Jeremiah 22:6

For thus saith the LORD unto the king's house of Judah; Thou [art] Gilead unto me, [and] the head of Lebanon: [yet] surely I will make thee a wilderness, [and] cities [which] are not inhabited.

For thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068} unto the king's {H4428} house {H1004} of Judah {H3063}; Thou art Gilead {H1568} unto me, and the head {H7218} of Lebanon {H3844}: yet surely I will make {H7896} thee a wilderness {H4057}, and cities {H5892} which are not inhabited {H3427}{H3427}.

"For here is what ADONAI says concerning the palace of the king of Y'hudah: 'You are like Gil'ad to me, like the peak of the L'vanon; yet I will turn you into a desert, uninhabited cities.

For this is what the LORD says concerning the house of the king of Judah: “You are like Gilead to Me, like the summit of Lebanon; but I will surely turn you into a desert, like cities that are uninhabited.

For thus saith Jehovah concerning the house of the king of Judah: Thou art Gilead unto me, and the head of Lebanon; yet surely I will make thee a wilderness, and cities which are not inhabited.

Jeremiah 22:6 delivers a powerful prophetic warning directly from the LORD to the royal household of Judah. Through the prophet Jeremiah, God declares a dramatic reversal of fortune, highlighting the severe consequences of the kingdom's disobedience and moral decay.

Context of Jeremiah 22:6

This verse is part of a larger section in Jeremiah (chapters 21-23) where the prophet pronounces judgment against the kings of Judah and their administration. At this time, Judah was experiencing significant spiritual and political decline, marked by injustice, idolatry, and a departure from God's covenant. The "king's house of Judah" refers to the royal palace and the ruling dynasty, which was responsible for upholding righteousness and leading the people in obedience to God. Jeremiah's message was often unpopular because it confronted the comfortable and corrupt leadership of his day, warning them of impending destruction if they did not repent.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment on Disobedience: The primary message is God's unwavering justice against those who forsake His ways. Despite Judah's privileged status, their persistent sin would lead to severe punishment. This echoes themes found throughout the prophetic books, emphasizing that God's covenant people are not exempt from judgment when they rebel (Amos 3:2).
  • From Glory to Desolation: The imagery of "Gilead" and "the head of Lebanon" represents the perceived strength, beauty, and prosperity of Judah. Gilead was known for its rich pastures and balm, while Lebanon was famed for its majestic cedars, symbolizing splendor and permanence. Yet, God declares He will turn this glory into a "wilderness" and "cities which are not inhabited," signifying utter ruin and desolation. This stark contrast underscores the completeness of the impending destruction, a common prophetic motif.
  • God's Sovereign Control: The declaration "I will make thee a wilderness" emphasizes that this calamity is not merely a political or military defeat, but a direct act of divine will. God is sovereign over the destinies of nations and kings.

Linguistic Insights and Imagery

The choice of "Gilead" and "Lebanon" is highly significant. Gilead (גִּלְעָד, Gil'ad) was a fertile, elevated region east of the Jordan, often associated with prosperity and healing balm (Jeremiah 8:22). Lebanon (לְבָנוֹן, L'vanon), particularly its "head" or peak, symbolized grandeur, strength, and the highest quality, especially due to its famous cedar trees. By saying "Thou art Gilead unto me, and the head of Lebanon," God acknowledges Judah's inherent potential, its favored position, or even its self-perceived majesty. However, the conjunction "yet" (וְ) introduces a sharp and devastating reversal: despite this natural splendor or privileged status, desolation awaits. This powerful juxtaposition serves as a stark warning.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 22:6 serves as a timeless reminder that privilege and past blessings do not guarantee future prosperity if there is a departure from righteousness. For believers today, this verse highlights:

  • The Seriousness of Disobedience: God takes sin seriously, especially among those who claim to represent Him. There are real consequences for persistent rebellion against His commands.
  • Warning Against Pride: The imagery of Gilead and Lebanon can also represent human pride and self-sufficiency. Nations, institutions, and individuals can become complacent in their perceived strength, forgetting their dependence on God.
  • God's Unchanging Justice: While God is merciful, He is also just. His character demands that sin be addressed, and He will fulfill His warnings. This encourages humility and a diligent pursuit of righteousness, reminding us that we reap what we sow.
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.

  • Isaiah 6:11

    Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate,

  • Psalms 107:34

    A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein.

  • Micah 3:12

    Therefore shall Zion for your sake be plowed [as] a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of the forest.

  • Isaiah 27:10

    Yet the defenced city [shall be] desolate, [and] the habitation forsaken, and left like a wilderness: there shall the calf feed, and there shall he lie down, and consume the branches thereof.

  • Jeremiah 9:11

    And I will make Jerusalem heaps, [and] a den of dragons; and I will make the cities of Judah desolate, without an inhabitant.

  • Genesis 37:25

    And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a company of Ishmeelites came from Gilead with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry [it] down to Egypt.

  • Jeremiah 7:34

    Then will I cause to cease from the cities of Judah, and from the streets of Jerusalem, the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride: for the land shall be desolate.

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