Lifted Heads
It’s hard to believe, but we’ve reached the last chapter of Jeremiah! This chapter is an appendix to the book, recounting the capture and destruction of Jerusalem. It closely mirrors the account in 2 Kings 25. We’ve already seen Jeremiah’s account in chapter 39. Each of these accounts has its similarities and differences.
Following Jerusalem’s demise, the book ends with an uplifting tale of Jehoiachin’s release from prison. Jehoiachin had surrendered to Babylon and was carried into exile. His uncle Zedekiah was made king in his place (who would reign until Jerusalem’s destruction). Jehoiachin wallowed in prison for 37 years. Then Evil-merodach (or Awel-Marduk), the next king of Babylon, set him free. The literal Hebrew says that Evil-merodach “lifted up the head of Jehoiachin” (Jeremiah 52:31, 2 Kings 25:27). This is an interesting phrase to describe his release. Let’s look at a few other places it is used to get a fuller picture.
The first time this phrase is used is in Genesis 40:13 and 19, where Joseph is interpreting the dreams of Pharaoh’s chief cupbearer and baker. In the former case, Joseph predicts “Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your position”. In the latter, he says “Pharaoh will lift up your head from upon you and hang you on a tree”. Then in Genesis 40:20, it says Pharaoh “lifted up the head of the chief cupbearer and the head of the chief baker” and did to them as Joseph predicted. Joseph is doing an interesting play on words. Both of their heads would be lifted up, but in different ways.
This phrase is also used in Judges 8:28, Job 10:15, Psalm 83:2, and Zechariah 1:21 as a way of describing independence and autonomy. If your head is raised, you are above others. If you cannot lift your head, you are oppressed.
Finally, the it also used as a command: “Lift up your heads, O gates / be lifted up, O openings of eternity / and may the King of glory enter” (Psalm 24:7, 9). While addressing the gates (inanimate objects), it’s implicitly a command to the gatekeepers, too. They should stand up tall and proud as their King enters!
To Ponder…
What position is your head in? This has been a challenging year. Do you need God to lift up your head? Is there anything weighing you down, dipping your head forward in defeat? Is there anyone you know who needs their head lifted up?
Lord, may you lift up our heads, renewing to live life. May we stand tall and proudly declare that our King has come and will come again!
Thank you for this! Reminds me of the verse to “lift up your voice.” I’d imagine the meaning is similar!
You’re welcome! The Bible has a lot of subjects for lifting, which I focused on just this phrase. You’re correct, that there are places someone lifts up their voice, meaning something loud, often coupled with the sound they’re making, whether praise (Isaiah 24:14) or weeping (Genesis 21:16) or something else. There are other body parts that are lifted, like hands, eyes, or face.