Jeremiah 5:6

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 5:6 presents a chilling prophetic declaration of inescapable divine judgment against Judah, vividly illustrating the severe consequences of their profound and escalating spiritual rebellion. Through the potent imagery of a lion, a wolf, and a leopard, the prophet announces that foreign invaders, acting as instruments of God's righteous wrath, will relentlessly devastate the nation. This verse powerfully underscores the direct, inevitable, and brutal repercussions of widespread transgression and persistent backsliding, emphasizing that God's justice will ultimately prevail against a people who have repeatedly turned away from Him.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 5:6 is strategically placed within a broader, scathing indictment against Jerusalem and Judah, a theme that dominates chapters 4-6. Following God's earnest call for repentance and a return to Him in [Jeremiah 4:1-4](/jeremiah/4-1-4 "Jeremiah 4:1-4 - Call to Repentance"), the narrative quickly shifts to expose the nation's pervasive sinfulness, which permeates every level of society—from the common people to the very prophets and priests, all of whom have "dealt falsely" ([Jeremiah 5:12](/jeremiah/5-12 "Jeremiah 5:12 - False Prophets and Priests")). The preceding verses in chapter 5 lament God's desperate search for even one righteous person in Jerusalem, highlighting the utter moral decay ([Jeremiah 5:1](/jeremiah/5-1 "Jeremiah 5:1 - Search for Righteousness in Jerusalem")). The terrifying imagery of wild beasts in verse 6 serves as the climactic and direct consequence of the spiritual blindness and stubborn refusal to repent described earlier, particularly their rejection of God's law and their persistent pursuit of idolatry, as seen in [Jeremiah 5:4-5](/jeremiah/5-4-5 "Jeremiah 5:4-5 - Refusal to Understand God's Ways"). This verse marks a significant transition from lament and desperate appeals to a stark, unambiguous declaration of impending, violent, and unavoidable judgment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah prophesied during a tumultuous and pivotal period in Judah's history, spanning the late 7th to early 6th century BCE under the reigns of Josiah, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah. This era was characterized by profound political instability, marked by the decline of the once-dominant Assyrian Empire and the meteoric rise of Babylon. Judah, caught precariously between these shifting geopolitical powers, frequently sought alliances with foreign nations rather than placing their trust in the Lord, thereby exacerbating their spiritual unfaithfulness. The imagery of predatory animals was profoundly resonant in the ancient Near East, where such beasts—lions, wolves, and leopards—represented a constant, terrifying threat to livestock and human life, symbolizing chaos, destruction, and often, divine punishment. The "forest" (Hebrew, _yaʻar_, H3293) would be a common and natural habitat for lions, while "evenings" (Hebrew, _ʻărâbâh_, H6160), referring to the desert or desolate plain, was where wolves would typically hunt. Leopards (Hebrew, _nâmêr_, H5246) were notorious for their stealth, swiftness, and sudden, lethal attacks. The prophet's deliberate use of these specific, fearsome animals would have immediately evoked a visceral sense of dread and a clear understanding of the brutal, inescapable, and comprehensive nature of the coming judgment, which would be executed by foreign armies, primarily the Babylonians, acting as God's instruments of wrath.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 5:6 powerfully contributes to several overarching and critical themes within the book of Jeremiah. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment** as a righteous and inevitable response to persistent, unrepentant sin. God, though infinitely patient and merciful, will not indefinitely tolerate rebellion against His holy covenant. Secondly, it highlights the severe **Consequences of Unfaithfulness**, demonstrating with stark clarity that spiritual apostasy, idolatry, and moral decay inevitably lead to national devastation, exile, and ruin, a theme consistently woven throughout the prophetic books (e.g., the blessings and curses outlined in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses for Obedience and Disobedience")). Thirdly, the verse vividly portrays the **Irreversibility of Judgment** once a certain threshold of sin and rebellion is crossed, emphasizing that the people's "transgressions are many, and their backslidings are increased." This cumulative and escalating nature of sin reaches a critical point where divine intervention for correction becomes severe and unavoidable. Finally, it masterfully employs **Symbolic Imagery** to depict the instruments of God's wrath, portraying foreign invaders as fierce, relentless, and predatory beasts, a common and terrifying motif in prophetic literature when describing invading armies (e.g., the description of the Chaldeans in [Habakkuk 1:8](/habakkuk/1-8 "Habakkuk 1:8 - The Swiftness of the Chaldean Army")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Transgressions (Hebrew, _peshaʻ'_):** This term (H6588) signifies a deliberate rebellion, a revolt, or a breaking of trust. It implies a conscious and intentional act of violating a covenant or moral law, moving beyond mere error or mistake to active defiance and treachery. In this context, it points to Judah's intentional, repeated, and persistent breach of their covenant relationship with Yahweh, characterized by their pervasive idolatry, social injustice, and rejection of divine authority.
* **Backslidings (Hebrew, _mᵉshûwbâh'_):** This word (H4878) denotes apostasy or a turning away from God. It suggests a repeated pattern of spiritual drifting, a waywardness that involves abandoning God's established ways, returning to sinful habits, or embracing false worship. The plural form in the Hebrew ("backslidings") powerfully emphasizes the cumulative, persistent, and multi-faceted nature of Judah's unfaithfulness, signifying a gradual but determined and comprehensive departure from the Lord.
* **Torn in pieces (Hebrew, _ṭâraph'_):** This verb (H2963) means to pluck off, pull apart, or rend in pieces, often used specifically in the context of a predator tearing its prey. It vividly conveys the brutal, violent, and complete destruction that awaits those who attempt to escape the impending judgment. This imagery underscores the ferocity and totality of the coming devastation, leaving no possibility of escape or survival for those caught in its path.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Wherefore a lion out of the forest shall slay them,"**: This clause introduces the first and most formidable instrument of divine judgment. The lion, a symbol of raw power and ferocity, emerges from its wild habitat, signifying a powerful and terrifying enemy (likely the Babylonian army) poised to bring death and destruction upon Judah.
* **"and a wolf of the evenings shall spoil them,"**: The second predatory animal, a wolf, is introduced, known for its cunning, stealth, and pack hunting, particularly active at dusk or night. The verb "spoil" (Hebrew, _shâdad_, H7703) indicates plundering, ravaging, and laying waste, signifying the comprehensive economic, social, and physical destruction that will accompany the invasion.
* **"a leopard shall watch over their cities:"**: The leopard, swift, stealthy, and persistent, represents an inescapable and vigilant threat. The phrase "watch over their cities" (Hebrew, _shâqad_, H8245) implies a relentless, watchful siege or occupation, suggesting that no place of refuge, even within the fortified walls of their cities, will be safe from the impending doom.
* **"every one that goeth out thence shall be torn in pieces:"**: This stark and terrifying declaration emphasizes the universality and brutality of the judgment. Anyone attempting to escape the besieged cities or the general devastation will meet a violent and gruesome end, ripped apart by the metaphorical beasts, highlighting the complete absence of safety, refuge, or escape from God's decree.
* **"because their transgressions are many, [and] their backslidings are increased."**: This final, crucial clause provides the explicit divine rationale and justification for the severe judgment. The accumulated and escalating nature of Judah's sins—their deliberate rebellion against God's law and their persistent spiritual apostasy—is presented as the direct and righteous cause of the coming destruction. It underscores God's justice in responding to unrepentant, multiplied sin.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 5:6 is exceptionally rich in **Symbolism** and **Metaphor**, primarily employing a series of fearsome predatory animals—a lion, a wolf, and a leopard—to represent the foreign armies that God will sovereignly use as instruments of His judgment. These animals are not literal but serve as powerful **Metaphors** for the ferocity, cunning, swiftness, and inescapable nature of the impending Babylonian invasion. The phrase "torn in pieces" is a vivid and visceral **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the complete, brutal, and utterly devastating destruction awaiting the inhabitants. The structure of the verse, listing three distinct and increasingly threatening predators, creates a powerful sense of escalating doom and comprehensive devastation, serving as an effective example of **Climax** or **Gradation**, where the threats build upon each other to paint a picture of total ruin. The concluding clause, which explicitly states the reason for the judgment, functions as a clear **Causal Explanation**, directly linking the severe consequences to the nation's profound and persistent spiritual rebellion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 5:6 stands as a profound and sobering testament to God's unwavering justice and the severe, inevitable consequences of unrepentant sin. It reveals that while God is characterized by boundless patience and mercy, there comes a critical point when persistent rebellion and spiritual apostasy necessitate divine intervention in judgment. This passage powerfully affirms God's absolute sovereignty over all nations, demonstrating His ability to use even pagan empires as instruments of His righteous wrath to bring about His holy purposes. The terrifying imagery of relentless predators underscores the terrifying reality of facing a holy God's judgment when His repeated warnings are continually ignored and His sacred covenant is repeatedly broken. It serves as a somber and timeless reminder that sin, left unchecked and unconfessed, inevitably leads to devastation, both on an individual and a corporate level, highlighting the profound seriousness with which God views faithfulness and obedience.

* [Leviticus 26:14-39](/leviticus/26-14 "Leviticus 26:14-39 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [Deuteronomy 28:49-57](/deuteronomy/28-49 "Deuteronomy 28:49-57 - Invasion by a Fierce Nation")
* [Hosea 13:7-8](/hosea/13-7 "Hosea 13:7-8 - God as a Lion and Leopard")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 5:6 serves as a profound and sobering mirror, inviting us to critically examine the state of our own hearts, our communities, and even our nations. It powerfully reminds us that God's multifaceted character encompasses both profound mercy and unwavering, uncompromising justice. For individuals, this verse issues a deep call to introspection: are there areas of "transgression" or "backsliding" subtly or overtly present in our lives? Are we consciously or unconsciously drifting away from God's revealed truth, or actively rebelling against His known will? The emphasis on the "increase" of backsliding warns against spiritual complacency and highlights the insidious danger of small, seemingly insignificant compromises that can gradually accumulate and lead to profound spiritual decline and eventual separation from God. For communities and nations, it underscores the corporate responsibility before God and the societal consequences that inevitably arise from widespread moral decay, spiritual apathy, and the collective rejection of divine principles. While we, as believers, live under the New Covenant of grace, the underlying principle remains eternally true: unconfessed and unrepented sin creates a chasm between humanity and God, invariably inviting consequences. This passage implicitly calls us to active, ongoing repentance, vigilant self-examination, and a renewed, unwavering commitment to walking in faithfulness and obedience, lest we, too, experience the tearing effects of spiritual separation and the painful discipline of a holy God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of my life might I be experiencing "backsliding" or a gradual turning away from God's commands and principles?**
* **How does this verse challenge and deepen my understanding of God's justice in relation to His boundless mercy and patience?**
* **What concrete, practical steps can I take today to cultivate a heart of genuine repentance, active faithfulness, and spiritual vigilance, thereby preventing the "increase" of transgression in my life?**

