Jeremiah 22:13 kjv
Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong; that useth his neighbour's service without wages, and giveth him not for his work;
Jeremiah 22:13 nkjv
"Woe to him who builds his house by unrighteousness And his chambers by injustice, Who uses his neighbor's service without wages And gives him nothing for his work,
Jeremiah 22:13 niv
"Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness, his upper rooms by injustice, making his own people work for nothing, not paying them for their labor.
Jeremiah 22:13 esv
"Woe to him who builds his house by unrighteousness, and his upper rooms by injustice, who makes his neighbor serve him for nothing and does not give him his wages,
Jeremiah 22:13 nlt
And the LORD says, "What sorrow awaits Jehoiakim,
who builds his palace with forced labor.
He builds injustice into its walls,
for he makes his neighbors work for nothing.
He does not pay them for their labor.
Jeremiah 22 13 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremiah 22:13 | "Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his rooms by wrong; that useth his neighbour's service without wages," | Judgment against injustice: Job 31:13-15, Luke 10:7, James 5:4-6 |
| Matthew 6:19-20 | "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:" | Earthly treasures vs. Heavenly treasures: Contrasts earthly possessions gained unrighteously with true spiritual riches. |
| Leviticus 19:13 | "Thou shalt not oppress thy neighbour, nor defraud him: neither shalt thou keep the wages of him that is hired, until the morning." | Command against withholding wages: Directly supports the sin described in Jeremiah. |
| Deuteronomy 24:14-15 | "Thou shalt not oppress an hired servant that is poor and needy, whether he be of thy brethren, or of thy strangers that are in thy land within thy gates: At his day thou shalt give him his hire, neither shall the sun go down upon it; for he is poor, and setteth his heart upon it: lest he cry unto the LORD against thee, and it be sin unto thee." | Mandate for timely payment: Reinforces the severity of delaying wages. |
| James 5:1-3 | "Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days." | Woes to the rich exploiters: Echoes the sentiment of divine retribution for the wealthy who oppress. |
| Malachi 3:5 | "And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear me not, saith the LORD of hosts." | God as witness against oppressors: Identifies withholding wages as a sin God will judge swiftly. |
| Psalm 15:1-5 | "LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. He that putteth not out his money upon usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved." | Righteous living: Describes the character of one who pleases God, contrasting with the actions in Jeremiah 22:13. |
| Proverbs 11:28 | "He that putteth his trust in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch." | Peril of riches: Highlights the danger of relying on wealth gained unrighteously. |
| Proverbs 22:16 | "He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, will alike come to poverty." | Consequences of oppression: Directly links oppressing the poor for financial gain to eventual ruin. |
| Amos 5:11-12 | "Ye have trodden upon the poor, and have taken from him burdens of wheat: ye have built ye fine houses of hewn stone, but ye shall not dwell in them, ye have planted pleasant vineyards, but ye shall not drink the wine thereof. For I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins: they commit the iniquity of his own house, vexing me by this iniquity." | Similar judgment for oppression and building: Draws a parallel to Amos' condemnation of similar practices. |
| Micah 6:8 | "He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" | The core requirements of God: Justice is a key component that is violated by unjust labor practices. |
| Romans 13:7 | "Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour." | Due rendering of wages: Jesus teaches that rightful dues must be given. |
| 1 Timothy 5:18 | "For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his hire." | Laborer worthy of hire: Paul quotes earlier scriptures to emphasize the right to fair compensation. |
| Revelation 18:5-7 | "For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled, fill to her double. How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow." | Divine judgment on corrupt systems: The ultimate judgment against nations or entities that perpetuate injustice, including economic exploitation. |
| Exodus 22:26-27 | "If thou take the pawn of thy neighbour's raiment, thou shalt deliver it unto him by that the sun go down: For that is his covering only, it is his raiment for his body: wherein shall he sleep? and it shall come to pass, when he crieth unto me, that I will hear; for I am gracious." | Protection of the poor's possessions: God's concern for the vulnerable, including their basic necessities for survival and dignity. |
| Isaiah 1:16-17 | "Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, plead for the fatherless, strengthen the widow." | Call to righteousness: God's desire for His people to actively pursue justice and care for the vulnerable. |
| Jeremiah 7:6 | "If ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods unto your hurt:" | Consequences of oppression: Links oppression of vulnerable groups to defying God. |
| Hosea 12:7 | "He is a merchant, he hath in his hand false balances: he loveth to oppress." | Characteristics of the unrighteous: Identifies exploitative merchants as sinful. |
Jeremiah 22 verses
Jeremiah 22 13 Meaning
This verse declares the wickedness of those who build their houses and expand their dwellings through unjust means, specifically by withholding wages from their workers. God's judgment is pronounced upon such oppressive practices, highlighting the sin of building with blood money and the ultimate futility of such ill-gotten gains.
