Jeremiah 22:6 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Though the kingdom was once valued like fruitful land, God will lay it waste.
The Context of Jeremiah 22:6
Privileged status in the past does not prevent judgment for unfaithfulness.
What Does Jeremiah 22:6 Mean?
Gilead and Lebanon are regions celebrated for their timber, fertility, and resources—marks of blessing and prosperity. The king's house once held that status in God's regard. Yet despite this past honor, the judgment is irreversible: the reversal from fruitful land to barren wilderness is total, and the depopulation of cities emphasizes the loss of life and security.
The 'yet surely' pivots from past favor to present judgment, making clear that prior blessings do not exempt from consequences. The transformation is absolute: fertile land becomes uninhabited waste.
Jeremiah 22:6 in the Original Language
midbar (מִדְבָּר), 'wilderness'—uncultivated, uninhabitable land; the opposite of ordered civilization.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 22:6
What does Jeremiah 22:6 mean?
Though the kingdom was once valued like fruitful land, God will lay it waste.
What is the context of Jeremiah 22:6?
Privileged status in the past does not prevent judgment for unfaithfulness.