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Jeremiah 5:8

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 5:8 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “They were as fed horses roaming at large; every one neighed after his neighbor`s wife.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

They were as fed horses roaming at large; every one neighed after his neighbor`s wife.
Jeremiah 5:8 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 5

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
5I will get me unto the great men, and will speak unto them; for they know the way of Jehovah, and the law of their God. But these with one accord have broken the yoke, and burst the bonds.
6Wherefore a lion out of the forest shall slay them, a wolf of the evenings shall destroy them, a leopard shall watch against their cities; every one that goeth out thence shall be torn in pieces; because their transgressions are many, [and] their backslidings are increased.
7How can I pardon thee? thy children have forsaken me, and sworn by them that are no gods: when I had fed them to the full, they committed adultery, and assembled themselves in troops at the harlots` houses.
8They were as fed horses roaming at large; every one neighed after his neighbor`s wife.
9Shall I not visit for these things? saith Jehovah; and shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?
10Go ye up upon her walls, and destroy; but make not a full end: take away her branches; for they are not Jehovah`s.
11For the house of Israel and the house of Judah have dealt very treacherously against me, saith Jehovah.
← Jeremiah 5:7Jeremiah 5:9 →
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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
“They were as fed horses in the morning, etc.] Adulterers are compared to horses, because they are very salacious and lustful creatures; wherefore the Septuagint renders the word: “horses are become mad after the females”; or, “as horses mad after the females are they become”; and especially to such as are well kept and are fat, and who, having much food given them in the night, and being full in the morning, go forth neighing, as Kimchi observes; and are the more salacious in the morning, by being so well fed all night, as those persons were, as is expressed in the preceding verse; though some render the word µykçm, translated “in the morning”, (for which sense of it (see <280604>Hosea 6:4))…”
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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
“in the morning-- (Isa 5:11). "Rising early in the morning" is a phrase for unceasing eagerness in any pursuit; such was the Jews' avidity after idol-worship. MAURER translates from a different Hebrew root, "continually wander to and fro," inflamed with lust (Jer 2:23). But English Version is simpler (compare Jer 13:27; Eze 22:11).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“In the morning - Render, they rove about. Some prefer, “(horses) from Mesech.” return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“every one: Jer 13:27; Gen 39:9; Exo 20:14, Exo 20:17; Deu 5:18, Deu 5:21; Sa2 11:2-4; Job 31:9; Mat 5:27, Mat 5:28 Jeremiah 5:9”
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Related study paths

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

Sources and verification