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Jeremiah 4:22

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 4:22 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For my people are foolish, they know me not; they are sottish children, and they have no understanding; they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For my people are foolish, they know me not; they are sottish children, and they have no understanding; they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.
Jeremiah 4:22 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
19My anguish, my anguish! I am pained at my very heart; my heart is disquieted in me; I cannot hold my peace; because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war.
20Destruction upon destruction is cried; for the whole land is laid waste: suddenly are my tents destroyed, [and] my curtains in a moment.
21How long shall I see the standard, and hear the sound of the trumpet?
22For my people are foolish, they know me not; they are sottish children, and they have no understanding; they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.
23I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was waste and void; and the heavens, and they had no light.
24I beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved to and fro.
25I beheld, and, lo, there was no man, and all the birds of the heavens were fled.
← Jeremiah 4:21Jeremiah 4:23 →
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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
“For my people is foolish, etc.] This, as Kimchi says, is the answer of the Lord to the prophet; for not the prophet says this, but the Lord to the prophet, giving a reason why this sore destruction came upon the people of the Jews, and so reconciling his mind to the providence; seeing those whom he had chosen to be his people, above all people upon the face of the earth, and who professed themselves to be his people, had acted such a foolish part as they had done, in backsliding from him, revolting from his ways and worship, rebelling against him, and in committing such gross idolatries as they had been guilty of. So a people may be a professing people, and yet a foolish one; there are…”
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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
“Jehovah's reply; they cannot be otherwise than miserable, since they persevere in sin. The repetition of clauses gives greater force to the sentiment. wise . . . evil . . . to do good . . . no knowledge--reversing the rule (Rom 16:19) "wise unto . . . good, simple concerning evil."”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“For my: Jer 5:4, Jer 5:21, Jer 8:7-9; Deu 32:6, Deu 32:28; Psa 14:1-4; Isa 1:3, Isa 6:9, Isa 6:10, Isa 27:11; Isa 29:10-12, Isa 42:19, Isa 42:20; Hos 4:1, Hos 4:6; Mat 23:16-26; Rom 1:22, Rom 3:11 they have: Hos 5:4; Joh 16:3; Rom 1:28; Co1 1:20, Co1 1:21 they are wise: Sa2 13:3, Sa2 16:21-23; Mic 2:1; Luk 16:8; Rom 16:19; Co1 14:20 Jeremiah 4:23”
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Related study paths

Read Jeremiah 4 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification