Jeremiah 22:3
What does Jeremiah 22:3 mean?
A plain-English look at Jeremiah 22:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Jeremiah 22:3 means
Jeremiah 22:3 is a direct command from Yahweh, emphasizing the ethical responsibilities of those in power, likely the kings of Judah. The core message is a call to uphold justice and righteousness, which includes actively protecting the vulnerable. Specific instructions are given to rescue those who have been robbed and to refrain from oppressing foreigners, orphans, and widows. These groups consistently represent the most defenseless in ancient Israelite society, and their protection is a repeated theme in divine law. The verse also strictly forbids wrongdoing and the shedding of innocent blood, highlighting the sanctity of life and the importance of ethical governance in the land.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Thus saith Jehovah: Execute ye justice and righteousness, and deliver him that is robbed out of the hand of the oppressor: and do no wrong, do no violence, to the sojourner, the fatherless, nor the widow; neither shed innocent blood in this place.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Thus 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Thus saith Jehovah: Execute ye justice and righteousness, and deliver him that is robbed out of the hand of the oppressor: and do no wrong, do no violence, to the sojourner, the fatherless, nor the widow; neither shed innocent blood in this place.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949This is what the Lord has said: Do what is right, judging uprightly, and make free from the hands of the cruel one him whose goods have been violently taken away: do no wrong and be not violent to the man from a strange country and the child without a father and the widow, and let not those who have done no wrong be put to death in this place.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Thus said Jehovah: Do ye judgment and righteousness, And deliver the plundered from the hand of the oppressor, And sojourner, orphan, and widow, ye do not oppress nor wrong, And innocent blood ye do not shed in this place.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Thus saith the Lord: Execute judgment and justice, and deliver him that is oppressed out of the hand of the oppressor: and afflict not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, nor oppress them unjustly: and shed not innocent blood in this place.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Thus saith Jehovah: Execute 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, or the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place.
Context
This verse comes very early in Jeremiah chapter 22. Immediately prior, the prophet Jeremiah delivers a message from the Lord to the royal house of Judah, urging them to hear the word of the Lord. Following this verse, the chapter continues with a pronouncement of blessings if these commands are obeyed and severe judgments if they are disregarded. The flow of the chapter is a direct prophetic address, likely to King Jehoiakim and his officials, outlining the conditions for national well-being and the consequences of their failure to lead righteously according to God’s covenantal demands.
v.2and say, Hear the word of Jehovah, O king of Judah, that sittest upon the throne of David, thou, and thy servants, and thy people that enter in by these gates.
v.3This passage
v.4For if ye do this thing indeed, then shall there enter in by the gates of this house kings sitting upon the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, he, and his servants, and his people.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Exodus 23:6
Thou shalt not wrest the justice due to thy poor in his cause.
- Isaiah 1:23
Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves; every one loveth bribes, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.
- Job 22:9
Thou hast sent widows away empty, And the arms of the fatherless have been broken.
- Micah 6:8
He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth Jehovah require of thee, but to do justly, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with thy God?
- Deuteronomy 27:19
Cursed be he that wresteth the justice due to the sojourner, fatherless, and widow. And all the people shall say, Amen.
- Jeremiah 26:16
Then said the princes and all the people unto the priests and to the prophets: This man is not worthy of death; for he hath spoken to us in the name of Jehovah our God.
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