### FAQ
**What do the lion, wolf, and leopard symbolize in this verse?**

Answer: In Jeremiah 5:6, the lion, wolf, and leopard are powerful **symbols** representing the foreign invaders, primarily the formidable Babylonian army, that God would sovereignly use as instruments of His righteous judgment against unfaithful Judah. These specific animals were chosen for their distinct predatory characteristics: the lion for its raw power, overwhelming ferocity, and destructive capability; the wolf for its cunning, stealth, and ability to spoil or plunder; and the leopard for its swiftness, suddenness of attack, and relentless pursuit. Together, they paint a vivid and terrifying picture of the comprehensive, brutal, and utterly inescapable nature of the impending invasion and destruction that would befall Judah due to their profound and persistent unfaithfulness. This powerful animal imagery is a common and effective motif in prophetic literature used to describe invading armies, as seen elsewhere in Jeremiah, such as the "destroyer from the north" depicted in [Jeremiah 4:7](/jeremiah/4-7 "Jeremiah 4:7 - A Destroyer from the North").

**Why was God's judgment so severe against Judah?**

Answer: God's judgment against Judah, as depicted in Jeremiah 5:6, was severe "because their transgressions are many, and their backslidings are increased." This explicit divine explanation indicates that the judgment was not arbitrary or capricious but a direct, just, and proportional consequence of the nation's persistent, widespread, and escalating rebellion against God. Judah had repeatedly and deliberately broken their sacred covenant with Yahweh through rampant idolatry, pervasive social injustice, and a hardened, stubborn refusal to heed the numerous warnings of prophets like Jeremiah. Despite God's extraordinary patience, His repeated calls to repentance (e.g., [Jeremiah 3:12-14](/jeremiah/3-12-14 "Jeremiah 3:12-14 - Call to Return to the Lord")), and His gracious invitations to return, Judah continued in their spiritual apostasy, reaching a tipping point where divine justice necessitated severe, corrective action to uphold God's holiness, His covenant faithfulness, and the integrity of His moral law.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Jeremiah 5:6 vividly portrays the terrifying consequences of unrepentant sin and the severity of divine judgment under the Old Covenant, its ultimate fulfillment and profound resolution are found exclusively in Jesus Christ. The judgment described here—the tearing apart by predatory forces due to multiplied transgressions and increased backslidings—underscores humanity's desperate and universal need for a deliverer from the wages of sin and the curse of the law. Jesus Christ, the ultimate [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), perfectly fulfilled the righteous demands of God's justice by taking upon Himself the very tearing judgment that humanity deserved. He became the one "torn in pieces" on the cross, enduring the full, unmitigated wrath of God against sin, so that all who believe in Him might be spared from such devastation. Through His perfect and atoning sacrifice, the "many transgressions" that separate us from a holy God are completely forgiven, and our "backslidings" are covered and healed by His boundless grace ([Romans 3:23-26](/romans/3-23-26 "Romans 3:23-26 - Justification by Faith Through Christ")). Instead of facing the destructive "lion, wolf, and leopard" of divine judgment, believers in Christ find ultimate refuge, redemption, and reconciliation in Him, who disarmed the powers of darkness and triumphed over them on the cross ([Colossians 2:13-15](/colossians/2-13-15 "Colossians 2:13-15 - Made Alive in Christ, Forgiven of Sins")). Thus, Jeremiah 5:6, while serving as a stark warning about the gravity of sin, ultimately points forward to the profound mercy, substitutionary work, and victorious deliverance offered by Christ, who redeems us from the curse of the law and brings us into a new, eternal covenant of grace ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse of the Law")).

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 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.