Jeremiah 22:15
Shalt thou reign, because thou closest thyself in cedar? did not thy father eat and drink, and do judgment and justice, and then it was well with him?
Original Language Analysis
הֲתִֽמְלֹ֔ךְ
Shalt thou reign
H4427
הֲתִֽמְלֹ֔ךְ
Shalt thou reign
Strong's:
H4427
Word #:
1 of 15
to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
2 of 15
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
בָאָ֑רֶז
thyself in cedar
H730
בָאָ֑רֶז
thyself in cedar
Strong's:
H730
Word #:
5 of 15
a cedar tree (from the tenacity of its roots)
אָבִ֜יךָ
did not thy father
H1
אָבִ֜יךָ
did not thy father
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
6 of 15
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
הֲל֧וֹא
H3808
הֲל֧וֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
7 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
וְעָשָׂ֤ה
and do
H6213
וְעָשָׂ֤ה
and do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
10 of 15
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
מִשְׁפָּט֙
judgment
H4941
מִשְׁפָּט֙
judgment
Strong's:
H4941
Word #:
11 of 15
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
וּצְדָקָ֔ה
and justice
H6666
וּצְדָקָ֔ה
and justice
Strong's:
H6666
Word #:
12 of 15
rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity)
אָ֖ז
H227
Cross References
2 Kings 23:25And like unto him was there no king before him, that turned to the LORD with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him.Isaiah 3:10Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.Proverbs 25:5Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.Ecclesiastes 10:17Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for drunkenness!Proverbs 29:4The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.2 Kings 22:2And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in all the way of David his father, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left.Proverbs 21:3To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.Jeremiah 21:12O house of David, thus saith the LORD; Execute judgment in the morning, and deliver him that is spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor, lest my fury go out like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.Jeremiah 42:6Whether it be good, or whether it be evil, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God, to whom we send thee; that it may be well with us, when we obey the voice of the LORD our God.1 Kings 10:9Blessed be the LORD thy God, which delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel: because the LORD loved Israel for ever, therefore made he thee king, to do judgment and justice.
Historical Context
Josiah (640-609 BC) was Judah's last good king, remembered for discovering the book of the law and instituting reforms (2 Kings 22-23). His son Jehoiakim (609-598 BC) reversed these reforms, oppressed the people to fund his building projects, and murdered the prophet Uriah (26:20-23). God contrasts these two kings to show what authentic versus counterfeit faith looks like: Josiah knew God and it showed in his justice; Jehoiakim claimed to serve God but his oppression proved he didn't truly know God.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this passage challenge the notion that knowing God is primarily about correct doctrine or emotional experience?
- What would it look like practically to 'judge the cause of the poor and needy' as evidence of knowing God?
- In what ways might we claim to know God while our treatment of vulnerable people contradicts that claim?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God contrasts wicked King Jehoiakim with his father Josiah: 'Did not thy father eat and drink, and do judgment and justice, and then it was well with him? He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well with him: was not this to know me? saith the LORD' (vv. 15-16). This revolutionary statement equates knowing God with doing justice, especially for the poor and needy. Knowing God is not merely intellectual assent to doctrines or emotional religious experience—it is demonstrated through righteous living and compassionate treatment of the vulnerable.
The phrase 'was not this to know me?' defines knowledge of God as practical righteousness rather than mystical experience. James echoes this: 'faith without works is dead' (James 2:26). John writes, 'He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar' (1 John 2:4). True knowledge of God transforms behavior, particularly toward those who cannot repay—the poor, needy, widow, orphan, and stranger whom God repeatedly commands His people to protect and provide for.
Jehoiakim represents false religion: maintaining external forms while oppressing the poor and pursuing selfish ambition. Josiah represents true religion: seeking God's kingdom and justice, with personal prosperity following as blessing rather than being pursued as primary goal (Matthew 6:33). This passage judges much contemporary Christianity that divorces personal piety from social justice or emphasizes mystical experience while tolerating injustice.