Jeremiah 22:17

17 "But your eyes and your mind are set on nothing but dishonest profits. You kill innocent people and violently oppress your people."

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 think you're a better king than others because you use more cedar? Your father ate and drank and did what is fair and right. Everything went well for him.

16 He defended the cause of the poor and needy. Everything went well for him. Isn't this what it means to know me?" asks the LORD.

17 "But your eyes and your mind are set on nothing but dishonest profits. You kill innocent people and violently oppress your people."

18 This is what the LORD says about Jehoiakim, son of Judah's King Josiah: People won't mourn for him and say, "How horrible it is for my brother and sister!" They won't mourn for him and say, "How horrible it is for my master and his splendor!"

19 He will receive a donkey's burial. He will be dragged off and thrown outside the gates of Jerusalem.