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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Jeremiah 22:15 Does it make you a king to excel in cedar? Did not your father have food and drink? He administered justice and righteousness, and so it went well with him.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/jeremiah/22-15.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/24_Jer_22_15.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Jeremiah 22:15 - A Warning about Jehoiakim" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Does it make you a king to excel in cedar? Did not your father have food and drink? 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Did not your father have food and drink? He did what was right and just, so all went well with him. <a href="/nlt/jeremiah/22.htm">New Living Translation</a> But a beautiful cedar palace does not make a great king! Your father, Josiah, also had plenty to eat and drink. But he was just and right in all his dealings. That is why God blessed him. <a href="/esv/jeremiah/22.htm">English Standard Version</a> Do you think you are a king because you compete in cedar? Did not your father eat and drink and do justice and righteousness? Then it was well with him. <a href="/bsb/jeremiah/22.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Does it make you a king to excel in cedar? Did not your father have food and drink? He administered justice and righteousness, and so it went well with him. <a href="/kjv/jeremiah/22.htm">King James Bible</a> 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? <a href="/nkjv/jeremiah/22.htm">New King James Version</a> “Shall you reign because you enclose yourself in cedar? Did not your father eat and drink, And do justice and righteousness? Then it was well with him. <a href="/nasb_/jeremiah/22.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> “Do you become a king because you are competing in cedar? Did your father not eat and drink And do justice and righteousness? Then it was well for him. <a href="/nasb/jeremiah/22.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220Do you become a king because you are competing in cedar? Did not your father eat and drink And do justice and righteousness? Then it was well with him. <a href="/nasb77/jeremiah/22.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “Do you become a king because you are competing in cedar? Did not your father eat and drink, And do justice and righteousness? Then it was well with him. <a href="/lsb/jeremiah/22.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Do you become a king because you are competing in cedar? Did not your father eat and drink And do justice and righteousness? Then it was well with him. <a href="/amp/jeremiah/22.htm">Amplified Bible</a> “Do you think that you become a king because you have much more cedar [in your palace than Solomon]? Did not your father [Josiah], as he ate and drank, Do just and righteous acts [being upright and in right standing with God]? Then all was well with him. <a href="/csb/jeremiah/22.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Are you a king because you excel in cedar? Didn’t your father eat and drink and administer justice and righteousness? Then it went well with him. <a href="/hcsb/jeremiah/22.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Are you a king because you excel in cedar? Didn&#8217t your father eat and drink and administer justice and righteousness? Then it went well with him. <a href="/asv/jeremiah/22.htm">American Standard Version</a> Shalt thou reign, because thou strivest to excel in cedar? Did not thy father eat and drink, and do justice and righteousness? then it was well with him. <a href="/cev/jeremiah/22.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> More cedar in your palace doesn't make you a better king than your father Josiah. He always did right--he gave justice to the poor and was honest. <a href="/erv/jeremiah/22.htm">English Revised Version</a> Shalt thou reign, because thou strivest to excel in cedar? did not thy father eat and drink, and do judgment and justice? then it was well with him. <a href="/gwt/jeremiah/22.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Do you think you're a better king than others because you use more cedar? Your father ate and drank and did what is fair and right. Everything went well for him. <a href="/gnt/jeremiah/22.htm">Good News Translation</a> Does it make you a better king if you build houses of cedar, finer than those of others? Your father enjoyed a full life. He was always just and fair, and he prospered in everything he did. <a href="/isv/jeremiah/22.htm">International Standard Version</a> Are you a king because you try to outdo everyone with cedar? Your father ate and drank and upheld justice and righteousness, did he not? And then it went well for him. <a href="/msb/jeremiah/22.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Does it make you a king to excel in cedar? Did not your father have food and drink? He administered justice and righteousness, and so it went well with him. <a href="/net/jeremiah/22.htm">NET Bible</a> Does it make you any more of a king that you outstrip everyone else in building with cedar? Just think about your father. He was content that he had food and drink. He did what was just and right. So things went well with him. <a href="/nheb/jeremiah/22.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Shall you reign, because you strive to excel in cedar? Did not your father eat and drink, and do justice and righteousness? Then it was well with him. <a href="/wbt/jeremiah/22.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> 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? <a href="/web/jeremiah/22.htm">World English Bible</a> “Should you reign because you strive to excel in cedar? Didn’t your father eat and drink, and do justice and righteousness? Then it was well with him. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/jeremiah/22.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Do you reign, because you are fretting yourself in cedar? Your father—did he not eat and drink? Indeed, he did judgment and righteousness, "" Then [it is] well with him. <a href="/ylt/jeremiah/22.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Dost thou reign, because thou art fretting thyself in cedar? Thy father -- did he not eat and drink? Yea, he did judgment and righteousness, Then it is well with him. <a href="/slt/jeremiah/22.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Shalt thou reign, for thou art kindled with cedar? did not thy father eat and drink and do judgment and justice, then it was well to him?<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/jeremiah/22.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Shalt thou reign, because thou comparest thyself to the cedar? did not thy father eat and drink, and do judgment and justice, and it was then well with him? <a href="/cpdv/jeremiah/22.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Will you reign because you compare yourself to the cedar? Did your father not eat and drink, and act with judgment and justice, so that it would be well with him? <a href="/nabre/jeremiah/22.htm">New American Bible</a> Must you prove your rank among kings by competing with them in cedar? Did not your father eat and drink, And act justly and righteously? Then he prospered. <a href="/nrsvce/jeremiah/22.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Are you a king because you compete in cedar? Did not your father eat and drink and do justice and righteousness? Then it was well with him.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/jeremiah/22.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Shall you reign and rejoice by living in palaces built with cedar? Indeed, your father did eat and drink, but he also did justice and righteousness, therefore I did good to him. <a href="/hpbt/jeremiah/22.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> Do you reign that you may rejoice in cedar? Your father ate and drank, and did justice and righteousness; because of this, I did good to him<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/jeremiah/22.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> Shalt thou reign, because thou strivest to excel in cedar? Did not thy father eat and drink, and do justice and righteousness? Then it was well with him. <a href="/sep/jeremiah/22.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> Shalt thou reign, because thou art provoked with thy father Achaz? they shall not eat, and they shall not drink: it is better for thee to execute judgment and justice. <a href="/parallel/jeremiah/22-15.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5k55c51ZGhs?start=6401" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/22.htm">A Warning about Jehoiakim</a> …14who says, ‘I will build myself a great palace, with spacious upper rooms.’ So he cuts windows in it, panels it with cedar, and paints it with vermilion. 15<a href="/hebrew/4427.htm" title="4427: hă·ṯim·lōḵ (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- A primitive root; to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence to take counsel.">Does it make you a king</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/8474.htm" title="8474: mə·ṯa·ḥă·reh (V-Hitpael-Prtcpl-ms) -- To vie with a, rival. A facitious root from charah through the idea of the heat of jealousy; to vie with a rival.">to excel</a> <a href="/hebrew/859.htm" title="859: ’at·tāh (Pro-2ms) -- You (masc. sing.). "></a> <a href="/hebrew/730.htm" title="730: ḇā·’ā·rez (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- A cedar. From 'araz; a cedar tree.">in cedar?</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: hă·lō·w (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">Did not</a> <a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: ’ā·ḇî·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application).">your father</a> <a href="/hebrew/398.htm" title="398: ’ā·ḵal (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To eat. A primitive root; to eat.">have food</a> <a href="/hebrew/8354.htm" title="8354: wə·šā·ṯāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3ms) -- To drink. A primitive root; to imbibe.">and drink?</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: wə·‘ā·śāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3ms) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">He administered</a> <a href="/hebrew/4941.htm" title="4941: miš·pāṭ (N-ms) -- Judgment. ">justice</a> <a href="/hebrew/6666.htm" title="6666: ū·ṣə·ḏā·qāh (Conj-w:: N-fs) -- Righteousness. From tsadaq; rightness, subjectively, objectively, morally or figuratively.">and righteousness,</a> <a href="/hebrew/227.htm" title="227: ’āz (Adv) -- At that time. A demonstrative adverb; at that time or place; also as a conjunction, therefore.">and so</a> <a href="/hebrew/2896.htm" title="2896: ṭō·wḇ (Adj-ms) -- Pleasant, agreeable, good.">it went well</a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- ">with him.</a> 16He took up the cause of the poor and needy, and so it went well with him. Is this not what it means to know Me?” declares the LORD.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/1_kings/3-11.htm">1 Kings 3:11-14</a> So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this instead of requesting long life or wealth for yourself or death for your enemies—but you have asked for discernment to administer justice— / behold, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been another like you, nor will there ever be. / Moreover, I will give you what you did not request—both riches and honor—so that during all your days no man in any kingdom will be your equal. ... <a href="/1_kings/9-4.htm">1 Kings 9:4-5</a> And as for you, if you walk before Me as your father David walked, with a heart of integrity and uprightness, doing all I have commanded you, and if you keep My statutes and ordinances, / then I will establish your royal throne over Israel forever, as I promised your father David when I said, ‘You will never fail to have a man on the throne of Israel.’ <a href="/2_chronicles/7-17.htm">2 Chronicles 7:17-18</a> And as for you, if you walk before Me as your father David walked, doing all I have commanded you, and if you keep My statutes and ordinances, / then I will establish your royal throne, as I covenanted with your father David when I said, ‘You will never fail to have a man to rule over Israel.’ <a href="/psalms/72-1.htm">Psalm 72:1-4</a> Of Solomon. Endow the king with Your justice, O God, and the son of the king with Your righteousness. / May he judge Your people with righteousness and Your afflicted with justice. / May the mountains bring peace to the people, and the hills bring righteousness. ... <a href="/isaiah/1-17.htm">Isaiah 1:17</a> Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.” <a href="/isaiah/32-1.htm">Isaiah 32:1</a> Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, and princes will rule with justice. <a href="/isaiah/58-6.htm">Isaiah 58:6-7</a> Isn’t this the fast that I have chosen: to break the chains of wickedness, to untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and tear off every yoke? / Isn’t it to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? <a href="/ezekiel/18-5.htm">Ezekiel 18:5-9</a> Now suppose a man is righteous and does what is just and right: / He does not eat at the mountain or look to the idols of the house of Israel. He does not defile his neighbor’s wife or approach a woman during her period. / He does not oppress another, but restores the pledge to the debtor. He does not commit robbery, but gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with clothing. ... <a href="/micah/6-8.htm">Micah 6:8</a> He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? <a href="/zechariah/7-9.htm">Zechariah 7:9-10</a> “This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Administer true justice. Show loving devotion and compassion to one another. / Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. And do not plot evil in your hearts against one another.’ <a href="/matthew/5-6.htm">Matthew 5:6</a> Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. <a href="/matthew/6-33.htm">Matthew 6:33</a> But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you. <a href="/matthew/23-23.htm">Matthew 23:23</a> Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin. But you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. <a href="/luke/11-42.htm">Luke 11:42</a> Woe to you Pharisees! For you pay tithes of mint, rue, and every herb, but you disregard justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without neglecting the former. <a href="/luke/18-9.htm">Luke 18:9-14</a> To some who trusted in their own righteousness and viewed others with contempt, He also told this parable: / “Two men went up to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. / The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—swindlers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. ...</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Shall you reign, because you close yourself in cedar? did not your father eat and drink, and do judgment and justice, and then it was well with him?thy.<a href="/jeremiah/22-18.htm">Jeremiah 22:18</a> Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah; They shall not lament for him, saying, Ah my brother! or, Ah sister! they shall not lament for him, saying, Ah lord! or, Ah his glory!<a href="/2_kings/23-25.htm">2 Kings 23:25</a> And like unto him was there no king before him, that turned to the LORD with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him.<a href="/1_chronicles/3-15.htm">1 Chronicles 3:15</a> And the sons of Josiah were, the firstborn Johanan, the second Jehoiakim, the third Zedekiah, the fourth Shallum.eat.<a href="/1_kings/4-20.htm">1 Kings 4:20-23</a> Judah and Israel were many, as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking, and making merry… <a href="/2_chronicles/35-7.htm">2 Chronicles 35:7,8,12-18</a> And Josiah gave to the people, of the flock, lambs and kids, all for the passover offerings, for all that were present, to the number of thirty thousand, and three thousand bullocks: these were of the king's substance… <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-24.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:24</a> There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.and do.<a href="/jeremiah/22-3.htm">Jeremiah 22:3</a> Thus saith the LORD; Execute ye judgment and righteousness, and deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor: and do no wrong, do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow, neither shed innocent blood in this place.<a href="/jeremiah/21-12.htm">Jeremiah 21:12</a> O house of David, thus saith the LORD; Execute judgment in the morning, and deliver him that is spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor, lest my fury go out like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.<a href="/jeremiah/23-5.htm">Jeremiah 23:5</a> Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.then.<a href="/jeremiah/42-6.htm">Jeremiah 42:6</a> Whether it be good, or whether it be evil, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God, to whom we send thee; that it may be well with us, when we obey the voice of the LORD our God.<a href="/deuteronomy/4-40.htm">Deuteronomy 4:40</a> Thou shalt keep therefore his statutes, and his commandments, which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days upon the earth, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, for ever.<a href="/psalms/128-1.htm">Psalm 128:1,2</a> A Song of degrees. Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/jeremiah/22-14.htm">Cedar</a> <a href="/psalms/88-18.htm">Closest</a> <a href="/jeremiah/12-5.htm">Compete</a> <a href="/jeremiah/19-13.htm">Drink</a> <a href="/jeremiah/19-9.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/jeremiah/5-28.htm">Excel</a> <a href="/jeremiah/21-9.htm">Food</a> <a href="/jeremiah/11-20.htm">Judging</a> <a href="/jeremiah/22-3.htm">Judgment</a> <a href="/jeremiah/22-13.htm">Justice</a> <a href="/jeremiah/1-2.htm">Reign</a> <a href="/jeremiah/18-4.htm">Right</a> <a href="/jeremiah/22-13.htm">Righteousness</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-29.htm">Strive</a> <a href="/isaiah/27-8.htm">Strivest</a> <a href="/jeremiah/18-10.htm">Think</a> <a href="/jeremiah/20-4.htm">Thyself</a> <a href="/jeremiah/22-13.htm">Use</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/jeremiah/22-23.htm">Cedar</a> <a href="/acts/17-28.htm">Closest</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/9-24.htm">Compete</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-15.htm">Drink</a> <a href="/jeremiah/22-22.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/12-31.htm">Excel</a> <a href="/jeremiah/22-22.htm">Food</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-5.htm">Judging</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-5.htm">Judgment</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-5.htm">Justice</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-5.htm">Reign</a> <a href="/jeremiah/22-24.htm">Right</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-5.htm">Righteousness</a> <a href="/hosea/4-4.htm">Strive</a> <a href="/isaiah/27-8.htm">Strivest</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-27.htm">Think</a> <a href="/jeremiah/32-7.htm">Thyself</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-10.htm">Use</a><div class="vheading2">Jeremiah 22</div>1. <a href="/jeremiah/22-1.htm">He exhorts to repentance, with promises and threats.</a> 10. <a href="/jeremiah/22-10.htm">The judgment of Shallum;</a> 13. <a href="/jeremiah/22-13.htm">of Jehoiakim;</a> 20. <a href="/jeremiah/22-20.htm">and of Coniah.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/jeremiah/22.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/jeremiah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/jeremiah/22.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Does it make you a king to excel in cedar? This phrase addresses the superficial measures of kingship, specifically the use of cedar, a valuable and luxurious wood often used in royal buildings and palaces (<a href="/1_kings/7-2.htm">1 Kings 7:2-3</a>). The rhetorical question challenges the notion that material wealth and opulence define true leadership. In the ancient Near East, cedar was a symbol of power and prestige, often imported from Lebanon. The prophet Jeremiah critiques King Jehoiakim's focus on lavishness rather than the qualities that truly define a righteous king. This reflects a broader biblical theme where God values justice and righteousness over external appearances (<a href="/1_samuel/16-7.htm">1 Samuel 16:7</a>).Did not your father have food and drink? This phrase refers to King Josiah, Jehoiakim's father, who is remembered for his piety and reforms (2 Kings 22-23). The mention of "food and drink" symbolizes basic needs and contentment, suggesting that Josiah's reign was marked by sufficiency and satisfaction without excessive luxury. Josiah's focus was on spiritual and moral reform rather than material excess, aligning with the covenantal values of the Torah. This serves as a reminder that true prosperity comes from faithfulness to God's commands rather than indulgence in wealth.He administered justice and righteousness, Josiah's administration is highlighted for its commitment to justice and righteousness, key themes in the prophetic literature (<a href="/micah/6-8.htm">Micah 6:8</a>). These qualities are central to the covenant relationship between God and Israel, emphasizing the king's role as a shepherd of the people, ensuring fairness and protection for the vulnerable (<a href="/psalms/72.htm">Psalm 72:1-4</a>). The administration of justice and righteousness is a reflection of God's own character and is a requirement for leaders in Israel (<a href="/deuteronomy/16-18.htm">Deuteronomy 16:18-20</a>). This phrase underscores the biblical principle that leadership is validated by moral integrity and social responsibility.and so it went well with him. The positive outcome of Josiah's reign is attributed to his adherence to justice and righteousness. This reflects the Deuteronomic principle of blessings for obedience (<a href="/deuteronomy/28.htm">Deuteronomy 28:1-14</a>). Josiah's reforms and his dedication to the covenant brought peace and stability to the kingdom, demonstrating the connection between righteous leadership and national well-being. This serves as a prophetic warning to Jehoiakim and future leaders that prosperity is contingent upon faithfulness to God's standards, not merely political or economic strategies.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jeremiah.htm">Jeremiah</a> A major prophet in the Old Testament, called by God to deliver messages of warning and hope to the people of Judah. 2. <a href="/topical/j/jehoiakim.htm">Jehoiakim</a> The king of Judah during the time of Jeremiah's prophecy. Known for his oppressive reign and disregard for justice. 3. <a href="/topical/j/josiah.htm">Josiah</a> The father of Jehoiakim, remembered as a righteous king who sought to follow God's laws and led significant religious reforms in Judah. 4. <a href="/topical/j/judah.htm">Judah</a> The southern kingdom of Israel, facing impending judgment due to its leaders' and people's unfaithfulness to God. 5. <a href="/topical/c/cedar.htm">Cedar</a> A symbol of wealth and luxury, often used in the construction of palaces and temples, representing earthly power and materialism.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_true_measure_of_leadership.htm">The True Measure of Leadership</a> Leadership is not defined by material wealth or grandeur but by the pursuit of justice and righteousness. Jehoiakim's focus on luxury is contrasted with Josiah's righteous reign. <a href="/topical/l/legacy_of_righteousness.htm">Legacy of Righteousness</a> Josiah's legacy of justice and righteousness brought prosperity and peace. Our actions today can leave a lasting impact on future generations. <a href="/topical/m/misplaced_priorities.htm">Misplaced Priorities</a> The pursuit of material wealth and status can lead to neglecting God's commands. We must evaluate our priorities to ensure they align with God's will. <a href="/topical/j/justice_and_righteousness_as_foundations.htm">Justice and Righteousness as Foundations</a> A society or community thrives when justice and righteousness are prioritized. These are foundational to God's kingdom and should be central in our lives. <a href="/topical/r/reflecting_on_personal_conduct.htm">Reflecting on Personal Conduct</a> Like Josiah, we are called to live lives that reflect God's justice and righteousness. This involves daily decisions and actions that honor God.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_jeremiah_22.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 22</a> <a href="/q/how_do_skeptics_view_coniah's_fate_change.htm">How do skeptics reconcile Jeremiah 22:24-27's prophecy against Coniah with his later release and royal favor in Babylon (2 Kings 25:27-30)?</a> <a href="/q/is_there_evidence_for_jeremiah_22_13-17.htm">Jeremiah 22:13-17 accuses the king of social injustice. Does external historical or archaeological evidence exist to support or refute these specific abuses?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_2_kings_25_27-30_align_with_jeremiah_22_30.htm">In 2 Kings 25:27-30, Jehoiachin is freed and honored in Babylon--how does this align with Jeremiah 22:30's prophecy that his line would no longer prosper on David's throne?</a> <a href="/q/is_king_asa's_pit_historically_verified.htm">Can the pit allegedly attributed to King Asa (Jeremiah 41:9) be historically verified, or does this contradict known archaeological data?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/jeremiah/22.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(15) Thou closest thyself in cedar.--Better, thine ambition is in cedar. The verb means strictly, as in <a href="/jeremiah/12-5.htm" title="If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, then how can you contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein you trusted, they wearied you, then how will you do in the swelling of Jordan?">Jeremiah 12:5</a>, "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 (<a href="/1_kings/22-39.htm" title="Now the rest of the acts of Ahab, and all that he did, and the ivory house which he made, and all the cities that he built, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?">1Kings 22:39</a>).Did not thy father eat and drink . . .?--The words are obviously those of praise, and paint a healthy, blameless enjoyment like that of <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-24.htm" title="There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labor. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.">Ecclesiastes 2:24</a>; like those, we may add, which the Son of Man used to describe the outward portion of His own life (<a href="/matthew/11-19.htm" title="The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a drunkard, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.">Matthew 11:19</a>). Josiah was not an ascetic, devotee king, but lived his life happily, and did his work--the true kingly work of judgment and justice--well. There was a truer greatness in that than in the stateliness of Jehoiakim's palaces. "Then it was well with him" s repeated with the emphasis of iteration.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/jeremiah/22.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 15. - Shalt thou reign - rather, dost thou reign; i.e. dost thou prove thy royal qualities) - because thou closest thyself in cedar? The second part of the clause must at any rate be. altered. Some render, "because thou viest (with thy forefathers) in cedar" (i.e. in building cedar palaces). Hitzig would strike out "in cedar," as having intruded from the preceding line (such a phenomenon meets us occasionally in the received Hebrew text), but this does not help us to a 'connected translation of the passage. Graf's rendering is grammatical, and not against usage; it is, "Dost thou reign because thou art eager about cedar-wood?" and yet the impression left on the mind is that there is some error in the text. The Septuagint finds a reference to one of Jehoiakim's predecessors, "because thou viest with Ahaz" (so the Vatican Codex), or, "... with Ahab" (so the Alexandrine and the Sinaitic or Friderico-Augustan). The latter king is celebrated in the Old Testament on account of his buildings, especially his ivory palace (<a href="/2_kings/22.htm">2 Kings 22</a>:39). The former was at any rate addicted to the imitation of foreign ways (<a href="/2_kings/16-11.htm">2 Kings 16:11</a>; <a href="/2_kings/20-11.htm">2 Kings 20:11</a>). Did not thy father eat and drink? There was no call upon Jehoiakim to live the life of a Nazarite. "Eating and drinking," i.e. enjoying the good things within his reach, was perfectly admissible (<a href="/ecclesiastes/2-24.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:24</a>); indeed, the Old Testament view of life is remarkable for its healthy naturalness. There was, however, one peremptory condition, itself as much in accordance with nature as with the Law of God, that the rights of other men should be studiously regarded. Josiah "ate and drank," but he also "did judgment and justice," and so "it was well with him." <a href="/commentaries/jeremiah/22-15.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Are you a king הֲתִֽמְלֹ֔ךְ (hă·ṯim·lōḵ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4427.htm">Strong's 4427: </a> To reign, inceptively, to ascend the throne, to induct into royalty, to take counsel because כִּ֥י (kî) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction you אַתָּ֖ה (’at·tāh) Pronoun - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_859.htm">Strong's 859: </a> Thou and thee, ye and you excel מְתַחֲרֶ֣ה (mə·ṯa·ḥă·reh) Verb - Hitpael - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8474.htm">Strong's 8474: </a> To vie with a, rival in cedar? בָאָ֑רֶז (ḇā·’ā·rez) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_730.htm">Strong's 730: </a> A cedar tree Did not הֲל֧וֹא (hă·lō·w) Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no your father אָבִ֜יךָ (’ā·ḇî·ḵā) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1.htm">Strong's 1: </a> Father eat אָכַ֣ל (’ā·ḵal) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_398.htm">Strong's 398: </a> To eat and drink וְשָׁתָ֗ה (wə·šā·ṯāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8354.htm">Strong's 8354: </a> To imbibe and administer וְעָשָׂ֤ה (wə·‘ā·śāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> To do, make justice מִשְׁפָּט֙ (miš·pāṭ) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4941.htm">Strong's 4941: </a> A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style and righteousness? וּצְדָקָ֔ה (ū·ṣə·ḏā·qāh) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6666.htm">Strong's 6666: </a> Rightness, subjectively, objectively Then אָ֖ז (’āz) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_227.htm">Strong's 227: </a> At that time, place, therefore it went well with him. ט֥וֹב (ṭō·wḇ) Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2896.htm">Strong's 2896: </a> Pleasant, agreeable, good <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/jeremiah/22-15.htm">Jeremiah 22:15 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/jeremiah/22-15.htm">Jeremiah 22:15 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/jeremiah/22-15.htm">Jeremiah 22:15 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/jeremiah/22-15.htm">Jeremiah 22:15 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/jeremiah/22-15.htm">Jeremiah 22:15 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/jeremiah/22-15.htm">Jeremiah 22:15 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/jeremiah/22-15.htm">Jeremiah 22:15 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/jeremiah/22-15.htm">Jeremiah 22:15 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/jeremiah/22-15.htm">Jeremiah 22:15 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/jeremiah/22-15.htm">Jeremiah 22:15 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/jeremiah/22-15.htm">OT Prophets: Jeremiah 22:15 Shall you reign because you strive (Jer.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/jeremiah/22-14.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Jeremiah 22:14"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 22:14" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/jeremiah/22-16.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Jeremiah 22:16"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 22:16" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>