Jeremiah 22:1-6

1 haec dicit Dominus descende in domum regis Iuda et loqueris ibi verbum hoc

2 et dices audi verbum Domini rex Iuda qui sedes super solium David tu et servi tui et populus tuus qui ingredimini per portas istas

3 haec dicit Dominus facite iudicium et iustitiam et liberate vi oppressum de manu calumniatoris et advenam et pupillum et viduam nolite contristare neque opprimatis inique et sanguinem innocentem ne effundatis in loco isto

4 si enim facientes feceritis verbum istud ingredientur per portas domus huius reges sedentes de genere David super thronum eius et ascendentes currus et equos ipsi et servi et populus eorum

5 quod si non audieritis verba haec in memet ipso iuravi dicit Dominus quia in solitudinem erit domus haec

6 quia haec dicit Dominus super domum regis Iuda Galaad tu mihi caput Libani si non posuero te solitudinem urbes inhabitabiles

Jeremiah 22:1-6 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JEREMIAH 22

This chapter is a prophecy of what should befall the sons of Josiah, Jehoahaz or Shallum; Jehoiakim and Jeconiah. It begins with an exhortation to the then reigning prince, Jehoiakim, his family and court, to do justice, relieve the oppressed, and refrain from doing injury to any; with a promise of prosperity upon so doing, Jer 22:1-4; but, on the contrary behaviour, the king's family, however precious they had been in the sight of the Lord, should be destroyed, by persons described as fit for such work, which would occasion others to inquire the cause of such destruction; when it would be told them, it was for their apostasy from the Lord, their breaking covenant with him, and their idolatry, Jer 22:5-9; then of Shallum, who was then carried captive, it is predicted that he should never return more, which was matter of greater lamentation than the death of his father Josiah, Jer 22:10-12; next Jehoiakim, the present king on the throne, is reproved, and a woe denounced upon him for his injustice, luxury, covetousness, rapine, and murders, Jer 22:13-17; and it is particularly threatened that he should die unlamented, and have no burial, Jer 22:18,19; and then the people of the land are called upon to mourning and lamentation, their kings one after another being carried captive, Jer 22:20-23; also Jeconiah the king's son, and who succeeded him, is threatened with rejection from the Lord, and a delivery of him up into the hand of the king of Babylon, with exile in a strange country, and death there, and that without children; so that Solomon's line should cease in him, Jer 22:24-30.