Jeremiah 5:7
New International Version
“Why should I forgive you? Your children have forsaken me and sworn by gods that are not gods. I supplied all their needs, yet they committed adultery and thronged to the houses of prostitutes.

New Living Translation
“How can I pardon you? For even your children have turned from me. They have sworn by gods that are not gods at all! I fed my people until they were full. But they thanked me by committing adultery and lining up at the brothels.

English Standard Version
“How can I pardon you? Your children have forsaken me and have sworn by those who are no gods. When I fed them to the full, they committed adultery and trooped to the houses of whores.

Berean Standard Bible
“Why should I forgive you? Your children have forsaken Me and sworn by gods that are not gods. I satisfied their needs, yet they committed adultery and assembled at the houses of prostitutes.

King James Bible
How shall I pardon thee for this? thy children have forsaken me, and sworn by them that are no gods: when I had fed them to the full, they then committed adultery, and assembled themselves by troops in the harlots' houses.

New King James Version
“How shall I pardon you for this? Your children have forsaken Me And sworn by those that are not gods. When I had fed them to the full, Then they committed adultery And assembled themselves by troops in the harlots’ houses.

New American Standard Bible
“Why should I forgive you? Your sons have forsaken Me And sworn by those who are not gods. When I had fed them to the full, They committed adultery And stayed at the prostitute’s house.

NASB 1995
“Why should I pardon you? Your sons have forsaken Me And sworn by those who are not gods. When I had fed them to the full, They committed adultery And trooped to the harlot’s house.

NASB 1977
“Why should I pardon you? Your sons have forsaken Me And sworn by those who are not gods. When I had fed them to the full, They committed adultery And trooped to the harlot’s house.

Legacy Standard Bible
“Why should I pardon you? Your sons have forsaken Me And sworn by those who are not gods. I had satisfied them to the full, Then they committed adultery And trooped to the harlot’s house.

Amplified Bible
“Why should I [overlook these offenses and] forgive you? Your children have abandoned (rejected) Me And sworn [their oaths] by those who are not gods. When I had fed them until they were full [and bound them to Me by a promise], They committed [spiritual] adultery, Assembling in troops at the houses of prostitutes (idols).

Christian Standard Bible
Why should I forgive you? Your children have abandoned me and sworn by those who are not gods. I satisfied their needs, yet they committed adultery; they gashed themselves at the prostitute’s house.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Why should I forgive you? Your children have abandoned Me and sworn by those who are not gods. I satisfied their needs, yet they committed adultery; they gashed themselves at the prostitute’s house.

American Standard Version
How 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;

Contemporary English Version
People of Judah, how can I forgive you? I gave you everything, but you abandoned me and worshiped idols. You men go to prostitutes and are unfaithful to your wives.

English Revised Version
How 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Why should I forgive you? Your children abandoned me. They took godless oaths. They committed adultery, even though I satisfied their needs. They traveled in crowds to the houses of prostitutes.

Good News Translation
The LORD asked, "Why should I forgive the sins of my people? They have abandoned me and have worshiped gods that are not real. I fed my people until they were full, but they committed adultery and spent their time with prostitutes.

International Standard Version
Why should I forgive you? Your sons have forsaken me, and you have sworn by those who aren't gods. When I gave them enough food to satisfy them, they committed adultery and marched to the prostitute's house.

Majority Standard Bible
“Why should I forgive you? Your children have forsaken Me and sworn by gods that are not gods. I satisfied their needs, yet they committed adultery and assembled at the houses of prostitutes.

NET Bible
The LORD asked, "How can I leave you unpunished, Jerusalem? Your people have rejected me and have worshiped gods that are not gods at all. Even though I supplied all their needs, they were like an unfaithful wife to me. They went flocking to the houses of prostitutes.

New Heart English Bible
"How can I pardon you? Your children have forsaken me, and sworn by what are no gods. When I had fed them to the full, they committed adultery, and assembled themselves in troops at the prostitutes' houses.

Webster's Bible Translation
How shall I pardon thee for this? thy children have forsaken me, and sworn by them that are no gods: when I had fed them to the full, then they committed adultery, and assembled themselves by troops in the harlots' houses.

World English Bible
“How can I pardon you? Your children have forsaken me, and sworn by what are no gods. When I had fed them to the full, they committed adultery, and assembled themselves in troops at the prostitutes’ houses.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
“I am not propitious to you for this, "" Your sons have forsaken Me, "" And are satisfied by [those who are] not gods, "" I satisfy them, and they commit adultery, "" And at the house of a harlot "" They gather themselves together.

Young's Literal Translation
For this I am not propitious to thee, Thy sons have forsaken Me, And are satisfied by that which is not god, I satisfy them, and they commit adultery, And at the house of a harlot They gather themselves together.

Smith's Literal Translation
How shall I forgive to thee for this? thy sons forsook me, and they will swear by not God; and I will satisfy them, and they will commit adultery, and they will crowd themselves together to the house of the harlot.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
How can I be merciful to thee? thy children have forsaken me, and swear by them that are not gods: I fed them to the full, and they committed adultery, and rioted in the harlot's house.

Catholic Public Domain Version
“Over which things am I able to be merciful to you? Your sons have forsaken me, and they swear by those who are not gods. I gave them everything, and they committed adultery, and they indulged themselves in the house of the harlot.

New American Bible
Why should I pardon you? Your children have forsaken me, they swear by gods that are no gods. I fed them, but they commit adultery; to the prostitute’s house they throng.

New Revised Standard Version
How can I pardon you? Your children have forsaken me, and have sworn by those who are no gods. When I fed them to the full, they committed adultery and trooped to the houses of prostitutes.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
How shall I pardon you? Your children have forsaken me and sworn by those that are no gods; when I had fed them until they were satisfied, they then committed adultery, and they fought one another in the harlots' houses.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Why should I forgive you? Your children have left you and they have sworn vows by those that are not gods, and I fed them and they committed adultery, and they fought in the house of whores
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Wherefore should I pardon thee? The children have forsaken Me, And sworn by no-gods; And when I had fed them to the full, they committed adultery, And assembled themselves in troops at the harlots' houses.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
In what way shall I forgive thee for these things? Thy sons have forsaken me, and sworn by them that are no gods: and I fed them to the full, and they committed adultery, and lodged in harlots' houses.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
No One is Just
6Therefore a lion from the forest will strike them down, a wolf from the desert will ravage them. A leopard will lie in wait near their cities, and everyone who ventures out will be torn to pieces. For their rebellious acts are many, and their unfaithful deeds are numerous. 7“Why should I forgive you? Your children have forsaken Me and sworn by gods that are not gods. I satisfied their needs, yet they committed adultery and assembled at the houses of prostitutes. 8They are well-fed, lusty stallions, each neighing after his neighbor’s wife.…

Cross References
Hosea 4:12-14
My people consult their wooden idols, and their divining rods inform them. For a spirit of prostitution leads them astray and they have played the harlot against their God. / They sacrifice on the mountaintops and burn offerings on the hills, under oak, poplar, and terebinth, because their shade is pleasant. And so your daughters turn to prostitution and your daughters-in-law to adultery. / I will not punish your daughters when they prostitute themselves, nor your daughters-in-law when they commit adultery. For the men themselves go off with prostitutes and offer sacrifices with shrine prostitutes. So a people without understanding will come to ruin.

Ezekiel 16:15-22
But because of your fame, you trusted in your beauty and played the harlot. You lavished your favors on everyone who passed by, and your beauty was theirs for the asking. / You took some of your garments and made colorful high places for yourself, and on them you prostituted yourself. Such things should not have happened; never should they have occurred! / You also took the fine jewelry of gold and silver I had given you, and you made male idols with which to prostitute yourself. ...

Deuteronomy 32:15-18
But Jeshurun grew fat and kicked—becoming fat, bloated, and gorged. He abandoned the God who made him and scorned the Rock of his salvation. / They provoked His jealousy with foreign gods; they enraged Him with abominations. / They sacrificed to demons, not to God, to gods they had not known, to newly arrived gods, which your fathers did not fear. ...

Isaiah 1:21-23
See how the faithful city has become a harlot! She once was full of justice; righteousness resided within her, but now only murderers! / Your silver has become dross; your fine wine is diluted with water. / Your rulers are rebels, friends of thieves. They all love bribes and chasing after rewards. They do not defend the fatherless, and the plea of the widow never comes before them.

Hosea 2:5-8
For their mother has played the harlot and has conceived them in disgrace. For she thought, ‘I will go after my lovers, who give me bread and water, wool and linen, oil and drink.’ / Therefore, behold, I will hedge up her path with thorns; I will enclose her with a wall, so she cannot find her way. / She will pursue her lovers but not catch them; she will seek them but not find them. Then she will say, ‘I will return to my first husband, for then I was better off than now.’ ...

Ezekiel 23:37-39
For they have committed adultery, and blood is on their hands. They have committed adultery with their idols. They have even sacrificed their children, whom they bore to Me, in the fire as food for their idols. / They have also done this to Me: On that very same day, they defiled My sanctuary and profaned My Sabbaths. / On the very day they slaughtered their children for their idols, they entered My sanctuary to profane it. Yes, they did this inside My house.

Isaiah 57:3-8
“But come here, you sons of a sorceress, you offspring of adulterers and prostitutes! / Whom are you mocking? At whom do you sneer and stick out your tongue? Are you not children of transgression, offspring of deceit, / who burn with lust among the oaks, under every luxuriant tree, who slaughter your children in the valleys, under the clefts of the rocks? ...

2 Kings 17:7-12
All this happened because the people of Israel had sinned against the LORD their God, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. They had worshiped other gods / and walked in the customs of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites, as well as in the practices introduced by the kings of Israel. / The Israelites secretly did things against the LORD their God that were not right. From watchtower to fortified city, they built high places in all their cities. ...

Judges 2:17
Israel, however, did not listen to their judges. Instead, they prostituted themselves with other gods and bowed down to them. They quickly turned from the way of their fathers, who had walked in obedience to the LORD’s commandments; they did not do as their fathers had done.

Psalm 106:35-39
but they mingled with the nations and adopted their customs. / They worshiped their idols, which became a snare to them. / They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons. ...

Matthew 12:39
Jesus replied, “A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.

James 4:4
You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God.

Revelation 17:1-5
Then one of the seven angels with the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits on many waters. / The kings of the earth were immoral with her, and those who dwell on the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her immorality.” / And the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness, where I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. ...

1 Corinthians 6:9-10
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, / nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.

Romans 1:21-23
For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. / Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, / and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.


Treasury of Scripture

How shall I pardon you for this? your children have forsaken me, and sworn by them that are no gods: when I had fed them to the full, they then committed adultery, and assembled themselves by troops in the harlots' houses.

How shall.

Jeremiah 3:19
But I said, How shall I put thee among the children, and give thee a pleasant land, a goodly heritage of the hosts of nations? and I said, Thou shalt call me, My father; and shalt not turn away from me.

Hosea 11:8
How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.

Matthew 23:37,38
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! …

sworn by.

Jeremiah 12:16
And it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, The LORD liveth; as they taught my people to swear by Baal; then shall they be built in the midst of my people.

Joshua 23:7
That ye come not among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear by them, neither serve them, nor bow yourselves unto them:

Hosea 4:15
Though thou, Israel, play the harlot, yet let not Judah offend; and come not ye unto Gilgal, neither go ye up to Bethaven, nor swear, The LORD liveth.

no gods.

Jeremiah 2:11
Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit.

Deuteronomy 32:21
They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.

1 Corinthians 8:4
As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.

I had fed.

Jeremiah 2:31
O generation, see ye the word of the LORD. Have I been a wilderness unto Israel? a land of darkness? wherefore say my people, We are lords; we will come no more unto thee?

Deuteronomy 32:15
But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.

Ezekiel 16:49,50
Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy…

they then.

Jeremiah 9:2
Oh that I had in the wilderness a lodging place of wayfaring men; that I might leave my people, and go from them! for they be all adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men.

Jeremiah 13:27
I have seen thine adulteries, and thy neighings, the lewdness of thy whoredom, and thine abominations on the hills in the fields. Woe unto thee, O Jerusalem! wilt thou not be made clean? when shall it once be?

Jeremiah 23:10
For the land is full of adulterers; for because of swearing the land mourneth; the pleasant places of the wilderness are dried up, and their course is evil, and their force is not right.

Jump to Previous
Adultery Assembled Children Commit Committed False. Fed Food Forgive Forgiveness Forsaken Full Gods Harlot Harlots Harlot's House Houses Loose Measure Needs No-Gods Oaths Pardon Pleasure Possible Propitious Prostitutes Satiated Satisfied Satisfy Supplied Swear Sworn Themselves Troop Troops Wherefore Wives Women
Jump to Next
Adultery Assembled Children Commit Committed False. Fed Food Forgive Forgiveness Forsaken Full Gods Harlot Harlots Harlot's House Houses Loose Measure Needs No-Gods Oaths Pardon Pleasure Possible Propitious Prostitutes Satiated Satisfied Satisfy Supplied Swear Sworn Themselves Troop Troops Wherefore Wives Women
Jeremiah 5
1. The judgments of God upon the people, for their perverseness;
7. for their adultery;
10. for their impiety;
15. for their worship of idols;
19. for their contempt of God;
25. and for their great corruption in the civil state;
30. and ecclesiastical.














Why should I forgive you?
This phrase begins with a rhetorical question posed by God through the prophet Jeremiah. The Hebrew root for "forgive" is "סָלַח" (salach), which implies a lifting or removal of guilt. In the context of ancient Israel, forgiveness was not merely a personal or emotional release but a divine act that restored covenantal relationships. The question underscores the gravity of Israel's sin and the divine justice that demands accountability. It challenges the reader to consider the seriousness of sin and the conditions necessary for divine forgiveness.

Your children have forsaken Me
The word "forsaken" comes from the Hebrew "עָזַב" (azab), meaning to leave, abandon, or desert. This phrase highlights the generational impact of Israel's unfaithfulness. Historically, the Israelites were in a covenant relationship with God, which required loyalty and obedience. The forsaking of God by the children signifies a breakdown in the transmission of faith and values, leading to societal decay. It serves as a warning about the importance of teaching and living out faith in every generation.

and sworn by gods that are not gods
The act of swearing by other gods indicates a breach of the first commandment, which forbids idolatry. The Hebrew word for "sworn" is "שָׁבַע" (shaba), meaning to take an oath. This phrase reflects the historical context of syncretism in ancient Israel, where the worship of Yahweh was often mixed with the worship of Canaanite deities. The phrase "gods that are not gods" emphasizes the futility and deception of idolatry, as these so-called gods have no real power or existence. It calls believers to exclusive devotion to the one true God.

I satisfied their needs
The Hebrew root for "satisfied" is "שָׂבַע" (saba), which means to fill or to be full. This phrase recalls God's provision and faithfulness to Israel, despite their unfaithfulness. Historically, God provided for Israel in the wilderness and in the Promised Land, meeting their physical and spiritual needs. This divine provision is a testament to God's grace and mercy, even when His people are undeserving. It serves as a reminder of God's abundant blessings and the call to gratitude and faithfulness.

yet they committed adultery
The term "adultery" in Hebrew is "נָאַף" (na'aph), which can refer to both physical and spiritual unfaithfulness. In the prophetic literature, adultery is often used metaphorically to describe Israel's idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness. This phrase highlights the betrayal of the intimate relationship between God and His people. It serves as a powerful image of the pain and injustice of unfaithfulness, calling believers to examine their own hearts and remain true to their covenant with God.

and assembled themselves in the houses of prostitutes
The imagery of "houses of prostitutes" is a stark depiction of Israel's spiritual infidelity. The Hebrew word for "prostitutes" is "זוֹנָה" (zonah), which can also mean harlot or whore. This phrase not only refers to literal acts of immorality but also symbolizes the spiritual prostitution of Israel as they pursued other gods. In the historical context, such practices were often associated with pagan worship rituals. This imagery serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and the call to purity and holiness in worship.

(7) When I had fed them to the full.--The reading of the Hebrew text gives, though I had bound them by oath, sc., by the covenant, as of marriage; and this, as heightening the enormity of the sin that follows, gives a better sense than the English version, which follows the marginal reading of the Hebrew. The latter finds its parallel in Deuteronomy 32:15; Hosea 13:6. There is probably an implied reference to the covenant to which the people had sworn in the time of Josiah.

Houses.--Literally, house. The singular is, perhaps, used because the prophet thinks primarily of the idol's temple as the scene of the adulteress's guilt, which here, as elsewhere, is the symbol of national apostasy.

Verse 7. - How... for this? rather, Why should I pardon thee? Thy children; i.e. (since "the daughter of Zion" is equivalent to Zion regarded as an ideal entity) the members of the Jewish people (comp. Leviticus 19:18, "the children of thy people"). When I had fed them to the full. So Ewald, following the versions and many manuscripts (there is no marginal reading in the Hebrew Bible). This gives a good sense, and may be supported by ver. 28; Deuteronomy 32:15; Hosea 13:6. But the reading of the received Hebrew text, though somewhat more difficult, is yet perfectly capable of explanation; and, slight as the difference is in the reading adopted by Ewald (it involves a mere shade of pronunciation), it is not to be preferred to the received reading. Read, therefore, though -r made them to swear (allegiance),!let they committed adultery. The oath may be that of Sinai (Exodus 24.), or such au oath as had been recently taken by Josiah and the people (1 Kings 23:3; 2 Chronicles 34:31, 32). The "adultery" may be taken both in a literal and in a figurative sense, and so also the "harlots' houses" in the next clause. It is also well worthy of consideration whether the prophet may not be referring to certain matrimonial customs handed down from remote antiquity and arising from the ancient system of kinship through women (comp. Ezekiel 22:11).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“Why
אֵ֤י (’ê)
Interrogative
Strong's 335: Where?, how?

should I forgive you?
אֶֽסְלַֽח־ (’es·laḥ-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 5545: To forgive, pardon

Your children
בָּנַ֣יִךְ (bā·na·yiḵ)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person feminine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

have forsaken Me
עֲזָב֔וּנִי (‘ă·zā·ḇū·nî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural | first person common singular
Strong's 5800: To loosen, relinquish, permit

and sworn
וַיִּשָּׁבְע֖וּ (way·yiš·šā·ḇə·‘ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7650: To seven oneself, swear

by [gods] that are not
בְּלֹ֣א (bə·lō)
Preposition-b | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

gods.
אֱלֹהִ֑ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

I satisfied
וָאַשְׂבִּ֤עַ (wā·’aś·bi·a‘)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7650: To seven oneself, swear

their needs,
אוֹתָם֙ (’ō·w·ṯām)
Direct object marker | third person masculine plural
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

yet they committed adultery
וַיִּנְאָ֔פוּ (way·yin·’ā·p̄ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5003: To commit adultery, to apostatize

and assembled
יִתְגֹּדָֽדוּ׃ (yiṯ·gō·ḏā·ḏū)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1413: To crowd, to gash

at the houses
וּבֵ֥ית (ū·ḇêṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of prostitutes.
זוֹנָ֖ה (zō·w·nāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2181: To commit adultery, to commit idolatry


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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 5:7 How can I pardon you? Your children (Jer.)
Jeremiah 5:6
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