Jeremiah 9:9

9 ¹Shall I not punish them for these things? declares the Lord, and shall I not avenge myself on a nation such as this?

Jeremiah 9:9 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 9:9

Shall I not visit them for these things? saith the Lord
The Targum adds,

``to bring evil upon them.''

Shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?
the Targum is,

``or of a people whose works are such, shall I not take vengeance according to my pleasure?''

(See Gill on Jeremiah 5:9).

Jeremiah 9:9 In-Context

7 Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts: “Behold, I will refine them and test them, for what else can I do, because of my people?

8 Their tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaks deceitfully; with his mouth each speaks peace to his neighbor, but in his heart he plans an ambush for him.

9 Shall I not punish them for these things? declares the Lord, and shall I not avenge myself on a nation such as this?

10 “I will take up weeping and wailing for the mountains, and a lamentation for the pastures of the wilderness, because they are laid waste so that no one passes through, and the lowing of cattle is not heard; both the birds of the air and the beasts have fled and are gone.

11 I will make Jerusalem a heap of ruins, a lair of jackals, and I will make the cities of Judah a desolation, without inhabitant. ”

Cross References

• 1. 9:9 ch. 5:9, 29