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Home › Berean Standard Bible  › Jeremiah 22  › Jeremiah 22:16

Jeremiah 22:16

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Jeremiah 22:16 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

He 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.

King James Version KJV

He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well with him: was not this to know me? saith the LORD.

American Standard Version ASV

He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well. Was not this to know me? saith Jehovah.

Bible in Basic English BBE

He was judge in the cause of the poor and those in need; then it was well. Was not this to have knowledge of me? says the Lord.

Free Bible Version FBV

He defended the poor and those in need, and so things went well. Isn't this what knowing me really means? declares the Lord.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

When he iudged the cause of the afflicted and the poore, he prospered: was not this because he knewe me, saith the Lord?

Young's Literal Translation YLT

He decided the cause of the poor and needy, Then [it is] well — is it not to know Me? An affirmation of Jehovah.

World English Bible WEB

He judged the cause of the poor and needy; so then it was well. Wasn’t this to know me?” says the LORD.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well with him : was not this to know me? saith the LORD.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

He judged the cause of the poor and needy for his own good: was it not therefore because he knew me, saith the Lord?

Translation for Translators T4T

Josiah acted justly/fairly and helped poor and needy people, so things went well for him. Yahweh says, “That is [RHQ] the way a person should behave who knows me.

Study Highlights

Key words in the translations above are automatically highlighted. Names of God and Jesus are marked in purple, the Holy Spirit in orange, divine action verbs are underlined, and repeated key words are highlighted in yellow.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Jeremiah 22:16

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Jeremiah 22:16 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB דָּ֛ן דִּין עָנִ֥י וְ/אֶבְי֖וֹן אָ֣ז ט֑וֹב הֲ/לוֹא הִ֛יא הַ/דַּ֥עַת אֹתִ֖/י נְאֻם יְהוָֽה
דָּ֛ן dîyn H1777 to judge V-Qal-Perf-3ms
דִּין dîyn H1779 judgment N-ms
עָנִ֥י ʻânîy H6041 afflicted Adj
וְ/אֶבְי֖וֹן ʼebyôwn H34 needy Conj | Adj
אָ֣ז ʼâz H227 then Adv
ט֑וֹב ṭôwb H2896 pleasant Adj
הֲ/לוֹא lôʼ H3808 not Part | Part
הִ֛יא hûwʼ H1931 he/she/it Pron
הַ/דַּ֥עַת daʻath H1847 knowledge Art | N-fs
אֹתִ֖/י ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM | Suff
נְאֻם nᵉʼum H5002 utterance N-ms
יְהוָֽה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 The Lord N-proper
Hebrew Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

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Hebrew Word Reference — Jeremiah 22:16

