Jeremiah 22 14

Jeremiah 22:14 kjv

That saith, I will build me a wide house and large chambers, and cutteth him out windows; and it is cieled with cedar, and painted with vermilion.

Jeremiah 22:14 nkjv

Who says, 'I will build myself a wide house with spacious chambers, And cut out windows for it, Paneling it with cedar And painting it with vermilion.'

Jeremiah 22:14 niv

He says, 'I will build myself a great palace with spacious upper rooms.' So he makes large windows in it, panels it with cedar and decorates it in red.

Jeremiah 22:14 esv

who says, 'I will build myself a great house with spacious upper rooms,' who cuts out windows for it, paneling it with cedar and painting it with vermilion.

Jeremiah 22:14 nlt

He says, 'I will build a magnificent palace
with huge rooms and many windows.
I will panel it throughout with fragrant cedar
and paint it a lovely red.'

Jeremiah 22 verses

Jeremiah 22 14 meaning

Jeremiah 22:14 describes the self-indulgent mindset and ambitious building plans of an unrighteous king of Judah, likely King Jehoiakim. The verse highlights his desire for a grand, opulent palace, characterized by expansive living spaces, elaborate windows, and lavish finishing materials like cedar paneling and expensive vermilion paint. This was pursued at the expense of justice and the well-being of his people, as contextually detailed in the preceding verse. The focus is entirely on personal comfort and display of wealth.

Jeremiah 22 14 Context

Jeremiah 22 focuses on prophecies against the corrupt kings of Judah. Chapters 21-24 are often grouped as "Messages concerning Kings and Prophets." The preceding verses (22:1-5) deliver a conditional promise of blessing or curse to the royal house based on their obedience to God's commands regarding justice and righteousness. Verses 6-9 warn of the destruction of Jerusalem if the kings do not obey.Verse 13 directly condemns Jehoiakim, king of Judah (609-598 BC), for building his palace "by unrighteousness" and "injustice," specifically citing his practice of making his neighbors and fellow Judeans work without pay. This sets the stage for verse 14, which functions as a direct quote, describing the inner thoughts or public boastings of such an oppressive king, revealing the extent of his lavish desires. Historically, Jehoiakim was known for his pro-Egyptian stance and for heavily taxing his people to pay tribute to Egypt, leading to immense pressure on the populace. His luxurious building projects further exacerbated their suffering, contrasting sharply with the pious reign of his father, Josiah (22:15-16). This prophecy warns of the coming judgment for such severe moral failings and corruption in leadership.

Jeremiah 22 14 Word analysis

• "who says" (אֹמֵר - 'omer): Hebrew active participle, emphasizing the continuous, present mindset or declaration of the king. It reflects a personal intention and proud proclamation, revealing his character and priorities.
• "I will build myself" (אֶבְנֶה־לִּי - 'evneh-li): The first-person singular li ("for myself" or "to myself") underscores extreme self-focus and self-aggrandizement. The act of building is for his own pleasure and status, not for God's glory or the welfare of the people.
• "a spacious house" (בֵּית מִדּוֹת - beit middot): Literally "house of measures," indicating a house of unusually large proportions or carefully planned grandeur. This implies an opulent dwelling, beyond necessity, emphasizing size and show.
• "with large upper rooms" (וַעֲלִיּוֹת מְרֻוָּחִים - va'aliyot meruvvachim): Aliyot refers to upper chambers or rooms, often for sleeping or receiving guests. Meruvvachim means "spacious" or "airy," pointing to luxuriously large and comfortable upper living quarters. These would offer expansive views and display status.
• "and cut out windows for it" (וְקָרַע לוֹ חַלּוֹנָי - veqara' lo chalonay): Qara' ("to cut out," "tear out") suggests a deliberate, perhaps expansive or artful construction of windows. In ancient building, windows were often small for defense and insulation. "Cutting out" elaborate windows implied architectural sophistication, luxury, and openness to display wealth, perhaps even allowing a wider, unobstructed view of the surrounding areas from the luxurious dwelling.
• "paneling it with cedar" (וְסָפוּן בָּאָרֶז - vesafun ba'arez): Safun means "paneled" or "ceilinged" (often from safan "to cover"). Artez (cedar) refers to the highly prized, fragrant, and durable wood from Lebanon, symbolizing great luxury, costliness, and prestige (cf. 1 Kgs 6:9-10, 7:2-3). Its use signifies extreme extravagance in furnishing and decor.
• "and painting it with vermilion" (וּמָשׁוּחַ בַּשָּׁשַׂר - u'mashuach bashashar): Mashuach (passive participle of mashach, "to smear, anoint, paint") indicates painting or decoration. Shashar (vermilion) was an expensive, bright red pigment, possibly from cinnabar. This implies elaborate, high-end interior decoration, characteristic of royal residences (cf. Jer 4:30; Eze 23:14). It underscores a deep aesthetic pursuit aligned with vanity and excessive spending.

Jeremiah 22 14 Bonus section

The phrase "בית מדות" (beit middot - spacious house) carries a double irony here. While middah generally means "measure" or "dimension" indicating grandeur, it also implies an understanding of legal middot or judicial standards. The king builds a "house of (large) measures" while utterly failing in the "measures" of justice and righteousness.This verse highlights the clash between a human king's desire for an earthly kingdom of splendor and God's standard for His chosen people, whose true "house" or foundation should be justice and righteousness. The prophet Haggai later echoes a similar concern when the people neglect rebuilding God's temple while residing in their own "paneled houses" (Hag 1:4), showing this human tendency for self-priority. The vivid imagery would have strongly resonated with the original audience, who were burdened by taxes and forced labor, as it laid bare the king's decadent lifestyle in direct contrast to their suffering. This critique extends beyond simple luxury to encompass the oppressive means by which such luxury was acquired, thus emphasizing a theological message against economic injustice.

Jeremiah 22 14 Commentary

Jeremiah 22:14 profoundly captures the essence of a leader steeped in personal indulgence and a complete disregard for divine justice or public welfare. The detailed description of the palace ("spacious house," "large upper rooms," "cut out windows," "paneled with cedar," "painted with vermilion") is not merely architectural but serves as a moral indictment. Each element signifies excessive luxury, revealing a heart captivated by material splendor. This pursuit was in stark contrast to God's standard of righteous governance, which required leaders to protect the vulnerable and ensure justice. The king's self-centered ambition, evident in the repeated "myself" and emphasis on personal gain, directly contradicted the covenant responsibilities of a Judean king. The passage stands as a timeless warning against the corrupting influence of power when combined with greed and an abandonment of godly principles. The ultimate judgment against such kings served to vindicate God's justice and underscore His call for integrity in leadership.