O inhabitant of Lebanon, that makest thy nest in the cedars, how gracious shalt thou be when pangs come upon thee, the pain as of a woman in travail!

JEREMIAH 22:23KJV
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Jeremiah 22:23 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 22:23 mean?

Jeremiah 22:23 describes the people of Judah as living comfortably and securely, like someone nesting high in the strong cedars of Lebanon, but warns that their comfort will vanish when suffering comes upon them as suddenly and painfully as labor pains come upon a woman. The verse highlights the contrast between their current pride and the distress that is about to overtake them.

Jeremiah is speaking on behalf of God to the leaders and people of Judah, especially those associated with the royal house. The reference to "Lebanon" and "cedars" points to the luxurious palaces built with cedar wood, symbolizing their wealth and security. The verse uses the image of childbirth pain to emphasize how inescapable and overwhelming the coming judgment will be.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 22:23

  • "inhabitant" (יֹשֵׁב, yoshev): This word means someone who dwells or lives in a place. Here, it refers to those living in luxury, possibly the royal family in their cedar-lined palaces.
  • "Lebanon" (לְבָנוֹן, Levanon): Lebanon was famous for its tall cedar trees, which were used in building royal palaces. Mentioning Lebanon connects the people to their pride in these grand structures.
  • "nest" (קִנֵּן, qinnen): To "make a nest" suggests settling securely and comfortably, as a bird would in a high, safe place.
  • "gracious" (חָנַן, chanan): Often means to show favor or be charming, but here it is used ironically—how charming or favored will you seem when disaster strikes?
  • "pangs" (חֵבֶל, chevel): This word means severe pain or anguish, especially the sharp pains of childbirth, highlighting the suddenness and intensity of the coming trouble.
  • "pain" (צִיר, tsir) and "travail" (יָלַד, yalad): These words reinforce the image of labor pains, which are unavoidable and intense.

Why Jeremiah 22:23 matters

  • The verse clears up any illusion that material security or high status can protect against judgment or suffering; even those who seem safest are vulnerable.
  • Jeremiah 22:23 connects the pride of Judah’s leaders in their luxurious homes to their coming downfall, showing that their confidence is misplaced.
  • The childbirth imagery emphasizes that the coming disaster is both inevitable and overwhelming, helping the reader grasp the seriousness of the warning in context.

Where else these words appear

“nest” Hebrew H7077 · used in 5 verses

  • Psalms 104:17 Where the birds make their nests: as for the stork, the fir trees are her house.
  • Isaiah 34:15 There shall the great owl make her nest, and lay, and hatch, and gather under her shadow: there shall the vultures also be gathered, every one with her mate.
  • Jeremiah 48:28 O ye that dwell in Moab, leave the cities, and dwell in the rock, and be like the dove that maketh her nest in the sides of the hole's mouth.

“pain” Hebrew H2427 · used in 7 verses

  • Exodus 15:14 The people shall hear, and be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina.
  • Psalms 48:6 Fear took hold upon them there, and pain, as of a woman in travail.
  • Jeremiah 50:43 The king of Babylon hath heard the report of them, and his hands waxed feeble: anguish took hold of him, and pangs as of a woman in travail.

“pangs” Hebrew H2256 · used in 58 verses

  • Deuteronomy 3:4 And we took all his cities at that time, there was not a city which we took not from them, threescore cities, all the region of Argob, the kingdom of Og in Bashan.
  • Job 18:10 The snare is laid for him in the ground, and a trap for him in the way.
  • Isaiah 33:23 Thy tacklings are loosed; they could not well strengthen their mast, they could not spread the sail: then is the prey of a great spoil divided; the lame take the prey.

“Lebanon” Hebrew H3844 · used in 64 verses

  • Deuteronomy 1:7 Turn you, and take your journey, and go to the mount of the Amorites, and unto all the places nigh thereunto, in the plain, in the hills, and in the vale, and in the south, and by the sea side, to the land of the Canaanites, and unto Lebanon, unto the great river, the river Euphrates.
  • 2 Chronicles 2:8 Send me also cedar trees, fir trees, and algum trees, out of Lebanon: for I know that thy servants can skill to cut timber in Lebanon; and, behold, my servants shall be with thy servants,
  • Isaiah 29:17 Is it not yet a very little while, and Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be esteemed as a forest?