Jeremiah 22:20Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The imagery of Lebanon and Bashan, representing the mountains and regions of Jordan, addresses Jerusalem, which foolishly hoped for aid from Egypt, or refers to Jehoiakim, who ruled in Jerusalem at that time and was appointed to his throne by the Egyptians. He too hoped in vain for help from them, while they would ultimately fall to the king of Babylon and be carried away into exile. The statement, “I have spoken unto thee,” signifies God Himself speaking through the prophets, and “They have spoken unto thee” refers to My prophets. Yet you, in your times of plenty, insisted, “I will not listen.” Here, He rebukes him for his arrogance and for misusing his wealth to provoke God. Furthermore, it is noted that not just at this moment, but from the very beginning, when he was brought out of Egypt, he failed to heed God’s voice; thus, all his shepherds and leaders are scattered and capitulate beneath the Babylonian yoke. The phrase about sitting in Lebanon and nesting in the cedars critiques the pride that has arisen from an abundance of blessings, prophesying that sudden anguish and unforeseen captivity will strike him, much like the agony experienced by a mother in labor. The call to shout to those who pass by—translated in Hebrew as "meabarim"—is interpreted by the Seventy and Theodotion as “beyond the sea,” while Simmachus translates it as “in the contrary way,” indicating that the prophet's voice should extend from Jerusalem to the heights of Lebanon and Bashan.