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

This verse declares a lack of discerning wisdom in those who look intently but fail to perceive what is before them. It speaks to a spiritual or intellectual blindness, a failure to grasp truth and right action despite having the capacity for understanding. The heart of the message is the absence of wisdom to recognize and act upon the evident.

Jeremiah 22 17 Context

Jeremiah 22:17 focuses on the character of Jehoiakim, king of Judah. This chapter critiques kings who are corrupt, oppressive, and lack true leadership. Jeremiah is prophesying during a turbulent time for Judah, facing the threat of Babylonian conquest. The people and their leaders are often portrayed as having rejected God's ways and warnings, leading to their eventual downfall. This specific verse highlights a profound moral and spiritual failure to recognize and uphold justice, particularly for the vulnerable. It speaks to a deep-seated corruption that blinds them to the consequences of their actions.

Jeremiah 22 17 Word Analysis

• His eye: Refers to Jehoiakim. It signifies his perception and outlook.
• is on: Indicates the focus or object of his attention.
• iniquity: Refers to wickedness, sin, or wrongdoing. Specifically, Jehoiakim's pursuit of unjust gain and oppressive practices.
• to: Indicates the direction or purpose of his focus.
• his: Possessive pronoun, referring to Jehoiakim.
• gain: Signifies profit or acquisition, particularly illicit or exploitative gain.
• with: Indicates association or connection.
• iniquity: Repeated word, reinforcing the persistent nature of his sin.
• yet: Introduces a contrast or something unexpected.
• the means that there are people who are not with them.
• poor: Refers to the underprivileged, those lacking resources and power.
• are: A state of being.
• in means: in a certain state, with this specific status.
• their Possessive pronoun, referring to the poor.
• own emphasizes that it's their personal situation, not imposed externally without cause.
• eyes: Again, perception, but here referring to the vulnerable.
• yet: Introduces a further contrast or negation.
• he refers to Jehoiakim.
• not negates the following action.
• on indicates a directed focus.
• them: Refers to the poor, the afflicted.
• seeing implies direct observation, yet a failure to comprehend or engage.
• Is: state of being.
• the means this particular entity, the insight itself.
• wisdom: The quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment.
• their: Possessive pronoun, referring to the poor.
• own emphasizes their personal understanding and potential insight.
• yet: Introduces a strong contradiction.
• is the presence of something.
• he Jehoiakim.
• not the absence of this action.
• their: refers to the poor people's understanding and insight.
• doing: The action of their perceiving and applying it.

Word-by-word analysis

• "His eye": Refers to the king's gaze and focus.
• "is on": The object of his attention.
• "iniquity": Specifically, Jehoiakim's corrupt practices, injustice, and evil deeds.
• "to": The direction of his pursuit.
• "his": Belonging to him.
• "gain": Illicit profit and unjust enrichment.
• "with": Associated with his pursuit of wealth.
• "iniquity": Reinforcing the pervasive nature of his sin in his enrichment.
• "yet": Introduces a contrasting observation about his lack of true perception.
• "the poor": The disadvantaged, the vulnerable members of society.
• "are": Their state of being.
• "in": Within their own experience or perception.
• "their": Belonging to them.
• "own": Highlighting their individual condition and helplessness.
• "eyes": Their ability to see their suffering.
• "yet": Still, despite the observable reality.
• "he": The king, Jehoiakim.
• "not": Negation.
• "on": The direction of his focus.
• "them": The poor people.
• "seeing": Perceiving their plight, understanding it.
• "Is": The state of.
• "the wisdom": The discerning insight needed.
• "their": The poor's capacity for understanding or recognition.
• "own": Their individual perception of truth.
• "yet": But still.
• "is": Is present or available.
• "he": Jehoiakim.
• "not": Negating his possession or application.
• "their": referring to the poor people's wisdom or understanding that he lacks.
• "doing": their ability to discern or understand.

Phrase/Group analysis

• "His eye is on iniquity to his gain with iniquity": This phrase vividly describes Jehoiakim's character. His gaze is fixed on injustice not just for the sake of wrongdoing, but for personal profit. His entire enterprise is built on a foundation of corrupt practices leading to corrupt gains, creating a vicious cycle. This is a hallmark of oppressive rulers who exploit their position for wealth and power.
• "yet the poor are in their own eyes": This suggests a subtle nuance. The poor, in their condition, have their own perspective and suffering. They are visible. Or, it could imply the poor have their own limited "eyes" (understanding/resources) which he ignores.
• "yet he not on them seeing is the wisdom their own": This is the core indictment. Despite the visible suffering of the poor, Jehoiakim fails to see. The "wisdom their own" refers to the innate human capacity for empathy, justice, and discernment which, even the poor possess, would allow him to understand their plight. He lacks this crucial insight.
• "yet is he not their doing": This final phrase contrasts his actions (or inactions) with the poor's experience. He fails to grasp their reality or respond to it with the wisdom he ought to possess. His failure to "do" for them is a direct consequence of his failure to "see" them with understanding.

Jeremiah 22 17 Bonus Section

The condemnation of Jehoiakim in Jeremiah 22 is part of a larger pattern of judgment against disobedient kings and leaders in ancient Israel and Judah. This verse stands in stark contrast to the ideal king described in passages like Isaiah 11:4 ("but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth") and Psalm 72:4 ("May he defend the afflicted of the people and save the needy"). Jehoiakim represents the antithesis of godly leadership, illustrating how corruption and a lack of wisdom lead to national decline and divine judgment. His reign was marked by his defiance of Jeremiah and his rebellion against Babylon, actions that ultimately brought destruction upon Jerusalem.

Jeremiah 22 17 Commentary

This verse exposes King Jehoiakim as a morally bankrupt ruler. His obsession with personal profit drives his injustice, focusing intently on exploiting others for his own enrichment. This self-serving ambition blinds him completely to the suffering of the poor, who are presented as clearly visible and therefore deserving of his attention and a leader's wisdom. The verse highlights a profound failure of empathy and moral perception; a king's basic duty of care for the vulnerable is absent because he lacks the fundamental wisdom to recognize their humanity and right to justice. His disregard for the poor signifies a spiritual void, a rejection of God's standards for leadership.

• Practical Example: Imagine a business owner who makes employees work excessive hours for minimal pay, knowing they are struggling financially, and yet hoards the profits for lavish personal spending. This leader is fixated on his own gain through exploitative means, ignoring the visible hardship of his workforce and lacking the wisdom to see that fair treatment and shared prosperity is both just and sustainable.