Jeremiah 22 23

Jeremiah 22:23 kjv

O inhabitant of Lebanon, that makest thy nest in the cedars, how gracious shalt thou be when pangs come upon thee, the pain as of a woman in travail!

Jeremiah 22:23 nkjv

O inhabitant of Lebanon, Making your nest in the cedars, How gracious will you be when pangs come upon you, Like the pain of a woman in labor?

Jeremiah 22:23 niv

You who live in 'Lebanon,' who are nestled in cedar buildings, how you will groan when pangs come upon you, pain like that of a woman in labor!

Jeremiah 22:23 esv

O inhabitant of Lebanon, nested among the cedars, how you will be pitied when pangs come upon you, pain as of a woman in labor!"

Jeremiah 22:23 nlt

It may be nice to live in a beautiful palace
paneled with wood from the cedars of Lebanon,
but soon you will groan with pangs of anguish ?
anguish like that of a woman in labor.

Jeremiah 22 verses

Jeremiah 22 23 Meaning

This verse describes the cedar furnishings and decorations within the royal palace, signifying immense wealth and luxurious living. The people of Judah are called to lament for their king, Jehoiakim, whose pronouncements of grandeur and comfort are met with a curse because of his unjust and violent reign. The "window" and "cypress" allude to the finest materials and architecture, highlighting the stark contrast between the king's extravagance and his lack of concern for justice and righteousness. The verse asserts that this opulence will be swept away as judgment.

Jeremiah 22 23 Context

Jeremiah 22 is a series of prophecies against the kings of Judah, specifically focusing on Shallum, Jehoiakim, and Jehoiachin, and indirectly on the entire nation. King Josiah, a righteous king, had died, and his son Shallum (also called Jehoahaz) reigned for only three months before being deposed by Pharaoh Necho. Jehoiakim, Shallum's half-brother, was then placed on the throne. This chapter denounces the unrighteousness and injustice prevalent during this period. Verse 23 specifically addresses Jehoiakim, who, despite the turmoil, built a luxurious palace and ruled unjustly. The prophet condemns this extravagance in light of the people's suffering and the king's disregard for God's law. The message is a stark warning of impending judgment for Jehoiakim's actions.

Jeremiah 22 23 Word analysis

• “Ha” (hɑ) - A common article, meaning "the."
• “arotsepha” ('arotsæphæq) - Derived from the root meaning "to lodge" or "to reside," here refers to "chamber," or "dwelling."
• “beth” (bæyth) - Means "house," referring to the palace.
• “ecem” ('ætsæm) - Means "cedar," a valuable and strong wood, often associated with luxury and fine construction in ancient times, used extensively in building the temple and palaces.
• “cibbeneth” (cibbenæth) - Derived from a root meaning "to bind" or "to join," referring to beams or rafters.
• “mishqath” (mishqæqæth) - Implies something constructed or joined together, related to "window."
• “tziv’vi” (tseviy) - Meaning "beauty" or "splendor," referring to the aesthetic and opulent design.
• “tuv” (tuw) - Means "goodness" or "pleasantness," here suggesting desirable or pleasing qualities.
• “ve’nichoach” (venichowa'ch) - From the root meaning "to be moved" or "to be comforted," likely referring to comfort or rest, indicating a dwelling built for ease.
• “ya’anah” (ya'anâh) - From a root meaning "to lament" or "to wail," instructing the people to mourn.
• “beki’shem” (bekishæm) - From a root meaning "to pass through" or "to enter," suggesting their arrival or entering.
• “qor’oteykhem” (qor'owteykæm) - Means "windows."
• “hina’ath” (hin'aht) - From the root meaning "to pine away" or "to suffer," indicating their suffering.
• “venikach’el” (venikehel) - Means "and in torment" or "and in affliction."
• “chatan” (chatæna) - Related to "to be scorched" or "to be burned," here suggesting something related to heat or possibly distress from fire.
• “lebhanon” (lebanow) - Meaning "Lebanon," renowned for its tall cedars.
• “devaqa’u” (devâqa'û) - From the root meaning "to cleave to" or "to attach," suggesting to be attached or connected.
• “chotevem” (chotavim) - Related to "scorched" or "burnt," perhaps referring to timber prepared by burning.
• “shveth” (sheveth) - Means "captivity" or "exile."
• “veha’akhalti” (veha'akhal’tî) - "And I will cause to eat" or "I will consume."
• “va’akinchi” (ve'akhentich) - "And I will condemn" or "I will afflict," likely implying punishment.

Words Group Analysis:

• "Cedar chambers" (beth ecem): This phrase immediately evokes images of opulent, well-constructed rooms, highlighting the king's excessive wealth and his building a palace of fine materials. This points to earthly pride.
• "Windows and cypress" (qor’oteykhem u’cibbeneth lebhanon): "Cypress" (often interpreted alongside cedar for building, and linked to Lebanon) also signifies valuable construction and a pleasant, beautiful dwelling. The mention of "windows" implies visibility and perhaps the king surveying his domain from this grandeur.
• "Lamentation of passing through" (ya’anah beki’shem): This phrase introduces the divine command for the people to mourn. The "passing through" suggests an overwhelming influx of sorrow or disaster.
• "Suffering and torment" (hina’ath venikach’el): These words vividly describe the consequences of injustice and the king's misplaced priorities, indicating future suffering and distress for the inhabitants.
• "Burning in Lebanon" (chatan lebhanon): This might refer to cedars from Lebanon that were subjected to a particular treatment, or simply highlight the source of this exquisite building material. However, the later "burned" might suggest destruction related to this building material.
• "Eating and condemning" (veha’akhalti va’akinchi): This conveys God's judgment; He will "cause to eat" implies bringing destruction or judgment upon the house and its inhabitants, and "condemning" is the sentence passed against it.

Jeremiah 22 23 Bonus Section

The building materials mentioned, particularly cedar from Lebanon, were highly prized in the ancient Near East for their durability, fragrance, and beauty. The Temple of Solomon, and royal palaces, were constructed using these materials, signifying sacredness and kingly status. Jeremiah uses this context to demonstrate how even the most beautiful and strongest structures are subject to God's judgment if their inhabitants pervert justice. The prophetic indictment against luxury, when it leads to the oppression of others, is a recurring theme throughout Scripture. This verse serves as a potent reminder that God looks at the heart and the actions of a ruler, not merely their outward magnificence. The inclusion of the word "cypress" might also subtly echo other edifices known for their grandeur, or simply complement the description of a grand cedar house. The reference to "fire" or being "scorched" hints at the coming destruction, perhaps by enemy armies (like the Babylonians) who would lay waste to the land and its structures.

Jeremiah 22 23 Commentary

The verse is a stark pronouncement of divine judgment upon King Jehoiakim and his opulent palace, built with the finest cedar. God uses the very symbols of Jehoiakim's wealth and perceived security—his luxurious chambers, beautiful windows, and materials from Lebanon—as the basis for His condemnation. The elaborate dwelling, meant for comfort and beauty, will instead become a site of lamentation and suffering because it was erected and occupied by a king who practiced injustice and violence, utterly ignoring God's commands for righteous leadership and concern for the poor and oppressed. This highlights a core biblical principle: true security and prosperity are found in obedience to God and justice, not in material wealth or outward display, especially when gained through wickedness. The people are instructed to mourn, not for the king's luxurious dwelling itself, but for the consequences that will befall them due to his unrighteousness, signifying the inevitable collapse of a kingdom built on a foundation of sin. The judgment is complete: the opulent house will be destroyed, consumed by God's righteous anger.