ירמיהו, פרק כ״ב, פסוק ל׳

A severe prophecy seals the fate of the King of Judah, Jehoiachin, announcing a bitter end to his personal reign and the suspension of his royal dynasty. God commands that this strict judgment be formally recorded, noting that the king's life will end in failure without any visible royal continuity [רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The decree targets the king directly [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ], describing him as a man left entirely barren and stripped of a future.

This state of barrenness is understood in several ways. It can mean that he will literally have no sons, or that any sons born to him will die during his lifetime [רד״ק]. Others view this description as a broader expression of utter destruction and ruin [מצודת דוד, מצודת ציון]. A third perspective combines these ideas, suggesting that a leader whose children do not succeed him is considered childless. Even if he physically fathers children, the fact that they are barred from inheriting the throne leaves his legacy barren [מלבי״ם, חומת אנך, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. His personal failure is defined by a life spent entirely in exile and captivity [רד״ק]. Throughout his days, he will never see any of his offspring sit upon the throne of David or rule in Judah. Indeed, following his exile, the monarchy bypassed his children and was given instead to his uncle, Zedekiah [מצודת דוד].

This absolute suspension of his line presents a historical difficulty, as his descendant Zerubbabel eventually rose to lead Judah. Some commentators resolve this by noting that the decree of failure was strictly limited to the king's own lifetime; after his death, his descendant was able to assume leadership [מצודת דוד]. However, a deeper spiritual dimension reveals a profound process of repair. While imprisoned, the king engaged in complete and sincere repentance. This profound return to God, combined with the atonement brought about by his painful exile, tore up the original decree. Because of his transformation, the judgment was reversed for the good, allowing him to establish a lineage that ultimately produced Zerubbabel, whom God chose to lead the people once again [רד״ק].