Jeremiah 22:19Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Possess (σομψησθείς). What is implied by: vlachim? Symmachus interprets it as gathered like refuse. After having slain him, the king of Babylon discarded him in such a manner, and he was not afforded a proper burial or was interred like a beast of burden, mixed with dust and debris. As a result of this disgrace, there was no lamentation, nor was his body cleansed, which was particularly sorrowful. Observe the courage of the prophet, who proclaims this prophecy without succumbing to fear.

They will not grieve for him… The donkey shall be buried by burial. King Nebuchadnezzar executed Jehoiakim, the son of Josiah, who had rebelled against him on three occasions; Jehoiakim’s body was pulled out and cast away far beyond the gates of Jerusalem into a place deemed unclean.

Thus speaks the Lord to Jehoiakim, son of Josiah, king of Judah: there will be no mourning for him, saying, ‘Alas, brother!’ nor ‘Alas, sister!’ nor shall they lament for him, ‘Alas, king!’ nor ‘Alas, prominent one!’ He will be buried like a donkey, his remains decayed and discarded outside the gates of Jerusalem. The phrase we translate from the Hebrew, saying there will be no mourning for him with the expressions ‘Alas, brother!’ and ‘Alas, sister!’ is not present in the Septuagint.

"For this reason,” declares the Lord, “to Jehoiakim, son of Josiah, king of Judah.” The subsequent prophecy follows a chronological sequence; Jehoiakim succeeded Jehoahaz as king, being the son of King Josiah. The prophet also predicts Jehoiakim's downfall. “They shall not weep for him, alas for me, Lord! Alas for me, brother! They shall not mourn for him, O brother, alas for me, brother!” (Jer. 22:19). “In the grave, he shall not be buried, like refuse, he shall be cast out of the gates of Jerusalem.” This clearly distinguishes that Sellim is not Joachim, for it is stated that “he shall not see this land,” but will perish in his iniquity.