King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 22:6 Mean?

Jeremiah 22:6 in the King James Version says “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 w...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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 .”

Jeremiah 22:6 · KJV

Context

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 .

7

And I will prepare destroyers against thee, every one with his weapons: and they shall cut down thy choice cedars, and cast them into the fire.

8

And many nations shall pass by this city, and they shall say every man to his neighbour, Wherefore hath the LORD done thus unto this great city?

Read Jeremiah 22 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Thou art Gilead unto me, and the head of Lebanon—God uses striking metaphors of beauty and value. Gilead (גִּלְעָד) was famed for balm, fertility, and rich pastureland east of the Jordan. Lebanon (לְבָנוֹן) was renowned for majestic cedars, pristine mountain beauty, and cool streams. The phrase head of Lebanon (rosh haLevanon, רֹאשׁ הַלְּבָנוֹן) means its summit, the most glorious part. These images convey preciousness: the royal house was once treasured by God like fertile Gilead or magnificent Lebanon.

Yet surely I will make thee a wilderness, and cities which are not inhabited (im-lo ashitech midbar, arim lo noshevu, אִם־לֹא אֲשִׁיתְךָ מִדְבָּר עָרִים לֹא נוֹשָׁבוּ)—the reversal is devastating. Midbar (מִדְבָּר, 'wilderness') is barren wasteland, the opposite of Gilead's fertility. Cities which are not inhabited emphasizes complete abandonment—not just damaged but depopulated. The Hebrew lo noshevu (לֹא נוֹשָׁבוּ) means perpetually uninhabited. God will transform beauty into desolation, precisely because covenant privilege was abused. The 'yet surely' (im-lo) is an emphatic oath formula, reinforcing verse 5's sworn judgment. Greater privilege brings greater accountability (Luke 12:48).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Gilead and Lebanon were geographical landmarks with rich theological significance. Gilead was Israelite territory known for balm (Jeremiah 8:22, 46:11), pastures (Micah 7:14), and rugged beauty (Song of Solomon 4:1). Lebanon's cedars were used in Solomon's temple (1 Kings 5:6-10) and symbolized strength and majesty (Psalm 92:12). By comparing the royal house to these treasured regions, God emphasizes how much He valued the Davidic line—and how shocking its coming desolation would be. The prophecy fulfilled precisely: Jerusalem and the royal palace became literal ruins in 586 BC. Archaeologists have found evidence of Babylonian destruction throughout Jerusalem's ancient city. The imagery also appears in reverse in restoration prophecy: Isaiah 35:1-2 promises that wilderness will become like Lebanon when God restores His people. The pattern teaches that God's valuation determines destiny: what He treasures flourishes, what He curses withers.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does God's use of beautiful imagery (Gilead, Lebanon) reveal about His original design and valuation of the Davidic house?
  2. How does the transformation from 'head of Lebanon' to 'wilderness' illustrate the principle that covenant privilege intensifies the severity of judgment for disobedience?
  3. What does this verse teach about the conditional nature of blessing: that God's past favor does not guarantee future preservation apart from ongoing obedience?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
כִּֽי1 of 20
H3588

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

כֹ֣ה׀2 of 20
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַ֣ר3 of 20

“For thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֗ה4 of 20

“the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

עַל5 of 20
H5921

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

בֵּית֙6 of 20

“house”

H1004

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

מֶ֣לֶךְ7 of 20

“unto the king's”

H4428

a king

יְהוּדָ֔ה8 of 20

“of Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

גִּלְעָ֥ד9 of 20

“Thou art Gilead”

H1568

gilad, a region east of the jordan; also the name of three israelites

אַתָּ֛ה10 of 20
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

לִ֖י11 of 20
H0
רֹ֣אשׁ12 of 20

“unto me and the head”

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

הַלְּבָנ֑וֹן13 of 20

“of Lebanon”

H3844

lebanon, a mountain range in palestine

אִם14 of 20
H518

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

לֹ֤א15 of 20
H3808

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

אֲשִֽׁיתְךָ֙16 of 20

“yet surely I will make”

H7896

to place (in a very wide application)

מִדְבָּ֔ר17 of 20

“thee a wilderness”

H4057

a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert

עָרִ֖ים18 of 20

“and cities”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

לֹ֥א19 of 20
H3808

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

נוֹשָֽׁבהּ׃20 of 20

“which are not inhabited”

H3427

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

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 22:6 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 22:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 6:11Psalms 107:34Isaiah 27:10Micah 3:12Jeremiah 9:11Jeremiah 7:34

Places in This Verse

Gilead 1Region · Modern: Tell edh Dhahab esh Sherqiyeh · 32.19°N, 35.69°E86 verses across 21 books
LebanonRegion · Modern: Jezzine · 33.54°N, 35.58°E57 verses across 16 books
View all places in Jeremiah 22 →

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