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Jeremiah 5:26

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 5:26 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For among my people are found wicked men: they watch, as fowlers lie in wait; they set a trap, they catch men.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For among my people are found wicked men: they watch, as fowlers lie in wait; they set a trap, they catch men.
Jeremiah 5:26 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 5

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
23But this people hath a revolting and a rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone.
24Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear Jehovah our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in its season; that preserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest.
25Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good from you.
26For among my people are found wicked men: they watch, as fowlers lie in wait; they set a trap, they catch men.
27As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxed rich.
28They are waxed fat, they shine: yea, they overpass in deeds of wickedness; they plead not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, that they may prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge.
29Shall I not visit for these things? saith Jehovah; shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?
← Jeremiah 5:25Jeremiah 5:27 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“For among my people are found wicked men, etc.] Not a few only, but in general they appeared to be so, upon an inquiry into their character and conduct; for otherwise it would not have been so difficult to find a good man among them, as is suggested (<240501>Jeremiah 5:1), they lay wait as he that setteth snares; or, “they look about”f123; that is, as Kimchi interprets it, every man looks in the ways, to see if a man passed by, that he might rob him of what he had; as a man that lays snares, or sets a trap to catch birds in: or, “everyone looks out, when they that lay snares rest”f124; and so they are more diligent and constant in catching men than such persons are in catching birds: they…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“(Pro 1:11, Pro 1:17-18; Hab 1:15). as he that setteth snares--rather, "as fowlers crouch" [MAURER]. trap--literally, "destruction": the instrument of destruction. catch men--not as Peter, to save (Luk 5:10), but to destroy men.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Against the God (1) of Creation Jeremiah 5:22, and (2) of Providence Jeremiah 5:24, They sin, not merely by apostasy, but by a general immorality extending to all classes Jeremiah 5:25-28. It is in this immorality that their idolatry has its root. Jeremiah 5:22 The sea is the symbol of restless and indomitable energy, chafing against all resistance, and dashing to pieces the works whereby man endeavors to restrain its fury. Yet God has imposed upon it laws which it must obey, and keeps it in its appointed place, not by barriers of iron but by a belt of sand. Modern science has shown that the resisting power of sand is enormous. A wave which would shatter rocks fails powerless upon sand. Can…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“They catch - Such a trap did Jezebel lay for Naboth, Kg1 21:9-10. Such an one was that conspiracy of more than forty men against Paul, Act 23:13-15. Jeremiah 5:27”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“5:26-28 Among the people of Jerusalem were wicked men who grew fat and sleek by oppressing orphans and . . . the poor (7:6).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“For: Jer 4:22; Isa 58:1; Eze 22:2-12 lay wait: or, pry as fowlers lie in wait, Jer 18:22; Sa1 19:10, Sa1 19:11; Psa 10:9, Psa 10:10, Psa 64:5; Pro 1:11, Pro 1:17, Pro 1:18; Hab 1:14, Hab 1:15 catch: Luk 5:10 Jeremiah 5:27”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification