Jeremiah 22:8

And many nations shall pass by this city, and they shall say every man to his neighbour, Wherefore hath the LORD done thus unto this great city?

And many {H7227} nations {H1471} shall pass {H5674} by this city {H5892}, and they shall say {H559} every man {H376} to his neighbour {H7453}, Wherefore hath the LORD {H3068} done {H6213} thus unto this great {H1419} city {H5892}?

"Many nations will pass by this city, and they will say to one another, 'Why has ADONAI done such a thing to this great city?'

And many nations will pass by this city and ask one another, ‘Why has the LORD done such a thing to this great city?’

And many nations shall pass by this city, and they shall say every man to his neighbor, Wherefore hath Jehovah done thus unto this great city?

Jeremiah 22:8 delivers a powerful prophecy concerning the future desolation of Jerusalem, foretelling a time when its ruin would be so profound that even surrounding nations would inquire about the cause. This verse underscores God's righteous judgment against a disobedient people and the stark consequences of forsaking His covenant.

Context

This verse is situated within a series of prophetic warnings delivered by Jeremiah, often called the "weeping prophet," during the reigns of Judah's final kings, particularly after the righteous King Josiah. Jeremiah's ministry spanned a period of severe spiritual decline and political instability, leading up to the Babylonian exile. Chapter 22 specifically addresses the royal house of Judah, condemning their injustice, oppression, and idolatry. The prophecy in verse 8 looks beyond the immediate downfall of individual kings to the ultimate fate of Jerusalem itself, predicting its destruction and the astonishment it would evoke among those who witnessed its former glory.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment: The verse explicitly states that the LORD "hath done thus unto this great city," emphasizing that Jerusalem's devastation is not merely a political or military defeat but a direct act of divine judgment. This highlights God's sovereignty over nations and His active involvement in human history.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: The underlying reason for this catastrophic judgment, which the inquiring nations would implicitly understand, is the people's persistent idolatry and covenant breaking. God's covenant with Israel included blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, as outlined in the Book of Deuteronomy.
  • A Witness to Nations: The phrase "many nations shall pass by this city" indicates that Jerusalem's desolation would serve as a stark object lesson. Their bewildered question, "Wherefore hath the LORD done thus unto this great city?" points to the city's former prominence and the shocking nature of its ruin, making it a visible testimony to God's justice.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase translated "Wherefore" is 'al-mah (עַל־מָה), meaning "on account of what?" or "for what reason?" This interrogative conveys a sense of profound bewilderment and a search for the underlying cause of such a catastrophic event. It's not a casual question but one born of astonishment and a desire to understand the unexpected extent of the destruction.

Related Scriptures

This prophetic inquiry echoes earlier warnings given to Israel. In the Law, Moses foretold that if Israel turned away from God, nations would indeed ask similar questions about their land's desolation (Deuteronomy 29:24-28). Similarly, at the dedication of Solomon's Temple, God warned that if His people forsook Him, even the glorious Temple would become ruins, prompting the same inquiry from passersby (1 Kings 9:8-9). Jeremiah's prophecy here confirms the fulfillment of these ancient warnings, which culminated in the destruction of Jerusalem by Babylon.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 22:8 serves as a timeless reminder of God's unchanging character. He is just and faithful, both to His promises and to His warnings. For believers today, this verse emphasizes the serious consequences of spiritual disobedience and turning away from God's commands. It highlights the importance of living in covenant faithfulness and pursuing righteousness, not just individually, but as a community. God's warnings are not empty threats, but expressions of His truth and His desire for His people to walk in His ways and avoid judgment. It also reminds us that the world observes the state of God's people, and our faithfulness (or lack thereof) can be a powerful testimony.

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.

  • 1 Kings 9:8

    And at this house, [which] is high, every one that passeth by it shall be astonished, and shall hiss; and they shall say, Why hath the LORD done thus unto this land, and to this house?

  • 1 Kings 9:9

    And they shall answer, Because they forsook the LORD their God, who brought forth their fathers out of the land of Egypt, and have taken hold upon other gods, and have worshipped them, and served them: therefore hath the LORD brought upon them all this evil.

  • 2 Chronicles 7:20

    Then will I pluck them up by the roots out of my land which I have given them; and this house, which I have sanctified for my name, will I cast out of my sight, and will make it [to be] a proverb and a byword among all nations.

  • 2 Chronicles 7:22

    And it shall be answered, Because they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, and laid hold on other gods, and worshipped them, and served them: therefore hath he brought all this evil upon them.

  • Deuteronomy 29:23

    [And that] the whole land thereof [is] brimstone, and salt, [and] burning, [that] it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass groweth therein, like the overthrow of Sodom, and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim, which the LORD overthrew in his anger, and in his wrath:

  • Deuteronomy 29:26

    For they went and served other gods, and worshipped them, gods whom they knew not, and [whom] he had not given unto them:

  • Lamentations 2:15

    All that pass by clap [their] hands at thee; they hiss and wag their head at the daughter of Jerusalem, [saying, Is] this the city that [men] call The perfection of beauty, The joy of the whole earth?

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