Jeremiah 5:4

KJV

Therefore I said, Surely these [are] poor; they are foolish: for they know not the way of the LORD, [nor] the judgment of their God.

KJV (with Strong's)

Therefore I said {H559}, Surely these are poor {H1800}; they are foolish {H2973}: for they know {H3045} not the way {H1870} of the LORD {H3068}, nor the judgment {H4941} of their God {H430}.

Complete Jewish Bible

My reaction was, "These must be the poor, the foolish, not knowing the way of ADONAI or the rulings of their God.

Berean Standard Bible

Then I said, “They are only the poor; they have played the fool, for they do not know the way of the LORD, the justice of their God.

American Standard Version

Then I said, Surely these are poor; they are foolish; for they know not the way of Jehovah, nor the law of their God:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 5:4 captures the prophet's initial, yet ultimately flawed, assessment of the common people in Judah, whom he observes to be deeply mired in spiritual and moral decay. He hypothesizes that their widespread sin and "foolishness" stem not from deliberate rebellion, but from a profound ignorance of God's established path of righteousness—"the way of the LORD"—and His just decrees or moral standards, referred to as "the judgment of their God." This verse sets the stage for Jeremiah's subsequent, more damning realization that this fundamental lack of divine knowledge permeates all strata of society, including the nation's leaders, thereby revealing a pervasive spiritual blindness that necessitates severe divine discipline.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 5:4 is strategically positioned within a powerful prophetic indictment against Judah, which commences in [Jeremiah 5:1](/jeremiah/5-1 "Jeremiah 5:1 - Searching for a Righteous Person") with God's challenge to Jeremiah to search Jerusalem for even one person who practices justice and seeks truth. Jeremiah's initial search leads him to the "poor" or common people, as described in this verse. He initially hypothesizes that their moral failings stem from a lack of understanding, perhaps excusable due to their social standing or limited access to divine instruction. However, this hypothesis is swiftly disproven in the very next verse, [Jeremiah 5:5](/jeremiah/5-5 "Jeremiah 5:5 - The Great Men Also Do Not Know God's Way"), where Jeremiah discovers that even the "great men" and leaders, who should have known God's law, are equally defiant and ignorant. This progression from the common populace to the elite underscores the pervasive and systemic nature of Judah's spiritual corruption, building a compelling and undeniable case for the impending divine judgment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophetic ministry of Jeremiah unfolded during a tumultuous and pivotal period in Judah's history, spanning from the reign of King Josiah (c. 627 BC) through the final decline and catastrophic destruction of Jerusalem by Babylon (586 BC). This era was characterized by profound political instability, shifting alliances with formidable regional powers like Egypt and Babylon, and a deep-seated spiritual apostasy within Judah. Despite King Josiah's significant religious reforms and efforts to restore covenant faithfulness, the people frequently reverted to idolatry, syncretism, and widespread social injustice, abandoning the core stipulations of the Mosaic Law. Jeremiah's unwavering message consistently warned of the impending Babylonian exile as the inevitable divine judgment for their persistent unfaithfulness. The "poor" in this specific context would refer to the common populace, often less educated or influential, but nevertheless fully accountable to the covenant God had established with the entire nation of Israel. Their "ignorance" was not merely an intellectual deficit but a profound spiritual and moral blindness that permeated the entire cultural fabric.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes that resonate throughout the book of Jeremiah and the broader prophetic literature. It prominently highlights the pervasive **spiritual ignorance** of the people, where their "foolishness" is not merely a lack of intellectual capacity but a willful disregard or profound unawareness of God's revealed will. This culpable ignorance stands in stark contrast to "the way of the LORD," a recurring biblical concept (e.g., [Psalm 25:4](/psalms/25-4 "Psalm 25:4 - Show Me Your Ways, O LORD")), which signifies God's established path of righteousness, His moral commands, His covenant requirements, and the very character of His being. Similarly, "the judgment of their God" refers not primarily to punitive judgment but to God's righteous ordinances, His just decrees, and His immutable standards of justice and equity that should govern all aspects of life. The people's failure to "know" these fundamental divine principles underscores the critical theme of **covenant unfaithfulness** and the inevitable **consequences of disobedience**, which ultimately lead to national decline, desolation, and divine discipline, as powerfully foretold throughout Jeremiah's prophecies (e.g., [Jeremiah 11:8](/jeremiah/11-8 "Jeremiah 11:8 - Disobeying the Covenant")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **know (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** From H3045. This primitive root means "to know," but encompasses a wide variety of senses far beyond mere intellectual apprehension. It implies a deep, intimate, experiential knowledge, often involving observation, care, recognition, and even a profound relational connection. In this context, "they know not" signifies not just a lack of factual information, but a profound absence of experiential understanding, active acknowledgment, or practical adherence to God's ways and judgments. It suggests a fundamental relational disconnect and a culpable failure to internalize and live by divine truth.
* **way (Hebrew, _derek'_):** From H1870. This term literally means "a road" or "path," but figuratively denotes a course of life, a mode of action, or a customary manner of conduct. "The way of the LORD" therefore refers to God's divinely prescribed path for human conduct, His moral and ethical standards, His covenant requirements, and the very character of His being. It is the divinely ordained trajectory for a righteous, flourishing, and blessed life, which the people of Judah have tragically abandoned.
* **judgment (Hebrew, _mishpâṭ'_):** From H4941. This word is rich and multifaceted in meaning, referring to a verdict, a sentence, a formal decree, or a law. It encompasses both divine and human law, and abstractly, "justice." It includes a participant's right or privilege, and also the act of judging or the place of judgment. In Jeremiah 5:4, "the judgment of their God" refers to God's righteous ordinances, His just principles, and the ethical framework He established for His people. To not know God's *mishpâṭ* means they do not understand, uphold, or embody His standards of justice, equity, and righteousness in their personal and communal lives.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore I said":** This phrase marks Jeremiah's internal reflection or initial conclusion based on his observation of the people, as instructed by God in [Jeremiah 5:1](/jeremiah/5-1 "Jeremiah 5:1 - Search Jerusalem for a Righteous Person"). It introduces his initial hypothesis regarding the underlying cause of Judah's widespread spiritual decline. The prophet is processing his findings and formulating an explanation before delivering a more definitive pronouncement.
* **"Surely these [are] poor; they are foolish":** Jeremiah initially attributes the widespread sin and moral failings to the "poor" (Hebrew: _dal_), suggesting that their lower social standing, lack of education, or limited access to divine instruction might explain their spiritual ignorance. He assumes their "foolishness" (Hebrew: _yâʼal_, implying slackness, moral depravity, or spiritual insensitivity) is a consequence of their disadvantaged position, rather than a deliberate and culpable rebellion against God. This reflects a compassionate, albeit initially misguided, attempt to understand their moral failings.
* **"for they know not the way of the LORD, [nor] the judgment of their God":** This clause provides Jeremiah's initial explanation for their foolishness and moral decay. Their spiritual and moral decline is directly linked to a profound and culpable lack of knowledge concerning God's established path of righteousness ("the way of the LORD") and His divine standards of justice and equity ("the judgment of their God"). This "knowing" is not merely intellectual assent but a deep, experiential understanding that profoundly shapes one's life and conduct. Their ignorance of these fundamental truths is presented as the root cause of their spiritual and moral disorientation.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 5:4 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message and underscore the prophet's initial perspective. **Apostrophe** is subtly present as Jeremiah addresses his own thoughts or makes an internal declaration, beginning with "Therefore I said." **Irony** is a prominent and crucial feature, as Jeremiah's initial assumption that the "poor" are foolish due to excusable ignorance is swiftly overturned by the subsequent realization in [Jeremiah 5:5](/jeremiah/5-5 "Jeremiah 5:5 - The Great Men Also Do Not Know God's Way") that even the "great men" and leaders share this same spiritual blindness, revealing a deeper, more pervasive problem than mere social disadvantage. The phrases "the way of the LORD" and "the judgment of their God" function as **Metonymy**, where "way" stands for God's entire moral and ethical system, and "judgment" represents His righteous decrees, ordinances, and principles. This highlights the comprehensive nature of what the people have failed to grasp. The description of the people as "foolish" also carries strong **Connotative Language**, implying not just a lack of intelligence but a moral and spiritual depravity, a willful disregard for divine truth, as seen in other biblical texts like [Psalm 14:1](/psalms/14-1 "Psalm 14:1 - The Fool Says There Is No God"), where "the fool hath said in his heart, There is no God."

