Jeremiah 5:9

9 Shall I not punish them for these things?" says the Lord. "And shall I not avenge Myself 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 "How shall I pardon you for this? Your children have forsaken Me And sworn by those that are not gods. When I had fed them to the full, Then they committed adultery And assembled themselves by troops in the harlots' houses.

8 They were like well-fed lusty stallions; Every one neighed after his neighbor's wife.

9 Shall I not punish them for these things?" says the Lord. "And shall I not avenge Myself on such a nation as this?

10 "Go up on her walls and destroy, But do not make a complete end. Take away her branches, For they are not the Lord's.

11 For the house of Israel and the house of Judah Have dealt very treacherously with Me," says the Lord.