Jeremiah 5:29

KJV

Shall I not visit for these [things]? saith the LORD: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?

KJV (with Strong's)

Shall I not visit {H6485} for these things? saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}: shall not my soul {H5315} be avenged {H5358} on such a nation {H1471} as this?

Complete Jewish Bible

"Should I not punish for this?" asks ADONAI. "Should I not be avenged on a nation like this?

Berean Standard Bible

Should I not punish them for these things?” declares the LORD. “Should I not avenge Myself on such a nation as this?

American Standard Version

Shall I not visit for these things? saith Jehovah; shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 5:29 presents a profound rhetorical question from the LORD, expressing His righteous indignation and unwavering commitment to justice in response to the pervasive sin and rebellion of the nation of Judah. It serves as a climactic declaration, underscoring the divine necessity of judgment when a people persistently rejects God's covenant and embraces widespread moral decay and injustice. This verse encapsulates the solemn truth that God is not indifferent to sin but will assuredly hold nations accountable for their actions.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 5:29 is situated within a larger prophetic indictment (chapters 2-6) against Judah and Jerusalem for their profound spiritual apostasy and moral corruption. The preceding verses in chapter 5 meticulously detail the nation's deceit, widespread idolatry, and particularly their social injustices, such as exploiting the vulnerable and perverting justice (e.g., [Jeremiah 5:26-28](/jeremiah/5-26 "Jeremiah 5:26-28 - Wickedness and Injustice in Judah")). The people are described as having "a stubborn and rebellious heart" ([Jeremiah 5:23](/jeremiah/5-23 "Jeremiah 5:23 - Judah's Rebellious Heart")), refusing to heed God's warnings delivered through His prophets. The rhetorical questions in verse 29 serve as a powerful conclusion to this litany of offenses, emphasizing the inevitability and justness of the impending divine judgment after such persistent and unrepentant wickedness.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah prophesied during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, spanning the reigns of several kings from Josiah to Zedekiah (late 7th to early 6th century BCE). This era was marked by political instability, shifting allegiances between regional powers (Egypt and Babylon), and a deep spiritual decline following a brief period of reform under King Josiah. Despite Josiah's efforts, idolatry and social injustice, deeply ingrained in the culture, resurfaced and intensified. The people had adopted pagan practices, forgotten the covenant obligations, and exploited the poor, widows, and orphans, directly violating Mosaic Law (e.g., [Deuteronomy 10:18](/deuteronomy/10-18 "Deuteronomy 10:18 - God's Justice for the Vulnerable")). God's pronouncements through Jeremiah reflect the divine response to a nation that had systematically abandoned its covenant relationship and moral foundation.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Jeremiah and the prophetic literature. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Justice and Retribution**, asserting God's active role in holding nations accountable for their sin, particularly when it involves covenant unfaithfulness and social injustice. It highlights the **Consequences of Persistent Sin**, demonstrating that God's patience, while vast, is not infinite, and continued rebellion inevitably leads to severe divine intervention. Furthermore, the declaration "saith the LORD" reinforces God's **Sovereignty and Authority** as the ultimate Judge, whose righteous "soul" is deeply offended by the nation's actions, necessitating a just recompense. This theme is echoed throughout the Old Testament, such as in [Psalm 7:11](/psalm/7-11 "Psalm 7:11 - God is a Righteous Judge") which declares God's daily indignation against the wicked.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **visit (Hebrew, _pâqad'_):** From H6485, this word carries a wide semantic range, meaning "to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc." In the context of Jeremiah 5:29, the hostile intent is clearly implied, signifying a divine visitation for the purpose of inspection, reckoning, and ultimately, punishment. It conveys the idea of God intervening to hold the nation accountable for its deeds, not merely observing from a distance.
* **soul (Hebrew, _nephesh'_):** From H5315, this term refers to a "breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality," and is used widely to denote the self, life, person, mind, or desire. When God declares, "shall not my soul be avenged," it is an anthropomorphic expression emphasizing the depth of His righteous displeasure and the personal nature of His commitment to justice. It signifies that His very being, His essence, is moved to act against the unrighteousness He witnesses.
* **avenged (Hebrew, _nâqam'_):** From H5358, this primitive root means "to grudge, i.e. avenge or punish." In this context, it refers to God's act of meting out righteous punishment or retribution. This is not a human act of vindictiveness or personal spite, but a divine, judicial act necessary to uphold His holiness, justice, and moral order. It signifies that sin will not go unpunished and that God will restore equilibrium by bringing consequences upon those who violate His laws and covenant.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Shall I not visit for these [things]?"**: This is a rhetorical question posed by the LORD, emphasizing the undeniable necessity of His intervention. The "these [things]" refers to the myriad sins detailed in the preceding verses of Jeremiah 5—idolatry, deceit, injustice, exploitation, and spiritual adultery. The question implies that God's character as a just and holy God demands a response to such widespread and persistent wickedness.
* **"saith the LORD:"**: This declarative phrase serves as an authoritative divine affirmation, authenticating the preceding rhetorical question as a direct pronouncement from Yahweh (H3068, Yᵉhôvâh), the covenant God of Israel. It underscores the ultimate source of the judgment and the unchallengeable authority behind it, leaving no room for doubt regarding its certainty or origin.
* **"shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?"**: Another powerful rhetorical question, this clause highlights the depth of God's righteous indignation. The use of "my soul" (H5315, _nephesh_) anthropomorphically conveys God's profound personal offense and commitment to upholding justice. "Avenged" (H5358, _nâqam_) here means to execute righteous judgment and retribution against a nation that has so thoroughly corrupted itself and defied its covenant obligations. The phrase "such a nation as this" refers to Judah's unparalleled depravity and stubborn rebellion, making divine punishment both inevitable and just.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 5:29 is rich in **Rhetorical Questions**, a prominent literary device used to emphasize a point rather than elicit an answer. The repeated "Shall I not...?" powerfully conveys the undeniable certainty and justness of God's impending judgment, making the conclusion self-evident to the audience. **Anthropomorphism** is also evident in the phrase "shall not my soul be avenged," attributing human-like emotional and volitional qualities (a "soul" being "avenged") to God. This device helps human audiences grasp the depth of God's righteous indignation and His personal commitment to justice, making His divine attributes more relatable. The verse also employs **Parallelism** through the repetition of the rhetorical question structure, intensifying the message and underscoring the divine resolve to act.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse underscores the profound theological truth of God's unyielding justice and His active involvement in the moral affairs of humanity and nations. It reveals that God is not a detached deity but one who sees, is offended by, and will ultimately respond to persistent injustice and rebellion against His moral order. While God is long-suffering and merciful, His holiness demands that sin be addressed, especially when it becomes systemic and unrepentant within a covenant people. This divine commitment to justice ensures that moral chaos will not prevail indefinitely, and that ultimately, righteousness will be vindicated.

* [Psalm 9:7-8](/psalm/9-7 "Psalm 9:7-8 - The LORD Judges the World Righteously")
* [Romans 1:18](/romans/1-18 "Romans 1:18 - God's Wrath Against Ungodliness")
* [Nahum 1:2-3](/nahum/1-2 "Nahum 1:2-3 - God's Vengeance and Justice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 5:29 serves as a timeless and sobering reminder of God's character as a holy and just judge who holds individuals and nations accountable for their actions. It challenges us to confront the reality that persistent sin, particularly injustice and spiritual rebellion, has inevitable consequences. While God's patience and mercy are boundless, His justice is equally infinite, ensuring that He will not allow wickedness to go unaddressed indefinitely. This verse calls us to a profound self-examination, prompting us to consider whether our lives, communities, or nations exhibit patterns of injustice, idolatry, or a casual disregard for God's commands that might warrant divine displeasure. It compels us to seek sincere repentance, turning away from sin and actively pursuing righteousness and justice in all spheres of life, trusting that God sees and will ultimately bring all things to account.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might my life or our society reflect the "such a nation as this" described in Jeremiah 5:29, particularly concerning justice and spiritual faithfulness?**
* **How does understanding God's commitment to justice, as expressed in this verse, impact my view of His character and my own responsibility to live righteously?**
* **What practical steps can I take to actively pursue justice and righteousness in my sphere of influence, in light of God's unwavering commitment to these principles?**

### FAQ
**Does God's desire for "vengeance" imply a human-like vindictiveness?**

Answer: No, God's "vengeance" (Hebrew: _nâqam_) as described in Jeremiah 5:29 and other biblical texts is fundamentally different from human vindictiveness or spite. It is a righteous, judicial act that stems from His perfect holiness and justice. Unlike human vengeance, which is often driven by personal injury or emotion, divine vengeance is a necessary act to uphold God's moral order, demonstrate the seriousness of sin, and ensure that righteousness ultimately prevails. It is a just recompense for covenant breaking and persistent rebellion, not an emotional outburst. It reflects God's commitment to setting things right and restoring justice where it has been violated, as seen in passages like [Deuteronomy 32:35](/deuteronomy/32-35 "Deuteronomy 32:35 - Vengeance is Mine, I Will Repay").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 5:29, with its declaration of God's righteous judgment against a sinful nation, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "visitation" and "vengeance" of God against sin, which were justly deserved by humanity, were not poured out on the unrepentant nation of Judah in isolation, but were ultimately absorbed by the Lamb of God. On the cross, Jesus became the propitiation for our sins, bearing the full weight of God's righteous wrath against all ungodliness and unrighteousness (see [Romans 3:25](/romans/3-25 "Romans 3:25 - Christ as Propitiation") and [Romans 5:8-9](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8-9 - God's Love and Deliverance from Wrath")). He, the innocent one, was "visited" by the judgment that we deserved, so that we might be "visited" by God's mercy and grace. Through His atoning sacrifice, the demand of God's "soul to be avenged on such a nation as this" was satisfied for all who believe, offering forgiveness and reconciliation instead of condemnation (see [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Thus, the justice of God is perfectly upheld, and His mercy is gloriously displayed, all in Christ Jesus.

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

Jeremiah 5:9

Shall I not visit for these [things]? saith the LORD: and shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?

Malachi 3:5

And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in [his] wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger [from his right], and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.

James 5:4

Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.

Jeremiah 9:9

Shall I not visit them for these [things]? saith the LORD: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?