King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 22:4 Mean?

Jeremiah 22:4 in the King James Version says “For if ye do this thing indeed, then shall there enter in by the gates of this house kings sitting upon the throne of Da...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“For if ye do this thing indeed, then shall there enter in by the gates of this house kings sitting upon the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, he, and his servants, and his people. upon: Heb. for David upon his throne”

Jeremiah 22:4 · KJV

Context

2

And say, Hear the word of the LORD, O king of Judah, that sittest upon the throne of David, thou, and thy servants, and thy people that enter in by these gates:

3

Thus saith the LORD; Execute ye judgment and righteousness, and deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor: and do no wrong, do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow, neither shed innocent blood in this place.

4

For if ye do this thing indeed, then shall there enter in by the gates of this house kings sitting upon the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, he, and his servants, and his people. upon: Heb. for David upon his throne

5

But if ye will not hear these words, I swear by myself, saith the LORD, that this house shall become a desolation.

6

For thus saith the LORD unto the king's house of Judah; Thou art Gilead unto me, and the head of Lebanon: yet surely I will make thee a wilderness, and cities which are not inhabited .

Read Jeremiah 22 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For if ye do this thing indeed (ki im-asoh ta'asu et-hadavar hazeh, כִּי אִם־עָשֹׂה תַעֲשׂוּ אֶת־הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה)—the emphatic Hebrew construction 'doing you shall do' (infinitive absolute + finite verb) stresses genuine, consistent obedience, not mere token compliance. This thing refers to verse 3's commands: execute justice (mishpat), righteousness (tzedaqah), and protection of the vulnerable. The conditional 'if' establishes the Deuteronomic principle that covenant blessing depends on covenant obedience (Deuteronomy 28).

Then shall there enter in by the gates of this house kings sitting upon the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses—the promise is dynastic continuity with royal splendor. The imagery of rechev (רֶכֶב, 'chariots') and susim (סוּסִים, 'horses') evokes military strength and prosperity, contrasting with the desolation threatened in verse 5. The phrase he, and his servants, and his people mirrors verse 2, showing that obedience brings collective blessing just as disobedience brings collective judgment. This conditional promise echoes God's word to Solomon at the temple dedication (1 Kings 9:4-5): 'If you walk before me as David your father walked...I will establish the throne of your kingdom upon Israel forever.'

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This verse articulates the conditional nature of the Davidic covenant, a tension evident throughout 1-2 Kings. While 2 Samuel 7:16 promised unconditional perpetuity ('your throne shall be established forever'), subsequent revelations clarified that individual kings could be judged and the dynasty temporarily suspended for disobedience (Psalm 89:30-37). The historical reality was that Judah's kings increasingly failed the conditions: Jehoiakim was a tyrant (vv. 13-19), Jehoiachin reigned only three months before exile (2 Kings 24:8-12), and Zedekiah's rebellion brought final destruction (2 Kings 25). The conditional 'if' proved decisive: because they did not 'do this thing indeed,' the Davidic throne ceased in 586 BC. Yet the promise was not ultimately void—it awaited the righteous Branch (Jeremiah 23:5-6), Jesus Christ, who perfectly fulfilled the conditions and now reigns eternally (Acts 2:29-36).

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the emphatic Hebrew construction 'doing you shall do' reveal about God's requirement for genuine versus superficial obedience?
  2. How does the conditional promise of dynastic continuity reconcile with the 'unconditional' promise to David in 2 Samuel 7?
  3. In what ways does this conditional blessing foreshadow the necessity of a perfectly righteous Davidic king—ultimately fulfilled in Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
כִּ֤י1 of 22
H3588

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

אִם2 of 22
H518

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

תַּֽעֲשׂ֔וּ3 of 22

“For if ye do”

H6213

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

תַּֽעֲשׂ֔וּ4 of 22

“For if ye do”

H6213

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

אֶת5 of 22
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַדָּבָ֖ר6 of 22

“this thing”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

הַזֶּ֑ה7 of 22
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

וּבָ֣אוּ8 of 22

“then shall there enter in”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

בְשַׁעֲרֵ֣י9 of 22

“by the gates”

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

הַבַּ֣יִת10 of 22

“of this house”

H1004

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

הַזֶּ֡ה11 of 22
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

מְלָכִים֩12 of 22

“kings”

H4428

a king

יֹשְׁבִ֨ים13 of 22

“sitting”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

לְדָוִ֜ד14 of 22

“of David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

עַל15 of 22
H5921

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

כִּסְא֗וֹ16 of 22

“upon the throne”

H3678

properly, covered, i.e., a throne (as canopied)

רֹֽכְבִים֙17 of 22

“riding”

H7392

to ride (on an animal or in a vehicle); causatively, to place upon (for riding or generally), to despatch

בָּרֶ֣כֶב18 of 22

“in chariots”

H7393

a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e., the upper millstone

וּבַסּוּסִ֔ים19 of 22

“and on horses”

H5483

a horse (as leaping)

ה֥וּא20 of 22
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

וַעֲבָדָ֖ו21 of 22

“he and his servants”

H5650

a servant

וְעַמּֽוֹ׃22 of 22

“and his people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

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 22:4 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 22:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 17:25

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in Jeremiah 22 →

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