Jeremiah 22:17

17 "But your eyes and your heart Are intent only * upon your own 1dishonest gain, And on 2shedding innocent blood And on practicing oppression and extortion."

Jeremiah 22:17 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 22:17

But thine eyes and thine heart [are] not but for thy
covetousness
He was wholly intent upon gratifying that lust; his heart was meditating, contriving, and forming schemes for that purpose; and his eyes were looking out here and there for proper objects and opportunities to exercise it: and for to shed innocent blood;
in order to get their money, goods, and possessions into his hands; avarice often leads to murder: and for oppression, and for violence, to do [it];
by making incursions, and seizing upon the properties of men, and converting them to his own use; so true it is, that covetousness, or the love of money, is the root of all evil, ( 1 Timothy 6:10 ) .

Jeremiah 22:17 In-Context

15 "Do you become a king because you are competing in cedar? Did not your father eat and drink And do justice and righteousness? Then it was well with him.
16 "He pled the cause of the afflicted and needy; Then it was well. Is not that what it means to know Me?" Declares the LORD .
17 "But your eyes and your heart Are intent only upon your own dishonest gain, And on shedding innocent blood And on practicing oppression and extortion."
18 Therefore thus says the LORD in regard to Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, "They will not lament for him: 'Alas, my brother!' or, 'Alas, sister!' They will not lament for him: 'Alas for the master!' or, 'Alas for his splendor!'
19 "He will be buried with a donkey's burial, Dragged off and thrown out beyond the gates of Jerusalem.

Cross References 2

  • 1. Jeremiah 6:13; Jeremiah 8:10; Luke 12:15-20
  • 2. 2 Kings 24:4; Jeremiah 22:3
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