Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary
Jeremiah 5:4
Therefore - More simply “and.”
They are foolish - Or, they act foolishly (see Numbers 12:11), not having that knowledge which would enable them to guide their ways with discretion.
Therefore - More simply “and.”
They are foolish - Or, they act foolishly (see Numbers 12:11), not having that knowledge which would enable them to guide their ways with discretion.
Verse Jeremiah 5:4. _THESE_ ARE _POOR_] They are ignorant; they have no education; they know no better....
CHAPTER 5 _ 1. The apostate conditions of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 5:1) _ 2. The impending judgment (Jeremiah 5:10) 3. Sowing and reaping (Jeremiah 5:19) 4. The horrible thing ...
THE SINS OF JERUSALEM. Jeremiah is bidden to seek even one man in Jerusalem, for whose sake Yahweh may spare the city (_cf._ Genesis 18:16), one man of justice and faithfulness (_mg.) ;_ even the oath...
POOR. become poor, or impoverished, reduced in means. Hebrew. _dal._ See note on "poverty", Proverbs 6:11. JUDGMENT. justice....
The prophet thinks, Surely it is poverty and ignorance that mislead them. Cp. Hosea 4:6. _the way of the Lord_ the way prescribed by God to man. _judgement_ primarily a decision given by a judge, and...
THEREFORE I SAID, SURELY, &C.— The meaning of this verse is sufficiently plain from that which follows. Houbigant, however, renders it better thus: _But I thought thus with myself; these men of mean c...
C. Causes of Coming Judgment Jeremiah 5:1-31 In chapter five Jeremiah discusses the various reasons why God must judge His people. The nation has been guilty of at least six terrible sins: (1) moral c...
Therefore I said, Surely these are poor; they are foolish: for they know not the way of the LORD, nor the judgment of their God. POOR - rather 'the poor.' He supposes for the moment that this utter...
THESE _are_ POOR, etc.] i.e. the ignorant ones who know no better....
1-9. The universal corruption of the city prevents forgiveness....
THEREFORE. — Literally, _And._ The prophet makes for the poor the half-pitying plea of ignorance. Looking upon the masses that toil for bread, those whom the Scribes afterwards called the “people of e...
וַ אֲנִ֣י אָמַ֔רְתִּי אַךְ ־דַּלִּ֖ים הֵ֑ם נֹ
Jeremiah 5:1; Jeremiah 6:1 CHAPTER IV THE SCYTHIANS AS THE SCOURGE OF GOD Jeremiah 4:3 - Jeremiah 6:30 IF we would under
WIDESPREAD CORRUPTION Jeremiah 5:1-6; Jeremiah 19:1-15; Jeremiah 20:1-18; Jeremiah 21:1-14; Jeremiah 22:1-30; Jeremiah 23:1-40; Jeremiah 24:1-10; Jeremiah 25:1-38;...
Having thus declared that judgment was determined on, the prophet now carefully declared the reason for it. This was, first, the utter corruption of conduct. Among the people not a man was to lie foun...
_Foolish idiots, (Calmet) who have had no means of receiving instruction. (Haydock) --- Such might be more excusable; but when the chiefs offend, the evil is irremediable._...
Was there ever a more decisive testimony than what these verses afford, of the universal corruption, ignorance and ruined state of all men, as well rich as poor, and which the fall hath induced in the...
Some think that the Prophet here makes an excuse for the people, and, as far as he could, extenuates their fault; but they are greatly mistaken. For there is no doubt but that he, by this comparison,...
THE FOLLOWING COMMENTARY COVERS CHAPTER S 4, 5, AND 6. Chapter 4 resumes the subject of Chapter s 2, 3, and, applying it at that time to the people, tells them that, if they return, it must be unto th...
THEN I SAID, SURELY THESE ARE POOR, THEY ARE FOOLISH,.... The prophet, observing that reproofs and corrections in providence had no effect upon the people, he thought within himself that surely the re...
Therefore I said, Surely these [are] poor; they are foolish: for they know not the way of the LORD, [nor] the judgment of their God. Ver. 4. _Therefore I said,_] _i.e., _ I thought with myself. _ Su...
_O Lord, are not thine eyes upon the truth_ Dost thou not approve of truth and faithfulness? And dost thou not search men's hearts, and clearly discern their real dispositions from their hypocritical...
LACK OF TRUTH AND FAITH IN PUBLIC LIFE...
Therefore I said, Surely these are poor, the prophet here interrupting himself to voice an objection to the Lord; THEY ARE FOOLISH, acting foolishly on account of their ignorance; FOR THEY KNOW NOT TH...
1-9 None could be found who behaved as upright and godly men. But the Lord saw the true character of the people through all their disguises. The poor were ignorant, and therefore they were wicked. Wh...
THEREFORE I SAID; or, perhaps, I said with myself; not, possibly, that he thought so, but that he might thus express himself, as men use to speak. SURELY THESE ARE POOR; poor, low-spirited, or of the...
Jeremiah 5:4 said H559 (H8804) poor H1800 foolish H2973 (H8738) know H3045 (H8804) way H1870 LORD...
YHWH PRESENTS THE REASONS WHY THE INVASION IS NECESSARY (JEREMIAH 5:1). Invasion is seen as necessary because there are no righteous people in Jerusalem, and they are full of adultery (both spiritual...
YHWH GIVES HIS REASONS WHY JERUSALEM WILL NOT BE PARDONED AND JEREMIAH MAKES A VAIN SEARCH FOR A RIGHTEOUS MAN (JEREMIAH 5:1). YHWH now vindicates His decision to bring inevitable judgment. He assures...
Jeremiah 5:1. _Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be any that executeth judgment, that seek...
CONTENTS: Jeremiah's second message, continued. God's charges against them and the judgments threatened. CHARACTERS: God, Jeremiah. CONCLUSION: Sinners have reason to expect punishment on account of...
Jeremiah 5:2. _Though they say the Lord liveth, surely they swear falsely._ These words being in every one's mouth, are but words, not sentiments. If men knew the grandeur of God, and studied his perf...
_Run ye. .. and see. .. if ye can find a man._ A MAN; OR, THE DIVINE IDEAL UNREALISED I. The Divine idea of a man. One “that executeth Judgment, that seeketh the truth.” This involves-- 1. A righte...
_O Lord, are not Thine eyes upon the truth?_ TRUTHFULNESS The allusion is not to doctrinal truth, or truth in the abstract, but to practical truth as it should exist in the hearts and lives of men. T...
CRITICAL AND EXEGETICAL NOTES.—1. CHRONOLOGY OF THE CHAPTER. The description here of unblushing immorality and total disorganisation leads Kimchi and others to date this chapter after Josiah’s times;...
EXPOSITION Is the punishment thought too severe? Then let the moral condition of Jerusalem be inquired into. Must not such transgressions precipitate its people into ruin? There are four well-marked...
Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places, if you can find a man, if there be any that is executing judgment, and that is seeking truth; and...
Hosea 4:6; Isaiah 27:11; Isaiah 28:9; Jeremiah 4:22; Jeremiah 7:8;...
Poor — The vulgar, that understand but little, of less conscience than the better sort. Judgment — The methods or ways of his providence....