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 5:4 underscores a foundational biblical truth: genuine spiritual health, righteousness, and flourishing are inextricably linked to a profound, experiential knowledge of God and His revealed will. The "way of the LORD" and "the judgment of their God" represent the divine standard for life, encompassing both moral conduct and covenant faithfulness. The people's "ignorance" is not merely intellectual but a deep-seated spiritual apathy and relational disconnect that inevitably leads to moral decay and ultimately invites severe divine discipline. This verse resonates powerfully with the wisdom tradition of the Old Testament, which consistently links true wisdom with fearing the Lord and obeying His commands, and folly with rejecting divine instruction. It highlights the tragic consequences when a people, even those with a covenant relationship with God, abandon the very source of their identity, well-being, and national prosperity.

* [Hosea 4:6](/hosea/4-6 "Hosea 4:6 - My People Are Destroyed for Lack of Knowledge")
* [Proverbs 1:7](/proverbs/1-7 "Proverbs 1:7 - The Fear of the LORD is the Beginning of Knowledge")
* [Isaiah 5:13](/isaiah/5-13 "Isaiah 5:13 - Therefore My People Go Into Exile for Lack of Knowledge")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 5:4 serves as a potent warning and a timeless call to spiritual diligence for believers today. It challenges us to move beyond superficial faith and cultivate a deep, transformative, and experiential knowledge of the Lord and His righteous paths. The "way of the LORD" is not merely a set of abstract rules, but a living relationship that informs and shapes every aspect of our existence. Our "foolishness" or spiritual blindness often stems not from an inability to understand, but from an unwillingness to truly know God through His Word and by His Spirit. We are called to actively pursue wisdom, which begins with reverence for God and manifests in humble obedience to His "judgments"—His just and holy standards for living. This means not only diligently studying Scripture but allowing its truth to profoundly shape our character, inform our decisions, and guide our interactions in a world that increasingly dismisses divine truth and embraces its own forms of folly.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of my life might I be exhibiting "foolishness" due to a lack of genuine, experiential knowledge of God's way or His judgments?**
* **How diligently do I seek to understand God's character and His will as revealed in Scripture, and how does that understanding translate into my daily actions and choices?**
* **Am I prone to spiritual apathy, assuming that a general or intellectual knowledge of God is sufficient, rather than pursuing a deeper, intimate, and transformative understanding?**
* **How does my understanding of God's "judgment" (His righteous standards for justice and equity) impact my commitment to justice, mercy, and humility in my community and beyond?**

### FAQ
**What does "the way of the LORD" mean in this context?**

Answer: "The way of the LORD" (Hebrew: _derek YHWH_) refers to God's established path of righteousness, His moral commands, His covenant requirements, and His divine will as revealed to His people. It encompasses both His holy laws and His immutable character. It is the divinely ordained lifestyle and ethical framework that God expects His people to follow, as detailed throughout the Torah and prophetic teachings. To "know not the way of the LORD" means to be ignorant of or to disregard this foundational path of living in covenant with God, leading to spiritual and moral deviation. This concept is central to biblical wisdom literature, where following God's way leads to life and blessing (e.g., [Psalm 1:6](/psalms/1-6 "Psalm 1:6 - The LORD Knows the Way of the Righteous")).

**Is ignorance an excuse for sin according to Jeremiah 5:4?**

Answer: While Jeremiah initially considers that the "poor" might be foolish due to ignorance, the broader context of Jeremiah 5 and the entire book suggests that this ignorance is not an excusable lack of information but a culpable spiritual blindness. The people of Judah had ample access to God's law and the teachings of His prophets (like Jeremiah himself). Their failure to "know" God's way and judgment implies a willful disregard, a hardened heart, or a deep-seated spiritual apathy, rather than an innocent lack of exposure. This "ignorance" is therefore presented as a symptom of their rebellion and unfaithfulness, not a mitigating factor that absolves them of guilt. As [Romans 1:20-21](/romans/1-20-21 "Romans 1:20-21 - God's Invisible Attributes Clearly Seen") teaches, humanity is ultimately without excuse for failing to acknowledge God and His truth.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 5:4, with its lament over a people who "know not the way of the LORD, nor the judgment of their God," finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound resolution in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament consistently points to humanity's inherent inability to perfectly know and walk in God's way due to the pervasive nature of sin. Jesus, however, declares Himself to be "the way, the truth, and the life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")), thereby embodying the very path of righteousness that ancient Israel failed to grasp. He is the perfect revelation of God's character and His "judgment"—not merely a set of abstract laws, but the living embodiment of divine justice and righteousness (e.g., [John 5:30](/john/5-30 "John 5:30 - Jesus Judges Righteously")). Through His sinless life, sacrificial death, and victorious resurrection, Christ not only perfectly walked in the way of the Lord but also atoned for humanity's "foolishness" and culpable ignorance. Furthermore, the New Covenant, inaugurated by Christ's sacrifice, promises a new heart and a renewed mind, where God's law is written on the hearts of believers ([Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant Promise")), enabling them to truly "know the LORD" in an intimate, personal, and transformative way (e.g., [Hebrews 8:11](/hebrews/8-11 "Hebrews 8:11 - All Shall Know the Lord")). Thus, what Judah lacked—a true, saving knowledge of God and His righteous path—is made fully accessible to all who believe in Christ, who is Himself the wisdom of God ([1_corinthians/1-30](/1-corinthians/1-30 "1 Corinthians 1:30 - Christ Our Wisdom")).

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 8:7

Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the LORD.

Hosea 4:6

¶ My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

Matthew 11:5

The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.

Isaiah 28:9

¶ Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? [them that are] weaned from the milk, [and] drawn from the breasts.

Isaiah 28:13

But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, [and] there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.

Isaiah 27:11

When the boughs thereof are withered, they shall be broken off: the women come, [and] set them on fire: for it [is] a people of no understanding: therefore he that made them will not have mercy on them, and he that formed them will shew them no favour.

Jeremiah 7:8

Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit.