Jeremiah 22:5
New International Version
But if you do not obey these commands, declares the LORD, I swear by myself that this palace will become a ruin.’”

New Living Translation
But if you refuse to pay attention to this warning, I swear by my own name, says the LORD, that this palace will become a pile of rubble.’”

English Standard Version
But if you will not obey these words, I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that this house shall become a desolation.

Berean Standard Bible
But if you do not obey these words, then I swear by Myself, declares the LORD, that this house will become a pile of rubble.’”

Berean Literal Bible
And if you⁺ do not hear these words, I swear by Myself, a declaration of YHWH, that this house will become as a desolation!’”

King James Bible
But if ye will not hear these words, I swear by myself, saith the LORD, that this house shall become a desolation.

New King James Version
But if you will not hear these words, I swear by Myself,” says the LORD, “that this house shall become a desolation.” ’ ”

New American Standard Bible
But if you will not obey these words, I swear by Myself,” declares the LORD, “that this house will become a place of ruins.”’”

NASB 1995
“But if you will not obey these words, I swear by Myself,” declares the LORD, “that this house will become a desolation."’”

NASB 1977
“But if you will not obey these words, I swear by Myself,” declares the LORD, “that this house will become a desolation.”’”

Legacy Standard Bible
But if you will not obey these words, I swear by Myself,” declares Yahweh, “that this house will become a waste place.”’”

Amplified Bible
But if you will not hear and obey these words, I swear [an oath] by Myself,” says the LORD, “that this house will become a desolation.”’”

Berean Annotated Bible
But if you⁺ do not obey these words, then I swear by Myself, declares the LORD {YHWH}, that this house will become a pile of rubble.

Christian Standard Bible
But if you do not obey these words, then I swear by myself —this is the LORD’s declaration—that this house will become a ruin.’ ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But if you do not obey these words, then I swear by Myself"—this is the LORD’s declaration—"that this house will become a ruin.”

American Standard Version
But if ye will not hear these words, I swear by myself, saith Jehovah, that this house shall become a desolation.

Contemporary English Version
But if you ignore me, I promise in my own name that this palace will lie in ruins.

English Revised Version
But if ye will not hear these words, I swear by myself, saith the LORD, that this house shall become a desolation.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But if you don't do what I say, I will take an oath on myself," declares the LORD, "that this palace will become a pile of rubble.

Good News Translation
But if you do not obey my commands, then I swear to you that this palace will fall into ruins. I, the LORD, have spoken.

International Standard Version
But if you don't listen to these words, I swear," declares the LORD, "that this house will become a ruin."'"

NET Bible
But, if you do not obey these commands, I solemnly swear that this palace will become a pile of rubble. I, the LORD, affirm it!"

New Heart English Bible
But if you will not hear these words, I swear by myself, says the LORD, that this house shall become a desolation."

Webster's Bible Translation
But if ye will not hear these words, I swear by myself, saith the LORD, that this house shall become a desolation.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
But if you do not obey these words, then I swear by Myself, declares the LORD, that this house will become a pile of rubble.’”

World English Bible
But if you will not hear these words, I swear by myself,” says Yahweh, “that this house will become a desolation.”’”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And if you do not hear these words, "" I have sworn by Myself,” "" A declaration of YHWH, "" “That this house is for a desolation.”

Berean Literal Bible
And if you⁺ do not hear these words, I swear by Myself, a declaration of YHWH, that this house will become as a desolation!’”

Young's Literal Translation
And if ye do not hear these words, By myself I have sworn -- an affirmation of Jehovah, That this house is for a desolation.

Smith's Literal Translation
And if ye will not bear these words, by myself I sware, says Jehovah, that this house shall be for a desolation.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But if you will not hearken to these words: I swear by myself, saith the Lord, that this house shall become a desolation.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But if you will not listen to these words, I swear by myself, says the Lord, that this house will be in desolation.

New American Bible
But if you do not obey these commands, I swear by myself—oracle of the LORD: this house shall become rubble.

New Revised Standard Version
But if you will not heed these words, I swear by myself, says the LORD, that this house shall become a desolation.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But if you will not listen to these words, I swear by myself, says the LORD, that this house shall become a desolation.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And if you will not hear this word, by myself I have sworn, says LORD JEHOVAH, ‘This house shall be for desolation’
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
But if ye will not hear these words, I swear by Myself, saith the LORD, that this house shall become a desolation.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
But if ye will not perform these words, by myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, that this house shall be brought to desolation.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
A Warning for Judah's Kings
4For if you will indeed carry out these commands, then kings who sit on David’s throne will enter through the gates of this palace riding on chariots and horses—they and their officials and their people. 5But if you do not obey these words, then I swear by Myself, declares the LORD, that this house will become a pile of rubble.’”

Cross References
But if you do not obey these words,

Deuteronomy 28:15
If, however, you do not obey the LORD your God by carefully following all His commandments and statutes I am giving you today, all these curses will come upon you and overtake you:

Deuteronomy 11:28
but a curse if you disobey the commandments of the LORD your God and turn aside from the path I command you today by following other gods, which you have not known.

1 Samuel 15:22
But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams.
then I swear by Myself,

Genesis 22:16
saying, “By Myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your only son,

Isaiah 45:23
By Myself I have sworn; truth has gone out from My mouth, a word that will not be revoked: Every knee will bow before Me, every tongue will swear allegiance.

Hebrews 6:13
When God made His promise to Abraham, since He had no one greater to swear by, He swore by Himself,
declares the LORD,

Isaiah 43:10
“You are My witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and My servant whom I have chosen, so that you may consider and believe Me and understand that I am He. Before Me no god was formed, and after Me none will come.

Zechariah 1:3
So tell the people that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Return to Me, declares the LORD of Hosts, and I will return to you, says the LORD of Hosts.’

Malachi 1:2
“I have loved you,” says the LORD. But you ask, “How have You loved us?” “Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the LORD. “Yet Jacob I have loved,
that this house will become a pile of rubble.’”

1 Kings 9:8
And when this temple has become a heap of rubble, all who pass by it will be appalled and will hiss and say, ‘Why has the LORD done such a thing to this land and to this temple?’

Jeremiah 7:14
therefore what I did to Shiloh I will now do to the house that bears My Name, the house in which you trust, the place that I gave to you and your fathers.

Micah 3:12
Therefore, because of you, Zion will be plowed like a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble, and the temple mount a wooded ridge.
Deuteronomy 30:19
I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Therefore choose life, so that you and your descendants may live,

Isaiah 1:18-20
“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will become like wool. / If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best of the land. / But if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

Matthew 23:37-38
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling! / Look, your house is left to you desolate.

Ezekiel 33:11
Say to them: ‘As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked should turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?’


Treasury of Scripture

But if you will not hear these words, I swear by myself, said the LORD, that this house shall become a desolation.

if.

Jeremiah 17:27
But if ye will not hearken unto me to hallow the sabbath day, and not to bear a burden, even entering in at the gates of Jerusalem on the sabbath day; then will I kindle a fire in the gates thereof, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched.

2 Chronicles 7:19,22
But if ye turn away, and forsake my statutes and my commandments, which I have set before you, and shall go and serve other gods, and worship them; …

Isaiah 1:20
But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

I.

Genesis 22:16
And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son:

Numbers 14:28-30
Say unto them, As truly as I live, saith the LORD, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you: …

Deuteronomy 32:40-42
For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, I live for ever…

that.

Jeremiah 7:13,15
And now, because ye have done all these works, saith the LORD, and I spake unto you, rising up early and speaking, but ye heard not; and I called you, but ye answered not; …

Jeremiah 26:6-9
Then will I make this house like Shiloh, and will make this city a curse to all the nations of the earth…

Jeremiah 39:8
And the Chaldeans burned the king's house, and the houses of the people, with fire, and brake down the walls of Jerusalem.

Jump to Previous
Affirmation Commands Declares Desolation Ear Hear Heed House Oath Obey Palace Ruin Swear Sworn Waste Words
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Affirmation Commands Declares Desolation Ear Hear Heed House Oath Obey Palace Ruin Swear Sworn Waste Words
Jeremiah 22
1. He exhorts to repentance, with promises and threats.
10. The judgment of Shallum;
13. of Jehoiakim;
20. and of Coniah.












But if you do not obey these words,
This phrase emphasizes the conditional nature of God's covenant with His people. The call to obedience is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, highlighting the importance of adhering to God's commands. In the context of Jeremiah, the prophet is addressing the leaders of Judah, urging them to follow God's laws to avoid impending judgment. This echoes Deuteronomy 28, where blessings and curses are outlined based on obedience or disobedience.

then I swear by Myself,
God swearing by Himself underscores the seriousness and certainty of His declaration. In ancient times, oaths were sworn by something greater than oneself, but since there is none greater than God, He swears by His own name. This is similar to Hebrews 6:13, where God swears by Himself to Abraham, emphasizing the unchangeable nature of His promises.

declares the LORD,
The use of "declares the LORD" signifies the authoritative and prophetic nature of the message. It is a common phrase in prophetic literature, indicating that the message is not from the prophet's own mind but directly from God. This adds weight to the warning and assures the audience of its divine origin.

that this house will become a pile of rubble.’”
The "house" refers to the royal palace or possibly the temple in Jerusalem, symbolizing the center of Judah's political and religious life. The imagery of becoming "a pile of rubble" is a vivid depiction of total destruction, which historically came to pass with the Babylonian conquest in 586 BC. This prophecy serves as a warning of the consequences of disobedience, similar to the fate of Shiloh mentioned in Jeremiah 7:12-14. The destruction also prefigures the ultimate judgment and the need for a new covenant, fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who referred to His body as the temple (John 2:19-21).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jeremiah
A prophet called by God to deliver messages of warning and hope to the people of Judah. His ministry spanned the reigns of several kings, and he is known for his boldness and faithfulness in delivering God's word.

2. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who is speaking through Jeremiah. He is portrayed as a just and righteous God who demands obedience from His people.

3. The House
Refers to the royal palace of the king of Judah, and by extension, the kingdom itself. It symbolizes the leadership and the nation that is under threat of judgment due to disobedience.

4. Judah
The southern kingdom of Israel, which is facing impending judgment due to its persistent disobedience and idolatry.

5. Desolation
A state of utter ruin and abandonment, which is the consequence of the people's failure to heed God's warnings.
Teaching Points
The Seriousness of God's Oaths
God swears by Himself, indicating the utmost seriousness and certainty of His declarations. This underscores the gravity of disobedience and the surety of its consequences.

The Call to Obedience
Obedience to God's word is non-negotiable. It is a central theme throughout Scripture and is directly linked to the well-being of individuals and nations.

Consequences of Disobedience
The warning of desolation serves as a stark reminder that turning away from God leads to ruin. This is a call to examine our lives and align them with God's commands.

God's Desire for Relationship
Despite the warnings, God's ultimate desire is for His people to return to Him. His warnings are acts of grace, inviting repentance and restoration.

The Role of Prophets
Prophets like Jeremiah play a crucial role in communicating God's will. Their messages, though often challenging, are vital for guiding God's people back to Him.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Jeremiah 22:5?

2. How does Jeremiah 22:5 emphasize the importance of obeying God's commands today?

3. What consequences does Jeremiah 22:5 outline for disobedience to God's word?

4. How does Jeremiah 22:5 connect with Deuteronomy 28 on blessings and curses?

5. How can we ensure our lives align with God's covenant in Jeremiah 22:5?

6. What steps can we take to avoid the "oath" mentioned in Jeremiah 22:5?

7. What does Jeremiah 22:5 reveal about God's expectations for obedience and consequences for disobedience?

8. How does Jeremiah 22:5 reflect the covenant relationship between God and Israel?

9. What historical context is essential to understanding Jeremiah 22:5?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 22?

