King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 5:28 Mean?

Jeremiah 5:28 in the King James Version says “They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the f...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Jeremiah 5:28 · KJV

Context

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.

29

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

30

A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land; A wonderful: or, