Jeremiah 4:22
“For my people are foolish; they know me not; they are stupid children; they have no understanding. They are ‘wise’—in doing evil! But how to do good they know not.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The striking contrast here isn't just that they can't do good, but that their "wisdom" is actively twisted towards evil, showing a perverted intelligence that’s intentionally blind to what is right. This highlights that their foolishness isn't a simple lack of knowledge, but a deliberate misuse of their capacity for understanding.
Jeremiah has just lamented the devastation coming upon Judah, seeing the land in chaos as if in a vision. In response, God declares that this destruction isn't random but a direct consequence of his people's profound foolishness and ignorance of Him. He describes them as unintelligent children, skilled only in wickedness but utterly lacking the knowledge of how to do what is right.
Have you ever felt like people are acting completely irrational or making bafflingly bad choices? God's people in Jeremiah's day were like that, and the reason is laid bare in this verse.
The Root of "Foolishness"
Jeremiah, speaking for God, calls his people "foolish." This isn't just a casual insult; it's a deep spiritual diagnosis. The core of their foolishness, as the verse states, is that they "know me not." This lack of knowledge isn't about lacking information; it's about a profound disconnect from God Himself.
Why "Not Knowing God" is Foolishness
It's one thing to be ignorant, but what happens when people are skilled at the wrong things? Jeremiah reveals a disturbing paradox about God's people.
"Wise" to Do Evil
The verse presents a sharp contrast: 'They are ‘wise’—in doing evil! But how to do good they know not.' This is a devastating indictment.
The Nature of This "Wisdom"
Understand the original words
ĕwīl · Hebrew Adjective/Noun
A state of moral and spiritual dullness; lacking divine wisdom and discernment, often implying a rejection of God's revealed truth.
bīnāh · Hebrew Noun
A total lack of perception or insight regarding spiritual matters, resulting from a heart that refuses to acknowledge or obey the Creator.
rā‘āh · Hebrew Noun
Deliberate actions that deviate from God’s character and commands, causing ruin to oneself and others; moral wickedness.
Jeremiah's lament in this verse speaks into the profound spiritual blindness and moral corruption that characterized Judah, particularly as it culminated in the devastating fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple by the Babylonians.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Assyrian Exile
The Northern Kingdom of Israel (ten tribes) is conquered by the Neo-Assyrian Empire, and its population is deported into exile. This event serves as a stark warning to the Southern Kingdom of Judah.
626-609 BC
Prophetic Ministry of Jeremiah
Jeremiah begins his prophetic ministry in Judah during a time of increasing political instability and religious decline. He warns of impending judgment from God.
605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
The Babylonian Empire, under Nebuchadnezzar, conquers Judah and deports a portion of the population, including Daniel, to Babylon. This marks the beginning of the Babylonian exile.
597 BC
Second Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar deports King Jehoiachin and many other prominent citizens of Judah to Babylon. This event heightens the sense of crisis and judgment for Jerusalem.
This passage echoes Jeremiah's lament, stating that God's people are destroyed for lack of knowledge, directly linking a lack of understanding of God to their destruction, just as Jeremiah does.
Matthew 13:15Jesus quotes Isaiah, explaining that the people's hearts have become dull, their ears slow to hear, and their eyes have closed, a spiritual blindness that mirrors the foolishness and lack of understanding described in Jeremiah.
Romans 1:21-22Paul describes people who, despite knowing God, did not honor him or give thanks, becoming futile in their thinking and foolish in their hearts. This reflects Jeremiah's indictment of a people who 'know me not' and are 'wise to do evil.'
1 Corinthians 1:18-25This passage contrasts the 'foolishness of God' with the 'wisdom of men,' highlighting how God's perceived foolishness (the cross) is wiser than human wisdom, and His perceived weakness is stronger, aligning with Jeremiah's critique of people being 'wise to do evil' but ignorant of true good.
Jeremiah 9:23-24Jeremiah himself expands on this idea, stating that true boasting should be in understanding the Lord, not in human wisdom, strength, or riches, reinforcing the central theme that knowing and understanding God is the true wisdom lacking in his people.
pulpitJeremiah 4:22: "For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge."
Verse 22. - For my people is foolish. The Lord gives no direct answer to the complaining question in ver. 21. He simply states the moral ground for Judah's calamity, and implies that this will last so long as the people continue to be "foolish," i.e. virtual deniers of the true God.
calvinJeremiah 4:22: "For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge."
- Quoniam stultus populus meus, me non cognovit; filii insipientes ipsi, et non intelligentes ipsi (sunt; chmh demonstrativum pronomen ponitur vice verbi:) astuti ipsi (vel, sapientes) ad malum; sed ad benefaciendum non intelligunt.
The Prophet again teaches us, that the cause of these evils arose from…
The striking contrast here isn't just that they can't do good, but that their "wisdom" is actively twisted towards evil, showing a perverted intelligence that’s intentionally blind to what is right. This highlights that their foolishness isn't a simple lack of knowledge, but a deliberate misuse of their capacity for understanding.
Jeremiah has just lamented the devastation coming upon Judah, seeing the land in chaos as if in a vision. In response, God declares that this destruction isn't random but a direct consequence of his people's profound foolishness and ignorance of Him. He describes them as unintelligent children, skilled only in wickedness but utterly lacking the knowledge of how to do what is right.
Jeremiah has just lamented the devastation coming upon Judah, seeing the land in chaos as if in a vision. In response, God declares that this destruction isn't random but a direct consequence of his people's profound foolishness and ignorance of Him. He describes them as unintelligent children, skilled only in wickedness but utterly lacking the knowledge of how to do what is right.
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The commentators note that this is the opposite of what God intended for His people. They were meant to be a light, wise in the ways of God, but instead, they became experts in the darkness.
586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Destruction of the Temple
The Babylonians destroy Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling the remaining population (except for a few left behind). This is the ultimate consequence of Judah's persistent disobedience.
"“For my people are foolish; they know me not; they are stupid children; they have no understanding. They are ‘wise’—in doing evil! But how to do good they know not.”" — The striking contrast here isn't just that they can't do good, but that their "wisdom" is actively twisted towards evil, showing a perverted intelligence that’s intentionally blind to what is rig…
