Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong; that useth his neighbour's service without wages, and giveth him not for his work;

JEREMIAH 22:13KJV
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Jeremiah 22:13 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 22:13 mean?

Jeremiah 22:13 warns against building personal wealth or comfort through injustice, especially by exploiting others and refusing to pay them for their labor. The verse declares trouble for anyone who gains a house and its rooms by treating others unfairly and withholding rightful wages.

Jeremiah, speaking God’s message to the leaders of Judah, addresses those in power who build luxurious homes while ignoring justice and fairness. The verse specifically calls out the practice of using a neighbor’s work without proper payment, highlighting how social and economic injustice was a real problem among the ruling class in Jerusalem at that time.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 22:13

  • "Woe" (הוֹי, hoy): This word is often used in prophetic texts to announce judgment or sorrow, signaling that something is seriously wrong and consequences are coming.
  • "Unrighteousness" (בְּלִי־צֶדֶק, b’li-tzedek): This term points to a lack of justice or fairness, not just legal wrongdoing but a deeper moral failure in how people are treated.
  • "Service" (עָבַד, avad): This word means labor or work, and here it emphasizes that the neighbor’s efforts are real, valuable work that deserves compensation.
  • "Wages" (חִנָּם, khinnam): This word can mean "without pay" or "for nothing," stressing that the worker is not being given what is due for their work, which is a direct violation of justice.

Why Jeremiah 22:13 matters

  • Jeremiah 22:13 clarifies that God cares deeply about economic justice and the fair treatment of workers, not just religious rituals or outward piety.
  • The verse highlights that exploiting others for personal gain is not just a social issue but a spiritual one, bringing God’s judgment.
  • This warning fits into Jeremiah’s larger message to Judah’s leaders, showing that their disregard for justice is one reason for the coming national disaster.

Where else these words appear

“chambers” Hebrew H5944 · used in 20 verses

  • Judges 3:20 And Ehud came unto him; and he was sitting in a summer parlour, which he had for himself alone. And Ehud said, I have a message from God unto thee. And he arose out of his seat.
  • 1 Kings 17:23 And Elijah took the child, and brought him down out of the chamber into the house, and delivered him unto his mother: and Elijah said, See, thy son liveth.
  • 2 Chronicles 3:9 And the weight of the nails was fifty shekels of gold. And he overlaid the upper chambers with gold.

“wages” Hebrew H2600 · used in 31 verses

  • Genesis 29:15 And Laban said unto Jacob, Because thou art my brother, shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought? tell me, what shall thy wages be?
  • Job 2:3 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.
  • Proverbs 3:30 Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.

“work” Hebrew H6467 · used in 38 verses

  • Deuteronomy 32:4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.
  • Psalms 28:4 Give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavours: give them after the work of their hands; render to them their desert.
  • Proverbs 21:8 The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.

“Woe” Hebrew H1945 · used in 48 verses

  • Ruth 4:1 Then went Boaz up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the kinsman of whom Boaz spake came by; unto whom he said, Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside, and sat down.
  • Isaiah 29:1 Woe to Ariel, to Ariel, the city where David dwelt! add ye year to year; let them kill sacrifices.
  • Ezekiel 13:18 And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe to the women that sew pillows to all armholes, and make kerchiefs upon the head of every stature to hunt souls! Will ye hunt the souls of my people, and will ye save the souls alive that come unto you?