What Does Jeremiah 22:4 Mean in the King James?
For if ye do this thing indeed, then shall there enter in by the gates of this house kings sitting upon the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, he, and his servants, and his people.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The royal procession is conditional: David’s throne enters when justice is actually carried out.
THE MEANING
This verse speaks to you now as a condition on public order: when you carry out the justice just named, rightful rule can enter and take its seat. Its procession passes through the house’s gates with attendants and people, so the condition touches the whole community, not only its ruler.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It dissolves the belief that an inherited title or sacred house alone secures rightful rule; the passage ties the procession to justice enacted by the community.
THE ROOT
עָשׂוֹ תַעֲשׂוּ
ʿāśō taʿăśû
GROWS FROM
עשה
Do, make, carry out.
“do indeed” in this verse is ʿāśō taʿăśû. The Hebrew repeats the root in an emphatic construction: “if you indeed do this thing.” The kingly procession depends on the deed being carried out, the justice and protection named just before this verse.
ALSO GROWS
maʿăśeh: Deed, work.
מַעֲשֶׂה
The verse makes the promised royal arrival hinge on a deed, not merely a title or claim.
ʿăśiyyāh: Action, doing.
עֲשִׂיָּה
This branch keeps the emphasis on justice becoming action in the community.
מְלָכִים
mĕlākîm
GROWS FROM
מלך
Rule, reign.
“kings” in this verse is mĕlākîm. The root links the king with the act of reigning: these are rulers who enter and take their seats, not titles in isolation. Their presence is joined to the community’s enactment of justice.
ALSO GROWS
melekh: King.
מֶלֶךְ
The person who rules appears as part of a procession that enters the house’s gates.
malkût: Kingship, governance.
מַלְכוּת
The verse pictures governance becoming publicly present when the stated condition is met.
דָּוִד
Dāwîḏ
GROWS FROM
דוד
Beloved; the name is associated with the Hebrew word for beloved or kin.
The throne is identified through David’s name, whose nature carries the sense of belovedness. This relational shade sits beside the public image of kings, servants, and people entering together; it deepens the image without removing the condition of justice.
ALSO GROWS
dōd: Beloved; kinsman.
דּוֹד
This name-root connection gives David’s throne a relational shade alongside its public authority.
dōdîm: Beloved ones; love.
דּוֹדִים
The branch keeps the name connected to affection and belonging as the procession includes the whole people.
THE PATTERN
Access to rightful order is tied to enacted practice, not claims alone.
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.THE THREAD
These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates:Zechariah uses the same root, עשה (ʿāśâ), for “do” and names truth and just judgment at the gates. It opens Jeremiah’s “do this thing” further: the deed is justice made visible where the community meets and the kings enter.
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