Jeremiah 5:4
Jeremiah 5:4 in Multiple Translations
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.
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.
Then I said, Surely these are poor; they are foolish; for they know not the way of Jehovah, nor the law of their God:
Then I said, But these are the poor: they are foolish, for they have no knowledge of the way of the Lord or of the behaviour desired by their God.
Then I said to myself, “These people are only the poor—they're just fools who don't know any better. They certainly don't know what the Lord wants, God's right way of living.
Therefore I saide, Surely they are poore, they are foolish, for they know not the way of the Lord, nor the iudgement of their God.
And I — I said, 'Surely these [are] poor, They have been foolish, For they have not known the way of Jehovah, The judgment of their God.
Then I said, “Surely these are poor. They are foolish; for they don’t know the LORD’s way, nor the law of their God.
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.
But I said: Perhaps these are poor and foolish, that know not the way of the Lord, the judgement of their God.
I thought, “We cannot expect these people to act righteously, because they are poor; they do not have any sense. They do not know the way Yahweh wants them to conduct their lives; they do not know what God requires them to do.
Berean Amplified Bible — Jeremiah 5:4
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Jeremiah 5:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/אֲנִ֣י
אָמַ֔רְתִּי
אַךְ
דַּלִּ֖ים
הֵ֑ם
נוֹאֲל֕וּ
כִּ֣י
לֹ֤א
יָדְעוּ֙
דֶּ֣רֶךְ
יְהוָ֔ה
מִשְׁפַּ֖ט
אֱלֹהֵי/הֶֽם
וַ/אֲנִ֣י
ʼănîy
H589
I
Conj | Pron
אָמַ֔רְתִּי
ʼâmar
H559
to say
V-Qal-Perf-1cs
אַךְ
ʼak
H389
surely
DirObjM
דַּלִּ֖ים
dal
H1800
poor
Adj
הֵ֑ם
hêm
H1992
they(masc.)
Pron
נוֹאֲל֕וּ
yâʼal
H2973
be foolish
V-Niphal-Perf-3cp
כִּ֣י
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
לֹ֤א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
יָדְעוּ֙
yâdaʻ
H3045
to know
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
דֶּ֣רֶךְ
derek
H1870
way
N-cs
יְהוָ֔ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
מִשְׁפַּ֖ט
mishpâṭ
H4941
justice
N-ms
אֱלֹהֵי/הֶֽם
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
God
N-mp | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Jeremiah 5:4
וַ/אֲנִ֣י
ʼănîy
H589
"I"
Conj | Pron
This Hebrew word is a simple way of saying 'I' or 'me', often used for emphasis. It is used by people like David in the Psalms to express their thoughts and feelings. The word is a basic part of the Hebrew language.
Definition: I (first pers. sing. -usually used for emphasis)
Usage: Occurs in 803 OT verses. KJV: I, (as for) me, mine, myself, we, [idiom] which, [idiom] who. See also: Genesis 6:17; Leviticus 19:36; 1 Samuel 25:24.
אָמַ֔רְתִּי
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
V-Qal-Perf-1cs
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
אַךְ
ʼak
H389
"surely"
DirObjM
This Hebrew word is used to emphasize something, like saying 'surely' or 'certainly'. It can also be used to limit or restrict something, like saying 'only' or 'but'.
Definition: 1) indeed, surely (emphatic) 2) howbeit, only, but, yet (restrictive)
Usage: Occurs in 157 OT verses. KJV: also, in any wise, at least, but, certainly, even, howbeit, nevertheless, notwithstanding, only, save, surely, of a surety, truly, verily, [phrase] wherefore, yet (but). See also: Genesis 7:23; 2 Kings 23:35; Psalms 23:6.
דַּלִּ֖ים
dal
H1800
"poor"
Adj
The Hebrew word for someone who is poor or weak, often describing those in need of help or assistance. In the book of Proverbs, it warns against oppressing the poor, and in Psalm 35:10, it describes the needy and the poor. The word is also used in Isaiah 41:17.
Definition: low, poor, weak, thin, one who is low
Usage: Occurs in 46 OT verses. KJV: lean, needy, poor (man), weaker. See also: Exodus 23:3; Proverbs 19:17; Psalms 41:2.
הֵ֑ם
hêm
H1992
"they(masc.)"
Pron
This Hebrew word is used to refer to a group of men, emphasizing that it is specifically them. It is often translated as 'they' or 'them' in the Bible, and appears in books like Exodus and Isaiah.
Definition: they, these, the same, who
Usage: Occurs in 524 OT verses. KJV: it, like, [idiom] (how, so) many (soever, more as) they (be), (the) same, [idiom] so, [idiom] such, their, them, these, they, those, which, who, whom, withal, ye. See also: Genesis 3:7; Deuteronomy 19:17; 2 Kings 1:18.
נוֹאֲל֕וּ
yâʼal
H2973
"be foolish"
V-Niphal-Perf-3cp
This word means to be foolish or act senselessly, showing wicked folly. It appears in the Bible as a warning against foolish behavior, like doting on something or someone.
Definition: 1) to be foolish, become fools, act foolishly, show wicked folly 1a) (Niphal) 1a1) to show wicked folly 1a2) to become fools
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: dote, be (become, do) foolish(-ly). See also: Numbers 12:11; Jeremiah 5:4; Isaiah 19:13.
כִּ֣י
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
לֹ֤א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
יָדְעוּ֙
yâdaʻ
H3045
"to know"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
The Hebrew word for to know means to ascertain by seeing, and is used in many senses, including to learn, perceive, and recognize, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to know 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to know 1a1a) to know, learn to know 1a1b) to perceive 1a1c) to perceive and see, find out and discern 1a1d) to discriminate, distinguish 1a1e) to know by experience 1a1f) to recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess 1a1g) to consider 1a2) to know, be acquainted with 1a3) to know (a person carnally) 1a4) to know how, be skilful in 1a5) to have knowledge, be wise 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be made known, be or become known, be revealed 1b2) to make oneself known 1b3) to be perceived 1b4) to be instructed 1c) (Piel) to cause to know 1d) (Poal) to cause to know 1e) (Pual) 1e1) to be known 1e2) known, one known, acquaintance (participle) 1f) (Hiphil) to make known, declare 1g) (Hophal) to be made known 1h) (Hithpael) to make oneself known, reveal oneself Aramaic equivalent: ye.da (יְדַע "to know" H3046)
Usage: Occurs in 874 OT verses. KJV: acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot. See also: Genesis 3:5; Leviticus 5:4; Judges 21:12.
דֶּ֣רֶךְ
derek
H1870
"way"
N-cs
Derek refers to a road or path, and can also mean a way of life or manner of action. It is often used to describe a journey or direction, and can be used figuratively to describe a person's character or moral path.
Definition: : road/route 1) way, road, distance, journey, manner 1a) road, way, path 1b) journey 1c) direction 1d) manner, habit, way 1e) of course of life (fig.) 1f) of moral character (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 626 OT verses. KJV: along, away, because of, [phrase] by, conversation, custom, (east-) ward, journey, manner, passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-) way(-side), whither(-soever). See also: Genesis 3:24; Deuteronomy 28:29; 1 Kings 15:34.
יְהוָ֔ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
מִשְׁפַּ֖ט
mishpâṭ
H4941
"justice"
N-ms
Mishpat means justice or judgment, and is often used to describe God's righteous judgment, as well as human laws and decisions, in books like Deuteronomy and Isaiah.
Definition: : judgement/punishment 1) judgment, justice, ordinance 1a) judgment 1a1) act of deciding a case 1a2) place, court, seat of judgment 1a3) process, procedure, litigation (before judges) 1a4) case, cause (presented for judgment) 1a5) sentence, decision (of judgment) 1a6) execution (of judgment) 1a7) time (of judgment) 1b) justice, right, rectitude (attributes of God or man) 1c) ordinance 1d) decision (in law) 1e) right, privilege, due (legal) 1f) proper, fitting, measure, fitness, custom, manner, plan
Usage: Occurs in 406 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] adversary, ceremony, charge, [idiom] crime, custom, desert, determination, discretion, disposing, due, fashion, form, to be judged, judgment, just(-ice, -ly), (manner of) law(-ful), manner, measure, (due) order, ordinance, right, sentence, usest, [idiom] worthy, [phrase] wrong. See also: Genesis 18:19; 1 Kings 2:3; Psalms 1:5.
