Verse of the Day
Author Spotlight
Loading featured author...
Report Issue
See a formatting issue or error?
Let us know →
Verse Takeaways
1
A Rhetorical Contrast
Commentators like John Calvin explain that Jeremiah isn't actually excusing the poor. He is using a powerful rhetorical device. By first suggesting that perhaps only the poor and uneducated are sinful, he sets the stage to reveal the shocking truth in the next verse: the wealthy and educated leaders were just as corrupt, proving the nation's sinfulness was complete from top to bottom.
See 3 Verse Takeaways
Book Overview
Jeremiah
Author
Audience
Composition
Teaching Highlights
Outline
+ 5 more
See Overview
Commentaries
6
Albert Barnes
On Jeremiah 5:4
18th Century
Theologian
Therefore - More simply “and.”
They are foolish - Or, they act foolishly (), not having that knowledge which would enable them…
Charles Ellicott
On Jeremiah 5:4
19th Century
Bishop
Therefore. —Literally, And. The prophet makes for the poor the half-pitying plea of ignorance. Looking upon the masses th…
Charles Spurgeon
On Jeremiah 5:4–5
19th Century
Preacher
Therefore I said, Surely these are poor; they are foolish: for they know not the way of the Lord, nor the judgment of their God. I will get me …
Go Ad-Free
Go ad-free and create your own bookmark library
John Calvin
On Jeremiah 5:4–5
16th Century
Theologian
Some think that the Prophet here makes an excuse for the people and, as far as he could, extenuates their fault; but they are greatly mistaken. For…
John Gill
On Jeremiah 5:4
17th Century
Pastor
Then I said, surely these are poor, they are foolish The prophet, observing that reproofs and corrections in providence h…
Matthew Henry
On Jeremiah 5:1–9
17th Century
Minister
None could be found who behaved as upright and godly men. But the Lord saw the true character of the people through all their disguises.
The…