Jeremiah 22:17 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The king's heart is fixated on greed, murder of the innocent, oppression, and violence.
The Context of Jeremiah 22:17
The king's obsession with wealth and power drives him to violence and murder.
What Does Jeremiah 22:17 Mean?
The contrast with verse 15-16 is stark. Instead of focusing on justice for the poor, the king's 'eyes and heart'—the seat of intention and desire—are devoted entirely to covetousness and wrongdoing. The escalation from economic exploitation to shedding innocent blood suggests that the king has crossed into judicial murder to consolidate power and seize property.
The phrase 'to do it' emphasizes intentional action rather than passive failing. This is not a king who neglects justice; this is a king actively committed to pursuing wealth, power, and control through violence.
Jeremiah 22:17 in the Original Language
asaq (עָשַׁק), 'oppression'—to oppress, extort, or wrong someone; noun form of the verb for overexploitation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 22:17
What does Jeremiah 22:17 mean?
The king's heart is fixated on greed, murder of the innocent, oppression, and violence.
What is the context of Jeremiah 22:17?
The king's obsession with wealth and power drives him to violence and murder.