Jeremiah 9:9
New International Version
Should I not punish them for this?” declares the LORD. “Should I not avenge myself on such a nation as this?”

New Living Translation
Should I not punish them for this?” says the LORD. “Should I not avenge myself against such a nation?”

English Standard Version
Shall I not punish them for these things? declares the LORD, and shall I not avenge myself on a nation such as this?

Berean Standard Bible
Should I not punish them for these things? declares the LORD. Should I not avenge Myself on such a nation as this?”

King James Bible
Shall I not visit them for these things? saith the LORD: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?

New King James Version
Shall I not punish them for these things?” says the LORD. “Shall I not avenge Myself on such a nation as this?”

New American Standard Bible
“Shall I not punish them for these things?” declares the LORD. “Shall I not avenge Myself On a nation such as this?

NASB 1995
“Shall I not punish them for these things?” declares the LORD. “On a nation such as this Shall I not avenge Myself?

NASB 1977
“Shall I not punish them for these things?” declares the LORD. “On a nation such as this Shall I not avenge Myself?

Legacy Standard Bible
Shall I not punish them for these things?” declares Yahweh. “On a nation such as this Shall I not avenge Myself?

Amplified Bible
“Shall I not punish them for these things?” says the LORD. “Shall I not avenge Myself On such a nation as this?

Christian Standard Bible
Should I not punish them for these things? This is the LORD’s declaration. Should I not avenge myself on such a nation as this?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Should I not punish them for these things? This is the LORD’s declaration. Should I not avenge Myself on such a nation as this?

American Standard Version
Shall I not visit them for these things? saith Jehovah; shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?

Contemporary English Version
Give me one good reason not to punish them as they deserve. I, the LORD All-Powerful, have spoken.

English Revised Version
Shall I not visit them for these things? saith the LORD: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I will punish them for these things, declares the LORD. I will punish this nation. I still won't be satisfied.

Good News Translation
Will I not punish them for these things? Will I not take revenge on a nation like this? I, the LORD, have spoken."

International Standard Version
Should I not punish them for these things?" asks the LORD, "and should I not avenge myself on a nation like this?"

Majority Standard Bible
Should I not punish them for these things? declares the LORD. Should I not avenge Myself on such a nation as this?”

NET Bible
I will certainly punish them for doing such things!" says the LORD. "I will certainly bring retribution on such a nation as this!"

New Heart English Bible
Shall I not visit them for these things?" says the LORD; "shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?"

Webster's Bible Translation
Shall I not visit them for these things? saith the LORD: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?

World English Bible
Shouldn’t I punish them for these things?” says Yahweh. “Shouldn’t my soul be avenged on a nation such as this?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Do I not see after them for these things?” A declaration of YHWH, “Does My soul not avenge itself against a nation such as this?”

Young's Literal Translation
For these things do not I see after them? An affirmation of Jehovah, Against a nation such as this doth not My soul avenge itself?

Smith's Literal Translation
For these things, shall I not review upon them? says Jehovah; or shall not my soul be avenged upon a nation such as this?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Shall I not visit them for these things, saith the Lord? or shall not my soul be revenged on such a nation?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Shall I not visit upon them concerning these things, says the Lord? Or shall my soul not take vengeance on a nation of this kind?

New American Bible
Should I not punish them for these deeds—oracle of the LORD; on a nation such as this should I not take vengeance?

New Revised Standard Version
Shall I not punish them for these things? says the LORD; and shall I not bring retribution on a nation such as this?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Shall I not punish them for these things? says the LORD; shall I not avenge myself on a people such as this?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Shall I not adjudicate for these things, says LORD JEHOVAH, and shall not my soul be avenged on such a people?
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Shall I not punish them for these things? Saith the LORD; Shall not My soul be avenged On such a nation as this?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Shall I not visit for these things? saith the Lord: and shall not my soul be avenged on such a people as this?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
A Lament over Zion
8Their tongues are deadly arrows; they speak deception. With his mouth a man speaks peace to his neighbor, but in his heart he sets a trap for him. 9Should I not punish them for these things? declares the LORD. Should I not avenge Myself on such a nation as this?” 10I will take up a weeping and wailing for the mountains, a dirge over the wilderness pasture, for they have been scorched so no one passes through, and the lowing of cattle is not heard. Both the birds of the air and the beasts have fled; they have gone away.…

Cross References
Romans 2:5-6
But because of your hard and unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. / God “will repay each one according to his deeds.”

Isaiah 3:13-14
The LORD arises to contend; He stands to judge the people. / The LORD brings this charge against the elders and leaders of His people: “You have devoured the vineyard; the plunder of the poor is in your houses.

Ezekiel 7:3-4
The end is now upon you, and I will unleash My anger against you. I will judge you according to your ways and repay you for all your abominations. / I will not look on you with pity, nor will I spare you, but I will punish you for your ways and for the abominations among you. Then you will know that I am the LORD.’

Amos 3:2
“Only you have I known from all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.”

Micah 6:2
Hear, O mountains, the LORD’s indictment, you enduring foundations of the earth. For the LORD has a case against His people, and He will argue it against Israel:

Hosea 4:1
Hear the word of the LORD, O children of Israel, for the LORD has a case against the people of the land: “There is no truth, no loving devotion, and no knowledge of God in the land!

Isaiah 1:24
Therefore the Lord GOD of Hosts, the Mighty One of Israel, declares: “Ah, I will be relieved of My foes and avenge Myself on My enemies.

Ezekiel 18:30
Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so that your iniquity will not become your downfall.

Matthew 23:37-38
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling! / Look, your house is left to you desolate.

Luke 19:41-44
As Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it / and said, “If only you had known on this day what would bring you peace! But now it is hidden from your eyes. / For the days will come upon you when your enemies will barricade you and surround you and hem you in on every side. ...

Romans 1:18
The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness.

2 Thessalonians 1:6-8
After all, it is only right for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, / and to grant relief to you who are oppressed and to us as well. This will take place when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels / in blazing fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.

Revelation 6:10
And they cried out in a loud voice, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge those who dwell upon the earth and avenge our blood?”

Isaiah 5:16
But the LORD of Hosts will be exalted by His justice, and the holy God will show Himself holy in righteousness.

Ezekiel 5:8
Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Behold, I Myself am against you, Jerusalem, and I will execute judgments among you in the sight of the nations.


Treasury of Scripture

Shall I not visit them for these things? said the LORD: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?

Jeremiah 5:9,29
Shall I not visit for these things? saith the LORD: and shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this? …

Isaiah 1:24
Therefore 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:

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Jeremiah 9
1. Jeremiah laments the people for their manifold sins;
9. and for their judgment.
12. Disobedience is the cause of their bitter calamity.
17. He exhorts to mourn for their destruction;
23. and to trust not in themselves, but in God.
25. He threatens both Jews and Gentiles.














Should I not punish them for these things?
This phrase begins with a rhetorical question posed by God, emphasizing His role as a just judge. The Hebrew word for "punish" is "פָּקַד" (paqad), which can mean to visit, attend to, or reckon with. In the context of divine justice, it implies a visitation of consequences for actions. Historically, Israel had repeatedly broken the covenant with God, engaging in idolatry and injustice. This phrase underscores the inevitability of divine justice when a nation turns away from God's statutes. It serves as a reminder of God's holiness and the moral order He upholds.

declares the LORD
This phrase asserts the authority and certainty of the message. The Hebrew term for "declares" is "נְאֻם" (ne'um), often used in prophetic literature to signify a direct communication from God. The use of "the LORD" (YHWH) highlights the covenantal name of God, reminding the audience of His eternal and unchanging nature. This declaration is not merely a human opinion but a divine pronouncement, carrying the weight of God's sovereign will.

Should I not avenge Myself
Here, the concept of vengeance is introduced with the Hebrew root "נָקַם" (naqam), which means to avenge or take retribution. In the biblical context, vengeance is not about petty retaliation but about restoring justice and order. God's vengeance is a response to the violation of His covenant and the moral law. It reflects His commitment to righteousness and His intolerance of sin. This phrase reassures believers that God is actively involved in the moral governance of the world.

on such a nation as this?
The phrase "such a nation" refers specifically to Israel, but it also serves as a warning to any nation that turns away from God. The historical context is crucial here; Israel was chosen to be a light to the nations, yet they had fallen into practices that contradicted their calling. The Hebrew word for "nation" is "גּוֹי" (goy), which can refer to any people group but is often used in the Old Testament to distinguish Israel from other nations. This phrase challenges the reader to reflect on the collective responsibility of a nation to uphold God's standards and the consequences of failing to do so.

(9) Shall I not visit . . .?--The previous use of the same warning in Jeremiah 5:9; Jeremiah 5:29 gives these words also the emphasis of iteration.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Should I not
לֹֽא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

punish them
אֶפְקָד־ (’ep̄·qāḏ-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 6485: To visit, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit

for
הַעַל־ (ha·‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

these things?
אֵ֥לֶּה (’êl·leh)
Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428: These, those

declares
נְאֻם־ (nə·’um-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5002: An oracle

the LORD.
יְהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

Should I not
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

avenge
תִתְנַקֵּ֖ם (ṯiṯ·naq·qêm)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 5358: To grudge, avenge, punish

Myself
נַפְשִֽׁי׃ (nap̄·šî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

on
אִ֚ם (’im)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

such a nation
בְּג֣וֹי (bə·ḡō·w)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1471: A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts

as this?”
כָּזֶ֔ה (kā·zeh)
Preposition-k | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that


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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 9:9 Shall I not visit them for these (Jer.)
Jeremiah 9:8
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