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Jeremiah 22:16

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 22:16 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well. Was not this to know me? saith Jehovah.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well. Was not this to know me? saith Jehovah.
Jeremiah 22:16 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 22

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
13Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by injustice; that useth his neighbor`s service without wages, and giveth him not his hire;
14that saith, I will build me a wide house and spacious chambers, and cutteth him out windows; and it is ceiled with cedar, and painted with vermilion.
15Shalt thou reign, because thou strivest to excel in cedar? Did not thy father eat and drink, and do justice and righteousness? then it was well with him.
16He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well. Was not this to know me? saith Jehovah.
17But thine eyes and thy heart are not but for thy covetousness, and for shedding innocent blood, and for oppression, and for violence, to do it.
18Therefore thus saith Jehovah concerning Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah: they shall not lament for him, [saying], Ah my brother! or, Ah sister! They shall not lament for him, [saying] Ah lord! or, Ah his glory!
19He shall be buried with the burial of an ass, drawn and cast forth beyond the gates of Jerusalem.
← Jeremiah 22:15Jeremiah 22:17 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“He judged the cause of the poor and needy, etc.] Who could not defend themselves against the rich and the mighty; he took their cause in hand, and, having heard it, determined it in their favour, and did them justice, as princes and civil magistrates ought to do: then [it was] well [with him]; this is repeated, not only to show the certainty of it, but that it might be observed, and his example followed: [was] not this to know me? saith the Lord; it is not by words only, but by deeds, that men show that they know the Lord; for some in words profess to know him, who in works deny him; when princes do the duty of their office, they thereby declare that they know and own the Lord, by, and under…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“was not this to know me--namely, to show by deeds that one knows God's will, as was the case with Josiah (compare Joh 13:17; contrast Tit 1:16).”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Was not this - They only truly know God who obey him; men vainly pretend to piety who are defective in justice and charity. Jeremiah 22:19”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“judged: Jer 5:28; Job 29:12-17; Psa 72:1-4, Psa 72:12, Psa 72:13, Psa 82:3, Psa 82:4, Psa 109:31; Pro 24:11, Pro 24:12; Isa 1:17 was not: Jer 9:3, Jer 9:16, Jer 9:24, Jer 31:33, Jer 31:34; Sa1 2:2; Ch1 28:9; Psa 9:10; Joh 8:19, Joh 8:54, Joh 8:55; Joh 16:3, Joh 17:3, Joh 17:6; Tit 1:16; Jo1 2:3, Jo1 2:4 Jeremiah 22:17”
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Related study paths

Read Jeremiah 22 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification