Jeremiah 22 17

Jeremiah 22:17 kjv

But thine eyes and thine heart are not but for thy covetousness, and for to shed innocent blood, and for oppression, and for violence, to do it.

Jeremiah 22:17 nkjv

"Yet your eyes and your heart are for nothing but your covetousness, For shedding innocent blood, And practicing oppression and violence."

Jeremiah 22:17 niv

"But your eyes and your heart are set only on dishonest gain, on shedding innocent blood and on oppression and extortion."

Jeremiah 22:17 esv

But you have eyes and heart only for your dishonest gain, for shedding innocent blood, and for practicing oppression and violence."

Jeremiah 22:17 nlt

"But you! You have eyes only for greed and dishonesty!
You murder the innocent,
oppress the poor, and reign ruthlessly."

Jeremiah 22 verses

Jeremiah 22 17 meaning

Jeremiah 22:17 profoundly condemns King Jehoiakim of Judah, asserting that his entire focus and internal being (his "eyes and heart") are singularly devoted to illicit gain, the unconscionable shedding of innocent blood, and relentless, brutal oppression coupled with ruthless violence. This verse starkly portrays a king whose leadership is characterized not by justice or righteousness, but by selfish avarice and active wrongdoing against his own people, contrasting sharply with the covenant ideals for Israelite kings. It reveals a deep-seated spiritual corruption that drives a pattern of systematic injustice.

Jeremiah 22 17 Context

Jeremiah 22:17 is embedded within the "Word to the king's house" (Jer 22:1-23), a series of divine messages delivered by the prophet Jeremiah against the unrighteous kings of Judah, particularly focusing on Shallum (Jehoahaz) and Jehoiakim, and later on Coniah (Jehoiachin) and Zedekiah. Chapter 22 begins with a solemn promise: if the kings and people execute justice and righteousness, they will continue to thrive in Jerusalem. However, the chapter quickly shifts to pronouncements of judgment because they have failed to uphold this covenant.

Specifically, verse 17 directly targets Jehoiakim (609-598 BCE), son of the righteous King Josiah. Jehoiakim represents a stark decline from his father's example (Jer 22:15-16), who "did what was right and just" and "knew the Lord." In contrast, Jehoiakim exploited his people to build lavish palaces (Jer 22:13), failed to pay his workers, and presided over a reign marked by severe moral corruption and injustice. The historical context reveals a period where Judah was caught between the waning power of Egypt and the rising might of Babylon, but the spiritual and ethical decay within Judah was equally perilous, drawing divine condemnation. This verse captures the essence of Jehoiakim's ungodly reign—a heart utterly given over to selfish, violent sin, culminating in God's declaration of a humiliating, unmourned death (Jer 22:18-19).

Jeremiah 22 17 Word analysis

• But: (Heb. וְ / v') - This conjunction introduces a sharp contrast to the description of righteous kingship (Jer 22:15-16), powerfully emphasizing Jehoiakim's deviation. It signifies a radical shift from "doing what is right" to active wrong-doing.
• your eyes: (Heb. עֵינֶיךָ / 'eyneykha) - Represents not just physical sight, but perception, attention, desire, and the object of one's focus. What Jehoiakim chooses to observe and pursue defines his character and rule. In the biblical sense, "eyes" can signify intentions.
• and heart: (Heb. וְלִבְּךָ / v'libbkha) - Far more than an organ; in Hebrew thought, the "heart" is the core of a person – the intellect, will, emotions, conscience, and moral center. This signifies that Jehoiakim's inner being, his very desires and intentions, are corrupt, not just his outward actions. His entire essence is devoted to evil.
• are only on: (Implied in Hebrew, lo-kiy 'im 'al) - The Hebrew phrase "אֵין־כִּי אִם־" ('ein-ki 'im-) literally "is not... except" powerfully conveys exclusivity and singular, relentless focus. It means his attention is fixed solely on these nefarious activities, to the exclusion of any true justice or righteousness.
• your dishonest gain: (Heb. בֶּצַע / betza') - Refers to profit, gain, covetousness, avarice, or illicit gain obtained through exploitation or violence. It carries a strong connotation of unjust enrichment, a grasping desire for wealth that transgresses ethical boundaries and harms others. This was often acquired through taxation or seizure of property.
• on shedding innocent blood: (Heb. לִשְׁפֹּךְ דָּם נָקִי / lishpokh dam naqi) - Literally "to pour out blood of innocent." This is a grave sin in God's eyes, a direct violation of the sanctity of life and the Sixth Commandment (Exo 20:13). It speaks to unjust executions, murder, or actions leading to the death of blameless individuals for the king's selfish purposes.
• and on practicing oppression: (Heb. וְלַעֲשׂוֹת עֹשֶׁק / v'la'asot 'osheq) - Literally "and to do oppression/extortion." Osheq denotes severe injustice, exploitation, defrauding, and violating the rights of others, often the vulnerable. It's about systematically stripping others of their dignity or possessions through abuse of power.
• and violence: (Heb. וּמְרוּצָה / u'm'rutza) - This word is significant. Merutza can refer to swift or aggressive motion. In this context, it speaks to cruel, ruthless, or destructive behavior; rapacious violence, or unjust plunder. It often implies a rapid, destructive, and unrestrained taking or inflicting harm, complementing 'osheq by emphasizing aggressive, brutal action.

