Jeremias 22:6

6 For thus saith the Lord concerning the house of the king of Juda; Thou art Galaad to me, the head of Libanus: surely I will make thee a desert, cities that shall not be inhabited:

Jeremias 22:6 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 22:6

For thus saith the Lord unto the king's house of Judah
That is, to the family of the king of Judah; though it may be rendered, "concerning the house of the king of Judah" ^F26; and so refer to his palace as before: thou [art] Gilead unto me, [and] the head of Lebanon;
or, though like to Gilead (which was a very fruitful country) for wealth, riches, and all kind of valuable things; and like to the top of Mount Lebanon ^F1, being set with tall cedars, for stateliness. So the Targum is,

``although thou art beloved before me more than the sanctuary, which is high upon the top of the mountains:''

or thou shall be as Gilead, and Mount Lebanon, which belonged to the ten tribes of Israel, and are put for the whole kingdom of Israel, which was wasted by the king of Assyria; and in like condition should the royal palace at Jerusalem be, notwithstanding all its riches and grandeur, and so the city and temple likewise; as follows: [yet] surely I will make thee a wilderness, [and] cities [which] are
not inhabited;
though as fruitful as Gilead, yet shall become like a barren desert; and though full of children, courtiers, princes, and nobles, yet shall be like cities quite depopulated: or, "if I do not make thee" ^F2 it is in the form of an oath, as Kimchi and Ben Melech observe; and to be supplied thus, if I do not do as I have said, let me never be believed; let me be reckoned a liar, or not thought to be God, and the like. It shows the certain accomplishment of these things.

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FOOTNOTES:

F26 (Klm tyb le) "de domo regis", Cocceius, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.
F1 (Nwnblh var yl hta delg) "velut Gilead, ut caput Libani", Junius & Tremellius.
F2 (Ktyva al Ma) "si non posuero te", Vatablus, Pagninus, Montanus, Schmidt.

Jeremias 22:6 In-Context

4 For if ye will indeed perform this word, then shall there enter in by the gates of this house kings sitting upon the throne of David, and riding on chariots and horses, they, and their servants, and their people.

5 But if ye will not perform these words, by myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, that this house shall be to desolation.

6 For thus saith the Lord concerning the house of the king of Juda; Thou art Galaad to me, the head of Libanus: surely I will make thee a desert, cities that shall not be inhabited:

7 and I will bring upon thee a destroying man, and his axe: and they shall cut down thy choice cedars, and cast into the fire.

8 And nations shall pass through this city, and each shall say to his neighbour, Why has the Lord done thus to this great city?