Jeremiah 5 20

Jeremiah 5:20 kjv

Declare this in the house of Jacob, and publish it in Judah, saying,

Jeremiah 5:20 nkjv

"Declare this in the house of Jacob And proclaim it in Judah, saying,

Jeremiah 5:20 niv

"Announce this to the descendants of Jacob and proclaim it in Judah:

Jeremiah 5:20 esv

Declare this in the house of Jacob; proclaim it in Judah:

Jeremiah 5:20 nlt

"Make this announcement to Israel,
and say this to Judah:

Jeremiah 5 20 Cross References

VerseTextReference
Jeremiah 4:4Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, remove the foreskins of your heartsJudgment for sin
Jeremiah 6:11Filled with the wrath of the LORD... poured out on the childrenGod's unreserved wrath
Jeremiah 7:16I will not pray for them, nor cry for them...God's rejection of intercession
Jeremiah 12:3But you, O LORD, know me; you have seen me and tested my heartGod's knowledge and justice
Jeremiah 21:12O house of David, execute justice...Call for justice
Jeremiah 30:24The fierce anger of the LORD will not turn backUnwavering divine anger
Deuteronomy 32:41I will make my arrows drunk with blood, and my sword shall devour fleshGod's judgment through warfare
Psalm 7:6Arise, O LORD, in your anger...Appeal for divine judgment
Isaiah 5:25His anger is not turned away, and his hand is stretched out stillPersistent divine anger
Isaiah 10:5Woe to Assyria, the rod of my anger...God using nations as instruments
Ezekiel 14:10They shall bear their iniquity... one as anotherShared responsibility for sin
Amos 1:3For three transgressions... and for four...God judges repeated sin
Matthew 18:34So also my heavenly Father will not forgive your every sinDivine forgiveness withholding
Acts 1:20May his watch be deserted...Judgment on betrayers
Romans 2:8but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth...Wrath for disobedience
Revelation 6:17For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?The day of wrath

Jeremiah 5 verses

Jeremiah 5 20 Meaning

This verse declares that God will not refrain from his anger and will not be appeased until Jerusalem is completely judged and punished for its wickedness and disobedience. It signifies the totality and inevitability of God's judgment upon the city.

Jeremiah 5 20 Context

Jeremiah chapter 5 describes the pervasive wickedness and corruption within Jerusalem, the capital of Judah. Despite abundant spiritual blessings, the people, including the priests and the common folk, have turned to idolatry and injustice. God, speaking through Jeremiah, expresses His disappointment and announces His impending judgment, using the imagery of an invading foreign nation to execute His wrath. This specific verse emphasizes that God's judgment will not be arbitrary or lenient, but will be carried out fully until its purpose is achieved.

Jeremiah 5 20 Word Analysis

  • "Thus says the LORD" (ko amar YHWH): This is a standard prophetic formula introducing God's direct speech, asserting divine authority.

  • "I will not turn back" (lo ashuv): Literally "I will not return" or "I will not turn." This conveys a resolute commitment to proceeding with the action initiated.

  • "nor will I spare" (veniz lo): "Niz" from the root "nezaz" means to withdraw or withhold. Here it signifies God's unwillingness to show mercy or hold back His judgment.

  • "but I will make an end of you" (ki oroketh-nah): "Oroketh" comes from the root "arak," meaning to prolong or stretch out. Used here with "ki" (for, because) and "nah" (emphasis), it signifies God's intention to prolong the process of judgment, implying thoroughness. The sense is that He will see His judgment through to its final conclusion, prolonging the action until it is finished.

  • "and I will bring utter destruction upon you" (vehithkalthi elayik ath bikkul): "Bikkul" from "kalah" means complete consumption, destruction, or end. "Ath bikkul" is an infinitive absolute used to strengthen the command or statement, emphasizing totality. The preposition "elayik" (upon you) indicates the direct target of this destruction. The Hebrew literally says "and I will consume upon you consummation."

  • Words-group by words-group analysis:

    • "I will not turn back nor will I spare": This pair of negative declarations emphasizes the firmness of God's resolve. It contrasts with God's general disposition towards mercy when people repent. The lack of turning back implies persistence in judgment, and the lack of sparing means no leniency will be given to their sin.
    • "but I will make an end of you and bring utter destruction upon you": This phrase intensifies the previous negative statements. "Make an end" and "utter destruction" are synonymous in effect, highlighting the completeness and finality of the judgment God intends to execute upon Jerusalem. It's a double affirmation of the severity of the coming punishment.

Jeremiah 5 20 Bonus Section

The phrasing "make an end of you" (oroketh-nah) with an infinitive absolute ("ath bikkul") is a potent literary device in Hebrew to convey absolute finality and thoroughness. It’s a way of saying that God will not just inflict punishment, but will ensure the complete termination of their current state of unrighteousness and its consequences, which ultimately translates to destruction if repentance is absent. This verse encapsulates God’s attribute of justice when contrasted with His attribute of mercy; when sin reaches a certain threshold and continues unrepented, justice takes precedence.

Jeremiah 5 20 Commentary

Jeremiah 5:20 serves as a stern pronouncement of God's unwavering commitment to justice. The inhabitants of Jerusalem had repeatedly defied God, and His patience, though immense, had limits. This verse makes it clear that God will not retract His judgment or show partiality. The repeated emphasis on completion and destruction underscores the severity of their impending fate. It is a consequence of their unrepentant sin and pervasive rebellion against divine authority. The intensity of the language reflects the depth of God's displeasure and the finality of the decree against a people who have forsaken Him.