Jeremiah 22:2

And say, Hear the word of the LORD, O king of Judah, that sittest upon the throne of David, thou, and thy servants, and thy people that enter in by these gates:

And say {H559}, Hear {H8085} the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068}, O king {H4428} of Judah {H3063}, that sittest {H3427} upon the throne {H3678} of David {H1732}, thou, and thy servants {H5650}, and thy people {H5971} that enter {H935} in by these gates {H8179}:

'King of Y'hudah occupying David's throne, hear the word of ADONAI - you, your servants and your people who enter through these gates.

saying, ‘Hear the word of the LORD, O king of Judah, who sits on the throne of David—you and your officials and your people who enter these gates.

and say, Hear the word of Jehovah, O king of Judah, that sittest upon the throne of David, thou, and thy servants, and thy people that enter in by these gates.

Context

Jeremiah 22:2 is part of a series of prophetic messages delivered by Jeremiah concerning the kings of Judah (Jeremiah chapters 21-24). This specific verse serves as the opening declaration of a divine summons to the reigning monarch of Judah and his entire court and populace. The historical backdrop is a tumultuous period in Judah's history, leading up to the Babylonian exile in the late 7th and early 6th centuries BC. God, through Jeremiah, is directly addressing the highest authorities in Jerusalem, emphasizing their accountability and the critical nature of the message.

Key Themes

  • Divine Authority and Urgent Call: The command "Hear the word of the LORD" immediately establishes that this is not merely human advice but a direct, authoritative message from God Himself. It conveys a sense of urgency, demanding immediate attention and obedience from all recipients.
  • Responsibility of Leadership: The address specifically targets the "king of Judah, that sittest upon the throne of David," his "servants" (officials), and the "people." This highlights the profound responsibility that rested upon the Davidic monarchy and its administration to uphold God's laws and lead the nation in righteousness. This responsibility was inherent in the covenant God made with David.
  • Public Declaration: By specifying "that enter in by these gates," the prophecy indicates that God's message was not confined to the royal palace but was to be proclaimed publicly at the city gates, which were the main points of entry, commerce, and justice in ancient Jerusalem. This ensured that the word was accessible to all, leaving no room for ignorance.

Linguistic Insights

The imperative "Hear" (Hebrew: Shim'u) is a strong command that implies more than just passive listening. It means to listen attentively, understand, and, most importantly, obey. This resonates with the fundamental call to Israel found in the Shema, "Hear, O Israel," in Deuteronomy 6:4, underscoring that true hearing leads to action. The phrase "the word of the LORD" (Hebrew: devar YHWH) emphasizes the divine origin and infallible nature of the message.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 22:2 offers enduring lessons for all generations, particularly concerning leadership and accountability:

  • Accountability of Leaders: Those in positions of power—whether political, spiritual, or familial—are uniquely accountable to God for how they lead and how they influence those under their charge. Their actions have far-reaching consequences.
  • The Primacy of God's Word: For both leaders and ordinary citizens, the foundation of a righteous life and a flourishing society is attentive obedience to God's word. Ignoring or rejecting divine instruction inevitably leads to decline and judgment.
  • Collective Responsibility: The message was not just for the king but for his officials and all the people, signifying that societal well-being depends on the collective commitment to justice, righteousness, and obedience. This echoes the principle that righteousness exalts a nation.

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.

  • Luke 1:32

    He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

  • Jeremiah 22:4

    For if ye do this thing indeed, then shall there enter in by the gates of this house kings sitting upon the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, he, and his servants, and his people.

  • Isaiah 1:10

    ¶ Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah.

  • Isaiah 9:7

    Of the increase of [his] government and peace [there shall be] no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

  • Jeremiah 29:20

    Hear ye therefore the word of the LORD, all ye of the captivity, whom I have sent from Jerusalem to Babylon:

  • Isaiah 28:14

    ¶ Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, ye scornful men, that rule this people which [is] in Jerusalem.

  • 1 Kings 22:19

    And he said, Hear thou therefore the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left.

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