But thine eyes and thine heart are not but for thy covetousness, and for to shed innocent blood, and for oppression, and for violence, to do it.

JEREMIAH 22:17KJV
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Jeremiah 22:17 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 22:17 mean?

Jeremiah 22:17 says that the people’s attention and desires are fixed only on selfish gain, violence, and wrongdoing, rather than on justice or what is right. The verse accuses them of being driven by greed, shedding innocent blood, oppressing others, and committing acts of violence.

Jeremiah is speaking God’s message to the king of Judah and his officials, warning them about their corrupt hearts and actions. The verse highlights how their inner motives (“eyes and heart”) are completely absorbed by greed and harmful behavior, setting the stage for God’s judgment because of their injustice and cruelty.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 22:17

  • עֵינַיִם (ʿenayim, "eyes") and לֵב (lev, "heart"): These words together emphasize that both outward focus and inward desires are corrupted, showing that the problem is deep and all-encompassing.
  • בֶּצַע (betzaʿ, "covetousness"): This word often means unjust gain or greedy profit, not just ordinary desire, pointing to a hunger for wealth at the expense of others.
  • שָׁפַךְ (shafakh, "shed") and דָּם (dam, "blood"): The phrase “to shed innocent blood” uses these words to stress the seriousness of their violence, especially against those who have done nothing wrong.
  • עֹשֶׁק (osheq, "oppression") and מֵרוּצָה (merutza, "violence"): These terms highlight both economic and physical harm, showing a pattern of abuse and injustice, not just isolated acts.

Why Jeremiah 22:17 matters

  • Jeremiah 22:17 makes clear that the problem is not just outward actions but deep-seated motives—both the “eyes” (what they look for) and the “heart” (what they desire) are set on evil.
  • The verse connects personal greed and violence to national downfall, helping explain why judgment is coming in the wider passage.
  • By naming specific sins—covetousness, shedding innocent blood, oppression, and violence—Jeremiah 22:17 shows that God’s concern is not just with religious ritual but with how leaders treat people, especially the vulnerable.

Where else these words appear

“oppression” Hebrew H6233 · used in 15 verses

  • Leviticus 6:4 Then it shall be, because he hath sinned, and is guilty, that he shall restore that which he took violently away, or the thing which he hath deceitfully gotten, or that which was delivered him to keep, or the lost thing which he found,
  • Ecclesiastes 5:8 If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they.
  • Jeremiah 6:6 For thus hath the LORD of hosts said, Hew ye down trees, and cast a mount against Jerusalem: this is the city to be visited; she is wholly oppression in the midst of her.

“covetousness” Hebrew H1215 · used in 23 verses

  • Genesis 37:26 And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood?
  • Proverbs 1:19 So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.
  • Jeremiah 8:10 Therefore will I give their wives unto others, and their fields to them that shall inherit them: for every one from the least even unto the greatest is given to covetousness, from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.

“innocent” Hebrew H5355 · used in 42 verses

  • Genesis 24:41 Then shalt thou be clear from this my oath, when thou comest to my kindred; and if they give not thee one, thou shalt be clear from my oath.
  • Joshua 2:20 And if thou utter this our business, then we will be quit of thine oath which thou hast made us to swear.
  • Psalms 15:5 He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.

“shed” Hebrew H8210 · used in 111 verses

  • Genesis 9:6 Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
  • Job 30:16 And now my soul is poured out upon me; the days of affliction have taken hold upon me.
  • Ezekiel 16:36 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thy filthiness was poured out, and thy nakedness discovered through thy whoredoms with thy lovers, and with all the idols of thy abominations, and by the blood of thy children, which thou didst give unto them;