Jeremias 5:26

26 “Há ímpios no meio do meu povo:homens que ficam à espreita como num esconderijo de caçadores de pássaros;preparam armadilhas para capturar gente.

Jeremias 5:26 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 5:26

For among my people are found wicked men
Not a few only, but in general they appeared to be so, upon an inquiry into their character and conduct; for otherwise it would not have been so difficult to find a good man among them, as is suggested ( Jeremiah 5:1 ) , they lay wait as he that setteth snares;
or, "they look about" ^F3; that is, as Kimchi interprets it, every man looks in the ways, to see if a man passed by, that he might rob him of what he had; as a man that lays snares, or sets a trap to catch birds in: or, "everyone looks out, when they that lay snares rest" ^F4; and so they are more diligent and constant in catching men than such persons are in catching birds: they set a trap;
or "dig a pit, or ditch" ^F5; for men to fall in; see ( Psalms 7:15 ) : they catch men;
and rob them of their substance; or by their ill examples and counsels draw them into sin, and so into ruin; or circumvent them in trade and business.

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FOOTNOTES:

F3 (rwvy) "aspicit", Vatablus, i. e. "quisque eorum", Piscator; "aspicient", Pagninus.
F4 (Myvwqy Kvk rwvy) "contemplatur quisque, cum quiescunt aucupes", De Dieu; so Ben Melech; "et cum resident aucupes", Piscator, Gataker; "sit quiet and unmoved, that they may not frighten the birds by any noise, watching and expecting when they would get into the net"; so Gussetius.
F5 (tyxvm wbyuh) "fodiunt foveas", Tigurine version.

Jeremias 5:26 In-Context

24 Não dizem no seu íntimo:‘Temamos o SENHOR, o nosso Deus:aquele que dá as chuvas do outono e da primavera no tempo certo,e nos assegura as semanas certas da colheita’.

25 Porém os pecados de vocês têm afastado essas coisas;as faltas de vocêsos têm privado desses bens.

26 “Há ímpios no meio do meu povo:homens que ficam à espreita como num esconderijo de caçadores de pássaros;preparam armadilhas para capturar gente.

27 Suas casas estão cheias de engano,como gaiolas cheias de pássaros.E assim eles se tornaram poderosos e ricos,

28 estão gordos e bem-alimentados.Não há limites para as suas obras más.Não se empenham pela causa do órfão,nem defendem os direitos do pobre.