Jeremiah 9:9

KJV

Shall I not visit them 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} them 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 them for these things?" asks ADONAI. "Should I not take vengeance on such a nation?"

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 9:9 stands as a stark declaration of Yahweh's unwavering resolve to execute righteous judgment upon a nation steeped in pervasive sin and rebellion. Through the prophet Jeremiah, the LORD expresses a divine certainty that He will not overlook the deep-seated treachery, deceit, and unfaithfulness of His people, Judah. This verse underscores the profound truth that divine accountability is inevitable when a society persistently rejects God's truth, justice, and covenant, signaling a coming reckoning for their moral and spiritual corruption.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 9:9 is situated within a profound lamentation and a series of prophetic warnings concerning the moral and spiritual decay of Judah. The verses immediately preceding (Jeremiah 9:2-8) paint a grim picture of widespread corruption, portraying the people as utterly consumed by deceit. Jeremiah laments that "everyone deceives his neighbor" and "they have taught their tongue to speak lies" ([Jeremiah 9:5](/jeremiah/9-5 "Jeremiah 9:5 - The Deceitful Tongue")). The prophet describes a society where trust is nonexistent, and even family members cannot be relied upon, likening their gatherings to a "den of thieves" ([Jeremiah 9:2](/jeremiah/9-2 "Jeremiah 9:2 - A Den of Thieves")). God's declaration in verse 9 is a direct, rhetorical response to this detailed indictment of their systemic unrighteousness and their refusal to "know the LORD" ([Jeremiah 9:6](/jeremiah/9-6 "Jeremiah 9:6 - Refusal to Know God")), setting the stage for the inevitable divine intervention and judgment that follows in the subsequent chapters.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah prophesied during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, spanning the reigns of the last five kings before the Babylonian exile (c. 627-586 BC). This era was marked by political instability, shifting alliances between regional powers (Assyria, Egypt, Babylon), and a profound spiritual decline within Judah itself. Despite earlier reforms under King Josiah, the people quickly reverted to idolatry, social injustice, and covenant breaking. The cultural landscape was one where outward religious observance often masked deep-seated moral depravity, and the prophetic warnings of impending judgment were largely ignored. The concept of God "visiting" or "avenging" was understood within the covenant framework, where blessings followed obedience and curses followed disobedience, as outlined in texts like [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"). The nation's persistent sin, despite repeated warnings, necessitated a divine response to uphold God's justice and covenant integrity.

* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 9:9 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Jeremiah and the broader prophetic literature. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Justice and Judgment**, emphasizing that God, who is holy and righteous, will not indefinitely tolerate persistent sin and rebellion. His "visitation" is not a casual inspection but a decisive act of reckoning, highlighting the seriousness of His character and His commitment to moral order. This verse also underscores the **Consequences of Covenant Disobedience**, demonstrating that the breaking of the covenant relationship with Yahweh inevitably leads to punitive outcomes. The rhetorical questions within the verse highlight the **Inevitability of God's Action**; there is no escaping the consequences of a life lived in defiance of His commands. Furthermore, the phrase "shall not my soul be avenged" reveals God's **Personal Indignation** at the nation's actions, signifying not petty revenge but a righteous recompense for the systemic injustice and unfaithfulness that violated His holy character and His relationship with His chosen people. This aligns with the prophetic call for genuine repentance found throughout the book, such as in [Jeremiah 7:3-7](/jeremiah/7-3 "Jeremiah 7:3-7 - Call to Amend Ways").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **visit (Hebrew, _pâqad'_):** This word (H6485) is a primitive root with a broad semantic range, meaning "to visit (with friendly or hostile intent)." While it can imply inspection, appointing, or caring for, in this context, it carries the strong connotation of visiting for the purpose of judgment or punishment. It signifies a divine accounting for actions, an intervention to address wrongdoing, implying a reckoning where God holds individuals or nations accountable.
* **soul (Hebrew, _nephesh'_):** This term (H5315) refers to a "breathing creature" or "vitality," but is used very widely in a literal, accommodated, or figurative sense, encompassing bodily or mental aspects. Here, "my soul" functions as an anthropomorphic expression for God's very being, His personal essence, or His deepest will and resolve. It emphasizes the profound and personal offense God takes at the nation's sin, indicating that His response is not merely a legalistic decree but a deeply felt, righteous indignation.
* **avenged (Hebrew, _nâqam'_):** This primitive root (H5358) means "to grudge, i.e. avenge or punish." In this context, it denotes a righteous retribution or vindication rather than a personal vendetta. It reflects God's response to injustice and His upholding of moral order, ensuring that wrongdoings do not go unaddressed. It is an act of divine justice that restores balance and demonstrates God's zeal for His own name and His truth.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Shall I not visit them for these [things]?"**: This is a rhetorical question posed by the LORD, indicating an emphatic affirmative. It means, "Indeed, I *will* visit them for these things." The "these [things]" refers to the pervasive sins described in the preceding verses: deceit, treachery, lying, and the abandonment of God's ways. The "visitation" here is not one of blessing or casual inspection, but of divine judgment and punishment, implying a thorough reckoning for their unrighteousness.
* **"saith the LORD:"**: This phrase (from H5002 _nᵉʼum_ and H3068 _Yᵉhôvâh_) serves as a divine oracle formula, authenticating the preceding declaration as a direct utterance from Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. It underscores the authority, certainty, and solemnity of the pronouncement, emphasizing that this is not Jeremiah's personal opinion but a revealed word from the sovereign God.
* **"shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?"**: Another powerful rhetorical question, reiterating the absolute certainty of God's punitive action. The phrase "my soul" (H5315 _nephesh_) emphasizes God's personal and profound offense at the nation's actions, highlighting His righteous indignation. "Avenged" (H5358 _nâqam_) signifies a just retribution, a vindication of His holiness and justice against a nation (H1471 _gôwy_) that has so thoroughly corrupted itself and violated its covenant obligations. It signifies that their actions demand a divine response to uphold moral order.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 9:9 is rich in **Rhetorical Questions**, a prominent literary device used to emphasize the certainty and inevitability of God's judgment. By posing "Shall I not visit them...?" and "shall not my soul be avenged...?", the text compels the audience to acknowledge the undeniable truth that God *will* act, leaving no room for doubt or evasion. This technique serves to heighten the dramatic tension and underscore the divine resolve. Furthermore, the phrase "my soul be avenged" employs **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human characteristics (having a "soul" that seeks "vengeance") to God. This device helps humanize the divine experience of righteous indignation, making God's deep personal offense at sin more relatable and impactful to the human audience, while still maintaining His transcendent nature. The verse also exhibits a form of **Parallelism**, where the two rhetorical questions mirror each other in structure and reinforce the central message of divine retribution.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 9:9 powerfully articulates the theological truth of God's unwavering justice and His commitment to holding humanity accountable for sin. It dispels any notion of a passive or indifferent deity, revealing instead a God who is intimately involved in the moral fabric of His creation and who will not tolerate persistent rebellion against His righteous standards. This verse emphasizes that divine judgment is not arbitrary but a necessary consequence of unfaithfulness, flowing from God's holy character and His covenant integrity. It serves as a solemn reminder that while God is abundant in mercy, His justice is equally profound, ensuring that sin does not go unaddressed, and that His moral order will ultimately be upheld. The "visitation" and "avenging" are expressions of His zeal for righteousness and His personal offense at the pervasive corruption that dishonors His name.

