King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 22:17 Mean?

Jeremiah 22:17 in the King James Version says “But thine eyes and thine heart are not but for thy covetousness, and for to shed innocent blood, and for oppression, and...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“But thine eyes and thine heart are not but for thy covetousness, and for to shed innocent blood, and for oppression, and for violence, to do it. violence: or, incursion”

Jeremiah 22:17 · KJV

Context

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.

17

But thine eyes and thine heart are not but for thy covetousness, and for to shed innocent blood, and for oppression, and for violence, to do it. violence: or, incursion

18

Therefore thus saith the LORD 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!

19

He shall be buried with the burial of an ass, drawn and cast forth beyond the gates of Jerusalem.

Read Jeremiah 22 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
But thine eyes and thine heart are not but for thy covetousness—the Hebrew בֶּצַע (betsa, 'unjust gain') describes violent greed that tears apart social fabric. Jehoiakim's entire orientation (eyes = perception, heart = will) fixated on accumulation through oppression. The fourfold indictment follows: covetousness, shedding innocent blood (דָּם נָקִי, dam naqi—judicial murder of the righteous), oppression (עֹשֶׁק, osheq—exploitation of the powerless), and violence (מְרוּצָה, merutsah—literally 'running' toward brutality).

This catalogue of crimes exposes the king's heart as a factory of injustice. Paul later warned that the love of money is the root of all evil (1 Timothy 6:10)—Jehoiakim embodied this principle. His reign illustrated how covetousness metastasizes into bloodshed, oppression, and violence when unchecked by fear of God.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jehoiakim ruled as an Egyptian vassal initially, paying heavy tribute by taxing his people mercilessly (2 Kings 23:35). He built a luxurious palace using forced labor (Jeremiah 22:13-14), ignoring his father Josiah's reforms. Historical records suggest he murdered prophets who opposed him, including possibly Urijah (Jeremiah 26:20-23).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does covetousness function as the root from which other sins grow in your life?
  2. What 'innocent blood' might be on the hands of economic systems you participate in?
  3. Where do you see the progression from greed to violence in contemporary society?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
כִּ֣י1 of 17
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אֵ֤ין2 of 17
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

עֵינֶ֙יךָ֙3 of 17

“But thine eyes”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

וְלִבְּךָ֔4 of 17

“and thine heart”

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

כִּ֖י5 of 17
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אִם6 of 17
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

עַל7 of 17
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

בִּצְעֶ֑ךָ8 of 17

“are not but for thy covetousness”

H1215

plunder; by extension, gain (usually unjust)

וְעַ֤ל9 of 17
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

דַּֽם10 of 17

“blood”

H1818

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

הַנָּקִי֙11 of 17

“innocent”

H5355

innocent

לִשְׁפּ֔וֹךְ12 of 17

“and for to shed”

H8210

to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e., to mound up); also (figuratively) to expend (life, soul, complaint, money, etc

וְעַל13 of 17
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הָעֹ֥שֶׁק14 of 17

“and for oppression”

H6233

injury, fraud, (subjectively) distress, (concretely) unjust gain

וְעַל15 of 17
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הַמְּרוּצָ֖ה16 of 17

“and for violence”

H4835

oppression

לַעֲשֽׂוֹת׃17 of 17

“to do”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

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 22:17 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 22:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Kings 24:42 Peter 2:14Jeremiah 22:3Ezekiel 19:6Psalms 10:3Ezekiel 33:31

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