11. In Jeremiah 22:5, how can one verify historically or archaeologically that God’s promised judgment on the house of David came to pass exactly as stated?

12. What does "Your house will be left desolate" mean?

13. If God is omnipotent, why does He need to swear by Himself to carry out judgment (Amos 6:8)?

14. How does Genesis 22 align with later scriptures condemning human sacrifice (e.g., Deuteronomy 12:31)?
What Does Jeremiah 22:5 Mean
But if you do not obey these words

• The warning opens with a clear condition. Disobedience to God’s revealed commands brings consequences.

• Scripture repeatedly ties blessing to obedience and judgment to rebellion (Deuteronomy 28:1–2; 28:15).

• Earlier in Jeremiah, the prophet had already pleaded, “Obey My voice, and I will be your God” (Jeremiah 7:23–24). The kings of Judah were expected to lead in righteousness, yet they and the people persisted in injustice and idolatry.


Then I swear by Myself, declares the LORD

• No higher authority exists, so God takes an oath by His own name (Genesis 22:16; Hebrews 6:13).

• This underscores the certainty of the coming judgment; it is not a mere possibility but a divine guarantee.

• The personal declaration “declares the LORD” stresses that the prophet is not speaking his own ideas—this is God’s unchangeable word (Isaiah 45:23).


That this house will become a pile of rubble

• “This house” points first to the royal palace complex that overlooked Jerusalem (Jeremiah 22:4). If the rulers refused justice, their own residence would be toppled.

• Historically, Babylon fulfilled this word in 586 BC when the palace and temple precincts were burned and torn down (2 Kings 25:8–10).

• God had issued a similar verdict against Shiloh, turning a once-sacred site into desolation as a sober reminder (Jeremiah 7:12–14).

• The lesson is clear: persistent sin can bring even the most cherished institutions to ruin (Matthew 24:2 echoes the theme for the later temple).


Summary

Jeremiah 22:5 delivers a solemn, conditional warning: disregard God’s commands, and even the heart of national life—the royal palace—will be reduced to debris. The oath by God’s own name guarantees the outcome. History shows the prophecy fulfilled, proving that the Lord’s promises of judgment are as sure as His promises of blessing. Obedience leads to life; defiance invites destruction.

(5) I swear by myself.--The formula is an exceptionally rare one, but meets us in Genesis 22:16. In Deuteronomy 32:40 the came thought is embodied in the language of the loftiest poetry. The principle in both cases is that on which the writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews dwells in Jeremiah 6:13. Men swear by the greater, but God can swear by nothing greater than Himself.

This house.--The context determines the application of the word as meaning the king's palace, not the Temple.

Verse 5. - I swear by myself. "Because he could swear by no greater, he swore by himself" (Hebrews 6:13). A synonymous expression is, "As I live, saith Jehovah" (ver. 24).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But if
וְאִם֙ (wə·’im)
Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

you do not
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

obey
תִשְׁמְע֔וּ (ṯiš·mə·‘ū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

these
הָאֵ֑לֶּה (hā·’êl·leh)
Article | Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428: These, those

words,
הַדְּבָרִ֖ים (had·də·ḇā·rîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

then I swear by Myself,
נִשְׁבַּ֙עְתִּי֙ (niš·ba‘·tî)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7650: To seven oneself, swear

declares
נְאֻם־ (nə·’um-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5002: An oracle

the LORD,
יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

that
כִּי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

this
הַזֶּֽה׃ (haz·zeh)
Article | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

house
הַבַּ֥יִת (hab·ba·yiṯ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1004: A house

will become
יִֽהְיֶ֖ה (yih·yeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

a pile of rubble.’”
לְחָרְבָּ֥ה (lə·ḥā·rə·bāh)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2723: Waste, desolation, ruin


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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 22:5 But if you will not hear these (Jer.)
Jeremiah 22:4
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