דָּ֛ן dîyn H1777 "to judge" V-Qal-Perf-3ms
To judge or plead a cause is the meaning of this Hebrew word, used to describe acting as a judge or governing.
Definition: 1) to judge, contend, plead 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to act as judge, minister judgment 1a2) to plead a cause 1a3) to execute judgment, requite, vindicate 1a4) to govern 1a5) to contend, strive 1b) (Niphal) to be at strife, quarrel Aramaic equivalent: din (דִּין "to judge" H1778)
Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: (come) with a straight course. See also: Genesis 6:3; Psalms 72:2; Psalms 7:9.
דִּין dîyn H1779 "judgment" N-ms
Judgment or a legal suit is the meaning of this word, used to describe a cause, plea, or dispute in the Bible.
Definition: 1) judgment 1a) judgment 1b) cause, plea 1c) condemnation, judgment 1d) dispute, legal suit, strife 1e) government Aramaic equivalent: din (דִּין "judgment" H1780)
Usage: Occurs in 17 OT verses. KJV: cause, judgement, plea, strife. See also: Deuteronomy 17:8; Proverbs 20:8; Psalms 9:5.
עָנִ֥י ʻânîy H6041 "afflicted" Adj
This word describes someone who is depressed, humble, or weak, often due to difficult circumstances, as described in the Psalms and other biblical books.
Definition: 1) poor, afflicted, humble, wretched 1a) poor, needy 1b) poor and weak 1c) poor, weak, afflicted, wretched 1d) humble, lowly
Usage: Occurs in 77 OT verses. KJV: afflicted, humble, lowly, needy, poor. See also: Exodus 22:24; Psalms 88:16; Psalms 9:13.
וְ/אֶבְי֖וֹן ʼebyôwn H34 "needy" Conj | Adj
This Hebrew word describes someone who is needy or poor, often oppressed and in need of help from God. It appears in the Bible to describe those who are vulnerable and in need of deliverance. In the KJV, it is translated as beggar, needy, or poor man.
Definition: 1) in want, needy, chiefly poor, needy person 2) subject to oppression and abuse 3) needing help, deliverance from trouble, especially as delivered by God 4) general reference to lowest class
Usage: Occurs in 58 OT verses. KJV: beggar, needy, poor (man). See also: Exodus 23:6; Psalms 107:41; Psalms 9:19.
אָ֣ז ʼâz H227 "then" Adv
This Hebrew word refers to a past time or place, often used to describe something that happened earlier. It can also be used as a conjunction to show a cause-and-effect relationship. In the Bible, it appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah.
Definition: 1) then, at that time 1a) temporal expressions 1a1) then (past) 1a2) then, if...then (future) 1a3) earlier 1b) logical expressions 1b1) in that case 1b2) that (being so)
Usage: Occurs in 133 OT verses. KJV: beginning, for, from, hitherto, now, of old, once, since, then, at which time, yet. See also: Genesis 4:26; 1 Chronicles 22:13; Psalms 2:5.
ט֑וֹב ṭôwb H2896 "pleasant" Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means good or welfare, describing something that is beneficial or pleasing, like a good deed or a happy time. It is used in many contexts, including Genesis and Psalms. This word is often translated as 'good' or 'beautiful'.
Definition: adj 1) good, pleasant, agreeable 1a) pleasant, agreeable (to the senses) 1b) pleasant (to the higher nature) 1c) good, excellent (of its kind) 1d) good, rich, valuable in estimation 1e) good, appropriate, becoming 1f) better (comparative) 1g) glad, happy, prosperous (of man's sensuous nature) 1h) good understanding (of man's intellectual nature) 1i) good, kind, benign 1j) good, right (ethical) Aramaic equivalent: tav (טָב "fine" H2869)
Usage: Occurs in 521 OT verses. KJV: beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, [idiom] fair (word), (be in) favour, fine, glad, good (deed, -lier, -liest, -ly, -ness, -s), graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving, merry, [idiom] most, pleasant, [phrase] pleaseth, pleasure, precious, prosperity, ready, sweet, wealth, welfare, (be) well(-favoured). See also: Genesis 1:4; Ruth 2:22; 2 Chronicles 3:8.
הֲ/לוֹא lôʼ H3808 "not" Part | Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
הִ֛יא hûwʼ H1931 "he/she/it" Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
הַ/דַּ֥עַת daʻath H1847 "knowledge" Art | N-fs
In the Bible, daath means knowledge or understanding, like when Solomon asked God for wisdom in 1 Kings 3:9. It involves skill and perception, and is often linked to wisdom. This concept appears in the book of Proverbs.
Definition: 1) knowledge 1a) knowledge, perception, skill 1b) discernment, understanding, wisdom
Usage: Occurs in 91 OT verses. KJV: cunning, (ig-) norantly, know(-ledge), (un-) awares (wittingly). See also: Genesis 2:9; Proverbs 14:7; Psalms 19:3.
אֹתִ֖/י ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM | Suff
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
נְאֻם nᵉʼum H5002 "utterance" N-ms
This word refers to an utterance or declaration from God, often through a prophet. It is used in the Bible to describe a revelation or message from God, like in Exodus or Numbers.
Definition: 1) (Qal) utterance, declaration (of prophet) 1a) utterance, declaration, revelation (of prophet in ecstatic state) 1b) utterance, declaration (elsewhere always preceding divine name)
Usage: Occurs in 358 OT verses. KJV: (hath) said, saith. See also: Genesis 22:16; Jeremiah 22:16; Psalms 36:2.
יְהוָֽה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 "The Lord" N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.

Study Notes — Jeremiah 22:16

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Jeremiah 9:24 But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, who exercises loving devotion, justice and righteousness on the earth— for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.
2 Isaiah 1:17 Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.”
3 1 John 2:3–4 By this we can be sure that we have come to know Him: if we keep His commandments. If anyone says, “I know Him,” but does not keep His commandments, he is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
4 Titus 1:16 They profess to know God, but by their actions they deny Him. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good deed.
5 Psalms 72:1–4 Endow the king with Your justice, O God, and the son of the king with Your righteousness. May he judge Your people with righteousness and Your afflicted with justice. May the mountains bring peace to the people, and the hills bring righteousness. May he vindicate the afflicted among the people; may he save the children of the needy and crush the oppressor.
6 Psalms 72:12–13 For he will deliver the needy who cry out and the afflicted who have no helper. He will take pity on the poor and needy and save the lives of the oppressed.
7 John 17:3 Now this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.
8 Jeremiah 9:16 I will scatter them among the nations that neither they nor their fathers have known, and I will send a sword after them until I have finished them off.”
9 Psalms 9:10 Those who know Your name trust in You, for You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.
10 Psalms 109:31 For He stands at the right hand of the needy one, to save him from the condemners of his soul.

