King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 22:7 Mean?

Jeremiah 22:7 in the King James Version says “And I will prepare destroyers against thee, every one with his weapons: and they shall cut down thy choice cedars, and c...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Jeremiah 22:7 · KJV

Context

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?

9

Then they shall answer, Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD their God, and worshipped other gods, and served them.

Read Jeremiah 22 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
I will prepare destroyers against thee, every one with his weapons—the Hebrew vekidashti alayich mashchitim (וְקִדַּשְׁתִּי עָלַיִךְ מַשְׁחִיתִם) literally means 'I will consecrate against you destroyers.' The verb qadash (קָדַשׁ) typically means 'sanctify' or 'set apart for holy purpose.' This jarring usage—consecrating instruments of judgment—shows that the Babylonian army is God's ordained tool, sanctified for the work of destruction. Mashchitim (מַשְׁחִיתִם, 'destroyers') comes from the root shachat (שָׁחַת), meaning to ruin or corrupt. These aren't random invaders but divinely appointed agents of covenant curses (Deuteronomy 28:49-52).

And they shall cut down thy choice cedars, and cast them into the fire—mivchar arazim (מִבְחַר אֲרָזִים, 'choice cedars') refers both literally to the cedar-paneled palace (v. 14) and metaphorically to Judah's nobility and strength. The verb karat (כָּרַת, 'cut down') is used for covenant-breaking and execution. Cedar, symbol of Lebanon's glory (v. 6), becomes fuel for fire—a deliberate reversal. Just as Solomon imported Lebanon's cedars for temple splendor (1 Kings 5:6), so Babylon will reduce that splendor to ashes. Fire (esh, אֵשׁ) represents complete consumption and divine judgment (Deuteronomy 4:24).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem in 586 BC fulfilled this prophecy literally. 2 Kings 25:9 records: 'And he burnt the house of the LORD, and the king's house, and all the houses of Jerusalem, and every great man's house burnt he with fire.' The cedar-paneled palace that Jehoiakim built (v. 14) was reduced to rubble and ash. The Hebrew term 'consecrate' (qadash) for destroyers is theologically significant: it shows God actively orchestrating judgment through pagan armies, as He did with Assyria (Isaiah 10:5-6) and later Babylon. This pattern appears throughout Scripture: God raises up enemies as judgment for covenant unfaithfulness (Judges 2:14-15, Habakkuk 1:6). The NT continues this principle: Romans 13:4 calls governing authorities 'ministers of God' who execute wrath. The 'choice cedars' imagery connects to Ezekiel 17:1-10, where the top of the cedar (Judah's king) is plucked off—both prophecies fulfilled when Jehoiachin was taken captive to Babylon.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does God's 'consecrating' of pagan destroyers teach about His sovereignty over all nations and ability to use anyone as instruments of His purposes?
  2. How does the cutting down of 'choice cedars' symbolize the reversal of royal privilege and the destruction of what was built in disobedience?
  3. What does the complete consumption by fire reveal about the finality and thoroughness of covenant judgment?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
וְקִדַּשְׁתִּ֥י1 of 11

“And I will prepare”

H6942

to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)

עָלֶ֛יךָ2 of 11
H5921

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

מַשְׁחִתִ֖ים3 of 11

“destroyers”

H7843

to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)

אִ֣ישׁ4 of 11

“against thee every one”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

וְכֵלָ֑יו5 of 11

“with his weapons”

H3627

something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)

וְכָֽרְתוּ֙6 of 11

“and they shall cut down”

H3772

to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt

מִבְחַ֣ר7 of 11

“thy choice”

H4005

select, i.e., best

אֲרָזֶ֔יךָ8 of 11

“cedars”

H730

a cedar tree (from the tenacity of its roots)

וְהִפִּ֖ילוּ9 of 11

“and cast”

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

עַל10 of 11
H5921

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

הָאֵֽשׁ׃11 of 11

“them into the fire”

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

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 22:7 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 22:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 4:6-7Isaiah 10:33-34Isaiah 37:24Ezekiel 9:1-7Isaiah 13:3-5Jeremiah 21:14

Test Your Knowledge

Jeremiah 22 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterJeremiah Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Jeremiah 22 with CommentaryAll Jeremiah ChaptersComplete Jeremiah QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes