Jeremiah 22:16 kjv
He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well with him: was not this to know me? saith the LORD.
Jeremiah 22:16 nkjv
He judged the cause of the poor and needy; Then it was well. Was not this knowing Me?" says the LORD.
Jeremiah 22:16 niv
He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me?" declares the LORD.
Jeremiah 22:16 esv
He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well. Is not this to know me? declares the LORD.
Jeremiah 22:16 nlt
He gave justice and help to the poor and needy,
and everything went well for him.
Isn't that what it means to know me?"
says the LORD.
Jeremiah 22 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremiah 22:16 | He defended the cause of the fatherless and the afflicted, | Jer 22:16 |
| Psalm 82:3 | Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the afflicted and the needy. | Ps 82:3 (echoes duty) |
| Prov 31:8-9 | Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. | Prov 31:8-9 (commands justice) |
| Isaiah 1:17 | Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed, take up the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow. | Isa 1:17 (command to justice) |
| Zech 7:9-10 | This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other in your hearts." | Zech 7:9-10 (justice duty) |
| Matt 5:7 | Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. | Matt 5:7 (blessing of mercy) |
| Luke 10:37 | "The one who showed mercy," he said. Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise." | Luke 10:37 (exhortation to act) |
| Acts 20:35 | In everything I showed you that by working like this, in toil and labour, we ought to help the weak and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ | Acts 20:35 (action of care) |
| 1 John 3:17 | If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? | 1 John 3:17 (love in action) |
| Deuteronomy 15:7-11 | If there is among you a poor man, one of your brothers... you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother, but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be. | Deut 15:7-11 (command to give) |
| Psalm 112:4-5 | Light arises in the darkness for the upright; he is gracious, merciful, and righteous. It goes well with the man who graciously lends; he will manage his affairs with justice. | Ps 112:4-5 (blessing of kindness) |
| Job 29:12-16 | Because I delivered the poor who cried, and the fatherless who had no one to help him. The blessing of him who was ready to perish came upon me, and I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy. I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; my justice was like robe and turban. I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame. I was a father to the needy; I searched out matters that I did not understand. | Job 29:12-16 (example of righteousness) |
| Galatians 2:10 | Only they were asked to remember the poor—the very thing I was eager to do. | Gal 2:10 (apostolic charge) |
| James 1:27 | Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. | James 1:27 (true religion) |
| Psalm 106:3 | Blessed are those who act with justice, who always do righteousness. | Ps 106:3 (righteousness) |
| Proverbs 19:17 | Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will repay his deed. | Prov 19:17 (divine reward) |
| Matthew 25:40 | Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me. | Matt 25:40 (serving Christ) |
| Mark 10:17-21 | When Jesus looked at him, he loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” | Mark 10:17-21 (prioritizing poor) |
| Jeremiah 5:28 | They grow fat, they grow sleek, in measures of iniquity. They do not defend the rights of the oppressed, the cause of the needy they do not defend. | Jer 5:28 (contrast of injustice) |
| Proverbs 14:21 | Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is] kind to the poor. | Prov 14:21 (kindness reward) |
Jeremiah 22 verses
Jeremiah 22 16 Meaning
This verse describes an individual who showed genuine care and compassion towards the poor and needy. It states that by recognizing and acting with justice and righteousness towards the vulnerable, this person found true prosperity and well-being, not through external means, but through the inner state of being a "dweller."
Jeremiah 22 16 Context
Jeremiah 22 is part of a series of oracles against the kings of Judah, specifically addressing kings Jehoiakim and Jehoahaz. The chapter denounces their unjust leadership, exploitation of people, and unrighteous actions. In this section, the prophet contrasts the corrupt rulers with an ideal ruler, exemplified by Josiah (though the verse doesn't explicitly name him, the context of comparison points this way). It highlights what true kingship and good governance should entail: concern for the welfare of the vulnerable members of society. This passage serves as a condemnation of kings like Jehoiakim, who acted with injustice and greed, and a call to a righteous standard of leadership.
Jeremiah 22 16 Word Analysis
- He (וְ) (we): Connects this statement to a preceding action or subject, likely referring to King Josiah by way of contrast to his successors.
- defended (דִּן) (din): Means to judge, to contend for, to plead a case. It implies taking action to secure justice for someone.
- the cause (מִשְׁפַּט) (mishpat): Refers to justice, a legal decision, right, or ordinance. Here, it signifies the rightful claims and due treatment of the oppressed.
- of the fatherless (יָתוֹם) (yatom): An orphan, one without a father. This highlights a particularly vulnerable group in ancient society, dependent on the protection of the community and the king.
- and the afflicted (עָנִי) (ani): Means poor, humble, afflicted, miserable. It encompasses those suffering from poverty, oppression, or any form of hardship.
- was it not (הֲלֹא) (halo): An interrogative particle used for emphasis, asking a rhetorical question that expects an affirmative answer.
- to know me (לָדַעַת) (lada'at): To know, to recognize, to understand. In a theological sense, it means to acknowledge God and His ways.
- saith (נְאֻם) (ne'um): Utterance or declaration, specifically referring to the word of the Lord.
- the LORD (יהוה) (YHWH): The personal covenant name of God.
- yea (כֵּן) (ken): An affirmation, meaning "so," "thus," or "yes."
Words-group by words-group analysis
- defended the cause of the fatherless and the afflicted: This phrase signifies more than mere sympathy; it means to actively champion the rights and justice for those who were vulnerable and had no legal standing or means to defend themselves. It was a fundamental requirement of righteous leadership.
- was it not to know me, saith the LORD: This connects true knowledge of God to demonstrating justice and compassion for the poor. Knowing God is not merely intellectual assent but a lived out reality that impacts one's actions toward the needy.
Jeremiah 22 16 Bonus Section
The phrase "did not I know you?" speaks to God's intimate relationship with those who act in accordance with His will. Just as a shepherd knows his sheep, God knows those who reflect His heart. This implies a future reward or recognition for such actions. The contrast with the surrounding kings highlights how a nation's or individual's standing with God is determined by their treatment of the most vulnerable, rather than by their wealth or power. True security and dwelling place are found in living out God’s righteousness.
Jeremiah 22 16 Commentary
This verse extols the virtue of upholding justice and showing mercy to the vulnerable. It contrasts the ideal character of a righteous ruler or person with the prevalent injustice and self-serving behavior condemned elsewhere in the chapter. True prosperity and belonging ("did not I know you") are linked to a deep commitment to the poor and oppressed. It means actively seeking justice for those who cannot advocate for themselves, thereby reflecting God's own character of righteousness and compassion. This is not an optional act of charity but a core aspect of knowing and obeying God.