Jeremiah 22:2
And say, Hear the word of the LORD, O king of Judah, that sittest upon the throne of David, thou, and thy servants, and thy people that enter in by these gates:
Original Language Analysis
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Historical Context
Jeremiah 22 contains prophecies against multiple kings: Shallum/Jehoahaz (vv. 11-12), Jehoiakim (vv. 13-19), and Coniah/Jehoiachin (vv. 24-30). This opening address applies broadly to the royal house during Jeremiah's ministry (626-586 BC). The reference to 'these gates' suggests the palace entrance where official business was conducted. Ancient Near Eastern palace gates were sites of judicial proceedings and royal decrees. By summoning the entire royal establishment—king, officials, and courtiers—Jeremiah emphasizes that the covenant lawsuit is comprehensive. The 'throne of David' had theological significance: God promised David an everlasting dynasty (2 Samuel 7:16), but this was conditional on obedience (1 Kings 9:4-7). The late monarchy's failure to heed prophetic warnings led to the exile and temporary cessation of Davidic rule, though the promise found ultimate fulfillment in Christ, the eternal son of David (Luke 1:32-33).
Questions for Reflection
- How does the phrase 'that sittest upon the throne of David' function as both reminder of privilege and warning of conditional covenant?
- What does the inclusion of 'thy servants, and thy people' teach about the corporate nature of leadership responsibility and national guilt?
- How does this summons to hear God's word challenge modern assumptions about separation between religious and political authority?
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Analysis & Commentary
Hear the word of the LORD, O king of Judah, that sittest upon the throne of David—Jeremiah addresses the reigning monarch (likely Jehoiakim or Zedekiah) with the covenant formula shema debar-YHWH (שְׁמַע דְּבַר־יְהוָה), 'hear the word of the LORD.' The phrase that sittest upon the throne of David (hayoshev al-kisei David, הַיּוֹשֵׁב עַל־כִּסֵּא דָוִד) is not honorific but accusatory: it reminds the king that his throne derives from the Davidic covenant (2 Samuel 7:12-16), which promised perpetual dynasty only through obedience. The present participle 'sittest' emphasizes current occupation—he sits there now, but will he continue?
Thou, and thy servants, and thy people that enter in by these gates extends covenant accountability beyond the individual king to his administration and subjects. The avadim (עֲבָדִים, 'servants') are royal officials, and 'thy people' (ammecha, עַמְּךָ) are those who have access to the palace gates. This inclusive address establishes collective responsibility: the king's sin corrupts his court, and the court corrupts the nation. Proverbs 29:12 warns, 'If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.' The summons to the palace gates recalls Deuteronomy 17:14-20, the Torah's charter for kingship, which the Davidic kings systematically violated.