Jeremiah 22:16

16 iudicavit causam pauperis et egeni in bonum suum numquid non ideo quia cognovit me dicit Dominus

Jeremiah 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.''

Jeremiah 22:16 In-Context

14 qui dicit aedificabo mihi domum latam et cenacula spatiosa qui aperit sibi fenestras et facit laquearia cedrina pingitque sinopide
15 numquid regnabis quoniam confers te cedro pater tuus numquid non comedit et bibit et fecit iudicium et iustitiam tunc cum bene erat ei
16 iudicavit causam pauperis et egeni in bonum suum numquid non ideo quia cognovit me dicit Dominus
17 tui vero oculi et cor ad avaritiam et ad sanguinem innocentem fundendum et ad calumniam et ad cursum mali operis
18 propterea haec dicit Dominus ad Ioachim filium Iosiae regem Iuda non plangent eum vae frater et vae fratres non concrepabunt ei vae domine et vae inclite
The Latin Vulgate is in the public domain.