Jeremiah 5:9

9 Am I not to give punishment for these things? says the Lord: will not my soul take payment from such a nation as this?

Jeremiah 5:9 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 5:9

Shall I not visit for these things? saith the Lord
For such adulteries and lasciviousness, and that in a way of punishment. The Targum adds,

``to bring evil upon them;''

the evil of punishment for the evil of sin: and shall not my soul be avenged upon such a nation as this?
which cannot delight in sin, but hates it; and therefore must punish for it; vindictive and punitive justice is essential to God; as sin is contrary to his nature, it is agreeable to it to punish for it; he cannot but do it; and he does avenge all sin, either on the sinner himself, or on his surety.

Jeremiah 5:9 In-Context

7 How is it possible for you to have my forgiveness for this? your children have given me up, taking their oaths by those who are no gods: when I had given them food in full measure, they were false to their wives, taking their pleasure in the houses of loose women.

8 They were full of desire, like horses after a meal of grain: everyone went after his neighbour's wife.

9 Am I not to give punishment for these things? says the Lord: will not my soul take payment from such a nation as this?

10 Go up against her vines and make waste; let the destruction be complete: take away her branches, for they are not the Lord's.

11 For the people of Israel and the people of Judah have been very false to me, says the Lord.