Shall I not punish them for these things? declares the LORD; and shall I not avenge myself on a nation such as this?
English Standard Version (ESV)
God's question isn't just about punishment; it's about his deep personal outrage. When He says "my soul be avenged," He's revealing that sin doesn't just affect a system of rules, but it wounds His very being and provokes a passionate, personal response.
Shall I not punish them for these things? declares the LORD; and shall I not avenge myself on a nation such as this?
English Standard Version (ESV)
God has just commissioned Jeremiah to search Jerusalem's streets for even one righteous person, but found none; the rich oppress, and the poor have no fear of God. Now, the Lord declares His intent to punish this deeply corrupt nation, asking rhetorically if He could possibly overlook such widespread sin and injustice. His righteous anger is ignited, and He vows to bring judgment on a people so steeped in wickedness.
When the Bible talks about God 'visiting' people, it doesn't always sound like a friendly check-in. What does God mean when He says He will 'visit' a nation?
The word 'visit' here, in the context of Jeremiah 5:9, isn't about a casual drop-by. It's about God bringing judgment. Think of it like a landlord inspecting a property – they 'visit' to see what needs fixing, and if things are truly broken, they act. God's 'visit' means He sees sin, He considers it, and He will act to address it. This 'visiting' is a prelude to punishment, a sign of His justice at work.
Jeremiah 5:9 speaks of God's 'soul' being avenged. What does this tell us about the intensity of His reaction to sin?
When Scripture mentions God's 'soul' being avenged, it's expressing the profound depth of His being and His hatred for sin. It's not just an impersonal decree; it's a passionate, righteous response. God's very essence is grieved and angered by wickedness. This isn't a fleeting emotion, but a fundamental part of His character that cannot tolerate injustice and rebellion against Him.
Jeremiah is speaking to Jerusalem, a nation supposedly set apart for God. Why is judgment particularly severe on a people who know Him?
God's judgment on 'a nation such as this' carries extra weight because this nation was His chosen people. They had His law, His promises, and a covenant relationship with Him. Their sin wasn't just ignorance; it was a betrayal. The commentary notes that the rich were 'insolent and haughty,' and even the poor were 'willingly ignorant.' This deliberate turning away from God, especially by those who know better, provokes a unique and severe response. God's justice is perfect – He holds accountable those who have received His light.
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Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal name of the Almighty God of Israel, revealing His covenantal character, holiness, and sovereignty over all nations and history.
naqam · Hebrew Verb
To exact retribution or justice for a wrong committed; it signifies God’s commitment to upholding His holiness and righteous standards by responding to sin.
Jeremiah delivers this powerful message of impending judgment during a period of profound national crisis, as Judah faces repeated devastating invasions and exiles by the Babylonian empire, highlighting God's ultimate accountability for sin even amidst political catastrophe.
Late 7th century BC
Josiah's Reforms and Religious Revival
King Josiah institutes significant religious reforms, aiming to purify Judah's worship and centralize it in Jerusalem. This period saw a renewed focus on the Law and a rejection of idolatry.
c. 609 BC
Death of King Josiah
Josiah is killed in battle at Megiddo, a tragic event that deeply affected Judah and marked a turning point away from religious stability and toward political turmoil.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Under Nebuchadnezzar II, the Babylonians defeat the Egyptians and Assyrians at Carchemish. As a result, Jerusalem submits to Babylon, and members of the royal family and elite are deported to Babylon, including the prophet Daniel.
c. 597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
Following a revolt, Jerusalem is besieged again, and King Jehoiachin and thousands more Judeans are exiled to Babylon, including the prophet Ezekiel. This event further weakened the kingdom.
586 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
The Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar II lay final siege to Jerusalem, destroying the city walls, the Temple, and exiling the remaining population. This marked the end of Judah as an independent kingdom.
This passage directly echoes Jeremiah 5:9, asking if God won't punish a nation that has turned away from Him, highlighting the recurring theme of divine judgment on unfaithfulness.
Ezekiel 22:30-31Here, God seeks someone to stand in the gap, lamenting the lack of righteous individuals and declaring His intent to pour out His indignation and avenge Himself, mirroring Jeremiah's distress over Judah's sin.
Romans 12:19While Jeremiah speaks of God's direct vengeance, Paul instructs believers to 'never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God,' showing a shift in how vengeance is enacted under the New Covenant, yet acknowledging God's ultimate justice.
Psalm 89:32This psalm speaks of God visiting the transgressions of the people with the rod, demonstrating that 'visiting' is often God's term for His judicial punishment of sin, just as expressed in Jeremiah 5:9.
pooleJeremiah 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?"
Visit, i.e. punish, Psalm 89:32 . Should I connive at such things, the wicked would say, I did not see them, or take notice of them, Psalm 50:21 , much to the same purpose with Jeremiah 5:7 , beginning; and punishment may be termed visiting, as implying the equity of God’s procedures, that he first sees and considers the case, before he inflicts punishment; as in the ca…
jfbJeremiah 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?"
- (Jer 5:29; Jer 9:9; 44:22).
God's question isn't just about punishment; it's about his deep personal outrage. When He says "my soul be avenged," He's revealing that sin doesn't just affect a system of rules, but it wounds His very being and provokes a passionate, personal response.
God has just commissioned Jeremiah to search Jerusalem's streets for even one righteous person, but found none; the rich oppress, and the poor have no fear of God. Now, the Lord declares His intent to punish this deeply corrupt nation, asking rhetorically if He could possibly overlook such widespread sin and injustice. His righteous anger is ignited, and He vows to bring judgment on a people so steeped in wickedness.
God has just commissioned Jeremiah to search Jerusalem's streets for even one righteous person, but found none; the rich oppress, and the poor have no fear of God. Now, the Lord declares His intent to punish this deeply corrupt nation, asking rhetorically if He could possibly overlook such widespread sin and injustice. His righteous anger is ignited, and He vows to bring judgment on a people so steeped in wickedness.
"Shall I not punish them for these things? declares the LORD; and shall I not avenge myself on a nation such as this?" — God's question isn't just about punishment; it's about his deep personal outrage. When He says "my soul be avenged," He's revealing that sin doesn't just affect a system of rules, but it wounds His v…
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Last reviewed October 2026