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)
This isn't just a rhetorical question; it’s God expressing His righteous indignation. The phrase "shall not my soul be avenged" reveals that this isn't merely about external punishment, but a deeply personal response from God’s very being against the profound dishonor and betrayal His people have shown.
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)
Jeremiah has just described a people so steeped in deceit and corruption that even their closest relationships are broken by mistrust. God, observing this profound unfaithfulness and the resulting ruin, poses a rhetorical question: how can He not bring judgment and righteous vengeance upon such a nation. This declaration of coming punishment directly follows Jeremiah's lament and underscores God's intention to hold His people accountable for their deep-seated sin.
God's words of judgment in Jeremiah 9:9 aren't new. He's said them before. Why repeat a warning?
Jeremiah 9:9 echoes earlier pronouncements in Jeremiah 5:9 and 5:29. This repetition isn't just for emphasis; it highlights the people's persistent refusal to listen. God's patience is immense, but His justice is inevitable when a nation repeatedly turns its back on Him. The reiteration underscores the gravity of their continued sin and God's unwavering commitment to hold them accountable.
When God speaks of avenging "my soul," what does that truly mean?
The phrase "shall not my soul be avenged" (or "my spirit," depending on translation) points to God's deep, personal anguish over sin. It's not a vengeful impulse, but a righteous response to profound offense. God's very being is grieved and stirred by the corruption and injustice He witnesses. This isn't about an impersonal force; it's about the living God reacting to the betrayal and rebellion of His people.
What kind of nation earns God's solemn vow of judgment?
The lament in the preceding verses (Jeremiah 9:1-8) describes a people whose tongues are "a deadly poison," full of deceit, lies, and injustice. They are so steeped in sin that even basic trust has broken down. Jeremiah wishes for tears to weep for them, highlighting the pervasive corruption. God's question isn't arbitrary; it's a direct response to a society that has normalized dishonesty and turned away from righteousness, making them ripe for the severe consequences of their actions.
Ask a follow-up
Understand the original words
pāqad · Hebrew Verb
To impose a penalty or judgment for wrongdoing; in a covenantal context, it reflects God’s holiness and demand for justice.
nāqam · Hebrew Verb
The act of seeking retribution or justice for an offense, which, when belonging to the Lord, is an exercise of His divine justice to uphold His righteous standards.
Jeremiah's powerful words about God's impending judgment and vengeance resonate most deeply in the context of Jerusalem's impending destruction and the subsequent Babylonian exile. This wasn't a hypothetical threat but a very real consequence of a nation that had repeatedly turned its back on God.
Late 8th century BC
Assyrian Deportations
The Neo-Assyrian Empire under Tiglath-Pileser III and Sargon II deported large populations from the Northern Kingdom of Israel, intensifying the judgment on a people who had turned away from God.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, attacks Jerusalem and deports some of the royal family and elite youth, including Daniel, to Babylon. This marks the beginning of Judah's exile.
597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
Following a rebellion, Nebuchadnezzar deports King Jehoiachin and thousands more Judeans, including the prophet Ezekiel, to Babylon. This further decimates the population and leadership.
586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple Destruction
The Babylonians destroy Jerusalem and its magnificent Temple, the center of Israel's worship. The majority of the remaining population is exiled to Babylon, leaving Judah largely desolate.
c. 586 BC - 539 BC
Babylonian Exile
The people of Judah live in exile in Babylon, facing significant hardship and cultural pressure. This period is a direct consequence of their persistent disobedience and God's judgment.
This verse is a direct repetition from an earlier warning in Jeremiah, emphasizing God's persistent displeasure with a nation that has deeply disappointed Him.
Romans 1:18This passage speaks to the wrath of God being revealed against ungodliness and unrighteousness, paralleling Jeremiah's lament and God's justified anger towards a sinful nation.
Ezekiel 5:15Similar to Jeremiah, Ezekiel describes God's judgment and vengeance upon Israel for their abominations, highlighting the consequences of widespread sin within a nation.
Deuteronomy 32:41This verse describes God as ready to render vengeance and recompense to His adversaries, echoing the sentiment of divine justice and retribution found in Jeremiah's prophecy.
ellicottJeremiah 9:9: "Shall I not visit them for these things? saith the LORD: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?"
(9) Shall I not visit . . .? —The previous use of the same warning in Jeremiah 5:9 ; Jeremiah 5:29 gives these words also the emphasis of iteration.
cambridgeJeremiah 9:9: "Shall I not visit them for these things? saith the LORD: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?"
9 . Here repeated from ch. Jeremiah 5:9 ; Jeremiah 5:29 .
This isn't just a rhetorical question; it’s God expressing His righteous indignation. The phrase "shall not my soul be avenged" reveals that this isn't merely about external punishment, but a deeply personal response from God’s very being against the profound dishonor and betrayal His people have shown.
Jeremiah has just described a people so steeped in deceit and corruption that even their closest relationships are broken by mistrust. God, observing this profound unfaithfulness and the resulting ruin, poses a rhetorical question: how can He not bring judgment and righteous vengeance upon such a nation. This declaration of coming punishment directly follows Jeremiah's lament and underscores God's intention to hold His people accountable for their deep-seated sin.
Jeremiah has just described a people so steeped in deceit and corruption that even their closest relationships are broken by mistrust. God, observing this profound unfaithfulness and the resulting ruin, poses a rhetorical question: how can He not bring judgment and righteous vengeance upon such a nation. This declaration of coming punishment directly follows Jeremiah's lament and underscores God's intention to hold His people accountable for their deep-seated sin.
"Shall I not punish them for these things? declares the LORD, and shall I not avenge myself on a nation such as this?" — This isn't just a rhetorical question; it’s God expressing His righteous indignation. The phrase "shall not my soul be avenged" reveals that this isn't merely about external punishment, but a deeply…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026