Words-group analysis:

• your eyes and heart: This pairing indicates a comprehensive inner devotion to wickedness. It’s not just outward acts, but the inner motivation, will, and desires are wholly corrupt. It speaks to intentional, willful evil.
• only on your dishonest gain, on shedding innocent blood, and on practicing oppression and violence: The enumeration of these specific sins—covetousness, murder, and systemic injustice—reveals a complete absence of the fear of God and love for neighbor. These are the antithesis of the covenant demands for righteous rule and highlight the systematic nature of Jehoiakim's corruption.

Jeremiah 22 17 Bonus section

The mention of "eyes" and "heart" working in concert is a recurring theme in prophetic literature to denote a comprehensive and intentional focus. A corrupted "eye" signifies a distorted perspective, seeing opportunities for gain rather than needs for justice (Matt 6:22-23), while a hardened "heart" speaks of moral insensitivity and rebellious will (Zec 7:12). This combination highlights that Jehoiakim's sin was not incidental but deeply ingrained and intentional, defining his very being. The severity of the crimes—unjust enrichment, state-sanctioned murder, and systemic abuse—are direct violations of the Mosaic Covenant and God's standards for justice in Israel, designed to protect the vulnerable. The repeated pairing of 'osheq (oppression) and merutza (violence/rapaciousness) signifies that Jehoiakim's rule was characterized by not only a passive tolerance of injustice but an active, aggressive, and brutal enforcement of his corrupt will upon his subjects, making him a symbol of the antithetical king in ancient Israel.

Jeremiah 22 17 Commentary

Jeremiah 22:17 paints a grim portrait of King Jehoiakim's reign, laying bare the depravity that governed his leadership. The verse functions as a profound indictment, showcasing how a leader's inward disposition dictates their outward governance. Jehoiakim's "eyes and heart" – his entire being and focus – were singularly fixated on a trinity of grievous sins: covetousness, murder, and oppression. His pursuit of "dishonest gain" underscores an insatiable greed, often achieved through exorbitant taxation, unpaid labor (Jer 22:13), or outright seizure, mirroring the self-serving actions common to ungodly rulers. This avarice escalated to "shedding innocent blood," signifying a disregard for human life and justice, perhaps through judicial murder or punitive measures against those who opposed his schemes. Finally, "practicing oppression and violence" encapsulates a regime built on systemic injustice, brutal force, and the exploitation of the vulnerable.

The contrast with his father, Josiah (Jer 22:15-16), is deliberate and damning. Josiah lived by justice; Jehoiakim reveled in its antithesis. This verse, therefore, is not merely an accusation of individual wrongdoing but a theological declaration that Jehoiakim fundamentally misunderstood what it meant to "know the Lord," which Josiah had exemplified through his righteous rule. The consequences of such pervasive sin, especially from those in authority, would be severe for both the king and the nation of Judah, leading to its eventual downfall. It stands as a timeless warning against the corrupting influence of power when unchecked by divine law and a moral conscience, resulting in both personal and societal ruin.