Jeremiah 9:9
Shall I not visit them for these things? saith the LORD: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?
Original Language Analysis
הַעַל
H5921
הַעַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
1 of 14
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
3 of 14
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אֶפְקָד
Shall I not visit
H6485
אֶפְקָד
Shall I not visit
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
4 of 14
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
יְהוָ֑ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֑ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
7 of 14
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אִ֚ם
H518
אִ֚ם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
8 of 14
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
בְּג֣וֹי
on such a nation
H1471
בְּג֣וֹי
on such a nation
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
9 of 14
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
10 of 14
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
כָּזֶ֔ה
H2088
לֹ֥א
H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
12 of 14
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
Jeremiah 5:9Shall I not visit for these things? saith the LORD: and shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?Jeremiah 5:29Shall I not visit for these things? saith the LORD: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?Isaiah 1:24Therefore saith the Lord, the LORD of hosts, the mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies:
Historical Context
The repeated rhetorical question (5:9, 29; 9:9) structures Jeremiah's case against Judah, marking major sections of indictment. Divine 'visitation' could bring blessing (Genesis 50:24) or judgment depending on the people's condition. For covenant-breaking Judah, visitation meant reckoning. The concept of divine vengeance (naqam) addresses violation of cosmic order—when humans pervert justice, God restores it through judgment.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the repetition of this rhetorical question throughout Jeremiah emphasize about judgment's certainty?
- How does understanding divine vengeance as justice restoration differ from viewing it as divine anger or revenge?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
This verse announces divine visitation: 'Shall I not visit them for these things? saith the LORD.' The Hebrew paqad (פָּקַד, to visit, attend to, reckon with) indicates divine audit and judgment. The rhetorical question expects affirmative answer—of course God will judge such behavior. 'Shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?' The Hebrew naqam (נָקַם, avenge) indicates vindication of violated justice, not petty revenge. God's 'soul' (nafshi, נַפְשִׁי) being avenged anthropomorphically expresses His personal investment in justice. A nation characterized by deceit, treachery, and covenant violation must face divine reckoning. This verse repeats Jeremiah 5:9, 29, emphasizing the inescapability of judgment.