the men of whom thou art afraid.

“Nebuchadrezzar” Hebrew H5019 · used in 59 verses

  • 2 Kings 24:1 In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his servant three years: then he turned and rebelled against him.
  • Jeremiah 25:9 Behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, saith the LORD, and Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will bring them against this land, and against the inhabitants thereof, and against all these nations round about, and will utterly destroy them, and make them an astonishment, and an hissing, and perpetual desolations.
  • Jeremiah 44:30 Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will give Pharaohhophra king of Egypt into the hand of his enemies, and into the hand of them that seek his life; as I gave Zedekiah king of Judah into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, his enemy, and that sought his life.

“Chaldeans” Hebrew H3778 · used in 80 verses

  • Genesis 11:28 And Haran died before his father Terah in the land of his nativity, in Ur of the Chaldees.
  • Jeremiah 32:5 And he shall lead Zedekiah to Babylon, and there shall he be until I visit him, saith the LORD: though ye fight with the Chaldeans, ye shall not prosper.
  • Jeremiah 50:1 The word that the LORD spake against Babylon and against the land of the Chaldeans by Jeremiah the prophet.