Jeremiah 22:14

KJV

That saith, I will build me a wide house and large chambers, and cutteth him out windows; and [it is] cieled with cedar, and painted with vermilion.

KJV (with Strong's)

That saith {H559}, I will build {H1129} me a wide {H4060} house {H1004} and large {H7304} chambers {H5944}, and cutteth him out {H7167} windows {H2474}; and it is cieled {H5603} with cedar {H730}, and painted {H4886} with vermilion {H8350}.

Complete Jewish Bible

who says, 'I will build me a spacious palace with airy upper rooms,' then makes windows and cedar panels painted with vermilion!

Berean Standard Bible

who says, ‘I will build myself a great palace, with spacious upper rooms.’ So he cuts windows in it, panels it with cedar, and paints it with vermilion.

American Standard Version

that saith, I will build me a wide house and spacious chambers, and cutteth him out windows; and it is ceiled with cedar, and painted with vermilion.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 22:14 vividly portrays the self-serving and oppressive building projects of an unrighteous king in Judah, most likely Jehoiakim. The verse exposes his insatiable desire for personal luxury and grandeur, manifested in the construction of an extravagant palace adorned with costly materials like cedar and vermilion. This ostentatious display of wealth stands in stark contrast to the divine mandate for justice and righteousness that God demanded from the nation's leaders, serving as a powerful indictment of leadership that prioritizes personal gain over the welfare of the people and adherence to divine law.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a broader prophetic oracle (Jeremiah 21:1-22:30) delivered by Jeremiah, specifically targeting the kings of Judah and the royal household. The immediate preceding verses (Jeremiah 22:1-5) lay out a clear covenantal expectation: if the king and his people execute justice and righteousness, the Davidic dynasty will continue to flourish. However, the tone shifts dramatically in Jeremiah 22:6-9, describing the desolation that will come upon Jerusalem due to their disobedience. Jeremiah 22:13 directly condemns King Jehoiakim for building his house "by unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong," specifically mentioning his failure to pay his laborers. Thus, verse 14 provides the detailed description of the very luxury that was acquired through such unjust means, setting the stage for the stark contrast with his righteous father Josiah (Jeremiah 22:15-16) and the pronouncement of Jehoiakim's ignominious end (Jeremiah 22:18-19). The entire passage serves as a powerful critique of corrupt leadership.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King Jehoiakim reigned over Judah from 609 to 598 BC, a tumultuous period marked by the decline of Assyria and the rise of Babylon and Egypt. He was placed on the throne by Pharaoh Neco II of Egypt after the death of his father, the righteous King Josiah, at Megiddo (compare [2 Kings 23:34](/2_kings/23-34 "2 Kings 23:34 - Jehoiakim's Accession")). Unlike Josiah, who "did justice and righteousness" ([Jeremiah 22:15](/jeremiah/22-15 "Jeremiah 22:15 - Josiah's Righteous Reign")), Jehoiakim was notorious for his oppressive rule, heavy taxation, and exploitation of his own people to fund his lavish lifestyle and building projects. The use of "cedar" (likely imported from Lebanon, a costly and prestigious material) and "vermilion" (a vibrant red pigment, also expensive) for palace decoration were symbols of immense wealth and status in the ancient Near East, often associated with royal residences and temples. The condemnation in this verse is not merely for building, but for building with unrighteousness, reflecting a widespread cultural practice of powerful rulers using forced labor or unpaid workers for grand architectural endeavors, a practice explicitly forbidden by Mosaic Law regarding fair wages (e.g., [Deuteronomy 24:14-15](/deuteronomy/24-14 "Deuteronomy 24:14-15 - Wages for Laborers")).
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Jeremiah and the prophetic tradition. Firstly, it highlights **Corrupt Leadership**, contrasting Jehoiakim's self-serving ambition with the divinely ordained expectation for kings to uphold justice and care for the vulnerable, as seen in the broader prophetic call for righteous governance (e.g., [Isaiah 1:17](/isaiah/1-17 "Isaiah 1:17 - Learn to do good; seek justice")). Secondly, it underscores the theme of **Materialism and Self-Indulgence**, illustrating how the pursuit of opulent luxury, especially when achieved through exploitation, leads to moral decay and divine judgment. The detailed description of the palace underscores the king's misplaced priorities, valuing personal comfort and outward display over the welfare of his subjects and obedience to God's law. Finally, the verse serves as a stark **Warning Against Injustice**, demonstrating that unrighteous gain and the oppression of the poor ultimately invite severe divine retribution, a recurring motif throughout the prophetic books (e.g., [Amos 5:24](/amos/5-24 "Amos 5:24 - Let justice roll down like waters")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **saith (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_ H559):** This word, often translated "to say," carries a wide semantic range, including to declare, appoint, command, or intend. Here, it emphasizes the king's personal will and decree ("That saith, I will build me..."), highlighting his autocratic and self-directed ambition. It is not merely a thought but a declared intention, an active pursuit of his desires.