Jeremiah 22 13 Context
Jeremiah chapter 22 continues God's condemnation of Judah's kings for their unfaithfulness and injustice. This particular verse, 22:13, targets Jehoiakim, though it is spoken prophetically. The historical context is one of rampant corruption and disregard for the vulnerable within Judean society, particularly during Jehoiakim's reign, a time when Nebuchadnezzar's power was rising. The people, especially the poor and laborers, were subjected to unjust labor practices and excessive taxation, all to fund the lavish building projects of the corrupt leadership. Jeremiah's message serves as a stark warning that such actions invite divine judgment.
Jeremiah 22 13 Word Analysis
- Woe (הוֹי): An interjection expressing deep sorrow, lament, or a prophetic declaration of impending doom or judgment. It immediately sets a tone of divine displeasure and impending consequence.
- unto him (לוֹ): Signifies a singular masculine subject, pointing to a specific individual or representative leader.
- that buildeth (בֹּנֶה): From the root בָּנָה (banah), meaning "to build," "to build up," "to found," or "to erect." It speaks of construction, establishment, and the creation of dwelling places or structures.
- his house (בַּיִת): "Bayith" means house, home, dwelling, family, lineage, or temple. Here, it refers to his personal residence and likely signifies his kingdom or dynasty as well.
- by unrighteousness (בְּעַוְלָה): From עַוְלָה (avlah), meaning "injustice," "wrongdoing," "iniquity," "unrighteousness." It points to a systemic lack of fairness and a deviation from moral and legal standards.
- and his rooms (וַעֲלִיֹּותָיו): "Aliyah" typically means an upper room, an attic, or a storey. The plural form suggests multiple expanded or luxurious quarters.
- by wrong (בְּעָשֶׁק): From עָשַׁק (ashak), meaning "to oppress," "to wrong," "to defraud," "to squeeze out." This specifically highlights the method of acquiring these additions: through exploitation.
- that useth (וְעֹשֶׂה): From עָשָׂה (asah), meaning "to do," "to make," "to accomplish." It indicates the active process or practice.
- his neighbour's (רֵעֵהוּ): "Rea'" means neighbor, friend, or fellow. This term typically refers to fellow Israelites, emphasizing the betrayal of community trust and solidarity.
- service (עֲבֹדָה): From עָבַד (abad), meaning "to serve," "to work," "to till," "to worship." It refers to labor, work, or servitude.
- without wages (בְּלִי־שָׂכָר): "Sakhar" means wages, reward, or hire. "Bli" means without. This directly specifies the act of withholding just payment for labor rendered, which is a gross injustice.
Word-group analysis:The phrase "buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his rooms by wrong" presents a parallelism common in Hebrew poetry. "House" can represent literal dwelling but also a stable dynasty. "Unrighteousness" and "wrong" are closely related concepts, emphasizing the illicit and oppressive means of acquisition. The focus on "his rooms" suggests luxurious expansion gained at the expense of others, possibly through forced labor or unfair contracts. The direct accusation of using "his neighbour's service without wages" clarifies the primary method of this unjust building: exploiting labor. This connects prosperity and expansion directly to economic oppression.
Jeremiah 22 13 Bonus Section
The imagery of building with "unrighteousness" and "wrong" implies that the very foundations of such structures are corrupt. This "unrighteousness" could manifest in various forms of dishonesty in business, unfair labor contracts, or even outright theft of property or wages. The "rooms" or "upper chambers" likely refer to the more elaborate and luxurious parts of the dwelling, emphasizing the personal gain and indulgence derived from the exploitation.
This specific critique aligns with broader prophetic themes concerning social justice and the covenantal obligations of Israel to care for the poor. The prophets frequently denounced the wealthy elite who enriched themselves by oppressing the vulnerable. This verse stands as a specific instance within this larger pattern, highlighting how personal comfort and expansion, when acquired through injustice, incur divine wrath. It emphasizes that God’s judgment is not abstract; it’s directed at concrete human actions that violate His law of love and fairness.
Jeremiah 22 13 Commentary
Jeremiah 22:13 paints a vivid picture of opulent living built upon the suffering of others. The leader addressed here is constructing a grand house and luxurious additions through ill-gotten gains, specifically by not paying his laborers. This isn't merely an oversight; it's a systemic exploitation, a deliberate act of withholding just compensation. God issues a severe "woe" upon this individual, indicating that such ill-gotten wealth will not endure. It serves as a stark reminder of God's commitment to justice, particularly for the poor and vulnerable. True prosperity in God's eyes is not measured by the size of one's house but by the righteousness with which one lives and treats others, especially those whose labor contributes to one's comfort. The verse is a timeless rebuke against economic injustice and exploitation in any era.