Jeremiah 5:27

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 5:27 delivers a potent indictment against the pervasive corruption and moral decay within Judah, vividly illustrating how deceit had become the very foundation of their societal structures and economic success. Through the striking analogy of a birdcage overflowing with birds, the prophet exposes how the homes of the wicked were not merely touched by but entirely saturated with fraud and ill-gotten gains, leading directly to their unjust prosperity. This verse serves as a stark condemnation of a society where unrighteousness was not only tolerated but actively rewarded, setting the stage for inevitable divine judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 5:27 is deeply embedded within Jeremiah's extensive prophetic indictment against Judah's profound unfaithfulness and moral depravity. Chapter 5 initiates with God's challenge to find a single righteous individual in Jerusalem, swiftly revealing the widespread rebellion and rejection of divine truth, from the common populace to the spiritual leaders. Verses 20-29 meticulously detail specific charges against the people, emphasizing their spiritual blindness, their refusal to acknowledge or fear the Lord, and their blatant disregard for justice. The preceding verses [Jeremiah 5:25-26](/jeremiah/5-25-26 "Jeremiah 5:25-26 - Iniquities Withhold Blessings") lament that their iniquities have withheld good from them and describe wicked men lying in wait like fowlers, setting traps for unsuspecting prey. Verse 27 directly extends this imagery, transitioning from the fowler's trap to the outcome of their schemes, revealing the ill-gotten wealth accumulated in their homes. The subsequent verse [Jeremiah 5:28](/jeremiah/5-28 "Jeremiah 5:28 - Injustice Towards the Needy") further elaborates on their unjust practices, specifically condemning their failure to advocate for the fatherless or defend the rights of the needy, which then leads directly to the rhetorical question of divine judgment in [Jeremiah 5:29](/jeremiah/5-29 "Jeremiah 5:29 - God's Retribution").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophet Jeremiah ministered during the tumultuous final decades of the Kingdom of Judah, roughly from 627 to 586 BCE, spanning the reigns of Josiah, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah, culminating in the Babylonian exile. This era was characterized by profound political instability, shifting alliances with dominant regional powers like Egypt and Babylon, and a deep spiritual decline despite Josiah's earlier attempts at reform. Idolatry, social injustice, and a superficial adherence to the Mosaic covenant were rampant. The wealthy elite and those in positions of power frequently exploited the poor and vulnerable, manipulating the legal and economic systems for personal gain. The vivid imagery of a "cage full of birds" would have been immediately comprehensible to an agrarian society deeply familiar with fowling, trapping, and the common sight of captured birds. The concept of "houses full of deceit" speaks to a deep-seated corruption that permeated the very fabric of domestic and economic life. The home, typically a sanctuary of security and integrity, had become a repository of ill-gotten wealth and fraudulent schemes, reflecting a society that had abandoned the ethical demands of the Mosaic Law, particularly concerning justice and care for the marginalized, as seen in passages like [Deuteronomy 24:14-15](/deuteronomy/24-14-15 "Deuteronomy 24:14-15 - Justice for the Poor and Sojourner").
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 5:27 significantly contributes to several overarching themes pervasive throughout the book of Jeremiah. Firstly, it powerfully underscores the theme of **Pervasive Corruption and Deceit**, demonstrating how dishonesty had not only entered but thoroughly saturated the lives and homes of the people, making their very prosperity a testament to their moral bankruptcy. This resonates with the prophet's lament about the inherent [deceitfulness of the human heart](/jeremiah/17-9 "Jeremiah 17:9 - The Deceitfulness of the Heart"). Secondly, the verse highlights the theme of **Unjust Prosperity**, revealing a disturbing reality where wickedness appeared to be rewarded, challenging the righteous and provoking divine indignation. This stands in stark contrast to the covenant ideal where obedience brought blessing and righteousness led to true flourishing, as outlined in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"). Finally, it implicitly reinforces the theme of **Divine Judgment and Accountability**, as God's detailed indictment of their sins, including this economic exploitation, serves as the righteous basis for the impending catastrophe of the Babylonian exile. The prophet's consistent message warns that such systemic injustice will inevitably lead to God's righteous intervention, a central narrative thread throughout the entire book of [Jeremiah](/jeremiah/1 "The Book of Jeremiah - Prophecies of Judgment and Restoration").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **cage (Hebrew, _kᵉlûwb'_):** (H3619) This term refers to a bird-trap, often made with a mechanism to spring shut, or a wicker basket. In this context, it vividly conveys the image of a container designed to hold something captive or to be abundantly filled. The analogy suggests that just as a trap is filled with captured birds, the houses of the wicked are filled with the spoils of their deceitful practices, implying both the means of their ill-gotten gain and the resulting accumulation.
* **houses (Hebrew, _bayith'_):** (H1004) This word denotes a house in its broadest sense, encompassing not just the physical dwelling but also the household, family, and even one's entire estate or possessions. By stating their "houses" are full of deceit, Jeremiah implies that dishonesty permeated their entire domestic and economic sphere, affecting their family life, business dealings, and accumulated wealth. It points to a systemic corruption, not merely isolated acts of fraud.
* **deceit (Hebrew, _mirmâh'_):** (H4820) Derived from a root meaning "to deceive," this noun signifies fraud, treachery, guile, or falsehood. Its presence in the houses, likened to birds in a cage, emphasizes that their wealth was not earned honestly but obtained through cunning, trickery, and exploitation. This "deceit" is the very substance filling their homes, indicating that their lives were characterized by dishonest dealings.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"As a cage is full of birds":** This opening clause establishes a vivid simile. The "cage" (Hebrew _kᵉlûwb_) is a familiar image of a container or trap, and "birds" (Hebrew _ʻôwph_) represent the numerous captives. This sets up the expectation of something being abundantly filled or overflowing, immediately drawing the listener into a tangible, relatable comparison of volume and content.
* **"so are their houses full of deceit":** This is the core of the simile, applying the imagery of the full cage to the homes of the wicked. Their "houses" (Hebrew _bayith_), representing their entire domestic and economic sphere, are not just touched by deceit but are "full" (Hebrew _mâlêʼ_) of it. "Deceit" (Hebrew _mirmâh_) here encompasses fraud, treachery, and guile. This means their homes are repositories of ill-gotten gains and the schemes used to acquire them, indicating a pervasive and saturating presence of dishonesty in their lives and possessions.
* **"therefore they are become great, and waxen rich":** This concluding clause reveals the disturbing consequence of their deceit-filled lives. The "therefore" (Hebrew _lāḵēn_) establishes a direct causal link: because their houses are full of deceit, they have "become great" (Hebrew _gâdal_, indicating increased status, influence, or power) and "waxen rich" (Hebrew _ʻâshar_, signifying material prosperity and wealth). This highlights the ironic and unjust reality that their worldly prominence and material abundance were a direct result of their immoral and fraudulent practices, rather than honest labor or divine blessing.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 5:27 employs several powerful **Literary Devices** to convey its message with striking impact. The most prominent is the **Simile**, explicitly stated with "As... so..." It draws a direct comparison between the houses of the wicked, brimming with deceit, and a birdcage overflowing with captured birds. This creates vivid **Imagery**, allowing the audience to visualize the extent to which dishonesty permeated every aspect of their lives and homes. The "birds" in the cage can also be seen as a form of **Symbolism**, representing the trapped spoils of their fraudulent activities or even the victims of their exploitation, ensnared by their schemes. Furthermore, there is a profound **Irony** embedded in the verse: the very means of their moral corruption (deceit) is presented as the direct cause of their worldly success ("become great, and waxen rich"). This challenges conventional notions of justice and prosperity, setting the stage for God's impending judgment on such an inverted moral order where wickedness yields apparent reward.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 5:27 profoundly reveals the theological consequences of a society that has abandoned divine truth for self-serving gain. It underscores the biblical principle that while the wicked may temporarily prosper through illicit means, their success is built on a foundation of sand, ultimately leading to divine judgment. This verse challenges the notion that material wealth is always a sign of God's blessing, forcing a re-evaluation of the sources and methods of prosperity. It highlights God's unwavering commitment to justice and righteousness, demonstrating that He sees and condemns the hidden deceit and exploitation, even when it appears to lead to worldly "greatness" and riches. The prophet's message serves as a timeless warning against the allure of ill-gotten gain and the spiritual decay that inevitably accompanies it.

* [Proverbs 13:11](/proverbs/13-11 "Proverbs 13:11 - Wealth Gained by Vanity")
* [Micah 6:10-12](/micah/6-10-12 "Micah 6:10-12 - Unjust Weights and Measures")
* [Psalm 73:3-12](/psalm/73-3-12 "Psalm 73:3-12 - The Prosperity of the Wicked")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 5:27 serves as a piercing mirror, inviting us to examine the foundations of our own prosperity and the integrity of our dealings. In a world that often celebrates material success regardless of its origins, this verse calls us back to God's unchanging standard of righteousness. It challenges us to consider whether our "houses" – our lives, our businesses, our families, and our accumulated resources – are truly built on truth and justice, or if they are, perhaps subtly, "full of deceit." The warning is not merely against grand schemes of fraud, but against any form of dishonesty, exploitation, or compromise of integrity that might lead to personal gain. True, lasting prosperity, from a biblical perspective, is not measured by the size of one's bank account or the extent of one's influence, but by the righteousness of one's character and the purity of one's heart before God. This verse compels us to prioritize integrity over worldly success, trusting that God's ways, though sometimes challenging and counter-cultural, ultimately lead to genuine flourishing and eternal reward.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are some ways "deceit" might subtly fill our "houses" or lives today, even if not through overt fraud or illegal activities?**
* **How does our contemporary culture often define "greatness" and "riches," and how might this definition diverge from God's perspective as revealed in this verse?**
* **What specific steps can I take to ensure that my personal and professional dealings are consistently characterized by integrity, even when it appears to be the less profitable or more challenging path?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse mean that all wealth is gained through deceit?**

