Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Jeremiah 22:15
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?
15. Shalt thou reign ] Dost thou think that ostentation and luxury constitute a king?
strivest to excel in cedar ] mg. (less well), viest with the cedar. For “cedar” LXX (supported by the Arabic) have Ahaz (the two words resembling one another in Hebrew), but Codex A (Alexandrinus) of the LXX reads Ahab, apparently with a reference to 1Ki 22:39, and Co. ( Heb. p. 62) accepts this as the original, on the ground that the context requires a proper name.
thy father ] Josiah.
eat and drink, etc.] enjoyed life, but did not omit the fulfilment of the duties for which, as king, he was responsible.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
i. e., Will thy buildings make thy reign continue? These words imply that Jehoiakim was looking forward to, and taking measures to secure, a long continuance of power (compare Hab 2:9-13. If so, Jeremiah probably wrote this prophecy before Jehoiakim revolted 2Ki 24:1; and it, therefore, probably belongs to the same date as Jer 36:30, written in the interval between Nebuchadnezzars first conquest of Jerusalem, and Jehoiakims rebellion, and when Jeremiah was out of the reach of the tyrants power.
Closest thyself in cedar – Rather, viest in cedar; i. e., viest with Solomon.
Did not thy father eat and drink … – i. e., he was prosperous and enjoyed life. There is a contrast between the life of Josiah spent in the discharge of his kingly duties, and that of Jehoiakim, busy with ambitious plans of splendor and aggrandisement.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Jer 22:15-16
Did not thy father eat and drink.
Gods expostulation with Jehoiakim
I. God remembereth the piety and usefulness of our ancestors, and observeth how far we resemble them. The Eternal Mind cannot possibly forget anything. All things past, as well as present, are naked and open before His eyes. He remembers all the way in which our fathers walked; the secret piety of their hearts; the evidences of it in their lives, and all the service they did for God and their generation. He remembered how piously Josiah walked, and mentions it to his honour. God hath a kind remembrance of His faithful servants, when they are departed out of this world; and is not unrighteous, to forget any work and labour of love which they have performed. Let it be further observed, that God takes notice how far we resemble them. Thus He chargeth it upon Jehoiakim, that he had not trod in his fathers steps. God can and will make a just estimate, what our religious advantages are, compared with theirs, and what improvement we make of these advantages. He observeth every instance of declension from that which is good, and the principles from which our departures from God and religion flow.
II. Young persons often forsake the religion of their fathers, through pride, and love of elegance, pomp, and show. This was the case of Jehoiakim. No doubt it is lawful for persons of rank and fortune to build themselves houses and to beautify them; provided it be suitable to their circumstances, and no injury to justice or charity. But it was pride that led Jehoiakim to covet so much splendour, and practise so much injustice. This is a sin that easily besets the young, and often leads them to forsake the ways and the God of their fathers. They set out beyond their rank and circumstances, and begin where their wiser fathers ended. And this their pride and vanity leads them to forsake the religious profession of their fathers. Thus Jehoiakim, it is probable, turned idolater. He forsook the God of Israel, and persecuted His faithful prophets. Hence so many among us forsake the principles and profession of their ancestors; because the favour and preferments of the world and public fashion are not on that side. Set out in life, young friends, with moderate desires, wishes, and expectations. Be content with your rank and station. Endeavour to cultivate and strengthen religious principles and dispositions. Never compliment any at the expense of truth and conscience. Thus you will be able to do justice and mercy, and will retain that steadfastness in religion which is true politeness, and improve in that humility which is the brightest ornament.
III. It is a great dishonour and reproach to any to forsake the good ways of their fathers. Having fully known their manner of life, their devotion, purity, temperance, patience, charity, and love to Gods house and ordinances, they must act a very mean and scandalous part, if they neglect these virtues, and show themselves blind to the lustre of such good examples. How justly may such be expostulated with, as Jehoiakim was in the text! Did thy father, young man, do justice and judgment, and assist the poor and needy? Was he sober, diligent, grave, and devout? And will it be to thy credit to be giddy, dishonest, idle, extravagant, and an associate with rakes and sots? Did thy mother, young woman, fill up her place honourably? Was she active, prudent, serious, and good tempered? Did she sanctify Gods Sabbath, and labour to keep thee from pride and levity, and dangerous acquaintance? And wilt thou forget all this, and run into every fashionable folly? Will this be for thy reputation and comfort? But there is a more weighty thought than this, yet to be urged; and that is, if you act thus, you will forfeit the favour of God. There are terrible threatenings, in the context and other places of this prophecy, against this wicked Jehoiakim. All his wealth, pomp, and power could not shield him from the judgments of God. A few years after this prophecy, the King of Babylon seized him, and bound him in fetters to carry him to Babylon; but, being released upon his promise of allegiance, he afterwards rebelled, was slain in a sally out of Jerusalem, and was buried with the burial of an ass, drawn and cast forth beyond the gates of Jerusalem (Jer 22:19), and had no child to sit upon the throne of David (2Ch 36:6; Jer 36:30). If you forsake the religion of your pious ancestors, it will be to your shame.
IV. The way of religion is the way of wisdom, honour, and happiness.
1. The way of religion is the way of wisdom (Psa 111:10). With this the New Testament agreeth (1Jn 2:3-4). Many think themselves wiser than their good fathers; and perhaps they may have juster notions of religion, and be more free from superstition and enthusiasm. Yet, while they profess to know God, they may in works deny Him, and love the praise of man more than the praise of God. And thus they prove that they are not so wise as their fathers.
2. The way of religion is also the way of honour. Josiah was universally esteemed while living, and much lamented when dead. The prophet Jeremiah lamented for him. All Judah and Jerusalem mourned for him, and made them an ordinance in Israel, that his remembrance should be kept up by some annual form of lamentation (2Ch 35:25). Luxury and extravagance, splendour and show, are not the way to be truly honourable. The just, the generous, the friendly man, he who is strictly religious, and soberly singular, and who studies to do good to others, though he hath a mean house, and dresseth and liveth plain, this man will be held in reputation.
3. The way of religion is the way of happiness. It is the way to enjoy prosperity, and to have comfort in it. While we do well, it will certainly be well with us. If our views extended no further than the present life, it is our wisdom and interest to be steadfastly religious. But when we consider ourselves as in a state of trial for another world, and that our future state will be either happy or miserable forever, according to our present behaviour, it must be the greatest folly and madness to neglect religion, to sacrifice it to anything else, or not to make it the main business of our lives. (Job Orion, D. D.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 15. Shalt thou reign, &c.] Dost thou think thou art a great king, because thou dwellest in a splendid palace?
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Art thou so vain as to think that brave houses will continue thy kingdom? Thou art mistaken; magnificent buildings are not those things which establish a princes throne. How was it with thy father? he lived prosperously, yet had no such stately edifices; his throne was established by justice and judgment; that were the right way for thee to sit sure upon thy throne.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
15. closest thyselfrather,”thou viest,” that is, art emulous to surpass thyforefathers in the magnificence of thy palaces.
eat and drinkDid notJosiah, thy father, enjoy all that man really needs for hisbodily wants? Did he need to build costly palaces to secure histhrone? Nay, he did secure it by “judgment and justice”;whereas thou, with all thy luxurious building, sittest on a totteringthrone.
thenon that account,therefore.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Shalt thou reign because thou closest [thyself] in cedar?…. Dost thou think that thou shalt reign long, and thy throne be established firm and secure, because of thy cedar wainscot? as if that was a protection to thee, and were like the fortifications of a city or tower; when it may easily be broke to pieces, or burnt with fire; and must be a poor defence against a powerful enemy. The Targum is,
“dost thou think to be as the first king?”
as David; to be as great a prince, to keep as grand a court, and live in as splendid a manner, as he? The Septuagint version, instead of “ares”, a cedar, reads “Ahaz”, and takes it for the proper name of a king of Judah; and the Arabic version reads “Ahab”; and so the Alexandrian copy of the Septuagint; and both confound it with the next clause; the former rendering the words thus, “shalt thou reign, that thou provokest in”, or “after the manner of Ahaz thy father?” and the latter thus,
“thou shalt not reign, because thou imitatest the original of Ahab thy father;”
but both wrong; though Grotius seems to approve of this reading:
did not thy father eat and drink, and do judgment and justice? that is, Josiah his father, who ate and drank in moderation, and lived cheerfully and comfortably; and kept a good table like a prince, without such a magnificent palace as he, his son, had built; and without oppressing his subjects, and detaining the hire of the labourer: living in a grand manner, becoming a king, may be done consistent with doing justice and judgment; let but that be done, and a prince will not be blamed for living like himself, and for supporting the dignity of his character and office, as Josiah did:
[and] then [it was] well with him; or, “therefore [it was] well with him” u he was blessed of God, and was prosperous and successful; he was happy himself as a prince, and his people under him, both enjoying peace and prosperity; there are never better times than when justice is done; by it the throne is established.
