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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Jeremiah 5:4 Then I said, "They are only the poor; they have played the fool, for they do not know the way of the LORD, the justice of their God.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/jeremiah/5-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/24_Jer_05_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Jeremiah 5:4 - No One is Just" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then I said, They are only the poor; they have played the fool, for they do not know the way of the LORD, the justice of their God." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/jeremiah/5-4.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/jeremiah/5-4.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/jeremiah/">Jeremiah</a> > <a href="/jeremiah/5.htm">Chapter 5</a> > Verse 4</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad4.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/jeremiah/5-3.htm" title="Jeremiah 5:3">◄</a> Jeremiah 5:4 <a href="/jeremiah/5-5.htm" title="Jeremiah 5:5">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/jeremiah/5.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/jeremiah/5.htm">New International Version</a> I thought, &#8220These are only the poor; they are foolish, for they do not know the way of the LORD, the requirements of their God. <a href="/nlt/jeremiah/5.htm">New Living Translation</a> Then I said, “But what can we expect from the poor? They are ignorant. They don’t know the ways of the LORD. They don’t understand God’s laws. <a href="/esv/jeremiah/5.htm">English Standard Version</a> Then I said, “These are only the poor; they have no sense; for they do not know the way of the LORD, the justice of their God. <a href="/bsb/jeremiah/5.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Then I said, “They are only the poor; they have played the fool, for they do not know the way of the LORD, the justice of their God. <a href="/kjv/jeremiah/5.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/jeremiah/5.htm">New King James Version</a> Therefore I said, “Surely these are poor. They are foolish; For they do not know the way of the LORD, The judgment of their God. <a href="/nasb_/jeremiah/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Then I said, “They are only the poor, They are foolish; For they do not know the way of the LORD Or the judgment of their God. <a href="/nasb/jeremiah/5.htm">NASB 1995</a> Then I said, &#8220They are only the poor, They are foolish; For they do not know the way of the LORD Or the ordinance of their God. <a href="/nasb77/jeremiah/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Then I said, “They are only the poor, They are foolish; For they do not know the way of the LORD Or the ordinance of their God. <a href="/lsb/jeremiah/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Then I said, “They are only the poor; They are foolish; For they do not know the way of Yahweh Or the legal judgment of their God. <a href="/amp/jeremiah/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Then I said, “[Surely] these are only the poor (uneducated); They are [sinfully] foolish and have no [spiritual] understanding, For they do not know the way of the LORD Or the ordinance of their God [and the requirements of His just and righteous law]. <a href="/csb/jeremiah/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Then I thought: They are just the poor; they have been foolish. For they don’t understand the way of the LORD, the justice of their God. <a href="/hcsb/jeremiah/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Then I thought: They are just the poor; they have played the fool. For they don&#8217t understand the way of the LORD, the justice of their God. <a href="/asv/jeremiah/5.htm">American Standard Version</a> Then I said, Surely these are poor; they are foolish; for they know not the way of Jehovah, nor the law of their God: <a href="/cev/jeremiah/5.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Then I thought to myself, "These common people act like fools, and they have never learned what the LORD their God demands of them. <a href="/erv/jeremiah/5.htm">English Revised Version</a> Then I said, Surely these are poor: they are foolish; for they know not the way of the LORD, nor the judgment of their God: <a href="/gwt/jeremiah/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> I thought, "These are poor, foolish people. They don't know the way of the LORD and the justice that God demands. <a href="/gnt/jeremiah/5.htm">Good News Translation</a> Then I thought, "These are only the poor and ignorant. They behave foolishly; they don't know what their God requires, what the LORD wants them to do. <a href="/isv/jeremiah/5.htm">International Standard Version</a> Then I said, "These are only the poor, they're foolish, for they don't know the LORD's way, the requirement of their God. <a href="/msb/jeremiah/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Then I said, ?They are only the poor; they have played the fool, for they do not know the way of the LORD, the justice of their God. <a href="/net/jeremiah/5.htm">NET Bible</a> I thought, "Surely it is only the ignorant poor who act this way. They act like fools because they do not know what the LORD demands. They do not know what their God requires of them. <a href="/nheb/jeremiah/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Then I said, "Surely these are poor. They are foolish; for they do not know the way of the LORD, nor the law of their God. <a href="/wbt/jeremiah/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> 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. <a href="/web/jeremiah/5.htm">World English Bible</a> Then I said, “Surely these are poor. They are foolish; for they don’t know Yahweh’s way, nor the law of their God. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/jeremiah/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And I said, “Surely these [are] poor, "" They have been foolish, "" For they have not known the way of YHWH, "" The judgment of their God. <a href="/ylt/jeremiah/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And I -- I said, 'Surely these are poor, They have been foolish, For they have not known the way of Jehovah, The judgment of their God. <a href="/slt/jeremiah/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And I said, Surely, they are weak; they became foolish: for they knew not the way of Jehovah, the judgment of their God.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/jeremiah/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> But I said: Perhaps these are poor and foolish, that know not the way of the Lord, the judgement of their God. <a href="/cpdv/jeremiah/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> But I said: Perhaps these are the poor and the senseless, who are ignorant of the way of the Lord, of the judgment of their God. <a href="/nabre/jeremiah/5.htm">New American Bible</a> I thought: These are only the lowly, they behave foolishly; For they do not know the way of the LORD, the justice of their God. <a href="/nrsvce/jeremiah/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Then I said, “These are only the poor, they have no sense; for they do not know the way of the LORD, the law of their God.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/jeremiah/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Therefore I said, It is because they are poor; they have gone astray, for they do not know the way of the LORD, nor the judgment of their God. <a href="/hpbt/jeremiah/5.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And I said: because they are poor, they have gone astray, because they have not known the way of LORD JEHOVAH and the justice of their God<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/jeremiah/5.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And I said: 'Surely these are poor, They are foolish, for they know not the way of the LORD, Nor the ordinance of their God; <a href="/sep/jeremiah/5.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> Then I said, It may be they are poor; for they are weak, for they know not the way of the Lord, or the judgment of God. <a href="/parallel/jeremiah/5-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5k55c51ZGhs?start=1395" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/5.htm">No One is Just</a> …3O LORD, do not Your eyes look for truth? You struck them, but they felt no pain. You finished them off, but they refused to accept discipline. They have made their faces harder than stone and refused to repent. 4<a href="/hebrew/589.htm" title="589: wa·’ă·nî (Conj-w:: Pro-1cs) -- I. Contracted from 'anokiy; I.">Then I</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: ’ā·mar·tî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">said,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1992.htm" title="1992: hêm (Pro-3mp) -- They. Or hemmah; masculine plural from halak; they.">“They</a> <a href="/hebrew/389.htm" title="389: ’aḵ- (Adv) -- Surely, howbeit. Akin to 'aken; a particle of affirmation, surely; hence only.">are only</a> <a href="/hebrew/1800.htm" title="1800: dal·lîm (Adj-mpc) -- Dangling, weak, thin. From dalal; properly, dangling, i.e. weak or thin.">the poor;</a> <a href="/hebrew/2973.htm" title="2973: nō·w·’ă·lū (V-Nifal-Perf-3cp) -- To be foolish. A primitive root; properly, to be slack, i.e. to be foolish.">they have played the fool,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">for</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">they do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: yā·ḏə·‘ū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">know</a> <a href="/hebrew/1870.htm" title="1870: de·reḵ (N-csc) -- Way, road, distance, journey, manner. From darak; a road; figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb.">the way</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">of the LORD,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4941.htm" title="4941: miš·paṭ (N-msc) -- Judgment. ">the justice</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hê·hem (N-mpc:: 3mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">of their God.</a> 5I will go to the powerful and speak to them. Surely they know the way of the LORD, the justice of their God.” But they too, with one accord, had broken the yoke and torn off the chains.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/hosea/4-6.htm">Hosea 4:6</a> My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you as My priests. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children. <a href="/isaiah/27-11.htm">Isaiah 27:11</a> When its limbs are dry, they are broken off. Women come and use them for kindling; for this is a people without understanding. Therefore their Maker has no compassion on them, and their Creator shows them no favor. <a href="/proverbs/1-22.htm">Proverbs 1:22</a> “How long, O simple ones, will you love your simple ways? How long will scoffers delight in their scorn and fools hate knowledge? <a href="/isaiah/1-3.htm">Isaiah 1:3</a> The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s manger, but Israel does not know; My people do not understand.” <a href="/matthew/13-19.htm">Matthew 13:19</a> When anyone hears the message of the kingdom but does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. <a href="/romans/10-3.htm">Romans 10:3</a> Because they were ignorant of God’s righteousness and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. <a href="/1_corinthians/2-14.htm">1 Corinthians 2:14</a> The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. <a href="/2_corinthians/4-3.htm">2 Corinthians 4:3-4</a> And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. / The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. <a href="/ephesians/4-18.htm">Ephesians 4:18</a> They are darkened in their understanding and alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts. <a href="/2_timothy/3-7.htm">2 Timothy 3:7</a> who are always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. <a href="/isaiah/5-13.htm">Isaiah 5:13</a> Therefore My people will go into exile for their lack of understanding; their dignitaries are starving and their masses are parched with thirst. <a href="/isaiah/44-18.htm">Isaiah 44:18</a> They do not comprehend or discern, for He has shut their eyes so they cannot see and closed their minds so they cannot understand. <a href="/psalms/82-5.htm">Psalm 82:5</a> They do not know or understand; they wander in the darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken. <a href="/proverbs/28-5.htm">Proverbs 28:5</a> Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD comprehend fully. <a href="/john/8-43.htm">John 8:43</a> Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you are unable to accept My message.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>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.<a href="/jeremiah/4-22.htm">Jeremiah 4:22</a> For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.<a href="/jeremiah/7-8.htm">Jeremiah 7:8</a> Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit.<a href="/jeremiah/8-7.htm">Jeremiah 8:7</a> Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the LORD.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/jeremiah/3-9.htm">Behaviour</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-19.htm">Desired</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-22.htm">Foolish</a> <a href="/jeremiah/5-1.htm">Judgment</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-8.htm">Law</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-33.htm">Ones</a> <a href="/isaiah/58-2.htm">Ordinance</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-34.htm">Poor</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/29-19.htm">Requirements</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-22.htm">Sense</a> <a href="/jeremiah/5-2.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-19.htm">Thought</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-18.htm">Way</a> <a href="/isaiah/10-30.htm">Wretched</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/jeremiah/6-7.htm">Behaviour</a> <a href="/jeremiah/5-5.htm">Desired</a> <a href="/jeremiah/5-21.htm">Foolish</a> <a href="/jeremiah/5-5.htm">Judgment</a> <a href="/jeremiah/5-5.htm">Law</a> <a href="/jeremiah/5-16.htm">Ones</a> <a href="/jeremiah/5-5.htm">Ordinance</a> <a href="/jeremiah/5-28.htm">Poor</a> <a href="/jeremiah/8-7.htm">Requirements</a> <a href="/jeremiah/5-21.htm">Sense</a> <a href="/jeremiah/5-5.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/jeremiah/9-17.htm">Thought</a> <a href="/jeremiah/5-5.htm">Way</a> <a href="/habakkuk/3-14.htm">Wretched</a><div class="vheading2">Jeremiah 5</div>1. <a href="/jeremiah/5-1.htm">The judgments of God upon the people, for their perverseness;</a> 7. <a href="/jeremiah/5-7.htm">for their adultery;</a> 10. <a href="/jeremiah/5-10.htm">for their impiety;</a> 15. <a href="/jeremiah/5-15.htm">for their worship of idols;</a> 19. <a href="/jeremiah/5-19.htm">for their contempt of God;</a> 25. <a href="/jeremiah/5-25.htm">and for their great corruption in the civil state;</a> 30. <a href="/jeremiah/5-30.htm">and ecclesiastical.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/jeremiah/5.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/jeremiah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/jeremiah/5.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Then I said, “They are only the poor; In this context, "the poor" refers not just to economic status but to a lack of understanding and spiritual insight. Jeremiah observes that the people he initially encounters are uneducated in the ways of God. This reflects a broader biblical theme where spiritual poverty is often equated with a lack of knowledge of God (<a href="/hosea/4-6.htm">Hosea 4:6</a>). The prophet's initial assumption is that their ignorance might be due to their social status, which often limited access to religious instruction.they have played the fool, The phrase "played the fool" suggests a willful ignorance or rejection of wisdom. In biblical literature, foolishness is often contrasted with wisdom, which is rooted in the fear of the Lord (<a href="/proverbs/1-7.htm">Proverbs 1:7</a>). This indicates a moral failing rather than an intellectual one, highlighting the people's choice to ignore God's commandments and live in sin.for they do not know the way of the LORD, "The way of the LORD" refers to living according to God's laws and commandments. In the Old Testament, knowing God's way is synonymous with covenant faithfulness and obedience (<a href="/deuteronomy/10-12.htm">Deuteronomy 10:12-13</a>). The people's ignorance of God's way suggests a breakdown in the covenant relationship, which is a recurring theme in Jeremiah's prophecies.the justice of their God. "Justice" here refers to God's righteous standards and His expectations for His people to live justly. The failure to know God's justice implies a society where moral and ethical standards have eroded. This connects to the broader prophetic message in Jeremiah, where social injustice and idolatry are condemned (<a href="/jeremiah/7-5.htm">Jeremiah 7:5-7</a>). The lack of justice is a sign of the people's estrangement from God, and it foreshadows the coming judgment.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jeremiah.htm">Jeremiah</a> A prophet called by God to deliver messages of warning and hope to the people of Judah. His ministry spanned the reigns of several kings and was marked by his deep emotional connection to his people and his unwavering commitment to God's truth. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_poor.htm">The Poor</a> In this context, "the poor" refers to those who are spiritually impoverished and lack understanding of God's ways. The Hebrew word used here, "dal," can mean lowly or weak, indicating a lack of spiritual insight or strength. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_way_of_the_lord.htm">The Way of the LORD</a> This phrase refers to the path of righteousness and obedience to God's commandments. It is a central theme in the Old Testament, emphasizing the importance of living according to God's laws. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_justice_of_their_god.htm">The Justice of their God</a> This highlights God's righteous standards and His expectations for His people to live justly. The Hebrew word "mishpat" is used here, which encompasses judgment, justice, and ordinance. 5. <a href="/topical/j/judah.htm">Judah</a> The southern kingdom of Israel, which was often the focus of Jeremiah's prophecies. During Jeremiah's time, Judah was facing imminent judgment due to its persistent disobedience and idolatry.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_god's_ways.htm">Understanding God's Ways</a> It is crucial for believers to seek a deep understanding of God's ways through diligent study of Scripture and prayer. Ignorance can lead to spiritual poverty and foolishness. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_spiritual_wisdom.htm">The Importance of Spiritual Wisdom</a> Spiritual wisdom is not just for the educated or affluent; it is accessible to all who earnestly seek God. We must prioritize gaining wisdom over worldly pursuits. <a href="/topical/j/justice_and_righteousness.htm">Justice and Righteousness</a> God's justice is a central theme in Scripture. As believers, we are called to reflect His justice in our lives by living righteously and advocating for fairness and equity. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_prophets.htm">The Role of Prophets</a> Prophets like Jeremiah were tasked with calling people back to God. We should be attentive to modern-day prophetic voices that align with Scripture and call us to repentance and renewal. <a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_ignorance.htm">Consequences of Ignorance</a> Ignorance of God's ways can lead to dire consequences, both spiritually and physically. We must be vigilant in teaching and learning God's truth to avoid such outcomes.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_jeremiah_5.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 5</a> <a href="/q/who_is_the_angel_amenadiel.htm">What will happen to the righteous and the wicked?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_samaritanism's_belief.htm">What defines the pride of those who walk?</a> <a href="/q/key_themes_in_jeremiah.htm">What are the key themes in the Book of Jeremiah?</a> <a href="/q/evidence_for_drought_in_jeremiah_14_1-6.htm">Jeremiah 14:1-6: Does any historical or archeological evidence confirm or challenge the account of a severe drought at that time?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/jeremiah/5.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) Therefore.