Answer: No, Jeremiah 5:27 does not imply that all wealth is gained through deceit. Rather, it specifically condemns the wealth of those in Judah who had become "great" and "rich" *because* their "houses were full of deceit." The verse highlights a particular problem of unjust prosperity, where material gain was a direct result of fraudulent and exploitative practices prevalent in that society. The Bible consistently affirms honest labor, diligent work, and righteous stewardship as legitimate pathways to blessing and prosperity (e.g., [Proverbs 10:4](/proverbs/10-4 "Proverbs 10:4 - Diligence Brings Wealth")). This verse is a specific indictment of a corrupted system where wickedness was rewarded, not a general statement about the origins of all wealth.

**How does this verse relate to God's justice?**

Answer: Jeremiah 5:27 is a crucial part of God's indictment against Judah, laying bare the specific sins that necessitate His impending judgment. It powerfully demonstrates that God is not blind to the hidden injustices and exploitative practices of His people, even when those practices lead to apparent worldly success. The phrase "therefore they are become great, and waxen rich" highlights the *causal link* between their pervasive deceit and their material prosperity, which is a direct affront to God's righteous and just character. While it might appear that the wicked are getting away with their sins, the broader context of Jeremiah's prophecy, and indeed the entire biblical narrative, assures us that God's justice will ultimately prevail. This verse sets the stage for the inevitable consequences that will follow, as seen in passages like [Jeremiah 5:29](/jeremiah/5-29 "Jeremiah 5:29 - God's Retribution for Injustice"), where God declares He will "punish them for these things."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 5:27, with its stark portrayal of a society whose prosperity is built on deceit and exploitation, finds its ultimate answer and profound fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. While the people of Judah sought "greatness" and "riches" through treachery and ill-gotten gains, Christ exemplified true greatness through radical humility and self-sacrificial love, emptying Himself to take the form of a servant ([Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ's Humiliation")). He meticulously exposed the deep-seated deceit of the human heart ([Mark 7:21-23](/mark/7-21-23 "Mark 7:21-23 - The Source of Evil")) and the profound hypocrisy of those who outwardly appeared righteous but inwardly were full of greed and self-indulgence ([Matthew 23:27-28](/matthew/23-27-28 "Matthew 23:27-28 - Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees")). Jesus did not accumulate earthly wealth; instead, He became poor for our sake, so that we, through His poverty, might become rich in true spiritual blessings ([2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ's Generosity")). His kingdom is not built on the exploitation of others or the accumulation of ill-gotten gains, but on righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit ([Romans 14:17](/romans/14-17 "Romans 14:17 - The Kingdom of God")). The "deceit" that filled the houses of Judah is ultimately overcome by the "truth" that is embodied in Jesus ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")), who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. His perfect life and atoning sacrifice on the cross paid the ultimate price for our deceitful hearts, offering a pathway to genuine, eternal riches that are incorruptible and undefiled ([1 Peter 1:4](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - An Inheritance Imperishable")), a stark and glorious contrast to the fleeting, ill-gotten wealth condemned in Jeremiah.

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

Amos 8:4

¶ 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

¶ [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.