Jeremiah 22:24 [As] I live, saith the LORD, though Coniah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah were the signet upon my right hand, yet would I pluck thee thence;
Ver. 24. As I live, saith the Lord.] An oath which none may lawfully take but God himself, who is life itself. It is therefore sinful for any one to say, As I live, such a thing is so or so. That is God's oath. See Num 14:21 Psalms 95:11 .
Though Coniah.] So Jechoniah, or Jehoiakin, by an aphaeresis, dropping a letter, is called in scorn and contempt. Prepared he was of the Lord, as his name signifieth, for misery; and yet he was now but eighteen years old. 2Ki 24:8 Youth excuseth not those that are wicked. This young king was scarce warm in his throne when carried captive to Babylon.
Were the signet on my right hand.] Which is very carefully kept and carried about. See Son 8:6 Haggai 2:23, where good Zerubbabel, the nephew of this Jechoniah, is called God's "signet."
Yet would I pluck thee thence.] This Nazianzen fitly applieth to preachers, such as prove vile and vicious.