--Literally, And. The prophet makes for the poor the half-pitying plea of ignorance. Looking upon the masses that toil for bread, those whom the Scribes afterwards called the "people of earth," it was not strange that they who had been left untaught should have learnt so little. The thought finds a parallel in our Lord's compassion for the multitude who were as "sheep having no shepherd" (<a href="/matthew/9-36.htm" title="But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.">Matthew 9:36</a>), for the servant who "knew not his Lord's will" (<a href="/luke/12-48.htm" title="But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For to whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.">Luke 12:48</a>).The way of the Lord.--That which He approves, that which leads to Him, as in <a href="/genesis/18-19.htm" title="For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring on Abraham that which he has spoken of him.">Genesis 18:19</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/31-29.htm" title="For I know that after my death you will utterly corrupt yourselves, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will befall you in the latter days; because you will do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands.">Deuteronomy 31:29</a>.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/jeremiah/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 4. - Therefore I said; rather, and as for me, I said. They are foolish; rather, they act foolishly (as <a href="/numbers/12-11.htm">Numbers 12:11</a>). For; rather, because. Their want of religious instruction is the cause of their faulty conduct. In fact, it was only after the return from Babylon that any popular schools were founded in Judaea, and not till shortly before the destruction of the temple that the elementary instruction attained the regularity of a system (Edersheim, 'Sketches of Jewish Social Life in the Time of Christ,' pp. 134, 135). The judgment of their God. A similar phrase occurs in <a href="/jeremiah/8-7.htm">Jeremiah 8:7</a>. "Judgment (mishpat) here (as in some other passages) has acquired a technical sense. This may be illustrated by the corresponding word in Arabic (din), which means (1) obedience, (2) a religion, (3) a statute or ordinance, . . . <a href="/commentaries/jeremiah/5-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Then I וַאֲנִ֣י (wa·’ă·nî) Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_589.htm">Strong's 589: </a> I said, אָמַ֔רְתִּי (’ā·mar·tî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say “They הֵ֑ם (hêm) Pronoun - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1992.htm">Strong's 1992: </a> They are only אַךְ־ (’aḵ-) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_389.htm">Strong's 389: </a> A particle of affirmation, surely the poor; דַּלִּ֖ים (dal·lîm) Adjective - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1800.htm">Strong's 1800: </a> Dangling, weak, thin they have played the fool, נוֹאֲל֕וּ (nō·w·’ă·lū) Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2973.htm">Strong's 2973: </a> To be slack, to be foolish for כִּ֣י (kî) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction they do not לֹ֤א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no know יָדְעוּ֙ (yā·ḏə·‘ū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3045.htm">Strong's 3045: </a> To know the way דֶּ֣רֶךְ (de·reḵ) Noun - common singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1870.htm">Strong's 1870: </a> A road, a course of life, mode of action of the LORD, יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel the justice מִשְׁפַּ֖ט (miš·paṭ) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4941.htm">Strong's 4941: </a> A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style of their God. אֱלֹהֵיהֶֽם׃ (’ĕ·lō·hê·hem) Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/jeremiah/5-4.htm">Jeremiah 5:4 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/jeremiah/5-4.htm">Jeremiah 5:4 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/jeremiah/5-4.htm">Jeremiah 5:4 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/jeremiah/5-4.htm">Jeremiah 5:4 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/jeremiah/5-4.htm">Jeremiah 5:4 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/jeremiah/5-4.htm">Jeremiah 5:4 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/jeremiah/5-4.htm">Jeremiah 5:4 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/jeremiah/5-4.htm">Jeremiah 5:4 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/jeremiah/5-4.htm">Jeremiah 5:4 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/jeremiah/5-4.htm">Jeremiah 5:4 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/jeremiah/5-4.htm">OT Prophets: Jeremiah 5:4 Then I said Surely these are poor (Jer.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/jeremiah/5-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Jeremiah 5:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 5:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/jeremiah/5-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Jeremiah 5:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 5:5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>