Jeremiah 22:20

Go up to Lebanon, and cry; and lift up thy voice in Bashan, and cry from the passages: for all thy lovers are destroyed.

Jeremiah 22:20 (KJV)

Context

Jeremiah prophesied during the final years of the kingdom of Judah, when its kings were turning to foreign powers for security. In this chapter, the prophet confronts Jehoiakim and his successor Jehoiachin for their unrighteousness and failure to uphold justice. The surrounding verses condemn Jehoiakim for covetousness, violence, and the shedding of innocent blood, and declare that he will receive a dishonorable burial. Jeremiah 22:20 is part of this larger oracle of judgment, calling the nation to mourn the coming disaster.

Meaning

The verse uses symbolic language to convey its message. Lebanon and Bashan were regions known for their dense forests and fertile lands, associated with strength, beauty, and prosperity. Here they symbolize the kingdoms and alliances that Judah had sought for support and protection. The command to go up to Lebanon and lift up the voice in Bashan emphasizes the urgency and seriousness of the situation. The call to cry from the passages, or from Abarim, extends the lament to the mountains of Moab, underscoring the totality of the collapse.

The phrase “all thy lovers are destroyed” refers to the foreign nations and allies that Judah had trusted for military and political support, such as Egypt and Assyria. These alliances were a form of spiritual adultery, as Judah relied on them instead of the Lord. The destruction of these lovers signifies the complete failure of Judah’s worldly security. The verse is a dramatic call to lament not only over the loss of these allies but over the nation’s impending judgment.

Application

Jeremiah 22:20 warns against trusting in earthly alliances and calls for a reliance on God. It reveals the folly of placing confidence in human strength and political maneuvering rather than in the Lord. The lament is a consequence of sin, yet it also serves as a warning to future generations about the certainty of divine judgment against unrepentant wickedness. God is sovereign over nations, and He will bring down the proud and self-reliant.