Jeremiah 5:26

26 For among my people are found wicked [men]: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men.

Jeremiah 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.

Jeremiah 5:26 In-Context

24 Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in its season: he reserveth to us the appointed weeks of harvest.

25 Your iniquities have turned away these [things], and your sins have withheld good [things] from you.

26 For among my people are found wicked [men]: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men.

27 As a cage is full of birds, so [are] their houses full of deceit: therefore they have become great, and have grown rich.

28 They have become fat, they shine: yes, they surpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge.