BibleWord.ai› Bible› Jeremiah› Chapter 5› Verse 28

Jeremiah 5:28

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 5:28 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “They 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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

They 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.
Jeremiah 5:28 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 5

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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?
30A wonderful and horrible thing is come to pass in the land:
31the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?
← Jeremiah 5:27Jeremiah 5:29 →
← Full Chapter 5 Jeremiah Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“They are waxen fat, they shine, etc.] Becoming rich they grew fat, and their faces shone through fatness; so oil, delicious food, and good living, as it fattens men, it makes their faces to shine; (see <19A415>Psalm 104:15), yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked; though they pretended to religion, the fear and worship of God, yet they committed crimes more heinous than the most abandoned and profligate sinners: or, “they exceed the words of the wicked”f126; either they speak words more wicked than they; or do such actions as are not to be expressed by words, and which even a wicked man would hardly choose to name. The Targum is, “they transgress the words of the law;” and the Vulgate…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“shine--the effect of fatness on the skin (Deu 32:15). They live a life of self-indulgence. overpass . . . the wicked--exceed even the Gentiles in wickedness (Jer 2:33; Eze 5:6-7). judge not . . . fatherless-- (Isa 1:23). yet . . . prosper-- (Jer 12:1).”
Read attributed excerpt →
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…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Overpass - They go beyond the Heathens themselves in wickedness. Jeremiah 5:30”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“waxen: Deu 32:15; Job 15:27, Job 15:28, Job 21:23, Job 21:24; Psa 73:6, Psa 73:7, Psa 73:12, Psa 119:70; Amo 4:1; Jam 5:4, Jam 5:5 overpass: Jer 2:33; Eze 5:6, Eze 5:7, Eze 16:47-52; Co1 5:1 judge: Jer 22:15-19; Job 29:12-14; Psa 72:4, Psa 82:2-4; Isa 1:23; Zac 7:10 yet: Jer 12:1; Job 12:6; Psa 73:12 Jeremiah 5:29”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Jeremiah 5 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification