All who found them have devoured them, and their enemies have said, ‘We are not guilty, for they have sinned against the LORD, their habitation of righteousness, the LORD, the hope of their fathers.’
English Standard Version (ESV)
The enemies boast they are not guilty because Israel sinned, framing their pillaging as righteous judgment. But what's easily missed is that by calling God "the habitation of justice" and "the hope of their fathers," these adversaries, even in their sin, unconsciously acknowledge the very God and heritage Israel had forsaken. Their words reveal a deeper truth: even when God's people stray, God remains their true dwelling place and their fathers' enduring hope.
All who found them have devoured them, and their enemies have said, ‘We are not guilty, for they have sinned against the LORD, their habitation of righteousness, the LORD, the hope of their fathers.’
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jeremiah is detailing the impending judgment on Babylon for its cruelty and exploitation of God's people. This verse explains how the nations who attacked and plundered Judah felt justified in their actions, claiming they were not guilty of wrongdoing. They saw Judah as abandoned by its God, the "habitation of justice" and "hope of their fathers," implying that since Judah had sinned against this God, it was fair game for anyone to plunder without consequence.
Ever felt like someone did something wrong but then twisted it to make themselves look innocent? That's exactly what Jeremiah's enemies are doing here.
When Israel fell, their enemies didn't see their actions as cruel or unjust. Instead, they claimed they were innocent because Israel had sinned against God. They essentially said, 'They messed up with God, so whatever happens to them is fair game, and it’s not our fault.' This reveals a common tactic: using someone else’s sin as a shield to excuse one’s own harmful behavior. They felt justified in 'devouring' them because Israel had already been found wanting in God's eyes. It’s a way to sidestep personal responsibility by pointing fingers elsewhere.
The enemies describe God with incredible titles, even as they use Israel's sin against them. What does this tell us about God?
Despite Israel's unfaithfulness, their enemies still recognized something profound about God. They referred to Him as the 'habitation of righteousness' and the 'hope of their fathers.'
God's Dwelling Place
'Habitation of righteousness' points to God as the ultimate place of safety, justice, and true rest – where righteousness itself dwells. Even though Jerusalem was meant to be this place, it had failed. Yet, God remains the source of all that is right and secure. The original language hints at God being the true 'pasture' or 'fold,' like a shepherd protecting his flock.
The Unchanging Hope
Ask a follow-up
Calling God the 'hope of their fathers' highlights that God's faithfulness to His promises, established with generations past, is constant. Israel had abandoned this hope, turning away from the God who had always been their refuge. The enemies' words, though used in judgment, inadvertently echo the deep truth that God's character and His covenant relationship with His people endure, even when His people falter.
Understand the original words
chata'u · Hebrew Verb
To violate the moral or spiritual standards set by God, resulting in a fractured relationship with Him. It is an act of rebellion or missing the mark of God's holiness.
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal, covenantal name of God, revealed to Moses, emphasizing His self-existence, eternity, and faithfulness to His people.
tiqvah · Hebrew Noun
The confident expectation and trust in God's promises and character. It implies looking forward to divine intervention or the fulfillment of His covenantal purposes.
The invaders' words reveal a chilling acknowledgment: Israel's enemies saw themselves as instruments of God's judgment, justifying their plunder by pointing to Judah's sin. This highlights how deeply the nation's covenant relationship with God was understood, even by those who oppressed them.
c. 722 BC
Fall of the Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the Northern Kingdom of Israel, leading to the exile of its people and the disappearance of the Ten Tribes. This event serves as a grim warning for the Southern Kingdom of Judah.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian army conquer Judah. As part of his strategy, he deports a group of Jewish leaders and skilled workers, including the prophet Daniel, to Babylon. This marks the beginning of Judah's exile.
597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
Following a rebellion, Nebuchadnezzar deports more of Judah's population and wealth, including King Jehoiachin and the prophet Ezekiel, to Babylon. The Temple in Jerusalem is desecrated.
587/586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple Destruction
The Babylonians destroy Jerusalem and its magnificent Temple, the center of Israel's worship and national identity. The remaining population is exiled to Babylon, fulfilling the prophecies of judgment.
c. 550 BC
Rise of the Persian Empire
Cyrus the Great unites the Medes and Persians, establishing a powerful new empire that will eventually conquer Babylon. This shift in geopolitical power sets the stage for the exiles' return.
539 BC
Conquest of Babylon by Persia
Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon, bringing an end to the Babylonian Empire. This event directly paves the way for the decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to their homeland.
538 BC
Edict of Cyrus and Return of Exiles
Cyrus issues a decree permitting the Jewish people to return to Judah and rebuild their Temple. This marks the beginning of the return from exile and the restoration of Jewish community life.
This psalm describes the devastation of Jerusalem and the Temple, mirroring the sense of 'devouring' and loss found in Jeremiah 50:7, as enemies plunder what was considered sacred.
Jeremiah 2:3This earlier passage from Jeremiah uses similar language to condemn Israel's straying, stating that 'strangers' who consumed them incurred guilt, directly contrasting with the adversaries' claim in 50:7 that they are not guilty.
Ezekiel 34:1-10This passage vividly describes corrupt shepherds (leaders) devouring God's sheep (the people), which parallels the idea of Israel being 'devoured' in Jeremiah 50:7, highlighting the spiritual desolation that leads to such vulnerability.
Psalm 22:3-5This psalm speaks of God's people crying out to Him, contrasting with their present state of being devoured, and it echoes the 'hope of their fathers' mentioned in Jeremiah 50:7, reminding us of God's historical faithfulness.
barnesJeremiah 50:7: "All that found them have devoured them: and their adversaries said, We offend not, because they have sinned against the LORD, the habitation of justice, even the LORD, the hope of their fathers."
Offend not - i. e., "are not guilty." Israel having left the fold, has no owner, and may therefore be maltreated with impunity. Habitation of justice - In Jeremiah 31:23 applied to Jerusalem: here, Yahweh alone is the true pasturage, in whom His people will find safety, rest, and plenty…
jfbJeremiah 50:7: "All that found them have devoured them: and their adversaries said, We offend not, because they have sinned against the LORD, the habitation of justice, even the LORD, the hope of their fathers."
- devoured—(Ps 79:7). "Found them" implies that they were exposed to the attacks of those whoever happened to meet them.adversaries said—for instance, Nebuzara-dan (Jer 40:2, 3; compare Zec 11:5). The Gentiles acknowledged some supreme divinity. The Jews' guilt was so palpable that the…
The enemies boast they are not guilty because Israel sinned, framing their pillaging as righteous judgment. But what's easily missed is that by calling God "the habitation of justice" and "the hope of their fathers," these adversaries, even in their sin, unconsciously acknowledge the very God and heritage Israel had forsaken. Their words reveal a deeper truth: even when God's people stray, God remains their true dwelling place and their fathers' enduring hope.
Jeremiah is detailing the impending judgment on Babylon for its cruelty and exploitation of God's people. This verse explains how the nations who attacked and plundered Judah felt justified in their actions, claiming they were not guilty of wrongdoing. They saw Judah as abandoned by its God, the "habitation of justice" and "hope of their fathers," implying that since Judah had sinned against this God, it was fair game for anyone to plunder without consequence.
Jeremiah is detailing the impending judgment on Babylon for its cruelty and exploitation of God's people. This verse explains how the nations who attacked and plundered Judah felt justified in their actions, claiming they were not guilty of wrongdoing. They saw Judah as abandoned by its God, the "habitation of justice" and "hope of their fathers," implying that since Judah had sinned against this God, it was fair game for anyone to plunder without consequence.
"All who found them have devoured them, and their enemies have said, ‘We are not guilty, for they have sinned against the LORD, their habitation of righteousness, the LORD, the hope of their fathers.’" — The enemies boast they are not guilty because Israel sinned, framing their pillaging as righteous judgment. But what's easily missed is that by calling God "the habitation of justice" and "the hope o…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026