"Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness, and his upper rooms without justice, who makes his countrymen serve without pay, and fails to pay their wages, Woe to himThe word "woe" is a strong expression of lamentation and impending judgment. In Hebrew, it is "הוֹי" (hoy), often used by prophets to announce divine displeasure. This term sets a somber tone, indicating that the following message is not merely advice but a serious warning from God. It reflects God's justice and righteousness, emphasizing that He does not overlook wrongdoing. who builds his house
The phrase "builds his house" can be understood both literally and metaphorically. Literally, it refers to constructing a physical dwelling, but metaphorically, it can represent establishing one's life or legacy. In ancient Israel, a house was a symbol of stability and prosperity. However, the context here suggests that the means of building this house are unjust, which corrupts its foundation. by unrighteousness
"Unrighteousness" in Hebrew is "בְּלֹא־צֶדֶק" (b'lo-tzedek), meaning without justice or fairness. This term highlights the moral and ethical violations involved in the construction of the house. It implies exploitation and deceit, which are contrary to God's character and His laws. The Bible consistently teaches that righteousness is foundational to a life that pleases God. his upper rooms
Upper rooms, or "עליותיו" (aliyotav) in Hebrew, were often seen as symbols of wealth and status in ancient Near Eastern architecture. They were typically the most luxurious part of a house, used for entertaining guests or as private quarters. The mention of upper rooms suggests an emphasis on opulence and self-indulgence, achieved through unjust means. by injustice
"Injustice" is "בְּלֹא־מִשְׁפָּט" (b'lo-mishpat) in Hebrew, meaning without judgment or fairness. This word underscores the lack of legal and moral integrity in the actions of the person being addressed. In the biblical context, justice is a central theme, reflecting God's own nature and His expectations for His people. Injustice, therefore, is a direct affront to God's order. who makes his neighbor serve him for nothing
This phrase highlights exploitation and oppression. The Hebrew word for "serve" is "יַעֲבֹד" (ya'avod), which can mean to work or to be enslaved. The phrase "for nothing" indicates that the neighbor is not compensated for their labor, violating the biblical principle of fair wages. This exploitation is a grave sin, as it devalues human dignity and disregards the command to love one's neighbor. and does not pay his wages
The failure to pay wages is a direct violation of Levitical law, which commands fair treatment of workers (Leviticus 19:13). In the ancient world, daily wages were crucial for survival, and withholding them was a severe injustice. This phrase underscores the broader theme of economic exploitation and the moral responsibility to treat others with fairness and respect. Persons / Places / Events 1. JeremiahA major prophet in the Old Testament, known for his messages of warning and judgment to the people of Judah. 2. JudahThe southern kingdom of Israel, which was often warned by prophets like Jeremiah about their disobedience and injustice. 3. King JehoiakimThe likely subject of this verse, known for his oppressive reign and disregard for justice, as he built his palace with forced labor. 4. ProphetsMessengers of God who were sent to call the people back to righteousness and justice. 5. The HouseSymbolic of the structures and systems built on injustice and exploitation, representing broader societal issues. Teaching Points The Call for JusticeGod demands justice in all our dealings. We must ensure that our actions, especially in business and leadership, reflect fairness and righteousness. The Sin of ExploitationExploiting others for personal gain is a grave sin. We must examine our lives to ensure we are not benefiting at the expense of others' well-being. The Importance of Fair WagesPaying fair wages is a biblical principle. Employers and leaders should ensure that workers are compensated justly for their labor. Building on RighteousnessOur lives and endeavors should be built on the foundation of righteousness, not on the exploitation or injustice of others. Heeding Prophetic WarningsThe warnings of the prophets are relevant today. We must listen and respond to God's call for justice and righteousness in our communities. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Jeremiah 22:13 challenge our understanding of justice in our personal and professional lives? 2. In what ways can we ensure that our actions align with the biblical principle of fair wages as seen in Deuteronomy 24:14-15? 3. How can the warnings in Jeremiah 22:13 and James 5:4 be applied to modern business practices? 4. What steps can we take to build our lives and communities on righteousness rather than exploitation? 5. How can we be more attentive to the prophetic calls for justice in our current societal context, as seen in Jeremiah and other prophetic books? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 24:14-15This passage emphasizes the importance of paying workers promptly and fairly, highlighting God's concern for justice and fair treatment. James 5:4This New Testament verse echoes the theme of Jeremiah 22:13, condemning those who withhold wages from laborers, showing the continuity of God's justice across both Testaments. Micah 6:8This verse calls for justice, mercy, and humility, aligning with the condemnation of injustice in Jeremiah 22:13. Isaiah 5:8Similar to Jeremiah, Isaiah warns against those who build wealth and property through unjust means, reinforcing the prophetic call for righteousness. People Babylonians, Coniah, David, Jehoiachin, Jehoiakim, Jeremiah, Josiah, Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadrezzar, ShallumPlaces Abarim, Babylon, Bashan, Gilead, Jerusalem, LebanonTopics Buildeth, Building, Builds, Chambers, Countrymen, Curse, Doesn't, Earning, Gives, Giveth, Hire, Injustice, Justice, Labor, Layeth, Makes, Making, Neighbor, Neighbor's, Neighbour, Neighbour's, Nothing, Nought, Palace, Pay, Paying, Payment, Righteousness, Rooms, Serve, Service, Services, Taketh, Unrighteousness, Upper, Uses, Useth, Wage, Wages, Wo, Woe, Wrong, WrongdoingDictionary of Bible Themes Jeremiah 22:13 1025 God, anger of
5348 injustice, nature and source
5404 masters
5522 servants, work conditions
5603 wages
7735 leaders, political
8242 ethics, personal
8452 neighbours, duty to
8715 dishonesty, and God
8716 dishonesty, examples
8810 riches, dangers Jeremiah 22:11-15 4424 cedar Jeremiah 22:13-14 5207 architecture Jeremiah 22:13-16 5361 justice, human
5399 luxury Jeremiah 22:13-17 5437 palaces Jeremiah 22:13-19 9250 woe Library The Life of Mr. James Mitchel.
Mr. James Mitchel[152] was educated at the university of Edinburgh, and was, with some other of his fellow-students, made master of arts anno 1656. Mr. Robert Leighton (afterwards bishop Leighton), being then principal of that college, before the degree was conferred upon them, tendered to them the national and solemn league and covenant; which covenants, upon mature deliberation, he took, finding nothing in them but a short compend of the moral law, binding to our duty towards God and towards …
John Howie—Biographia Scoticana (Scots Worthies)Columban.
THE wild districts of Ireland were occupied with convents, after the example of Patrick, and cultivated by the hard labour of the monks. The Irish convents were distinguished by their strict Christian discipline, their diligence and their zeal in the study of the Scriptures, and of science in general, as far as they had the means of acquiring it. Irish monks brought learning from Britain and Gaul, they treasured up this learning and elaborated it in the solitude of the convent, and they are said …
Augustus Neander—Light in the Dark Places "Hear the Word of the Lord, Ye Rulers of Sodom, Give Ear unto the Law of Our God, Ye People of Gomorrah,"
Isaiah i. 10, 11, &c.--"Hear the word of the Lord, ye rulers of Sodom, give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah," &c. It is strange to think what mercy is mixed with the most wrath like strokes and threatenings. There is no prophet whose office and commission is only for judgment, nay, to speak the truth, it is mercy that premises threatenings. The entering of the law, both in the commands and curses, is to make sin abound, that grace may superabound, so that both rods and threatenings …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning "If we Say that we have Fellowship with Him, and Walk in Darkness, we Lie,"
1 John i. 6.--"If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie," &c. That which is the sum of religion, sincerity, and a correspondency between profession and practice, is confirmed by reason, and much strengthened by nature itself, so that religion, reason, and nature, conspire in one, to hold out the beauty and comeliness of sincerity, and to put a note and character of infamy and deformity upon all hypocrisy and deceit, especially in the matters of religion. There is …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Joy
'The fruit of the Spirit is joy.' Gal 5:52. The third fruit of justification, adoption, and sanctification, is joy in the Holy Ghost. Joy is setting the soul upon the top of a pinnacle - it is the cream of the sincere milk of the word. Spiritual joy is a sweet and delightful passion, arising from the apprehension and feeling of some good, whereby the soul is supported under present troubles, and fenced against future fear. I. It is a delightful passion. It is contrary to sorrow, which is a perturbation …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity The Two Classes.
"Two men went up into the temple to pray."--Luke xvii. 10. I now want to speak of two classes: First, those who do not feel their need of a Saviour who have not been convinced of sin by the Spirit; and Second, those who are convinced of sin and cry, "What must I do to be saved?" All inquirers can be ranged under two heads: they have either the spirit of the Pharisee, or the spirit of the publican. If a man having the spirit of the Pharisee comes into an after-meeting, I know of no better portion …
Dwight L. Moody—The Way to God and How to Find It A Discourse of the House and Forest of Lebanon
OF THE HOUSE OF THE FOREST OF LEBANON. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. That part of Palestine in which the celebrated mountains of Lebanon are situated, is the border country adjoining Syria, having Sidon for its seaport, and Land, nearly adjoining the city of Damascus, on the north. This metropolitan city of Syria, and capital of the kingdom of Damascus, was strongly fortified; and during the border conflicts it served as a cover to the Assyrian army. Bunyan, with great reason, supposes that, to keep …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 "To what Purpose is the Multitude of Your Sacrifices unto Me? Saith the Lord,"
Isaiah i. 11.--"To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the Lord," &c. This is the word he calls them to hear and a strange word. Isaiah asks, What mean your sacrifices? God will not have them. I think the people would say in their own hearts, What means the prophet? What would the Lord be at? Do we anything but what he commanded us? Is he angry at us for obeying him? What means this word? Is he not repealing the statute and ordinance he had made in Israel? If he had reproved …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Jewish Homes
It may be safely asserted, that the grand distinction, which divided all mankind into Jews and Gentiles, was not only religious, but also social. However near the cities of the heathen to those of Israel, however frequent and close the intercourse between the two parties, no one could have entered a Jewish town or village without feeling, so to speak, in quite another world. The aspect of the streets, the building and arrangement of the houses, the municipal and religious rule, the manners and customs …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Jeremiah
The interest of the book of Jeremiah is unique. On the one hand, it is our most reliable and elaborate source for the long period of history which it covers; on the other, it presents us with prophecy in its most intensely human phase, manifesting itself through a strangely attractive personality that was subject to like doubts and passions with ourselves. At his call, in 626 B.C., he was young and inexperienced, i. 6, so that he cannot have been born earlier than 650. The political and religious …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Jeremiah 22:13 NIVJeremiah 22:13 NLTJeremiah 22:13 ESVJeremiah 22:13 NASBJeremiah 22:13 KJV
Jeremiah 22:13 Commentaries
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