Yirmeyah 22:16

16 He defended the cause of the oni (poor) and evyon (needy); then it was tov (well) with him; was not this to have da’as of Me? saith Hashem.

Yirmeyah 22:16 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 22:16

He judged the cause of the poor and needy
Who could not defend themselves against the rich and the mighty; he took their cause in hand, and, having heard it, determined it in their favour, and did them justice, as princes and civil magistrates ought to do: then [it was] well [with him];
this is repeated, not only to show the certainty of it, but that it might be observed, and his example followed: [was] not this to know me? saith the Lord;
it is not by words only, but by deeds, that men show that they know the Lord; for some in words profess to know him, who in works deny him; when princes do the duty of their office, they thereby declare that they know and own the Lord, by, and under whom, they reign; that they have the fear of him before their eyes; this is a practical knowledge of him, and is well pleasing to him. The Targum is,

``is not this the knowledge with which I am well pleased? saith the Lord.''

Yirmeyah 22:16 In-Context

14 That saith, I will build me a large bais (mansion) and spacious aliyyot (upper rooms), and cutteth him out chalonot (windows); and panel it with erez (cedar), and paint with bright red.

15 Shalt thou reign, because thou enclose thyself in erez (cedar)? Did not Avicha eat and drink, and do mishpat and tzedakah, and then it was tov (well) with him?

16 He defended the cause of the oni (poor) and evyon (needy); then it was tov (well) with him; was not this to have da’as of Me? saith Hashem.

17 But thine eynayim (eyes) and thine lev are but for thy betza (covetousness, greed) and for to shed dahm hanaki (innocent blood), and for oshek (oppression), and for merutzah (extortion, persecution), to do it.

18 Therefore thus saith Hashem concerning Y’hoyakim Ben Yoshiyah Melech Yehudah: They shall not mourn for him, saying, Ah achi! Or, Ah achot (sister)! They shall not lament for him, saying, Ah adon! Or, Ah his hod (glory)!