The Meaning of Jeremiah 22:16 Explained

Jeremiah 22:16

KJV: He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well with him: was not this to know me? saith the LORD.

YLT: He decided the cause of the poor and needy, Then it is well -- is it not to know Me? An affirmation of Jehovah.

Darby: He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well. Was not this to know me? saith Jehovah.

ASV: He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well. Was not this to know me? saith Jehovah.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

He judged  the cause  of the poor  and needy;  then [it was] well  [with him: was] not this to know  me? saith  the LORD. 

What does Jeremiah 22:16 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Josiah had given justice to those who needed it, regardless of who they were. By this he demonstrated that he really knew Yahweh. He behaved like Yahweh.

Context Summary

Jeremiah 22:1-30 - The Folly Of Idolatry
Jeremiah 10:1-10
We are here introduced into an idol-factory. Contrasted with the manufactured idols is the majesty of our God. There is none like Him. His name is great in might; He is the King of the nations, the true and living God, and the everlasting King! Christian, fear not or be dismayed when enemies plot against you. It is a vain device that they frame. To hide in God is a sure defence from all that man can do for our hurt. O thou true and living Savior, in thy wounds harried and faithful souls become strong and brave again.
Jeremiah 10:19-25
The prophet now bids the people prepare for their captivity. Their city would be as when a shepherd removed his slight and insubstantial tent, leaving no trace. But Jeremiah's soul is lacerated and torn with the message he must needs announce. Are we called to be shepherds? Let us see to it that we seek the Lord; so only shall our flocks not be scattered, Jeremiah 10:21. Are we in perplexity as to our path in life? It is not for us to direct ourselves, but to look up for God's sure guidance, which will be given to the soul that waits for it, Jeremiah 10:23. Are we being corrected? Let us be patient; it is only when we endure without complaining that our trial works out the highest good, and God will not give us more than we can bear, Jeremiah 10:24. [source]

Chapter Summary: Jeremiah 22

1  He exhorts to repentance, with promises and threats
10  The judgment of Shallum;
13  of Jehoiakim;
20  and of Coniah

What do the individual words in Jeremiah 22:16 mean?

He judged the cause of the poor and needy then [it was] well [Was] not that knowing Me says Yahweh
דָּ֛ן דִּין־ עָנִ֥י וְאֶבְי֖וֹן אָ֣ז ט֑וֹב הֲלוֹא־ הִ֛יא הַדַּ֥עַת אֹתִ֖י נְאֻם־ יְהוָֽה

דָּ֛ן  He  judged 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: דֹּון 
Sense: to judge, contend, plead.
דִּין־  the  cause 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: דִּין 
Sense: judgment.
עָנִ֥י  of  the  poor 
Parse: Adjective, masculine singular
Root: עָנִי  
Sense: poor, afflicted, humble, wretched.
וְאֶבְי֖וֹן  and  needy 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Adjective, masculine singular
Root: אֶבְיׄון  
Sense: in want, needy, chiefly poor, needy person.
ט֑וֹב  [it  was]  well 
Parse: Adjective, masculine singular
Root: טָבַב 
Sense: good, pleasant, agreeable.
הֲלוֹא־  [Was]  not 
Parse: Adverb, Negative particle
Root: הֲלֹא 
Sense: not, no.
הִ֛יא  that 
Parse: Pronoun, third person feminine singular
Root: הוּא 
Sense: he, she, it.
הַדַּ֥עַת  knowing 
Parse: Article, Noun, feminine singular
Root: דַּעַת 
Sense: knowledge.
אֹתִ֖י  Me 
Parse: Direct object marker, first person common singular
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
נְאֻם־  says 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: נְאֻם  
Sense: (Qal) utterance, declaration (of prophet).
יְהוָֽה  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.