u “ideo bene fuit ei”; so Noldius renders the particle, Concord. Par. Ebr. p. 7.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
In Jer 22:15 Jeremiah pursues the subject: kingship and kingcraft do not consist in the erection of splendid palaces, but in the administration of right and justice. The reproachful question has not the meaning: wilt thou reign long? or wilt thou consolidate thy dominion? but: dost thou suppose thyself to be a king, to show thyself a king, if thy aim and endeavour is solely fixed on the building of a stately palace? “Viest,” as in Jer 12:5. , not: with the cedar, for is construed with the accus. of that with which one vies, but: in cedar, i.e., in the building of cedar palaces. It was not necessary to say with whom he vied, since the thought of Solomon’s edifices would suggest itself. The lxx have changed by a pointless quid pro quo into , , for which Cod. Alex. and Arabs have . The fact that Ahab had built a palace veneered with ivory (1Ki 22:39) is not sufficient to approve this reading, which Ew. prefers. Still less cause is there to delete as a gloss (Hitz.) in order to obtain the rendering, justified neither by grammar nor in fact, “if thou contendest with thy father.” To confirm what he has said, the prophet sets before the worthless king the example of his godly father Josiah. “Thy father, did not he eat and drink,” i.e., enjoy life (cf. Ecc 2:24; Ecc 3:13)? yet at the same time he administered right and justice, like his forefather David; 2Sa 8:15. Then went it well with him and the kingdom. , Jer 22:16, is wider than : in respect that he did justice to the poor and wretched, things went well, were well managed in the kingdom at large. In so doing consists “the knowing of me.” The knowledge of Jahveh is the practical recognition of God which is displayed in the fear of God and a pious life. The infinitive nomin. has the article because a special emphasis lies on the word (cf. Ew. 277, c), the true knowledge of God required to have stress laid on it. – But Jehoiakim is the reverse of his father. This thought, lying in Jer 22:16, is illustrated in Jer 22:17. For thine eyes are set upon nothing but gain. , gain with the suggestion of unrighteousness about it, cf. Jer 6:13; Jer 8:10. His whole endeavour was after wealth and splendour. The means of attaining this aim was injustice, since he not only withheld their wages from his workers (Jer 22:13), but caused the innocent to be condemned in the judgment that he might grasp their goods to himself, as e.g., Ahab had done with Naboth. He also put to death the prophets who rebuked his unrighteousness, Jer 26:23, and used every kind of lawless violence. “Oppression” is amplified by (from , cf. Deu 28:33; 1Sa 12:3), crushing, “what we call flaying people” (Hitz.); cf. on this subject, Mic 3:3.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
The Prophet here derides the foolish confidence of King Jehoiakim, because he set up empty things against his enemies instead of strong defences. Kings are wont to indulge themselves when there is quietness and security; that is, when they fear nothing; when no danger appears, they then give way to their own gratifications; and this is commonly the case with all; for we see that kings especially indulge in excesses, when there is no war, when no one gives them trouble, and no one threatens them; but Jehoiakim, had he the least particle of wisdom, might have known that he had many dangers to dread. Now, when he applied all his thoughts to the painting of his walls, and to the splendor of his palace, to its wainscotting and other trifles, must he not have been insane, and not of a sound mind?
It is this madness that Jeremiah now condemns when he says, Shalt thou reign, because thou surroundest thyself with cedar board? (51) that is, “Can this confirm thy kingdom to thee? or, shalt thou be more happy on this account, because thou art surrounded by cedars?” The meaning of the Prophet may be more fully learnt from the remaining part of the verse; for it immediately follows, Thy father, did he not eat and drink when he did judgment and justice?
Some so understand the passage, as though the Prophet meant to obviate an objection; for Jehoiakim might have referred to the example of his father Josiah, who had not been a sordid man, but had displayed some royal dignity and grandeur through the whole course of his life. Some interpreters, then, think that the Prophet answers here what Jehoiakim might, have objected: “What! did not my father also make a royal display?” Thus they explain the words, as though the Prophet made at first a concession, but that by adding a correction, he shewed that the excuse of Jehoiakim was frivolous: “I allow that thy father was royally adorned, but he executed judgment and justice; why dost thou not imitate thy father in his virtues? God forgave what was superfluous or excessive, for through his great indulgence he bears with many things in kings; but thou art far different from thy father, for thou extortest labor from thy poor subjects, and buildest thy palaces by means of extortion and plunder. There is, therefore, no reason for thee to seek for thyself a covering from thy father, for thou art wholly fallen away from his integrity.”
Others elicit an entirely different meaning, — that Josiah had prolonged his life, and conciliated the favor of God by ruling with justice. So, then, they connect the words thus: “Did not thy father eat and drink,” that is, “ did he not live happily, because God had blessed him? Inquire the cause, and you will find it to be this — he faithfully discharged his duties, for he executed judgment and justice. As, then, thou seest that the equity and moderation which thy father had practiced, was the cause of his happy life, why dost not thou also imitate him?”
But the Prophet seems to me to mean simply this, “Thy father doubtless lived happily, and nothing was wanting to him while he executed judgment and justice.” For thus appears better the contrast between the tyranny of Jehoiakim, and the uprightness of his father Josiah; as though he had said, “Thou deemest now thy state better than that of thy father, because thou surpassest him in luxury and splendor.
As then thou exultest in vain things, thou seemest to thyself to be happier than thy father: but thy father was contented with his lot; nay, if his condition be duly regarded, God honored him with every abundance and variety of blessings; he did eat and drink.”
By eating and drinking I understand nothing else, but that he lived cheerfully, enjoyed prosperity, spent a peaceable life. Thy father; he says, did eat and drink; that is, he had nothing to desire, and his condition was an evidence of God’s favor when he expected judgment and justice And not unsuitable to this view is what follows, Then it was well with him (52)
We hence see that the foolish ambition of Jehoiakim is here laughed to scorn; for he seemed not to think himself a king unless he conducted himself like a madman. Such is the case with kings at this day; they are ashamed to appear humane, and devise means only to exercise tyranny; and they also contrive how they may depart as far as possible from the common usage and practice of men. As then kings are so ingenious in their own follies, which seem to be like veils, lest anything humane should be perceived in them, the Prophet justly inveighs here against Jehoiakim; “It was well,” he says, “with thy father; and yet he acted kindly and courteously towards his people; nor had he such haughtiness as to despise the common habits of men. Since then he was happy, if thou regardcst what belongs to real happiness, why dost thou please thyself so much? What hast thou that is better or more excellent than what he had!”
We now perceive what the object of the Prophet was to shew, that it is the only true glory and the chief honor of kings, when they discharge their duties, and that the image of God shines forth in them, when they execute judgment and justice; and that when they ambitiously seek through a blind zeal to be the slaves of pride, it is a vain attempt, and contributes nothing towards that happy life which they foolishly imagine. To the same purpose he adds, —
(51) The general sense is given, but not a literal rendering. The last verb is variously rendered; “because thou betakest thyself to cedar,” is the Vulg.; “wilt thou delight thyself in cedars?” the Syr.; the Targ. is a loose paraphrase, and the Sept. and Arab. wholly depart from our present text, “because thou art stimulated by Ahaz thy father.” Then what follows is widely different, but wholly inconsistent with the original. The verb is the Hithpael of חרה, to burn, to be hot; and it means to be hot or warm with anger, exertion, grief, or delight. In the second sense it is used in Jer 12:5; but here in the last sense, “because thou art inflamed with cedar,” or greatly delightest thyself in cedar; and this meaning is countenanced both by the Vulg. and Syr. Blayney takes the third sense — “hot with grief,” and gives this version, which is approved by Horsley, though its meaning is not very evident, —
Shalt thou reign because thou frettest thyself in cedar?
Venema is more to the point, —
Shalt thou reign, because thou art in great heat for cedar?
—
Ed.
(52) The whole verse would read better thus, —
15. Shalt thou reign, because thou art enamored with cedar? Thy father — did he not eat and drink? When he administered judgment and justice, Then it was well with him.
To eat and to drink, as Calvin, observes, means a happy life; his father enjoyed life, though he took no delight in cedars; but his happiness arose from governing justly his people. The Syr. connects the two last lines as above, —
He executed judgment and justice, I therefore did him good.
—
Ed.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(15) Thou closest thyself in cedar.Better, thine ambition is in cedar. The verb means strictly, as in Jer. 12:5, to vie with or to contend, and Jehoiakim is reproached for endeavouring to outdo the magnificence even of his greatest predecessors. A various reading, followed by the LXX., gives, thou viest with Ahaz, or Ahab, probably, in this latter case, with reference to the ivory palace built by that king (1Ki. 22:39).
Did not thy father eat and drink . . .?The words are obviously those of praise, and paint a healthy, blameless enjoyment like that of Ecc. 2:24; like those, we may add, which the Son of Man used to describe the outward portion of His own life (Mat. 11:19). Josiah was not an ascetic, devotee king, but lived his life happily, and did his workthe true kingly work of judgment and justicewell. There was a truer greatness in that than in the stateliness of Jehoiakims palaces. Then it was well with him s repeated with the emphasis of iteration.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
15. Shalt thou reign, etc. Not as some interpret, Shalt thou protract thy reign by palace building? but, Does kingcraft consist in this at all? The prophet alludes to Josiah to point the contrast. He established his power, not by the splendours of his public works, but by doing judgment and justice.
