Definition: Shall I not visit for these [things]? saith the LORD: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Jeremiah 5:29. It’s a really powerful and dramatic statement about God’s judgment. Here's an explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is essentially saying, “God is going to punish this nation because of its sins.” It expresses immense anger and righteous indignation. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “Jeremiah 5:29” : This refers to a specific event in the Old Testament – Jeremiah, a prophet, was exiled to Babylon. “Shall I not visit for these [things]?” : This is the core of the verse. Jeremiah is asking God if He will actually come and punish this nation. It’s a question of whether God will intervene in their suffering. “Saith the LORD: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?” This is the key part – “avenged.” "Avenged" means to punish severely or inflict a terrible punishment. What does "avenged" mean in this context? It means that God will punish them with a severe and devastating consequence for their wickedness. It’s not just a simple reprimand; it's a complete and total destruction of everything they've done. The idea is that they’ve become so corrupted that they deserve to be punished severely. What does this verse really mean? It speaks to a deep, historical context – the rise of idolatry and rebellion against God in Israel. Jeremiah was deeply worried about the nation's turning away from their relationship with Yahweh (God). This verse is a warning about the consequences of rejecting God’s guidance and choices. It suggests that God’s judgment will be swift and terrible if they continue down a path of wickedness. Important Note: The exact meaning of this verse has been debated throughout history, and there's no definitive single interpretation. However, it consistently points to God’s righteous anger and the inevitability of His punishment for sin. --- Would you like me to: Explain another Bible verse? Discuss a specific aspect of this verse (like its historical context)? Give you some examples of how this verse is used in different stories or books?