Jeremiah 5:27

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

As a cage {H3619} is full {H4392} of birds {H5775}, so are their houses {H1004} full {H4392} of deceit {H4820}: therefore they are become great {H1431}, and waxen rich {H6238}.

Their houses are as full of fraud as a cage full of birds. They grow rich and great,

Like cages full of birds, so their houses are full of deceit. Therefore they have become powerful and rich.

As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxed rich.

Commentary

Jeremiah 5:27 paints a vivid picture of the pervasive corruption and moral decay within Judah during the time of the prophet Jeremiah. This verse uses a striking analogy to condemn the illicit prosperity of the wicked, whose wealth is built on deceit.

Historical and Cultural Context

The prophet Jeremiah ministered in the tumultuous decades leading up to the Babylonian exile (late 7th to early 6th century BCE). His prophecies are filled with warnings against Judah's unfaithfulness to God, their rampant idolatry, and a profound breakdown of social justice. Chapter 5 specifically details God's search for righteous individuals in Jerusalem and His findings of widespread rebellion, falsehood, and oppression among all classes, from the common people to the leaders and prophets. This verse highlights how corruption had become so ingrained that it fueled economic success for the unrighteous, a stark contrast to God's covenant principles.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Pervasive Deceit and Corruption: The analogy "As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit" powerfully illustrates how dishonesty and treachery had completely filled the homes and lives of the people. Just as a birdcage is designed to hold its inhabitants captive, their dwellings were repositories of ill-gotten gains and schemes. This signifies a deep-seated spiritual sickness, where their very hearts were deceitful.
  • Unjust Prosperity: The latter part of the verse, "therefore they are become great, and waxen rich," reveals a disturbing truth: their prosperity was a direct result of their immoral and fraudulent practices. This was not wealth earned through honest labor, but through exploitation and cunning. It speaks to a society where wickedness seemed to be rewarded, challenging the righteous and provoking divine judgment. For more on ill-gotten wealth, see Proverbs 13:11.
  • Divine Observation: While not explicitly stated in this verse, the broader context of Jeremiah's prophecy emphasizes that God sees and knows the hidden wickedness. This verse serves as part of God's indictment, laying bare the sins that would inevitably lead to His righteous judgment.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV word "cage" comes from the Hebrew term keluv (ื›ึฐึผืœื•ึผื‘), which can refer to a birdcage or a basket. In this context, it vividly conveys the idea of a container overflowing with something, here, "deceit" (Hebrew: mirmah, ืžึดืจึฐืžึธื”), meaning treachery, fraud, or guile. The imagery implies that their lives and homes were not merely touched by deceit, but utterly saturated with it, like a trap full of captured birds.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 5:27 serves as a timeless warning against the pursuit of wealth through unethical means. It reminds us that:

  • Integrity Matters: True prosperity, in God's eyes, is not measured by material wealth alone, especially if it's gained through dishonesty. We are called to live with integrity in all our dealings.
  • God Sees All: No matter how cleverly hidden, deceitful practices are known to God. His justice, though sometimes delayed, will ultimately prevail. This verse is a precursor to the consequences of their actions detailed in Jeremiah 5:29.
  • Beware of Worldly Success: Not all success is blessed by God. The verse challenges us to examine the source and methods of our prosperity, ensuring they align with divine principles of righteousness and truth.

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Cross-References

  • Amos 8:4

    ยถ Hear this, O ye that swallow up the needy, even to make the poor of the land to fail,

  • Amos 8:6

    That we may buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes; [yea], and sell the refuse of the wheat?

  • Jeremiah 9:6

    Thine habitation [is] in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know me, saith the LORD.

  • Hosea 12:7

    ยถ [He is] a merchant, the balances of deceit [are] in his hand: he loveth to oppress.

  • Hosea 12:8

    And Ephraim said, Yet I am become rich, I have found me out substance: [in] all my labours they shall find none iniquity in me that [were] sin.

  • Revelation 18:2

    And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.

  • Micah 1:12

    For the inhabitant of Maroth waited carefully for good: but evil came down from the LORD unto the gate of Jerusalem.