Jeremiah 22:5
But if ye will not hear these words, I swear by myself, saith the LORD, that this house shall become a desolation.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
This divine oath, sworn 'by myself,' is theologically momentous. In ancient Near Eastern treaties, oaths were sworn by deity to guarantee covenant terms. Here God swears by Himself because there is no higher authority. The prophecy's fulfillment came exactly as sworn: Nebuchadnezzar's forces destroyed Jerusalem in 586 BC, burning both temple and palace (2 Kings 25:8-9). Archaeological excavations in the City of David have uncovered massive destruction layers from this period, with ash, arrowheads, and collapsed structures testifying to the Babylonian conquest. The 'desolation' was so complete that Nehemiah, returning 142 years later, found Jerusalem still largely in ruins (Nehemiah 2:13-17). The oath's fulfillment vindicated Jeremiah's authenticity as prophet and demonstrated that God's word, once sworn, is irrevocable. It also established the principle that covenant unfaithfulness brings certain judgment, regardless of presumed privileges like Davidic lineage or temple presence.
Questions for Reflection
- What does God's self-oath reveal about the absolute certainty of His word and the seriousness of covenant disobedience?
- How does the phrase 'if ye will not hear' connect to the Shema and frame obedience as the essence of covenant relationship?
- What comfort and warning does this oath provide regarding God's character: that He cannot lie, but also will not tolerate persistent rebellion?
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Analysis & Commentary
But if ye will not hear these words—the Hebrew im lo tishme'u (אִם לֹא תִשְׁמְעוּ) recalls the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4), making disobedience not mere political failure but covenant apostasy. To 'not hear' is to refuse covenant loyalty, the fundamental breach of Israel's relationship with YHWH. I swear by myself, saith the LORD (bi nishba'ti ne'um-YHWH, בִּי נִשְׁבַּעְתִּי נְאֻם־יְהוָה)—this is the most solemn oath possible. Hebrews 6:13 explains, 'For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself.' God stakes His own character on the certainty of judgment. This self-oath appears rarely: to Abraham (Genesis 22:16), regarding Eli's house (1 Samuel 3:14), and here.
That this house shall become a desolation (ki-lechorbah yihyeh habayit hazeh, כִּי־לְחָרְבָּה יִהְיֶה הַבַּיִת הַזֶּה)—'this house' is the royal palace, but by extension the entire Davidic establishment. The word chorbah (חָרְבָּה) denotes complete ruin, abandonment, a heap of rubble. Isaiah used the same term for Babylon's coming destruction (Isaiah 13:22). The certainty is absolute: divine oath guarantees it. This fulfilled literally in 586 BC when Nebuchadnezzar burned the royal palace (2 Kings 25:9).