Jeremiah 5:26

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

For among my people {H5971} are found {H4672} wicked {H7563} men: they lay wait {H7789}, as he that setteth {H7918} snares {H3353}; they set {H5324} a trap {H4889}, they catch {H3920} men {H582}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"For among my people there are wicked men, who, like fowlers, lie in wait and set traps to catch their fellow human beings.

Berean Standard Bible

For among My people are wicked men; they watch like fowlers lying in wait; they set a trap to catch men.

American Standard Version

For among my people are found wicked men: they watch, as fowlers lie in wait; they set a trap, they catch men.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 5:26 delivers a scathing indictment of the profound moral corruption within Judah, God's covenant people. It vividly portrays the wicked among them as cunning predators, akin to fowlers or hunters who meticulously set traps and snares to ensnare and exploit unsuspecting victims. This verse underscores the insidious nature of their sin, which was not merely overt rebellion but a calculated, internal betrayal of justice and righteousness, preying upon their own community.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 5:26 is situated within a broader section of Jeremiah's prophecy (chapters 4-6) that details the pervasive sinfulness of Judah and Jerusalem, explaining the imminent divine judgment in the form of the Babylonian invasion. Following a call to repentance in [Jeremiah 4:1-4](/jeremiah/4-1-4 "Jeremiah 4:1-4 - Call to Repentance"), the prophet meticulously catalogues the nation's spiritual and moral decay. Chapter 5 specifically highlights their widespread rejection of truth and justice, their idolatry, and their refusal to acknowledge the Lord. The imagery of hunters and traps in verse 26 serves to illustrate the deliberate and predatory nature of the social injustice that permeated society, from the leaders to the common people, leading to God's righteous wrath.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy of Jeremiah was delivered during the late 7th and early 6th centuries BCE, a tumultuous period leading up to the Babylonian exile. Judah was caught between the declining Assyrian Empire and the rising power of Babylon, with Egypt also playing a significant role. Internally, despite periods of reform under kings like Josiah, the nation frequently reverted to idolatry and social injustice, mirroring the practices of surrounding pagan cultures. The wealthy and powerful often exploited the poor and vulnerable, manipulating legal systems and economic structures for personal gain. The metaphor of setting snares for men would have been readily understood by an agrarian society familiar with hunting practices, emphasizing the calculated and cruel nature of the oppression.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes prevalent in Jeremiah and the prophetic literature. Firstly, it highlights **Internal Corruption**, emphasizing that the wickedness was not an external threat but originated "among my people," indicating a profound spiritual apostasy and betrayal of the covenant relationship with Yahweh. Secondly, the imagery of "setting snares" and "traps" underscores the theme of **Deception and Exploitation**, portraying the wicked as cunning predators who deliberately seek to ensnare and harm others, particularly the vulnerable. This speaks to a premeditated malice rather than impulsive wrongdoing. Thirdly, the "catching of men" directly points to **Social Injustice**, encompassing various forms of oppression, fraud, and manipulation of the defenseless, a theme echoed throughout the prophets (e.g., [Amos 2:6-7](/amos/2-6-7 "Amos 2:6-7 - Injustice and Oppression") and [Isaiah 1:23](/isaiah/1-23 "Isaiah 1:23 - Corrupt Rulers")). Finally, though not explicit in this verse, the overarching context of Jeremiah's message implies **Divine Observation and Judgment**, reminding the audience that God sees and will judge their hidden wickedness and predatory actions.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Wicked (Hebrew, _râshâʻ'_):** (H7563) This term describes those who are morally wrong, actively bad, and ungodly. It refers to a person who is condemned or guilty, indicating a deep-seated perversion of character and action that stands in opposition to God's righteous standards. In Jeremiah 5:26, it points to individuals within the covenant community who have deliberately chosen a path of unrighteousness.
* **Snares (Hebrew, _yâqûwsh'_):** (H3353) Derived from a root meaning "to be entangled," this word refers to a snare or a fowler's trap. It implies a device used for catching prey, often hidden or subtly laid. Its use here highlights the insidious, deceptive, and premeditated nature of the wicked's actions, designed to catch others off guard and exploit them.
* **Catch (Hebrew, _lâkad'_):** (H3920) This primitive root means "to catch" (in a net, trap, or pit), "to capture," or "to occupy." It conveys the outcome of the predatory actions—the successful entrapment and subjugation of victims. The use of this word emphasizes the effectiveness and malicious intent behind the wicked's schemes to gain control over or exploit other human beings.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For among my people are found wicked [men]:"** This opening clause immediately establishes the shocking truth that the corruption is internal, existing within the very community God calls "my people" (Israel/Judah). The phrase "are found" suggests that this wickedness is not an isolated incident but a pervasive, observable reality, deeply embedded in the societal fabric, indicating a widespread moral decay and covenant infidelity.
* **"they lay wait, as he that setteth snares;"** This clause introduces a vivid simile, likening the wicked to hunters or fowlers. "Lay wait" implies a deliberate, patient, and often hidden preparation for an attack. The comparison to one who "setteth snares" emphasizes the cunning, premeditated, and deceptive nature of their predatory behavior, designed to entrap unsuspecting victims.
* **"they set a trap, they catch men."** This final clause reinforces and concludes the hunting metaphor. "They set a trap" reiterates the intentionality and active deployment of devices for entrapment. The ultimate goal, "they catch men," reveals the horrifying reality that their victims are not animals but fellow human beings, indicating exploitation, oppression, and injustice against their own kind.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 5:26 is rich in **Imagery**, particularly that of hunting and trapping. The wicked are depicted as cunning fowlers, patiently laying **Snares** and setting **Traps** to capture their prey. This creates a vivid mental picture of predatory behavior, emphasizing the stealth, malice, and calculated nature of their actions. The phrase "as he that setteth snares" functions as a **Simile**, directly comparing the wicked to a hunter, thereby clarifying their insidious methods. There is also a strong element of **Irony** in the phrase "among my people," as it highlights the shocking betrayal of covenant righteousness by those who should have upheld it. The actions described, such as "lay wait" and "catch men," imbue the wicked with a malevolent agency, making their exploitation palpable.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 5:26 profoundly illustrates the tragic reality of covenant infidelity and social injustice within God's chosen nation. The presence of such predatory wickedness among "my people" signifies a deep spiritual apostasy, where the very fabric of their relationship with God and each other has been corrupted. This verse serves as a stark reminder that outward religious affiliation does not guarantee inward righteousness or ethical conduct. It underscores God's unwavering commitment to justice and His abhorrence of exploitation, particularly when perpetrated by those who bear His name. The calculated nature of their sin, likened to setting traps, reveals a deliberate disregard for the vulnerable and a perversion of the divine law that commanded care for the marginalized. This moral decay ultimately necessitates divine judgment, as God cannot tolerate such systemic injustice among His people.

* [Amos 2:6](/amos/2-6 "Amos 2:6 - Selling the Righteous for Silver")
* [Isaiah 1:23](/isaiah/1-23 "Isaiah 1:23 - Corrupt Leaders and Oppression")
* [Micah 6:8](/micah/6-8 "Micah 6:8 - What the Lord Requires")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 5:26 serves as a powerful mirror for any community, including the contemporary church, urging a sober assessment of its internal health. It challenges us to recognize that true godliness is not merely expressed in outward worship or doctrinal adherence, but profoundly in how we treat one another, especially the vulnerable. The insidious nature of the "traps" laid by the wicked reminds us that sin often operates subtly, through manipulation, deceit, and systemic injustice, rather than just overt rebellion. We are called to cultivate discernment, to expose and dismantle structures of exploitation, and to actively champion justice, protecting those who are susceptible to being "caught." Furthermore, it compels deep self-examination, prompting us to ask if we, perhaps unknowingly, contribute to or benefit from systems that exploit others, or if we harbor predatory attitudes in our own hearts. Our faith must manifest in righteous living and a passionate pursuit of justice, reflecting God's character in all our interactions.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might "wickedness" manifest subtly within a religious community today, akin to "setting snares"?**
* **How can individuals and communities actively work to identify and dismantle "traps" of exploitation and injustice in society?**
* **What does it mean to "catch men" in a spiritual or ethical sense, and how can we ensure our influence leads to liberation rather than entrapment?**
* **How does this verse challenge our understanding of what it means to be "God's people" in terms of ethical conduct?**

### FAQ
**Who are "my people" in this context, and why is it significant that wickedness is found among them?**

Answer: In Jeremiah 5:26, "my people" refers to the nation of Judah, the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, with whom God had established a special covenant relationship (e.g., [Exodus 19:5-6](/exodus/19-5-6 "Exodus 19:5-6 - A Treasured Possession")). It is profoundly significant that wickedness is found among them because they were chosen to be a light to the nations, a people set apart to display God's righteousness and justice. Their internal corruption represented a fundamental betrayal of their covenant identity and purpose. It highlighted that their religious rituals had become hollow, failing to transform their hearts and actions, leading to a deep spiritual hypocrisy that provoked God's righteous judgment.

**What kind of "traps" or "snares" are being referred to in this verse?**

Answer: The "traps" and "snares" are not literal hunting devices but a powerful metaphor for the cunning and deceptive methods used by the wicked to exploit and harm others. These could include various forms of social, economic, and legal injustices prevalent in ancient Judah. Examples might involve defrauding the poor, manipulating legal systems to dispossess the vulnerable, charging exorbitant interest, engaging in dishonest business practices, or using positions of power to oppress the defenseless. The imagery emphasizes the premeditated and insidious nature of their actions, designed to ensnare unsuspecting victims for personal gain, mirroring the predatory behavior of a hunter.

**How does this verse relate to God's justice and the theme of judgment in Jeremiah?**

Answer: Jeremiah 5:26 serves as a crucial piece of evidence justifying God's impending judgment on Judah. The pervasive and predatory wickedness described here demonstrates that the nation had fundamentally departed from God's righteous standards and covenant obligations. God, as a just and holy God, cannot overlook such widespread injustice and moral depravity, especially when it occurs among His own people. This verse underscores that divine judgment is not arbitrary but a necessary and righteous response to persistent sin and the failure to repent. It highlights that God's justice demands accountability for those who exploit and oppress, ensuring that their hidden schemes will not go unpunished.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 5:26 vividly exposes the depth of human depravity and the pervasive nature of sin, even within a covenant community. This stark reality points directly to the necessity of Christ. The "wicked men" who "lay wait" and "catch men" reveal humanity's fallen state, demonstrating how sin transforms individuals into predators against their own kind. Jesus Christ, however, stands in radical contrast to this picture of human brokenness. He is the righteous one, untainted by such predatory sin, who came not to ensnare but to liberate. While the wicked "catch men" for destruction, Jesus declared His mission to make His disciples "fishers of men" ([Matthew 4:19](/matthew/4-19 "Matthew 4:19 - Fishers of Men")), but for the purpose of salvation and eternal life. He exposed the hidden wickedness and hypocrisy of His own generation, just as Jeremiah did ([Matthew 23:27-28](/matthew/23-27-28 "Matthew 23:27-28 - Whitewashed Tombs")). Ultimately, Christ's death on the cross and His resurrection broke the power of sin and death, freeing humanity from the ultimate trap set by the enemy ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Deliverance from the Power of Death")). He is the true Lamb of God, who, by His sacrifice, takes away the sin of the world, offering redemption from the very wickedness that ensnared Judah and continues to ensnare humanity ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). In Him, the justice of God is satisfied, and a path to true righteousness and liberation from spiritual bondage is provided.

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

Proverbs 1:11

If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause:

Ezekiel 22:2

Now, thou son of man, wilt thou judge, wilt thou judge the bloody city? yea, thou shalt shew her all her abominations.

Ezekiel 22:12

In thee have they taken gifts to shed blood; thou hast taken usury and increase, and thou hast greedily gained of thy neighbours by extortion, and hast forgotten me, saith the Lord GOD.

Jeremiah 18:22

Let a cry be heard from their houses, when thou shalt bring a troop suddenly upon them: for they have digged a pit to take me, and hid snares for my feet.

Psalms 64:5

They encourage themselves [in] an evil matter: they commune of laying snares privily; they say, Who shall see them?

1 Samuel 19:10

And Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with the javelin; but he slipped away out of Saul's presence, and he smote the javelin into the wall: and David fled, and escaped that night.

1 Samuel 19:11

¶ Saul also sent messengers unto David's house, to watch him, and to slay him in the morning: and Michal David's wife told him, saying, If thou save not thy life to night, to morrow thou shalt be slain.