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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 22:10-19

Kings, though they are gods to us, are men to God, and shall die like men; so it appears in these verses, where we have a sentence of death passed upon two kings who reigned successively in Jerusalem, two brothers, and both the ungracious sons of a very pious father. I. Here is the doom of Shallum, who doubtless is the same with Jehoahaz, for he is that son of Josiah king of Judah who reigned in the stead of Josiah his father (Jer. 22:11), which Jehoahaz did by the act of the people, who made... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 22:17

But thine eyes and thine heart are not but for thy covetousness ,.... He was wholly intent upon gratifying that lust; his heart was meditating, contriving, and forming schemes for that purpose; and his eyes were looking out here and there for proper objects and opportunities to exercise it: and for to shed innocent blood ; in order to get their money, goods, and possessions into his hands; avarice often leads to murder: and for oppression, and for violence, to do it ; by making... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 22:17

Verse 17 Here the Prophet expresses more clearly how much Jehoiakim differed from Josiah his father. He indeed shews that he was wholly unlike him, because Josiah had endeavored to observe what was equitable, while he set all his thoughts on fraud, plunder, and cruelty; for by the eye and the heart he means all the faculties of his soul and body. One of the main senses of the body, as it is well known, is the sight. Hence the Prophet includes here whatever is external and internal in men, when... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 22:1-23

Truth-speaking under difficulties. The prophet is commanded to go down to the king's palace and deliver his prophecies in the royal audience. His mission did not admit of time-serving or evasive utterance. Like that prophet who said to David, "Thou art the man," he had to speak to the king face to face and with great plainness. I. GOD 'S CHILDREN ARE OFTEN CALLED UPON TO WITNESS TO HIM IN DIFFICULT PLACES . In king's courts; in society; in unbelieving homes;... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 22:13-19

Son and father: a sad contrast. A wicked son, Jeheiakim is not only reproached with his wickedness, but reminded of the very different conduct of his honored father. The contrast is very striking, varied, and instructive. It is seen— I. IN THE PARENTAGE OF THE TWO PRINCES . Jehoiakim had the great advantage of being the son of an eminently good father. All the impulse and help that could come from such a fact was his. Josiah, on the other hand, was the son of a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 22:13-19

A right aim pursued by a wrong and cruel method. I. A RIGHT AIM . What this aim was is indicated in Jeremiah 22:15 . Jehoiakim wanted to be a king. In one sense he was a king, without any effort of his own, for he had succeeded to the position and honors of his father. But very rightly he sought to be reckoned a king by virtue of something more than mere rank. He wished to do something which would mark off his reign as peculiar. He wished something more to be said of him than that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 22:17

But thou, O Jehoiakim, art the opposite of thy father. For (not, But ) thine eyes and thine heart are not but for thy covetousness . "Covetousness" includes the ideas of injustice and violence (comp. Jeremiah 6:13 ; Jeremiah 8:10 ); hence the second half of the verse emphasizes the cruel tyranny which marked the internal policy of Jehoiakim. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Jeremiah 22:17

Covetousness - literally, gain. Besides exacting forced labor Jehoiakim, to procure the necessary means for the vast expenses he incurred, put innocent people to death on various pretexts, and escheated their property. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Jeremiah 22:17

Jeremiah 22:17. But thine eyes and thy heart are not but for thy covetousness They are for that, and for nothing else. For this cause Jehoiakim is compared to a lion, by the Prophet Ezekiel 19:6. Observe, reader, in covetousness the heart walks after the eyes, Job 31:7; it is therefore called the lust of the eye, 1 John 2:15: and the eyes and the heart are then for covetousness when the aims and affections are set upon the wealth of this world; and when they are so the temptation is... read more

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