Jeremiah 22:16 Summary

[This verse teaches us that truly knowing God means caring for those in need and standing up for what is right. When we do this, we can experience God's blessing and favor in our lives, as seen in Psalm 41:1-3. It's not just about what we believe, but about how we live out our faith in practical ways, like helping those in need and seeking justice. By following God's example and prioritizing the needs of others, we can demonstrate our love for Him and experience the joy of living a life that pleases Him, as mentioned in Matthew 25:31-46.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to 'know' God in Jeremiah 22:16?

To know God in this context means to have a deep understanding of His character and nature, and to demonstrate that knowledge through actions of justice, mercy, and compassion, as seen in Micah 6:8 and Matthew 25:31-46.

How can we apply the principle of taking up the cause of the poor and needy in our own lives?

We can apply this principle by being mindful of the needs of those around us, and taking action to help those in need, as taught in Proverbs 19:17 and Galatians 2:10.

What is the significance of the phrase 'so it went well with him' in Jeremiah 22:16?

This phrase indicates that when we prioritize the needs of the poor and needy, and seek to know God through our actions, we can experience God's blessing and favor in our lives, as seen in Psalm 41:1-3 and Acts 10:38.

How does this verse relate to the concept of social justice in the Bible?

This verse highlights the importance of social justice in the Bible, emphasizing that taking up the cause of the poor and needy is a key aspect of knowing and following God, as also seen in Isaiah 58:6-12 and Amos 5:24.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some ways I can take up the cause of the poor and needy in my own community, and how can I prioritize their needs in my daily life?
  2. How can I deepen my understanding of God's character and nature, and demonstrate that knowledge through my actions?
  3. What are some areas in my life where I can seek to administer justice and righteousness, as mentioned in Jeremiah 22:15, and how can I apply those principles in practical ways?
  4. What does it mean for 'it to go well' with me, and how can I experience God's blessing and favor in my life as I seek to follow Him?

Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 22:16

He judged the cause of the poor and needy,.... Who could not defend themselves against the rich and the mighty; he took their cause in hand, and, having heard it, determined it in their favour, and

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 22:16

He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well with him: was not this to know me? saith the LORD. Was not this to know me - namely, to show by deeds that one knows God's will, as was the case with Josiah (cf.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 22:16

He judged the cause of the poor and needy; by himself in person, for the kings of Israel and Judah often sat personally to judge causes; or by setting such judges as did it, administering justice impartially, particularly to such as in respect of their low condition were most exposed to the power of others: and doing thus he prospered. Was not this to know me? saith the Lord; this was for him truly to own and acknowledge me. They only truly know God who obey him; and men vainly pretend to piety who are notoriously defective in duties of justice and charity.

Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 22:16

Jeremiah 22:16 He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then [it was] well [with him: was] not this to know me? saith the LORD.Ver. 16. He judged the cause of the poor and needy.] And so took a right course, a thriving way. Was not this to know me? saith the Lord,] i.e., To show that he knew me soundly and savingly; while he exercised his general calling in his particular, and observed the first table of the decalogue in the second.

Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 22:16

(16) Was not this to know me?—The prophet, as a true witness of the law of righteousness, proclaims that the religious fame of Josiah rested not on his restoration of the Temple worship, nor on his suppression of idolatry, but much more on his faithfulness in his kingly work to the cause of righteousness and mercy. They only could know Him who, in this respect, strove to be like Him (1 John 3:2).

Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 22:16

13–19. See introd. summary to section. It probably belongs to the early years of Jehoiakim, but see on Jeremiah 22:18-19.

Sermons on Jeremiah 22:16

SermonDescription
Jackie Pullinger Just Vessels by Jackie Pullinger This sermon emphasizes the importance of ministering to the poor, highlighting how God chooses the weak and needy to shame the strong, and how reaching out to the poor can lead to
Jackie Pullinger Love Who You See by Jackie Pullinger In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of loving others and treating them with justice and equality. They share a personal experience of witnessing the vast differen
Jackie Pullinger Useful for the Master - Part 10 by Jackie Pullinger This sermon emphasizes the importance of Christians behaving like Jesus Christ to inspire belief in others. It discusses the need to reach out to the poor and marginalized, especia
Art Katz Identifying the True Prophet - Part 1 by Art Katz In this sermon, the speaker discusses the prophetic call and the role of a prophet in proclaiming God's message. He emphasizes the importance of a prophet being able to see and art
David Ravenhill Word & Spirit Conference, Session 4 by David Ravenhill David Ravenhill emphasizes the necessity of embracing both the Word of God and the Spirit of God in our lives, advocating for a balance that avoids the pitfalls of focusing solely
Walter Beuttler Manifest Presence of God - Part 5 by Walter Beuttler Walter Beuttler preaches on the importance of knowing and understanding the Lord, emphasizing that God delights in those who have a humble and grateful appreciation of Him. He shar
John Nelson Darby God's Wisdom in Christ 1 Corinthians 1 by John Nelson Darby John Nelson Darby emphasizes that the foolishness of man, including that of believers, serves to highlight God's wisdom. He explains that all human righteousness and pride are ulti
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