Jeremiah 22 13

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 verses

Jeremiah 22 13 meaning

Jeremiah 22:13 is a powerful prophetic "woe" oracle pronounced against a ruler or wealthy individual who accumulates luxury and builds their dominion through severe social injustice and economic exploitation. It condemns those who use unrighteous and unjust means to build opulent structures, specifically by forcing their laborers to work without pay and withholding due wages, thereby oppressing the vulnerable. The verse directly indicts leadership for their blatant disregard of covenant laws pertaining to fairness and justice for workers.

Jeremiah 22 13 Context

Jeremiah 22:13 is part of a series of oracles, specifically chapter 22, that pronounces judgment on the kings of Judah. This particular verse is widely understood to be a direct indictment against King Jehoiakim, who reigned from 609 to 598 BCE. Unlike his righteous father, Josiah, Jehoiakim was known for his self-indulgence, extravagant building projects, and oppressive policies. While Judah was facing significant geopolitical pressures from Babylon and Egypt, Jehoiakim pursued his personal grandeur by building an elaborate new palace in Jerusalem. This was done by exploiting the people through forced, unpaid labor, denying them their rightful wages, and thus directly violating the Mosaic covenant's fundamental principles of justice and care for the vulnerable. The surrounding verses in chapter 22 contrast Jehoiakim's wicked rule with Josiah's righteous reign, emphasizing the stark difference between leadership that practices justice and leadership that preys on its own people for personal gain. The prophetic word condemns such an abuse of power and predicts the king's humiliating end.

Jeremiah 22 13 Word analysis

• Woe (הוֹי, hôy): An interjection not just of sorrow or pity, but primarily a pronouncement of judgment or a funeral lament directed at the living, often signaling imminent disaster or divine condemnation. It signifies a solemn declaration of God's displeasure and a coming calamity.

• to him who builds (בֹּנֶה, bōneh): "Builds" refers to the construction of grand edifices, specifically a royal palace. It also symbolically encompasses the establishment and maintenance of one's entire household, wealth, and power structure. The implication is that the foundation and methods of building are inherently flawed.

• his house (בֵיתוֹ, bêṯô): More than just a personal dwelling; it can denote the king's palace, his royal house or dynasty, and metaphorically, his entire realm of influence and power.

• by unrighteousness (בְּלֹא-צֶדֶק, bĕlo'-tsedeq): Literally, "in no righteousness" or "without righteousness." Tsedeq (righteousness) in the Old Testament refers to ethical, moral, and covenantal uprightness, doing what is right in God's eyes. To build bĕlo'-tsedeq means actively building upon a foundation devoid of these principles, essentially built on wrong-doing and sin.

• and his upper rooms (וַעֲלִיּוֹתָיו, waʿălîyōṯāw): These were often the most luxurious parts of a grand house or palace, likely large, well-ventilated chambers on the roof or upper story. Building these specifically "by injustice" emphasizes the excess and opulence derived from unethical practices.

• by injustice (בְּלֹא מִשְׁפָּט, bĕlo' mishpaṭ): Literally, "in no justice" or "without justice." Mishpaṭ (justice) refers to administering law fairly, protecting the weak, and upholding social equity according to God's standards. To build bĕlo' mishpaṭ means that the very construction process and the resulting opulence were achieved through legal perversion and social inequality.

• who makes his neighbor serve (מַעֲבִיד רֵעֵהוּ, maʿăvîḏ rêʿêhū): "Makes... serve" implies forcing or coercing labor. "Neighbor" (rêʿêhū) here refers to a fellow Israelite, someone within the covenant community, rather than a foreign slave, amplifying the offense as it breaches fraternal obligations.

• without pay (חִנָּם, ḥinnām): Literally "for nothing" or "gratis." This is the core of the exploitation—compelling labor without any remuneration. It violates the sacred covenant principle that labor deserves just compensation.

• and does not give him his wages (וּפֹעֲלֹו לֹא יִתֵּן לֹו, ûpōʿōlô lō' yittēn lô): A clear, direct denunciation. "His wages" (pōʿōlô) refers specifically to the earned compensation for labor, often paid daily. This is a deliberate act of theft and oppression against the most vulnerable, whose livelihood depended entirely on their daily pay. The double negative construction ("does not give him") stresses the active, intentional refusal.

Word Groups Analysis:

• "Woe to him who builds his house by unrighteousness and his upper rooms by injustice": This phrase indicts the entire project and lifestyle. It is not just about isolated acts of unrighteousness, but the systemic foundation of the king's power and luxury being built on a complete absence of ethical and covenantal standards. The parallel structure ("unrighteousness" / "injustice") emphasizes a comprehensive failure in moral and legal conduct. The "house" and "upper rooms" denote grandeur and power achieved through corruption.
• "who makes his neighbor serve without pay and does not give him his wages": This explains how the unrighteousness and injustice are manifested. It points to a direct violation of fundamental covenant laws concerning labor and the care of the poor. The dual statements of denying payment highlight both the initial compulsion without promise of reward ("without pay") and the subsequent refusal to deliver on the fundamental obligation to remunerate ("does not give him his wages"). This specific charge reveals a cruel disregard for the economic survival of the common people and represents a severe breach of trust and community.

Jeremiah 22 13 Bonus section

The condemnation in Jeremiah 22:13 is particularly biting because it implicitly contrasts King Jehoiakim's behavior with that of his righteous father, Josiah. Jeremiah 22:15-16 explicitly states that Josiah "did justice and righteousness" and "judged the cause of the poor and needy." This sharp distinction highlights Jehoiakim's conscious rebellion against God's ways and his father's righteous example. The specific term pōʿōl (wages/work) refers primarily to daily hired labor. For a society without modern banking, the daily wage was essential for a laborer and his family to survive. Withholding it for even a day could mean starvation. Thus, this exploitation was a life-threatening injustice, directly targeting the most basic human needs. This verse also implicitly warns against the spiritual danger of covetousness, as Jehoiakim's desire for an opulent lifestyle drove him to this egregious sin. It shows that prophetic messages often had very concrete political and social implications, directly challenging the abuses of power within the monarchy.

Jeremiah 22 13 Commentary

Jeremiah 22:13 stands as a scorching divine indictment against systemic injustice perpetrated by those in power. It specifically targets King Jehoiakim, though its principles resonate universally against any leader or wealthy individual who accumulates wealth and luxury by exploiting the labor of the poor and vulnerable. The double "woe" underscores the severity of the offense and the certainty of divine judgment. The prophet dissects the corrupt practice, moving from the overarching "unrighteousness" and "injustice" that characterize the entire building enterprise to the concrete acts of "serving without pay" and "withholding wages." This is not a matter of minor oversight, but a deliberate, flagrant disregard for God's law which mandated timely and fair payment to day laborers (Deut 24:14-15; Lev 19:13). Jehoiakim's grand palace, meant to be a symbol of his power and legacy, is prophetically revealed as a monument to his ethical failure and ultimately, his impending doom. The verse serves as a timeless reminder that true leadership, according to God's standard, is measured not by opulent display, but by the just and compassionate treatment of its people, especially the most susceptible.