Thou closest Rather, viest in costly erections of cedar.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Jer 22:15. Shalt thou reign, because thou closest thyself in cedar? Because thou frettest thyself in cedar? methachareh from charah, to fret and grieve, signifies one that is a prey to the uneasy passions of discontent and remorse. The question, therefore, is somewhat of a sarcastic nature, which asks, Shalt thou reign, because thou frettest thyself in cedar? As if it had been said, Is this the inestimable privilege of royalty, this the circumstance which constitutes thy happiness as a king, to carry continually about thee the pangs of guilt, anxiety, and remorse in a splendid palace? In like manner speaks Horace of
miseros tumultus Mentis, et curas laqueata circum Tecta volantes.* Lib. II. od. Jer 16:10.
*neither wealth nor pow’r control The sickly tumults of the soul; Or bid the cares to stand aloof Which hover round the vaulted roof. FRANCIS.
And it is obvious, how well this suits with the following context, which places in a striking contrast the happiness of the good Josiah resulting from the consciousness of having fulfilled the duties of his station with pious integrity. “Did not thy father eat and drink, that is, partake of all real comforts and conveniences which human life requires, in as great a degree as thyself? But at the same time governing with impartial justice and equity, he enjoyed in consequence thereof that solid and true felicity, which nothing but the practice of virtue, holiness, and religion, emphatically called ‘the knowing of God,’ can bestow.”
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Jer 22:15 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?
Ver. 15. Shalt thou reign because thou closest thyself in cedar? ] Hast thou no better mediums to establish thy throne? no better defence against a potent enemy that comes to dethrone thee than a ceiling of cedar? What if thy cedar putrify not can it secure thee that thou perish not? Ah, never think it.
Did not thy father eat and drink?
And then it was well with him.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
justice = righteousness, as in Jer 22:3.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
thy: Jer 22:18, 2Ki 23:25, 1Ch 3:15
eat: 1Ki 4:20-23, 2Ch 35:7, 2Ch 35:8, 2Ch 35:12-18, Ecc 2:24, Ecc 9:7-10, Ecc 10:17, Isa 33:16, Luk 11:41, Act 2:46, 1Co 10:31
and do: Jer 22:3, Jer 21:12, Jer 23:5, 2Sa 8:15, 1Ki 10:9, 2Ki 22:2, 2Ki 23:25, 2Ch 34:2, Pro 20:28, Pro 21:3, Pro 25:5, Pro 29:4, Pro 31:9, Isa 9:7
then: Jer 42:6, Deu 4:40, Psa 128:1, Psa 128:2, Isa 3:10
Reciprocal: Deu 5:29 – that it might Deu 8:12 – and hast built Rth 3:1 – may be 1Sa 8:3 – his sons 2Ki 22:20 – gathered 1Ch 17:1 – I dwell 1Ch 18:14 – executed Psa 106:3 – keep Pro 28:16 – he that Pro 29:7 – but Ecc 2:21 – whose Isa 1:17 – seek Isa 33:6 – wisdom Jer 5:28 – judge Jer 7:6 – oppress Eze 18:5 – that Eze 18:8 – hath executed Hos 5:4 – and Hos 12:6 – keep Zep 2:3 – all Zec 7:10 – oppress Mat 23:23 – the weightier Act 24:25 – righteousness Rom 13:3 – rulers
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Jer 22:15. Shalt thou reign is a question the Lord asked these selfish leaders in his nation. Houses built of cedar usually Indicated places to be used either as palaces of kings or the mansions for their residences. There would not have been so much wrong in their owning these good houses had they obtained them in a just way and also were occupying them in connection with a righteous life. As proof of thiB (ruth they were reminded of the case of their righteous ancestors who enjoyed the good things of life and at the some time received the favor of the Lord. But the reason for it was stated in connection with the subject; they practiced judgment and justice.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
22:15 Shalt thou reign, because thou closest [thyself] in cedar? did not thy {k} father eat and drink, and do judgment and justice, [and] then [it was] well with him?
(k) Meaning Josiah, who was not given to ambition and superfluity, but was content with mediocrity, and only delighted in setting forth God’s glory, and to do justice to all.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
The measure of a king’s greatness is not really the beauty and cost of his palace but his righteousness and justice. Jehoiakim’s father, Josiah, had been a great king, and God had blessed him because he practiced these virtues (cf. Joh 4:34).