King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 22:13 Mean?

Jeremiah 22:13 in the King James Version says “Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong; that useth his neighbour's service w...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong; that useth his neighbour's service without wages, and giveth him not for his work;”

Jeremiah 22:13 · KJV

Context

11

For thus saith the LORD touching Shallum the son of Josiah king of Judah, which reigned instead of Josiah his father, which went forth out of this place; He shall not return thither any more:

12

But he shall die in the place whither they have led him captive, and shall see this land no more.

13

Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong; that useth his neighbour's service without wages, and giveth him not for his work;

14

That saith, I will build me a wide house and large chambers, and cutteth him out windows; and it is cieled with cedar, and painted with vermilion. large: Heb. through-aired windows: or, my windows

15

Shalt thou reign, because thou closest thyself in cedar? did not thy father eat and drink, and do judgment and justice, and then it was well with him?

Read Jeremiah 22 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness—the Hebrew hoy boneh beito belo-tsedeq (הוֹי בֹּנֶה בֵיתוֹ בְּלֹא־צֶדֶק) begins with the prophetic hoy (הוֹי, 'woe'), a funeral lament pronouncing doom. This targets King Jehoiakim specifically (vv. 18-19 name him). Unrighteousness (belo-tsedeq, בְּלֹא־צֶדֶק) means 'without righteousness/justice'—his palace was built through injustice. And his chambers by wrong (va'aliyotav belo mishpat, וַעֲלִיּוֹתָיו בְּלֹא מִשְׁפָּט)—aliyot (עֲלִיּוֹת) are upper rooms or chambers, and mishpat (מִשְׁפָּט) is justice/judgment. The parallelism intensifies: no justice, no righteousness.

That useth his neighbour's service without wages, and giveth him not for his work—bere'ehu ya'avod chinam ufo'alo lo yitten-lo (בְּרֵעֵהוּ יַעֲבֹד חִנָּם וּפֹעֲלוֹ לֹא יִתֶּן־לוֹ). Chinam (חִנָּם, 'without wages/for nothing') indicates forced labor without pay—exploitation condemned throughout Torah (Leviticus 19:13, Deuteronomy 24:14-15). Po'alo (פֹּעֲלוֹ, 'his work') is the laborer's wages justly owed. Jehoiakim conscripted workers to build his palace but refused payment—exactly what Pharaoh did to Israel in Egypt (Exodus 5:6-19). The irony: Judah's king imitates Israel's former oppressor. This violates covenant law requiring prompt payment to hired workers (Deuteronomy 24:15). James 5:4 echoes this: 'Behold, the hire of the labourers...which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth.'

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Historical & Cultural Context

This prophecy targets Jehoiakim (609-598 BC), installed as puppet king by Pharaoh Neco after deposing Jehoahaz. Jehoiakim was a brutal tyrant who 'did evil in the sight of the LORD' (2 Kings 23:37). Historical records indicate he built an elaborate palace during his reign, likely using forced labor to avoid paying the massive Egyptian tribute (2 Kings 23:35). His exploitation was particularly egregious given the nation's economic distress from Egyptian taxation. The woe oracle recalls similar denunciations: Habakkuk 2:9-12 condemns building with violence, Micah 3:10 denounces building Zion with blood. Jehoiakim also murdered prophets (Jeremiah 26:20-23) and burned Jeremiah's scroll (Jeremiah 36:23). His death was ignominious: verse 19 prophesies burial 'with the burial of an ass,' likely meaning he was left unburied. The contrast with Josiah (v. 15-16) is stark: Josiah 'judged the cause of the poor and needy,' while Jehoiakim exploited them. Proverbs 14:31 warns: 'He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker.'

Reflection Questions

  1. What does building 'by unrighteousness' reveal about how the means of acquiring wealth and power matter as much to God as the ends?
  2. How does Jehoiakim's exploitation of laborers violate the Torah's protections for workers and replicate the Egyptian oppression God had delivered Israel from?
  3. What does this woe oracle teach about social justice as integral to covenant faithfulness, not peripheral to spiritual matters?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
ה֣וֹי1 of 15

“Woe”

H1945

oh!

בֹּנֶ֤ה2 of 15

“unto him that buildeth”

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

בֵיתוֹ֙3 of 15

“his house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

לֹ֥א4 of 15

“by”

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

צֶ֔דֶק5 of 15

“unrighteousness”

H6664

the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity

וַעֲלִיּוֹתָ֖יו6 of 15

“and his chambers”

H5944

something lofty, i.e., a stair-way; also a second-story room (or even one on the roof); figuratively, the sky

לֹ֥א7 of 15

“by”

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

מִשְׁפָּ֑ט8 of 15

“by wrong”

H4941

properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind

בְּרֵעֵ֙הוּ֙9 of 15

“that useth his neighbour's”

H7453

an associate (more or less close)

יַעֲבֹ֣ד10 of 15

“service”

H5647

to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc

חִנָּ֔ם11 of 15

“without wages”

H2600

gratis, i.e., devoid of cost, reason or advantage

וּפֹעֲל֖וֹ12 of 15

“him not for his work”

H6467

an act or work (concretely)

לֹ֥א13 of 15

“by”

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יִתֶּן14 of 15

“and giveth”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לֽוֹ׃15 of 15
H0

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 22:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 22:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

James 5:4Leviticus 19:13Micah 3:10Deuteronomy 24:14-15Malachi 3:5Habakkuk 2:9-11

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