* **build (Hebrew, _bânâh'_ H1129):** A primitive root meaning "to build" both literally and figuratively. In this context, it refers to the physical construction of the palace. However, when juxtaposed with the preceding verse (Jeremiah 22:13), it carries the negative connotation of building through unrighteous means, implying forced labor and unpaid wages. The act of building, which can be a positive, creative endeavor, is here corrupted by the king's unjust methods.
* **painted (Hebrew, _mâshach'_ H4886):** This root primarily means "to rub with oil" or "to anoint," often in a sacred context for consecration. However, it also means "to paint." The use of this word here for "painted with vermilion" is striking. While it denotes the decorative aspect of the palace, the underlying sense of "anointing" or "smearing" might subtly imply a superficiality or even a defilement of something that should be sacred (the king's role as God's anointed leader) by its use in an unholy pursuit of luxury.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"That saith, I will build me a wide house and large chambers":** This opening clause immediately establishes the king's personal initiative and self-centered ambition. The emphasis is on "I will build me," indicating a project for his own benefit and glory. The desire for a "wide house" (spacious, expansive) and "large chambers" (upper rooms, perhaps multiple stories or extensive private quarters) speaks to an appetite for opulence and comfort beyond necessity, reflecting a desire for status and display.
* **"and cutteth him out windows":** This detail further illustrates the king's meticulous attention to the design and grandeur of his palace. "Cutting out windows" implies careful architectural planning and execution, ensuring light, ventilation, and perhaps views, all contributing to the luxurious feel of the residence. It speaks to a level of refinement and aesthetic consideration typical of royal dwellings.
* **"and [it is] cieled with cedar, and painted with vermilion":** This final clause provides the most vivid description of the palace's extravagance. "Cieled with cedar" refers to the expensive practice of paneling the interior walls or ceilings with aromatic cedar wood, likely imported from Lebanon, a symbol of immense wealth and prestige. "Painted with vermilion" highlights the use of a costly, vibrant red pigment for decoration, further emphasizing the ostentatious and showy nature of the king's building projects. These details underscore the king's obsession with outward appearance and material splendor, achieved at the expense of justice and the welfare of his people.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 22:14 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. **Imagery** is paramount, painting a vivid picture of the king's luxurious palace through specific details like "wide house," "large chambers," "cedar," and "vermilion." This sensory description allows the audience to visualize the king's self-indulgence. The verse also uses **Contrast**, implicitly setting the king's opulent lifestyle against the backdrop of the poverty and exploitation of his people, which is explicitly mentioned in the preceding verse. This contrast highlights the king's moral failing. Furthermore, there is an element of **Irony** in the king's pursuit of such grandeur; while he builds a magnificent physical structure, he simultaneously dismantles the moral and spiritual foundations of his kingdom through injustice. The very materials of his luxury, like **Symbolism** of power and wealth, become symbols of his corruption and impending judgment. The detailed enumeration of the palace's features also functions as a form of **Amplification**, emphasizing the sheer scale of the king's self-serving ambition.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 22:14 serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of true leadership and the dangers of unchecked power and materialism. It articulates a core biblical principle: God values justice and righteousness above outward displays of wealth or power. The king's self-aggrandizing building project, fueled by injustice, is a direct affront to God's covenantal demands for ethical governance. This passage underscores that material prosperity, when disconnected from moral integrity and compassion for the vulnerable, becomes a source of divine judgment rather than blessing. It challenges the notion that earthly grandeur equates to divine favor, instead revealing it as a manifestation of spiritual bankruptcy and idolatry of self and wealth.

* [Amos 3:15](/amos/3-15 "Amos 3:15 - Condemnation of luxurious houses")
* [Amos 6:4](/amos/6-4 "Amos 6:4 - Woe to those who lie on beds of ivory")
* [Proverbs 28:27](/proverbs/28-27 "Proverbs 28:27 - Giving to the poor")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 22:14 speaks across millennia, offering a timeless challenge to individuals and societies. It compels us to critically examine the sources and uses of our resources and influence. Are we driven by a desire for personal accumulation, comfort, and outward display, or by principles of justice, stewardship, and compassion for others? The king's actions remind us that true prosperity is not measured by the size of our houses or the lavishness of our possessions, but by the integrity of our character and the righteousness of our actions. This verse calls us to consider whether our pursuits contribute to human flourishing and God's glory, or if they are built upon foundations of exploitation and self-indulgence, ultimately leading to spiritual and societal decay. It is a powerful reminder that God holds leaders, and indeed all people, accountable for how they manage the resources entrusted to them and how they treat their neighbors.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might our own desires for comfort or status inadvertently lead us to overlook issues of justice or exploitation in our society or personal lives?**
* **How can we, as individuals and communities, ensure that our pursuits and achievements are built on ethical foundations rather than on unrighteous gain?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the true measure of success and leadership in God's eyes, contrasting it with worldly standards?**
* **How can we actively advocate for justice and fair treatment in our workplaces and communities, resisting systems that might mirror Jehoiakim's exploitation?**

### FAQ

**What was King Jehoiakim's primary sin condemned in this passage?**

Answer: King Jehoiakim's primary sin condemned in Jeremiah 22:14, and specifically in the preceding verse ([Jeremiah 22:13](/jeremiah/22-13 "Jeremiah 22:13 - Jehoiakim's Injustice")), was building his lavish palace "by unrighteousness" and "by wrong." This included using forced labor and failing to pay his workers their due wages, essentially exploiting the poor for his own extravagant projects. His sin was not merely building, but building through injustice and prioritizing his own luxury over the welfare and basic rights of his subjects, directly violating God's laws concerning fair labor practices (e.g., [Deuteronomy 24:14-15](/deuteronomy/24-14 "Deuteronomy 24:14-15 - Wages for Laborers")).

**Why is the description of the palace so detailed in this verse?**

Answer: The detailed description of the palace in Jeremiah 22:14 ("wide house and large chambers," "cieled with cedar," "painted with vermilion") serves to emphasize the extreme opulence and self-indulgence of King Jehoiakim. This level of detail highlights the king's misplaced priorities and his obsession with outward grandeur. By vividly portraying the lavishness, the prophet Jeremiah underscores the stark contrast between the king's personal luxury and the widespread injustice and suffering of his people, which was the very means by which this splendor was achieved. It makes the indictment against his corrupt leadership all the more powerful and concrete, showcasing the extent of his moral depravity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 22:14 presents a stark portrait of earthly kingship corrupted by self-interest, injustice, and a hunger for material glory. King Jehoiakim's pursuit of a "wide house and large chambers," adorned with costly cedar and vermilion, stands in direct antithesis to the nature and mission of the true King, Jesus Christ. While Jehoiakim built a kingdom for himself through exploitation, Christ, though being in the form of God, "made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant" ([Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ's Humility")). He did not seek earthly palaces but declared, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head" ([Matthew 8:20](/matthew/8-20 "Matthew 8:20 - Jesus Has No Home")). Unlike Jehoiakim, who oppressed his people for his own gain, Jesus came "not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many" ([Matthew 20:28](/matthew/20-28 "Matthew 20:28 - Jesus Came to Serve")). The ultimate King's glory was not found in painted chambers but in a humble cross, where He poured out His life to build a spiritual house not made with hands, a dwelling place for God among His people ([Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - Built on the Foundation")). Thus, Jeremiah 22:14, by exposing the depravity of human kingship, implicitly points to the perfect, just, and self-sacrificing reign of Christ, whose kingdom is built on righteousness and love, not on unrighteous gain.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Samuel 7:2

That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains.

Haggai 1:4

[Is it] time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house [lie] waste?

Isaiah 5:8

¶ Woe unto them that join house to house, [that] lay field to field, till [there be] no place, that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth!

Isaiah 5:9

In mine ears [said] the LORD of hosts, Of a truth many houses shall be desolate, [even] great and fair, without inhabitant.

Isaiah 9:9

And all the people shall know, [even] Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria, that say in the pride and stoutness of heart,

Luke 14:28

For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have [sufficient] to finish [it]?

Luke 14:29

Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish [it], all that behold [it] begin to mock him,