Jeremiah 22:1

¶ Thus saith the LORD; Go down to the house of the king of Judah, and speak there this word,

Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}; Go down {H3381} to the house {H1004} of the king {H4428} of Judah {H3063}, and speak {H1696} there this word {H1697},

ADONAI said, "Go down to the house of the king of Y'hudah and there speak this word:

This is what the LORD says: “Go down to the palace of the king of Judah and proclaim this message there,

Thus said Jehovah: Go down to the house of the king of Judah, and speak there this word,

Jeremiah 22:1 opens a significant prophetic oracle directed by the LORD through Jeremiah to the reigning king of Judah and his household. This verse sets the stage for a powerful divine message concerning justice, righteousness, and the consequences of royal misconduct.

Historical and Cultural Context

The prophet Jeremiah ministered during a tumultuous period in the southern kingdom of Judah, spanning the reigns of several kings, including Josiah, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah. This era was marked by political instability, spiritual decline, and the looming threat of the Babylonian Empire. The phrase "Go down to the house of the king of Judah" indicates that Jeremiah was commanded to deliver this urgent message directly to the royal palace in Jerusalem, a place of power and authority. This direct confrontation highlights the gravity of the situation and God's unwavering expectation of justice from those in leadership, especially as the nation teetered on the brink of exile.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Authority: The opening phrase, "Thus saith the LORD" (Hebrew: koh amar Yahweh), is a classic prophetic formula emphasizing that the message is not Jeremiah's own opinion but a direct, authoritative word from God himself. This underscores the divine origin and binding nature of the upcoming prophecy.
  • Prophetic Responsibility: Jeremiah is commanded to "speak there this word," illustrating the prophet's crucial role as a messenger of God, even when the message is unpopular or challenging to those in power. His duty was to faithfully declare God's will, regardless of the personal cost.
  • Accountability of Rulers: This verse immediately signals that the subsequent prophecy will address the conduct of the king and his administration. It sets the stage for a divine judgment on the leadership of Judah, reminding them that their position of authority comes with immense responsibility before God. The following verses in Jeremiah 22:3-5 detail the specific commands for justice and righteousness that the kings had failed to uphold.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase כֹּה אָמַר יְהוָה (koh amar Yahweh), translated "Thus saith the LORD," is a powerful declaration found throughout prophetic literature. It serves to authenticate the message as divine revelation, leaving no doubt that the words spoken are God's own, not merely human wisdom or opinion.

Related Scriptures

The theme of prophets speaking God's word to kings is pervasive in the Old Testament. For instance, Nathan confronted King David in 2 Samuel 12:7, and Elijah challenged King Ahab in 1 Kings 18:18. These instances highlight the consistent expectation from God for righteous leadership and the prophetic role in calling rulers to account. The consequences of rejecting God's word, as later seen in Judah's exile, are a recurring motif throughout the prophetic books, including Jeremiah 25:9.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 22:1 reminds us that God holds leaders, whether in government, business, or the church, accountable for their actions and for how they exercise their authority. The divine command to "speak this word" encourages believers to have the courage to uphold truth and righteousness, even when it means challenging established powers. It also underscores the importance of justice and compassion for the vulnerable, themes central to God's heart and frequently neglected by the kings of Judah as detailed in the subsequent verses of this chapter. Ultimately, this verse calls us to consider how we respond to God's word when it challenges our own comfort or position, just as it challenged the king of Judah.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Jeremiah 34:2

    Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; Go and speak to Zedekiah king of Judah, and tell him, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall burn it with fire:

  • Hosea 5:1

    ¶ Hear ye this, O priests; and hearken, ye house of Israel; and give ye ear, O house of the king; for judgment [is] toward you, because ye have been a snare on Mizpah, and a net spread upon Tabor.

  • Mark 6:18

    For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife.

  • Amos 7:13

    But prophesy not again any more at Bethel: for it [is] the king's chapel, and it [is] the king's court.

  • 2 Chronicles 25:15

    Wherefore the anger of the LORD was kindled against Amaziah, and he sent unto him a prophet, which said unto him, Why hast thou sought after the gods of the people, which could not deliver their own people out of thine hand?

  • 2 Chronicles 25:16

    And it came to pass, as he talked with him, that [the king] said unto him, Art thou made of the king's counsel? forbear; why shouldest thou be smitten? Then the prophet forbare, and said, I know that God hath determined to destroy thee, because thou hast done this, and hast not hearkened unto my counsel.

  • 2 Chronicles 19:2

    And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore [is] wrath upon thee from before the LORD.

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