Jeremiah 5:6

Wherefore a lion out of the forest shall slay them, [and] a wolf of the evenings shall spoil them, a leopard shall watch over their cities: every one that goeth out thence shall be torn in pieces: because their transgressions are many, [and] their backslidings are increased.

Wherefore a lion {H738} out of the forest {H3293} shall slay {H5221} them, and a wolf {H2061} of the evenings {H6160} shall spoil {H7703} them, a leopard {H5246} shall watch {H8245} over their cities {H5892}: every one that goeth out {H3318} thence shall {H2007} be torn in pieces {H2963}: because their transgressions {H6588} are many {H7231}, and their backslidings {H4878} are increased {H6105}.

This is why a forest lion kills them, why a desert wolf can plunder them, why a leopard guards their cities - all who leave are torn to pieces - because their crimes are many, their backslidings keep increasing.

Therefore a lion from the forest will strike them down, a wolf from the desert will ravage them. A leopard will lie in wait near their cities, and everyone who ventures out will be torn to pieces. For their rebellious acts are many, and their unfaithful deeds are numerous.

Wherefore a lion out of the forest shall slay them, a wolf of the evenings shall destroy them, a leopard shall watch against their cities; every one that goeth out thence shall be torn in pieces; because their transgressions are many, and their backslidings are increased.

Context

Jeremiah 5:6 is part of a larger prophetic discourse where God, through the prophet Jeremiah, confronts the kingdom of Judah for its widespread corruption, idolatry, and spiritual rebellion. Despite repeated warnings and calls to repentance, the people, particularly in Jerusalem, had hardened their hearts and refused to turn back to the Lord. This verse describes the severe and inescapable judgment that would befall them as a direct consequence of their persistent sin. The imagery of predatory animals symbolizes the foreign invaders (primarily the Babylonians) whom God would use as instruments of His wrath.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment: The verse unequivocally declares God's righteous judgment against a rebellious people. It highlights that God does not overlook sin indefinitely.
  • Consequences of Unfaithfulness: It vividly portrays the harsh penalties for breaking covenant with God, emphasizing that spiritual backsliding and idolatry lead to devastation.
  • Predatory Destruction: The "lion," "wolf," and "leopard" represent swift, brutal, and relentless enemies that would despoil and tear apart the nation, leaving no escape. This imagery underscores the ferocity of the impending invasion and subsequent exile.
  • Increased Transgression: The core reason for this severe judgment is stated explicitly: "because their transgressions are many, [and] their backslidings are increased." This indicates a cumulative and escalating pattern of sin that reached a tipping point.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrases "transgressions are many" and "backslidings are increased" are crucial:

  • Transgressions (Hebrew: pesha' - פֶּשַׁע): This term implies rebellion, revolt, or a deliberate breaking of trust. It speaks of a conscious act of violating God's covenant and moral law.
  • Backslidings (Hebrew: meshuvot - מְשׁוּבוֹת): This word refers to turning away, apostasy, or spiritual waywardness. It suggests a repeated pattern of drifting away from God and His ways, often returning to old sinful habits or idolatry. The plural form and the intensification ("increased") highlight the persistent and worsening nature of their unfaithfulness.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 5:6 serves as a timeless reminder of spiritual principles:

  • Accountability for Sin: It underscores that sin, especially persistent and unrepented sin, has serious consequences, both individually and corporately. God is just and will hold His people accountable.
  • The Danger of Spiritual Drifting: The "backslidings" warn against complacency and gradual departure from faith. Small compromises can accumulate into a profound spiritual decline that leads to severe repercussions.
  • God's Patience and Justice: While God is incredibly patient and merciful, as seen in Jeremiah's consistent calls to repentance, His justice eventually prevails. This verse illustrates the inescapable nature of divine judgment when warnings are continually ignored.
  • Call to Repentance: Though a verse of judgment, it implicitly calls believers to examine their own lives, confess sins, and actively pursue a closer walk with God to avoid similar spiritual pitfalls.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Jeremiah 4:7

    The lion is come up from his thicket, and the destroyer of the Gentiles is on his way; he is gone forth from his place to make thy land desolate; [and] thy cities shall be laid waste, without an inhabitant.

  • Zephaniah 3:3

    Her princes within her [are] roaring lions; her judges [are] evening wolves; they gnaw not the bones till the morrow.

  • Habakkuk 1:8

    Their horses also are swifter than the leopards, and are more fierce than the evening wolves: and their horsemen shall spread themselves, and their horsemen shall come from far; they shall fly as the eagle [that] hasteth to eat.

  • Ezekiel 22:27

    Her princes in the midst thereof [are] like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, [and] to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain.

  • Ezekiel 16:25

    Thou hast built thy high place at every head of the way, and hast made thy beauty to be abhorred, and hast opened thy feet to every one that passed by, and multiplied thy whoredoms.

  • Nahum 2:11

    ¶ Where [is] the dwelling of the lions, and the feedingplace of the young lions, where the lion, [even] the old lion, walked, [and] the lion's whelp, and none made [them] afraid?

  • Nahum 2:12

    The lion did tear in pieces enough for his whelps, and strangled for his lionesses, and filled his holes with prey, and his dens with ravin.

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