Jeremiah 22:28Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Salathiel and Zerubbabel, who returned from exile, became leaders of the people’s governance, while the high authority transitioned to the priests, as the priestly and royal lines became intertwined. Thus, the Lord serves as both King and High Priest “in them that are unto God” (Heb. 2:17). Although the royal lineage continued until Christ's arrival, the line of Jechoniah no longer held the throne of David, which represents royal dignity. History recounts that David ruled over all of Judea, parts of the Idumean and Moabite regions, parts of Syria, and as far as Mesopotamia and the other side of the river of Egypt. If indeed none of the subsequent rulers held such honor, how can the Prophet's assertion be false, stating there would be “one to sit on the throne of David from the seed of Jehoiakim”? Clearly, none of his descendants attained that stature. Nonetheless, the tribe of Judah remained until He came, “unto Him that is laid aside” (Genesis 49:10). He Himself did not occupy a worldly throne, for the reign of Judah fell under Herod, the son of Antipater the Ascalonite, and his descendants, who divided Judah into four regions, during the governorship of Pilate, while the entirety of the Roman Empire was under Tiberius. However, the throne of David, where the Lord reigns, is described by the Prophet as the kingdom undefiled. This is “the expectation of tongues” (cf. Gen. 49:10) and not merely a fragment of the cosmos. It is foretold, “there shall be ... The Root of Jesse, and the Risen One shall possess the tongues; in Him, the Gentiles shall trust” (Is. 11:10). “I will place Thee in the covenant of the generation, in the light of tongues” (cf. Is. 42:6), and, as it is declared, “I will put His seed in the age of ages, as the days of heaven” (cf. Ps. 88:30). Therefore, although He did not assume the Jewish scepter, God remains both Priest and King over all the earth, and the promise made to Jacob stands confirmed: “and all the tribes of the earth shall be blessed for his seed” (cf. Gen. 22:18), and all nations shall find favor in Christ.

He is also likened to a ring that has fallen away and been taken from the hand of the Lord and given to King Nebuchadnezzar. He and his lineage are cast away into a land they did not know. There is no doubt that this prophecy concerning Jechoniah has been fulfilled. The name Jechoniah means "the Lord's preparation"; in this context, the first syllable, representing the name of the Lord, is omitted, leaving merely Choniah, suggesting one prepared for ruin and death.