King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 5:26 Mean?

Jeremiah 5:26 in the King James Version says “For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men. the...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men. they lay: or, they pry as fowlers lie in wait”

Jeremiah 5:26 · KJV

Context

24

Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest.

25

Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you.

26

For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men. they lay: or, they pry as fowlers lie in wait

27

As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich. cage: or, coop

28

They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God exposes social injustice: 'For among my people are found wicked men' (kî-nimṣĕʾû ḇĕʿammî rĕšāʿîm, כִּי־נִמְצְאוּ בְעַמִּי רְשָׁעִים). The term 'my people' intensifies the tragedy—those called to be holy harbor wickedness. The metaphor 'they lay wait, as he that setteth snares' compares evildoers to hunters trapping prey: 'they set a trap, they catch men' (yāṣîḇû mašḥîṯ ʾănāšîm yilkōḏû). This vivid imagery depicts deliberate, calculated exploitation—the wealthy and powerful systematically oppressing the vulnerable. The Hebrew māšḥîṯ (trap, snare) emphasizes premeditation. These aren't accidental injustices but planned schemes to enrich themselves at others' expense. This social sin violates covenant requirements to protect the vulnerable (Exodus 22:21-27, Deuteronomy 24:14-15) and provokes divine judgment as severely as idolatry.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jeremiah's ministry coincided with severe social stratification in Judah. The wealthy accumulated land by fraud and debt slavery (Isaiah 5:8, Micah 2:1-2), courts favored the rich (Amos 5:12), and the poor faced systematic exploitation. Archaeological evidence from this period shows concentration of wealth in Jerusalem while rural areas impoverished. This violated Torah's economic protections—sabbath years, jubilee, gleaning rights, interest prohibitions—designed to prevent permanent underclass formation. Prophets consistently condemned social injustice alongside idolatry (Isaiah 1:17, 23; Amos 2:6-7; Micah 6:8). Jesus later addressed similar issues, denouncing religious leaders who 'devoured widows' houses' (Mark 12:40). The principle remains: true faith produces justice; religion without righteousness is hypocrisy.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'snares' or exploitative systems in modern society do Christians have responsibility to address and oppose?
  2. How does your faith community balance evangelism with pursuing social justice for the vulnerable?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
כִּי1 of 11
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

נִמְצְא֥וּ2 of 11

“are found”

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

בְעַמִּ֖י3 of 11

“For among my people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

רְשָׁעִ֑ים4 of 11

“wicked”

H7563

morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person

יָשׁוּר֙5 of 11

“men they lay wait”

H7789

to spy out, i.e., (generally) survey, (for evil) lurk for, (for good) care for

כְּשַׁ֣ךְ6 of 11

“as he that setteth”

H7918

to weave (i.e., lay) a trap; figuratively, (through the idea of secreting) to allay (passions; physically, abate a flood)

יְקוּשִׁ֔ים7 of 11

“snares”

H3353

properly, entangled, i.e., by implication (intransitively) a snare, or (transitive) a snarer

הִצִּ֥יבוּ8 of 11

“they set”

H5324

to station, in various applications (literally or figuratively)

מַשְׁחִ֖ית9 of 11

“a trap”

H4889

destructive, i.e., (as noun) destruction, literally (specifically a snare) or figuratively (corruption)

אֲנָשִׁ֥ים10 of 11

“men”

H582

properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)

יִלְכֹּֽדוּ׃11 of 11

“they catch”

H3920

to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by lot); figuratively, to cohere

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 5:26 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 5:26 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Proverbs 1:11Psalms 64:5Jeremiah 18:22Ezekiel 22:2-12Psalms 10:9-10Habakkuk 1:14-15

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