אֱלֹהֵי/הֶֽם
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
"God"
N-mp | Suff
The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.
Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.
Study Notes — Jeremiah 5:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Jeremiah 5:4 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 5:4
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 5:4
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 5:4
- Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 5:4
- Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 5:4
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 5:4
- Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 5:4
- Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 5:4
- Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 5:4
- Sermons on Jeremiah 5:4
Context — No One Is Just
2Although they say, ‘As surely as the LORD lives,’ they are swearing falsely.”
3O LORD, do not Your eyes look for truth? You struck them, but they felt no pain. You finished them off, but they refused to accept discipline. They have made their faces harder than stone and refused to repent.
4Then 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.
5I will go to the powerful and speak to them. Surely they know the way of the LORD, the justice of their God.” But they too, with one accord, had broken the yoke and torn off the chains. 6Therefore 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.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremiah 8:7 | Even the stork in the sky knows her appointed seasons. The turtledove, the swift, and the thrush keep their time of migration, but My people do not know the requirements of the LORD. |
| 2 | Hosea 4:6 | My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you as My priests. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children. |
| 3 | Isaiah 28:9–13 | Whom is He trying to teach? To whom is He explaining His message? To infants just weaned from milk? To babies removed from the breast? For they hear: “Order on order, order on order, line on line, line on line; a little here, a little there.” Indeed, with mocking lips and foreign tongues, He will speak to this people to whom He has said: “This is the place of rest, let the weary rest; this is the place of repose.” But they would not listen. Then the word of the LORD to them will become: “Order on order, order on order, line on line, line on line; a little here, a little there,” so that they will go stumbling backward and will be injured, ensnared, and captured. |
| 4 | Matthew 11:5 | The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. |
| 5 | Isaiah 27:11 | When its limbs are dry, they are broken off. Women come and use them for kindling; for this is a people without understanding. Therefore their Maker has no compassion on them, and their Creator shows them no favor. |
| 6 | John 7:48–49 | “Have any of the rulers or Pharisees believed in Him? But this crowd that does not know the law, they are under a curse.” |
| 7 | Jeremiah 7:8 | But look, you keep trusting in deceptive words to no avail. |
| 8 | Jeremiah 4:22 | “For My people are fools; they have not known Me. They are foolish children, without understanding. They are skilled in doing evil, but they know not how to do good.” |
Jeremiah 5:4 Summary
[This verse is saying that the people are acting foolishly because they don't know or understand God's laws and principles. It's like they're walking in the dark without a light, as seen in Psalm 119:105, where it says that God's word is a lamp to our feet. The people's ignorance of God's ways is leading them to make bad choices and rebel against Him. As we reflect on this verse, we can ask ourselves if there are areas in our own lives where we are 'playing the fool' by disobeying God's commands, and seek to deepen our understanding of His ways.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'play the fool' in Jeremiah 5:4?
To 'play the fool' means to act in a way that is reckless and disobedient to God, as seen in Proverbs 10:23, where it says that foolishness is a delight to a man who lacks sense. In Jeremiah 5:4, the people are playing the fool because they do not know the way of the LORD.
Why does Jeremiah say 'they are only the poor' in this verse?
Jeremiah says 'they are only the poor' because he is acknowledging that the people's ignorance of God's ways is not just a problem of the wealthy or powerful, but also of the common people, as seen in Jeremiah 4:22, where it says that God's people are foolish and do not know Him.
What is 'the way of the LORD' that the people do not know?
The 'way of the LORD' refers to God's laws, commands, and principles for living, as seen in Deuteronomy 10:12-13, where Moses instructs the people to fear God, walk in His ways, and love Him. In Jeremiah 5:4, the people's ignorance of God's way leads to their foolish behavior.
How does this verse relate to the rest of Jeremiah 5?
This verse is part of a larger section in Jeremiah 5 where the prophet is lamenting the people's rebellion against God, as seen in Jeremiah 5:3, where it says that God struck them but they refused to accept discipline. Jeremiah 5:4 specifically highlights the people's ignorance of God's ways as a root cause of their rebellion.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I may be 'playing the fool' in my own life by disobeying God's commands?
- How can I deepen my understanding of 'the way of the LORD' and live according to His principles?
- In what ways do I see the consequences of foolishness and disobedience in my own life or in the world around me?
- What does it mean for me to 'know' God's ways, and how can I cultivate a greater knowledge of Him?
Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 5:4
Then I said, surely these are poor, they are foolish,.... The prophet, observing that reproofs and corrections in providence had no effect upon the people, he thought within himself that surely the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 5:4
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.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 5:4
Therefore I said; or, perhaps, I said with myself; not, possibly, that he thought so, but that he might thus express himself, as men use to speak. Surely these are poor; poor, low-spirited, or of the meanest rank among the vulgar, understand but little; either men of greater ignorance, , and therefore said not to know the way of the Lord; see ; being better skilled in fields and vineyards than in the law; or of less conscience than the better sort may be, and therefore said to be foolish, or infatuated, or put upon greater temptation by reason of their poverty, . The judgment of their God; the methods or ways of his providence, the usual manner of his dealing; so judgment is to be taken here for the same with ways, , as it is also .
Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 5:4
Jeremiah 5:4 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.Ver. 4. Therefore I said,] i.e., I thought with myself. Surely these,] scil., That swear falsely, and refuse to be reformed, &c. Are poor.] Of the rascality, under law, base and beggarly, who neither know God’ s will, nor hold themselves much bound to do it. Of the poorer sort in Swethland it is reported, that they do always break the Sabbath, saying that it is for gentlemen only to keep that day.
Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 5:4
(4) Therefore.—Literally, And. The prophet makes for the poor the half-pitying plea of ignorance. Looking upon the masses that toil for bread, those whom the Scribes afterwards called the “people of earth,” it was not strange that they who had been left untaught should have learnt so little. The thought finds a parallel in our Lord’s compassion for the multitude who were as “sheep having no shepherd” (Matthew 9:36), for the servant who “knew not his Lord’s will” (Luke 12:48). The way of the Lord.—That which He approves, that which leads to Him, as in Genesis 18:19; Deuteronomy 31:29.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 5:4
Verse 4. These are poor] They are ignorant; they have no education; they know no better.
Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 5:4
4. The prophet thinks, Surely it is poverty and ignorance that mislead them. Cp. Hosea 4:6. the way of the Lord] the way prescribed by God to man. judgement] primarily a decision given by a judge, and hence an ordinance, or a prescribed system of ordinances (so in Jeremiah 8:7). See Dr. pp. 334 f. and cp. note on Jeremiah 10:24. The sense here is well illustrated by 2 Kings 17:26 f., where, however, “manner” in E. VV. is an inadequate rendering.
Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 5:4
Therefore - More simply “and.” They are foolish - Or, they act foolishly (see Numbers 12:11), not having that knowledge which would enable them to guide their ways with discretion.
Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 5:4
4, 5. This corruption extends to high as well as low. The prophet thought that those who showed this lack of truth and uprightness were of the baser sort — the poor and the foolish; but on betaking
Sermons on Jeremiah 5:4
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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On Eagles' Wings Pt 112 by Don Courville | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the urgency for the Church to turn to God in order to avoid His judgment. The speaker expresses concern about the rampant AIDS virus and the |
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"Before the Last depression..." by David Wilkerson | This sermon emphasizes the warning signs that God may be sending to America through natural disasters and economic indicators, drawing parallels to past events like the Great Depre |
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My People Know Not the Judgement of the Lord by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher begins by acknowledging that God is doing something profound in the church and will bring about a deep purification in the coming year. The message is |
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(In the Word) 15 - the World in the Church by Milton Green | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of staying committed to the word of God and not being swayed by old traditions or wrong teachings. He urges the listeners to |
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The Seven Levels of Judgment - Improper Response Part 3 by Dan Biser | This sermon emphasizes the importance of responding properly to God's call, highlighting the consequences of improper responses seen in various biblical examples. It discusses the |
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The Seven Levels of Judgment - Improper Response Part 1 by Dan Biser | This sermon delves into the concept of the seven levels of judgment as outlined in the Bible, emphasizing the importance of understanding God's response to sin and the need for a p |
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The Seven Levels of Judgment - Improper Response Part 2 by Dan Biser | This sermon emphasizes the consequences of improper responses to God's instructions and calls for repentance, confession, and proper alignment with God's will. It highlights the im |