Jeremiah 22:5

5 But if you will not pay attention to these words, then I swear by myself," says ADONAI, "that this palace will become a ruin."'

Jeremiah 22:5 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 22:5

But if ye will not hear these words
Will give no attention, and yield no obedience to them: I swear by myself, saith the Lord;
and by a greater he cannot swear; and that is the reason why he swears by himself, ( Hebrews 6:13 ) ; and as, when he swears to a promise, it shows the immutability of it, the certainty of its performance, and that it is irreversible, and never repented of, nor revoked; so it is when he swears to a threatening. The Targum is,

``by my word I swear:''

that this house shall become a desolation;
meaning not the temple, nor the city, but the king's palace.

Jeremiah 22:5 In-Context

3 This is what ADONAI says: "Do what is right and just; rescue the wronged from their oppressors; do nothing wrong or violent to the stranger, orphan or widow; don't shed innocent blood in this place.

4 "'"If you are careful to do this, then future kings occupying David's throne will enter these palace gates riding in chariots and on horses - he, his servants and his people.

5 But if you will not pay attention to these words, then I swear by myself," says ADONAI, "that this palace will become a ruin."'

6 "For here is what ADONAI says concerning the palace of the king of Y'hudah: 'You are like Gil'ad to me, like the peak of the L'vanon; yet I will turn you into a desert, uninhabited cities.

7 I will designate men to destroy you, each one with his weapons; they will chop down your choice cedars and throw them in the fire.'