Jeremiah 5:9

9 Should I not punish them for these things? [This is]*The bracketed text has been added for clarity. the Lord's declaration. Should I not avenge Myself^[a] on 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 Why should I forgive you? Your children have abandoned Me and sworn by those who are not gods. I satisfied their needs, yet they committed adultery; they gashed themselves at the prostitute's house.

8 They are well-fed, eager stallions, each neighing after someone else's wife.

9 Should I not punish them for these things? [This is]*The bracketed text has been added for clarity. the Lord's declaration. Should I not avenge Myself on such a nation as this?

10 Go up among her vineyard terraces and destroy them, but do not finish them off. Prune away her shoots, for they do not belong to the Lord.

11 They, the house of Israel and the house of Judah, have dealt very treacherously with Me. [This is]*The bracketed text has been added for clarity. the Lord's declaration.

Footnotes

• [a]. Jr 5:29; 8:10