Jeremiah 22:15
Jeremiah 22:15 in Multiple Translations
Does it make you a king to excel in cedar? Did not your father have food and drink? He administered justice and righteousness, and so it went well with him.
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?
Shalt thou reign, because thou strivest to excel in cedar? Did not thy father eat and drink, and do justice and righteousness? then it was well with him.
Are you to be a king because you make more use of cedar than your father? did not your father take food and drink and do right, judging in righteousness, and then it was well for him?
Does it make you a king just because you have more cedar than anyone else? Your father had food and drink, didn't he? He ruled fairly and honestly, and he had a good life because of this.
Shalt thou reigne, because thou closest thy selfe in cedar? did not thy father eate and drinke and prosper, when he executed iudgement and iustice?
Dost thou reign, because thou art fretting thyself in cedar? Thy father — did he not eat and drink? Yea, he did judgment and righteousness, Then [it is] well with him.
“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.
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?
Shalt thou reign, because thou comparest thyself to the cedar? did not thy father eat and drink, and do judgment and justice, and it was then well with him?
But it is certainly not [RHQ] having a beautiful cedar palace that causes a king to be great! Jehoiakim’s father, Josiah, also had [RHQ] plenty of things to eat and drink. But Josiah always did things that are right and just, and that is why God blessed him.
Berean Amplified Bible — Jeremiah 22:15
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Jeremiah 22:15 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Hebrew Word Reference — Jeremiah 22:15
Study Notes — Jeremiah 22:15
- Context
- Cross References
- Jeremiah 22:15 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 22:15
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 22:15
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 22:15
- Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 22:15
- Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 22:15
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 22:15
- Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 22:15
- Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 22:15
- Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 22:15
- Sermons on Jeremiah 22:15
Context — A Warning about Jehoiakim
15Does it make you a king to excel in cedar? Did not your father have food and drink? He administered justice and righteousness, and so it went well with him.
16He took up the cause of the poor and needy, and so it went well with him. Is this not what it means to know Me?” declares the LORD. 17“But your eyes and heart are set on nothing except your own dishonest gain, on shedding innocent blood, on practicing extortion and oppression.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Kings 23:25 | Neither before nor after Josiah was there any king like him, who turned to the LORD with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, according to all the Law of Moses. |
| 2 | Isaiah 3:10 | Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their labor. |
| 3 | Ecclesiastes 10:17 | Blessed are you, O land whose king is a son of nobles, and whose princes feast at the proper time— for strength and not for drunkenness. |
| 4 | Proverbs 25:5 | Remove the wicked from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness. |
| 5 | Proverbs 29:4 | By justice a king brings stability to the land, but a man who exacts tribute demolishes it. |
| 6 | 2 Kings 22:2 | And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and walked in all the ways of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right or to the left. |
| 7 | Psalms 128:1–2 | Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in His ways! For when you eat the fruit of your labor, blessings and prosperity will be yours. |
| 8 | Jeremiah 42:6 | Whether it is pleasant or unpleasant, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God to whom we are sending you, so that it may go well with us, for we will obey the voice of the LORD our God!” |
| 9 | Proverbs 21:3 | To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice. |
| 10 | 1 Kings 10:9 | Blessed be the LORD your God, who has delighted in you to set you on the throne of Israel. Because of the LORD’s eternal love for Israel, He has made you king to carry out justice and righteousness.” |
Jeremiah 22:15 Summary
This verse is saying that being a true leader is not just about having nice things or being powerful, but about treating others fairly and doing what is right (Jeremiah 22:15, Micah 6:8). The king's father is an example of someone who did this, and as a result, he was blessed. We can learn from his example by prioritizing justice and righteousness in our own lives, and seeking to serve others rather than just ourselves (Matthew 20:26-28). By doing so, we can experience the blessing of God in our own lives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main point of Jeremiah 22:15?
The main point of Jeremiah 22:15 is that true greatness is not measured by external displays of wealth or power, but by a heart that administers justice and righteousness, as seen in the example of the king's father (Jeremiah 22:15, Psalm 72:1-2).
What does it mean to 'excel in cedar'?
To 'excel in cedar' refers to the luxurious use of cedar wood in building and decorating palaces, as mentioned in Jeremiah 22:14, which was a symbol of wealth and power in ancient times (1 Kings 7:2-3, Song of Solomon 1:17).
How does this verse relate to the concept of true leadership?
This verse highlights that true leadership is not about personal gain or external displays of power, but about serving others and administering justice and righteousness, as emphasized in Jeremiah 22:15 and Proverbs 29:4.
What is the significance of the king's father in this verse?
The king's father is mentioned as an example of a leader who administered justice and righteousness, and as a result, it went well with him (Jeremiah 22:15), illustrating the importance of humility and a heart that seeks to serve others, as seen in Matthew 20:26-28.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can prioritize justice and righteousness in my own life, just like the king's father?
- How can I avoid the temptation to measure my own greatness by external displays of wealth or power?
- In what ways can I use my own resources and influence to serve others and administer justice and righteousness?
- What would it look like for me to 'excel' in serving others, rather than just seeking to excel in my own pursuits?
Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 22:15
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 22:15
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 22:15
Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 22:15
Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 22:15
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 22:15
Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 22:15
Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 22:15
Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 22:15
Sermons on Jeremiah 22:15
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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To Know God by Erlo Stegen | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of accepting God's invitation to engage with Him. He warns that rejecting this proposal will lead to damnation and eternal se |
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Day 12, Matthew 12 by David Servant | David Servant preaches on Jesus' actions on the Sabbath, highlighting how He had a better understanding of God's commandments motivated by love, unlike the Pharisees who burdened p |
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Day 226, Hebrews 8 by David Servant | David Servant preaches on the transition from the old covenant to the new covenant, emphasizing the appointment of a perpetual high priest after the order of Melchizedek, signifyin |
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Like Unto Josiah Was There by F.B. Meyer | F.B. Meyer emphasizes the transformative reign of King Josiah, who undertook a thorough cleansing of idolatry and sin from the land, leading to a Passover celebration unlike any se |
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(The Word for Today) Isaiah 3:10 - Part 3 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, Pastor Chuck discusses the contrasting themes of judgment and hope found in the book of Isaiah. He highlights the corruption and oppression of the leaders of Israel |
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Say Ye to the Righteous, That It Shall Be Well With Him by C.H. Spurgeon | C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes that it is always well with the righteous, regardless of their circumstances, whether in prosperity or persecution. He reassures believers that God's promi |
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When the Wicked Shall Have Filled Up the Measure of Their Sin, Wrath Will Come Upon Them to the Uttermost by Jonathan Edwards | Jonathan Edwards preaches about the consequences of continuing in sin and filling up the measure of one's sins, leading to the ultimate wrath of God coming upon them to the uttermo |






