Read & explore together
A Warning about Jehoiakim
Jeremiah 22:13–23 warns Jehoiakim that royal luxury built on injustice is hateful to Yahweh. The passage contrasts selfish rule with justice for the poor and shows that ignored warnings lead to shame.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
This prophecy speaks concerning Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah. It begins with a woe against unjust building and unpaid labour, compares him with his father’s just rule, and then announces disgrace, loss and distress because he would not listen to Yahweh.
Jeremiah 22:13–23Main takeaway
This passage teaches that knowing Yahweh is shown in justice and care for the needy, not in proud displays built through wrongdoing.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Woe on unjust buildingThe passage opens with “Woe” against one who builds by unrighteousness and injustice. The wrong is clearly named: he uses his neighbour’s service without wages.
Explanation
The passage opens with “Woe” against one who builds by unrighteousness and injustice. The wrong is clearly named: he uses his neighbour’s service without wages. The wide house, spacious rooms, windows, cedar ceiling and red paint show luxury, but the rebuke focuses on how it was gained.
02What good rule looks likeYahweh asks whether ruling is proved by striving after cedar. Jehoiakim’s father is the contrast: he ate and drank, yet did justice and righteousness.
Explanation
Yahweh asks whether ruling is proved by striving after cedar. Jehoiakim’s father is the contrast: he ate and drank, yet did justice and righteousness. He judged the cause of the poor and needy, and Yahweh says this was to know him. In this passage, knowing Yahweh is tied to just action.
03The charge against JehoiakimThe problem is not only outward building but inward direction. Jehoiakim’s eyes and heart are said to be only for covetousness, shedding innocent blood, oppression and violence.
Explanation
The problem is not only outward building but inward direction. Jehoiakim’s eyes and heart are said to be only for covetousness, shedding innocent blood, oppression and violence. The passage names both desire and deed, showing why Yahweh’s warning against his rule is so severe.
04Disgrace after refused warningsYahweh says Jehoiakim will not be mourned with honour and will have a disgraceful burial. Then the passage calls the hearer to cry out, because “all your lovers” are destroyed, “your shepherds” are swept away, and those lovers go into captivity.
Explanation
Yahweh says Jehoiakim will not be mourned with honour and will have a disgraceful burial. Then the passage calls the hearer to cry out, because “all your lovers” are destroyed, “your shepherds” are swept away, and those lovers go into captivity. Yahweh says, “I spoke to you in your prosperity,” but “you” would not listen, so shame and pains will come.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What exactly makes the building project wicked in this passage?
The text points to unrighteousness, injustice and refusing wages to a neighbour, not simply to having a large or decorated house.
02How does this passage describe knowing Yahweh?
Look at the link between knowing Yahweh and doing justice and righteousness, especially for the poor and needy.
03What details show that the coming judgement is both deserved and painful?
Notice the refused warning in prosperity, the shame, captivity, lack of lament and the image of pains coming like labour.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Jeremiah 22:13–23
13“Woe to him who builds his house by unrighteousness, and his rooms by injustice; who uses his neighbor’s service without wages, and doesn’t give him his hire;
14who says, ‘I will build myself a wide house and spacious rooms,’ and cuts out windows for himself, with a cedar ceiling, and painted with red.
15“Should you reign because you strive to excel in cedar? Didn’t your father eat and drink, and do justice and righteousness? Then it was well with him.
16He judged the cause of the poor and needy; so then it was well. Wasn’t this to know me?” says Yahweh.
17But your eyes and your heart are only for your covetousness, for shedding innocent blood, for oppression, and for doing violence.”
18Therefore Yahweh says concerning Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah: “They won’t lament for him, saying, ‘Ah my brother!’ or, ‘Ah sister!’ They won’t lament for him, saying ‘Ah lord!’ or, ‘Ah his glory!’
19He will be buried with the burial of a donkey, drawn and cast out beyond the gates of Jerusalem.”
20“Go up to Lebanon, and cry out. Lift up your voice in Bashan, and cry from Abarim; for all your lovers have been destroyed.
21I spoke to you in your prosperity, but you said, ‘I will not listen.’ This has been your way from your youth, that you didn’t obey my voice.
22The wind will feed all your shepherds, and your lovers will go into captivity. Surely then you will be ashamed and confounded for all your wickedness.
23Inhabitant of Lebanon, who makes your nest in the cedars, how greatly to be pitied you will be when pangs come on you, the pain as of a woman in travail!