* [Psalm 7:11](/psalm/7-11 "Psalm 7:11 - God is a Righteous Judge")
* [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin")
* [Hebrews 10:30-31](/hebrews/10-30 "Hebrews 10:30-31 - The Lord Will Judge His People")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 9:9 stands as a timeless and sobering warning, not only for ancient Judah but for all generations and societies. It compels us to confront the reality that sin, especially persistent and pervasive societal unrighteousness, carries inevitable divine consequences. This verse challenges us to examine our own lives and the collective moral landscape of our communities, asking whether we are living in alignment with God's truth or if we, like Judah, are steeped in deceit, injustice, and spiritual apathy. It serves as a powerful reminder of God's holiness and His unwavering commitment to justice, urging us to take sin seriously and to recognize that His character demands a response to unrighteousness. Ultimately, this passage is a call to introspection, confession, and genuine repentance, prompting us to turn away from self-deception and toward the living God, seeking His mercy and forgiveness before His righteous visitation arrives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might our own society or even our personal lives exhibit the "deceit" and "treachery" that provoked God's judgment in Jeremiah's time?**
* **How does understanding God's "visitation" as a form of righteous judgment shape our view of His character, balancing His love with His justice?**
* **What practical steps can we take, individually and collectively, to live in a way that honors God's truth and justice, rather than inviting His judgment?**

### FAQ
**Is God's "vengeance" in this verse compatible with His love and mercy?**

Answer: Yes, God's "vengeance" (or "avenging") in Jeremiah 9:9 is fundamentally compatible with His love and mercy when understood within a biblical framework. This is not petty or malicious revenge, but rather a righteous act of upholding justice and holiness. God's love is not sentimental; it is holy love that demands righteousness and cannot tolerate persistent evil that harms His creation and dishonors His name. His "visitation" is a response to covenant breaking and profound moral corruption, intended to restore order and demonstrate that He is indeed the sovereign Lord who judges righteously. While judgment is severe, its ultimate purpose is often redemptive, aiming to bring about repentance and a return to Him, as seen in passages like [Lamentations 3:31-33](/lamentations/3-31 "Lamentations 3:31-33 - God's Compassion Endures"). His mercy is evident in His long-suffering and repeated warnings before judgment is executed, offering opportunities for repentance (e.g., [Jonah 3:10](/jonah/3-10 "Jonah 3:10 - God Relents from Disaster")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Jeremiah 9:9 speaks of God's judgment upon a rebellious nation, its ultimate fulfillment and deepest theological meaning are profoundly illuminated through the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "visitation" and "avenging" of God's righteous soul find their most dramatic expression in the cross, where the full weight of divine judgment for sin was poured out not upon a nation, but upon the innocent [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Jesus, as the sinless Son of God, bore the "vengeance" that humanity deserved, becoming the propitiation for our sins ([Romans 3:25](/romans/3-25 "Romans 3:25 - Christ Our Propitiation")). He is the one who perfectly upheld God's justice by satisfying its demands, and simultaneously revealed God's boundless love by offering Himself as the ultimate sacrifice. For those who believe in Him, the "visitation" of judgment is transformed into a "visitation" of grace and salvation, as Christ has already endured the righteous wrath of God on their behalf ([1 Peter 2:24](/1_peter/2-24 "1 Peter 2:24 - Christ Bore Our Sins")). Yet, for those who reject Him, Christ will also return as the righteous Judge, executing the final "visitation" and "avenging" of God's justice upon all unrighteousness, as described in passages like [Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11 "Revelation 19:11-16 - The Rider on the White Horse")). Thus, Jesus stands as both the one who bore the judgment and the one who will ultimately administer it, perfectly embodying the justice and mercy of God.

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?

Jeremiah 5:29

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

Isaiah 1:24

Therefore saith the Lord, the LORD of hosts, the mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies: