King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 22:14 Mean?

Jeremiah 22:14 in the King James Version says “That saith, I will build me a wide house and large chambers, and cutteth him out windows; and it is cieled with cedar, a...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Jeremiah 22:14 · KJV

Context

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?

16

He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well with him: was not this to know me? saith the LORD.

Read Jeremiah 22 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
That saith, I will build me a wide house and large chambers—the Hebrew ha'omer evneh-li beyt middot va'aliyot meruachim (הָאֹמֵר אֶבְנֶה־לִּי בֵּית מִדּוֹת וַעֲלִיּוֹת מְרֻוָּחִים) reveals Jehoiakim's arrogant ambition. Beyt middot (בֵּית מִדּוֹת) means 'house of measurements/proportions'—a grandiose, measured palace. Meruachim (מְרֻוָּחִים) means 'spacious/airy,' from ruach (רוּחַ, 'wind/breath/spirit')—rooms with air circulation, windows, luxury. The focus on 'me' (li, לִּי) shows self-centered pride: this is personal monument, not public good. Contrast with David, who wanted to build God a house (2 Samuel 7:2), or Solomon's temple-building. Jehoiakim builds for himself.

And cutteth him out windows; and it is cieled with cedar, and painted with vermilion—vekaro'a lo chalonay vesapun ba'erez umashowach bashashar (וְקָרֹעַ לוֹ חַלּוֹנָי וְסָפוּן בָּאֶרֶז וּמָשׁוֹחַ בַּשָּׁשַׁר). Chalonay (חַלּוֹנָי, 'windows') plural shows multiple large windows—luxury in ancient architecture. Sapun ba'erez (סָפוּן בָּאֶרֶז, 'paneled with cedar') uses the same cedars of Lebanon mentioned in v. 6-7, expensive imported wood. Vermilion (shashar, שָּשַׁר) is red ochre paint, costly pigment used for royal decoration. The extravagance is stunning during national crisis: Judah owed massive tribute to Egypt (2 Kings 23:35), yet the king builds a lavish palace using unpaid labor (v. 13). Isaiah 5:8 pronounces woe on those who 'lay field to field' in self-aggrandizement while oppressing others.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jehoiakim reigned 609-598 BC under Egyptian then Babylonian dominance. Despite crushing tribute payments (2 Kings 23:35), he built an extravagant palace with cedar and vermilion. Archaeological evidence from Iron Age II Jerusalem shows elite residences with ashlar masonry and luxury goods, consistent with this description. Cedar imported from Lebanon was extremely expensive—Solomon used it for the temple (1 Kings 5:6-10). Vermilion (red ochre) was prized pigment requiring extensive processing. The opulence contrasts sharply with the nation's impoverishment: Jehoiakim taxed 'the land' heavily to pay Egypt (2 Kings 23:35). His vanity paralleled later tyrants: Herod built lavishly while taxing Jews heavily; Nero's 'Golden House' embodied imperial excess. The pattern is consistent: oppressive rulers build monuments to themselves. Proverbs 21:6 warns: 'The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.' Jesus condemned leaders who 'devour widows' houses' while making pretentious displays (Mark 12:40).

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Jehoiakim's focus on building 'me a wide house' reveal about self-centered leadership that prioritizes personal glory over national welfare?
  2. How does the extravagance of cedar paneling and vermilion paint, built with unpaid labor during economic crisis, illustrate the disconnect between ruling-class luxury and popular suffering?
  3. What does this verse teach about how building projects themselves can become monuments to pride and injustice rather than expressions of righteous stewardship?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
הָאֹמֵ֗ר1 of 14

“That saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֶבְנֶה2 of 14

“I will build”

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

לִּי֙3 of 14
H0
בֵּ֣ית4 of 14

“house”

H1004

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

מִדּ֔וֹת5 of 14

“me a wide”

H4060

properly, extension, i.e., height or breadth; specifically, tribute (as measured)

וַעֲלִיּ֖וֹת6 of 14

“chambers”

H5944

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

מְרֻוָּחִ֑ים7 of 14

“and large”

H7304

properly, to breathe freely, i.e., revive; by implication, to have ample room

וְקָ֤רַֽע8 of 14

“and cutteth him out”

H7167

to rend, literally or figuratively (revile, paint the eyes, as if enlarging them)

לוֹ֙9 of 14
H0
חַלּוֹנָ֔י10 of 14

“windows”

H2474

a window (as perforated)

וְסָפ֣וּן11 of 14

“and it is cieled”

H5603

to hide by covering; specifically, to roof (passive participle as noun, a roof) or wainscot; figuratively, to reserve

בָּאָ֔רֶז12 of 14

“with cedar”

H730

a cedar tree (from the tenacity of its roots)

וּמָשׁ֖וֹחַ13 of 14

“and painted”

H4886

to rub with oil, i.e., to anoint; by implication, to consecrate; also to paint

בַּשָּׁשַֽׁר׃14 of 14

“with vermilion”

H8350

red ochre (from its piercing color)

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 22:14 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 22:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Samuel 7:2Haggai 1:4Isaiah 5:8-9Luke 14:28-29Song of Solomon 1:17Isaiah 9:9

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