Jeremiah 5:1

KJV

¶ 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 seeketh the truth; and I will pardon it.

KJV (with Strong's)

Run ye to and fro {H7751} through the streets {H2351} of Jerusalem {H3389}, and see {H7200} now, and know {H3045}, and seek {H1245} in the broad places {H7339} thereof, if ye can find {H4672} a man {H376}, if there be {H3426} any that executeth {H6213} judgment {H4941}, that seeketh {H1245} the truth {H530}; and I will pardon {H5545} it.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Roam the streets of Yerushalayim look around, observe and ask in its open spaces: if you can find anyone (if there is anyone!) who acts with justice and seeks the truth, I will pardon her.

Berean Standard Bible

“Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem. Look now and take note; search her squares. If you can find a single person, anyone who acts justly, anyone who seeks the truth, then I will forgive the city.

American Standard Version

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 doeth justly, that seeketh truth; and I will pardon her.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 5:1 presents a profound and urgent divine challenge, revealing God's exhaustive search for even a single righteous individual within the streets and public squares of Jerusalem. This verse encapsulates the deep moral decay and spiritual bankruptcy of Judah, where the absence of justice and truth was so pervasive that it threatened to unleash God's severe judgment upon the city. Yet, it simultaneously highlights God's enduring mercy, offering a conditional promise of pardon for the entire city if just one person could be found who truly lived out His covenantal demands for righteousness and faithfulness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 5:1 initiates a new, intense section of divine indictment against Judah, immediately following chapter 4's lament over the impending destruction and the people's spiritual blindness. This verse serves as a dramatic, almost desperate, divine dare, setting the stage for the detailed enumeration of Jerusalem's widespread sins that permeates the remainder of chapter 5. The subsequent verses meticulously elaborate on the pervasive nature of their iniquity, revealing how all strata of society—from the poor and lowly to the wealthy and influential, from false prophets to corrupt priests—had systematically turned away from God's ways. The seemingly impossible search for "a man" in verse 1 underscores the profound spiritual emptiness and moral vacuum that had developed, making the subsequent descriptions of their idolatry, social oppression, and rebellion against God's covenant even more poignant and justification for the impending divine judgment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophet Jeremiah ministered during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, spanning the reigns of its last kings (Josiah, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, Zedekiah) from the late 7th to early 6th century BC. Jerusalem, as the capital, was the vibrant heart of the nation's religious, political, and economic life. Despite the significant reforms initiated by King Josiah, the people quickly reverted to widespread idolatry and systemic social injustice after his death. The cultural landscape was deeply marked by religious syncretism, where the worship of Yahweh was carelessly mingled with the pagan practices of surrounding nations, and a flagrant disregard for the ethical demands of the Mosaic Law. Economically, the powerful elite routinely oppressed the vulnerable, and the legal system was rife with corruption. Jeremiah's prophetic message was delivered against the ominous backdrop of the rising Babylonian empire, which God would ultimately use as His instrument of judgment, making the urgent call for righteousness in Jerusalem a final, desperate plea before the inevitable exile.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 5:1 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Jeremiah and the broader prophetic corpus. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the theme of **Profound Moral Depravity**, demonstrating that the absence of righteousness was not an isolated incident but a pervasive national condition, reaching a point where God Himself struggles to find an upright individual. This echoes the comprehensive moral decline seen in [the pre-flood world](/genesis/6-5 "Genesis 6:5 - The Wickedness of Man") where every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. Secondly, it highlights God's **Divine Search for Righteousness**, revealing His earnest desire for His people to live in accordance with His covenant. This divine quest for integrity and truth is a testament to God's character, showing His willingness to avert judgment if genuine repentance and faithfulness could be found, reminiscent of Abraham's persistent intercession for Sodom in [Genesis 18](/genesis/18 "Genesis 18 - Abraham's Intercession for Sodom"), where God was willing to spare the city for the sake of a few righteous individuals. Lastly, the verse underscores the theme of **Conditional Pardon**, emphasizing God's boundless mercy even in the face of widespread sin. The promise "and I will pardon it" reveals that judgment is not God's first desire, but rather a last resort when His people stubbornly refuse to return to Him, as seen in His repeated calls for repentance throughout Jeremiah and other prophetic books like [Isaiah 1:18-20](/isaiah/1-18-20 "Isaiah 1:18-20 - Invitation to Repentance and Forgiveness").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Man (Hebrew, _ʼîysh'_):** From H376, this term refers to an individual, specifically a male person. In this context, it signifies not merely any human being, but a person of moral integrity and upright character, someone who stands out from the corrupt populace. The divine search for "a man" implies a desperate quest for *any* individual who embodies the desired qualities of justice and truth, highlighting the extreme scarcity of such people in Jerusalem. It underscores the profound moral vacuum.
* **Judgment (Hebrew, _mishpâṭ'_):** From H4941, this term is rich in meaning, referring primarily to a verdict or a formal decree, but also abstractly to justice, right, and ordinance. It encompasses fair dealings, upholding the rights of the vulnerable and oppressed, and living in accordance with God's established laws and moral order. In essence, it speaks to righteous governance and ethical behavior in society, reflecting God's own character of justice.
* **Truth (Hebrew, _ʼĕmûwnâh'_):** From H530, this word signifies firmness, security, fidelity, and trustworthiness. More than just intellectual accuracy or factual correctness, _'emunah_ speaks to steadfast loyalty, integrity, and a deep-seated commitment to God and His covenant. It describes a life lived in sincerity and honesty, reflecting faithfulness in character and action, embodying reliability and consistency with divine principles.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem":** This is an urgent, almost frantic command, likely addressed to the prophet Jeremiah himself, or perhaps to divine messengers. It paints a vivid picture of a diligent, exhaustive search within the very heart of the nation's spiritual, political, and social life—Jerusalem's public spaces. The "streets" and "broad places" represent the common areas where daily life, commerce, and justice (or injustice) unfolded, indicating that the corruption was not hidden but openly practiced.
* **"and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof":** These successive imperatives ("see," "know," "seek") emphasize the thoroughness, intentionality, and active nature of the divine search. It's not a casual glance but a deep investigation ("know" implies experiential knowledge) and an active pursuit ("seek"). The repetition reinforces the idea that no stone should be left unturned in this divine inquiry, highlighting God's earnest desire to find a reason for mercy.
* **"if ye can find a man, if there be [any] that executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth":** This is the core of the divine challenge and the criteria for the search. The "man" is not just any male, but an individual of moral uprightness and integrity. The two defining characteristics are "executeth judgment" (actively living justly, upholding righteousness in their actions and interactions) and "seeketh the truth" (demonstrating faithfulness, integrity, and loyal commitment to God's covenant). The rhetorical nature of the "if" implies the extreme unlikelihood, almost impossibility, of finding such a person, underscoring the depth of Judah's moral decay.
* **"and I will pardon it."**: This conditional promise reveals God's profound mercy and His enduring desire for reconciliation rather than destruction. Despite the pervasive sin and the apparent absence of righteousness, God is willing to spare the entire city if even one truly righteous individual can be found. This highlights the immense value God places on righteousness and the potential power of even a remnant of faithfulness to influence divine judgment and secure corporate blessing.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 5:1 is rich in **Imperative** verbs ("Run," "see," "know," "seek"), which collectively convey the urgency, directness, and divine authority of God's command. The verse functions as a powerful **Rhetorical Question** or a divine challenge, where the implied answer is that no such person can be found, thereby dramatically highlighting the depth of Judah's depravity and the pervasive nature of its sin. The act of God "searching" for a righteous person is a form of **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human-like actions and emotions (earnest desire, disappointment) to God to make His character and His earnest longing for His people's return comprehensible to human understanding. Furthermore, the phrase "if ye can find a man" employs **Hyperbole** to emphasize the extreme scarcity of righteousness within Jerusalem, suggesting that the moral landscape is so barren that finding even one upright individual is an almost impossible task, underscoring the pervasive corruption and the dire state of the nation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 5:1 profoundly illustrates God's unwavering commitment to justice and truth, revealing His deep disappointment when His covenant people abandon these foundational principles. The divine search for "a man" underscores the critical importance of individual righteousness within a community, demonstrating that the spiritual health and moral standing of a nation are intrinsically linked to the integrity and faithfulness of its people. This passage serves as a stark reminder that God's patience, though vast and long-suffering, is not infinite, and persistent rebellion against His moral order inevitably leads to judgment. Yet, even in the face of such widespread sin, God's offer of pardon, contingent on the discovery of even one righteous person, highlights His boundless mercy and His desire for reconciliation and restoration rather than immediate destruction.

* [Genesis 18:32](/genesis/18-32 "Genesis 18:32 - Abraham's Plea for Sodom"): God's willingness to spare Sodom for ten righteous individuals provides a powerful Old Testament parallel to Jeremiah 5:1, illustrating His covenantal grace and the intercessory power of righteousness, even if ultimately unfulfilled.
* [Ezekiel 22:30](/ezekiel/22-30 "Ezekiel 22:30 - God Seeks a Man to Stand in the Gap"): This verse echoes Jeremiah's lament, showing God's continued, desperate search for someone to "stand in the gap" and intercede for the land, lest He destroy it, reinforcing the theme of a divine quest for righteousness and intercession.
* [Micah 6:8](/micah/6-8 "Micah 6:8 - What the Lord Requires"): This concise prophetic summary of God's core requirements—"to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God"—provides the very definition of the "judgment" and "truth" that God was so earnestly searching for in Jeremiah 5:1.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 5:1 stands as a timeless mirror, reflecting the state of our own hearts, our communities, and our nations. It challenges us to move beyond superficial religiosity, outward conformity, or mere intellectual assent to truth, and instead embrace a life characterized by genuine justice and unwavering truth in action. In a world often marked by moral relativism, systemic injustice, corruption, and a casual disregard for objective truth, this verse calls us to be the "man" or "woman" God is searching for—individuals who actively embody righteousness in their personal lives, professional conduct, and public interactions. It reminds us that our personal integrity and commitment to God's standards have profound implications, not just for ourselves, but for the spiritual health and well-being of our families, churches, and nations. The divine call to "run to and fro" is an urgent invitation to diligently pursue and embody these virtues, recognizing that our faithfulness, even as a small remnant, can be a beacon of hope and a catalyst for divine mercy in a world desperately in need of God's transforming presence and redemptive power.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of my life am I actively "executing judgment" by pursuing justice and fairness, and "seeking the truth" by living with integrity and faithfulness?**
* **How does the pervasive lack of righteousness in Jeremiah's time compare to the moral and spiritual landscape of our society today, and what are the implications?**
* **What practical steps can I take to be "the man" or "the woman" God is searching for in my community, workplace, or family, thereby influencing my sphere of influence for good?**
* **How does the conditional promise of pardon in this verse deepen my understanding of God's mercy, His justice, and the profound value He places on genuine righteousness?**

### FAQ

**What does it mean to "execute judgment" and "seek the truth" in this context?**

Answer: To "execute judgment" (Hebrew: *mishpâṭ*) means to live justly, to act righteously, and to uphold moral and ethical standards in all dealings. It encompasses fair treatment of others, especially the vulnerable, and adherence to God's laws and principles of justice. To "seek the truth" (Hebrew: *ʼĕmûwnâh*) goes beyond mere intellectual assent to facts; it signifies a deep commitment to faithfulness, integrity, and trustworthiness. It implies a life lived in steadfast loyalty to God and His covenant, characterized by sincerity and honesty in character and action. Ultimately, it's about embodying God's righteous character in daily life, not just knowing about it.

**Why would God pardon an entire city for the sake of one righteous person?**

Answer: This question highlights God's profound mercy and His desire for reconciliation rather than judgment. While the verse emphasizes the scarcity of righteousness, it also underscores the immense value God places on it. The principle seen here, and in [Genesis 18](/genesis/18 "Genesis 18 - Abraham's Intercession for Sodom") with Abraham's plea for Sodom, is that a righteous remnant can serve as a point of intercession, a moral anchor, and a demonstration of God's grace. It reveals that God is always looking for a reason to show mercy, and even a single individual's faithfulness can be a powerful testimony that delays or diverts impending judgment. It speaks to the transformative power of one life lived fully for God, demonstrating that true righteousness has profound corporate implications.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 5:1, with its desperate divine search for "a man" who executes judgment and seeks truth, profoundly foreshadows the ultimate and perfect fulfillment found in the person and work of Jesus Christ. In Jeremiah's day, no such man could be found, highlighting humanity's utter failure to meet God's righteous standard and the pervasive nature of sin's grip on creation. However, the New Testament reveals the one truly righteous Man, Jesus of Nazareth, who perfectly "executed judgment" by living a life of impeccable justice, upholding God's law in every detail, and demonstrating perfect love and mercy toward all. He alone "sought the truth" with unwavering fidelity, embodying _'emunah_ in His very being, declaring Himself to be the Way, the **Truth**, and the Life ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). He was the sinless [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), perfectly fulfilling all righteousness on behalf of a fallen humanity. Because of His singular, perfect righteousness and His atoning sacrifice on the cross, God's promise of pardon, which was conditional and unfulfilled in Jeremiah's time, is now freely offered to all who believe in Him. Through Christ, the divine search for "a man" is definitively answered, and His perfect life and atoning death become the basis for the "pardon" not just for a city, but for all humanity who turn to Him ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). He is the one righteous man through whose obedience many are made righteous ([Romans 5:19](/romans/5-19 "Romans 5:19 - Obedience of the One")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Genesis 18:23

¶ And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?

Genesis 18:32

And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy [it] for ten's sake.

Ezekiel 22:30

And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.

2 Chronicles 16:9

For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of [them] whose heart [is] perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.

Isaiah 59:4

None calleth for justice, nor [any] pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity.

Psalms 53:2

God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were [any] that did understand, that did seek God.

Psalms 53:4

Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people [as] they eat bread: they have not called upon God.