Jeremiah 22 7

Jeremiah 22:7 kjv

And I will prepare destroyers against thee, every one with his weapons: and they shall cut down thy choice cedars, and cast them into the fire.

Jeremiah 22:7 nkjv

I will prepare destroyers against you, Everyone with his weapons; They shall cut down your choice cedars And cast them into the fire.

Jeremiah 22:7 niv

I will send destroyers against you, each man with his weapons, and they will cut up your fine cedar beams and throw them into the fire.

Jeremiah 22:7 esv

I will prepare destroyers against you, each with his weapons, and they shall cut down your choicest cedars and cast them into the fire.

Jeremiah 22:7 nlt

I will call for wreckers,
who will bring out their tools to dismantle you.
They will tear out all your fine cedar beams
and throw them on the fire.

Jeremiah 22 verses

Jeremiah 22 7 Meaning

The Lord declares that the cedar palaces of Jerusalem will be ruined and utterly destroyed. This destruction is likened to the devastation of a wilderness and the emptying of a vast basin. The reason for this judgment is the transgression of His people and their sin.

Jeremiah 22 7 Context

Jeremiah chapter 22 addresses the kings of Judah, focusing on their leadership and responsibility to God's covenant. Verse 7 is part of a prophetic oracle directed at Jehoahaz, who had a short and ineffective reign. The verse speaks of impending judgment on the royal palace and its luxurious cedar construction, symbolizing the king's failure and the nation's sin. The wider context of Jeremiah is a persistent message of God's judgment against Judah's apostasy and unfaithfulness, warning of Babylonian exile unless they repent. The destruction described is a stark contrast to the glorious Temple built with cedar.

Jeremiah 22 7 Word Analysis

• Hear (שְׁמַע - shama): To listen, to obey, to pay attention. Emphasizes the need for the king to receive and act upon God's word.
• you shall (na - נָא): A particle of entreaty or plea, indicating a strong request or command from God.
• behold (רְאֵה - re'eh): Look, see, pay attention. Draws the listener's focus to the impending event.
• for (ki - כִּי): Because, for the reason that. Introduces the cause for the judgment.
• I ('ani - אָנִי): Pronoun for God, asserting His divine authority and action.
• will indeed bring (הֵבֵאתִי - hev'eti): To bring, to cause to come. Future certainty of action.
• upon ('al - עַל): Upon, over, against. Indicates the target of the action.
• you (יְרוּשָׁלִַם - Yerushalaim): Jerusalem, the capital city, symbolizing the kingdom and its people.
• and (waw - וְ): Conjunction linking clauses.
• a house (bayit - בַּיִת): House, dwelling, palace. Refers to the royal residence.
• of Lebanon (Lebanon - לְבָנוֹן): The mountainous region known for its tall, strong cedar trees. Used here metonymically for strength and grandeur.
• and (waw - וְ): Conjunction.
• wood ('ets - עֵץ): Tree, wood. Refers to the materials used in construction.
• of cedars ('erez - אֶרֶז): Cedars. Specifically highlights the valuable and imposing timbers of the cedar trees from Lebanon.
• shall be like (tihyeh - תִּהְיֶה): Will be, shall become. Indicates a future state.
• cherries (בָּרִים - barim): Destruction, ruin. Often interpreted as devastation or a place utterly destroyed.
• and (waw - וְ): Conjunction.
• what (ma - מַה): What. Introduces the second simile.
• after ('acharey - אַחֲרֵי): After.
• that (ki - כִּי): Because.
• what (ma - מָה): What.
• in / by (b'- - בְּ): Preposition indicating means or location.
• a destruction/flood/ravaging (שֹׁד - shod): Ruin, destruction, devastation. Often implies a forceful, sweeping destruction.
• great (גָּדוֹל - gadol): Large, great, mighty. Emphasizes the magnitude of the destruction.
• shall become (tihyeh - תִּהְיֶה): Will be, shall become.

Word Group Analysis

• "the house of Lebanon" / "wood of cedars": This phrase poetically refers to the king's palace, emphasizing its grandeur and construction using the finest cedar wood from Lebanon, renowned for its strength, beauty, and durability. This signifies royal splendor and perceived invincibility.
• "shall be like cherries" / "what like a great destruction": These similes vividly portray the thoroughness and totality of the impending ruin. The palace will be as utterly destroyed and laid waste as a deserted, ravaged place. It foreshadows a complete leveling and emptiness.

Jeremiah 22 7 Bonus Section

The comparison to "cherries" (barim) is debated among scholars. Some suggest it refers to the cedar trees being felled and scattered like debris, while others interpret it as the desolate emptiness left after a fierce, destructive wind or flood. Regardless of the precise nuance, the overwhelming sense is one of complete ruin and emptiness, a striking contrast to the palace's former glory. The cedar from Lebanon was prized for its aromatic properties and insect resistance, making it ideal for durable, beautiful construction. Its destruction symbolizes the dismantling of the kingly authority and the nation's trust in earthly power over divine protection.

Jeremiah 22 7 Commentary

Jerusalem's royal palace, a symbol of Judah's strength and continuity, is declared by God to be reduced to utter desolation. The opulent cedar construction, signifying security and magnificence, will be rendered as worthless and empty as a wilderness or a devastated basin. This is not a natural disaster but a direct divine judgment for the nation's persistent sin and breach of covenant. The prophetic imagery highlights the emptiness of human security apart from God's favor. It’s a stark warning that even the most powerful earthly structures are vulnerable when disconnected from righteousness and faithfulness. The verse underscores the accountability of rulers for the nation's spiritual and moral state.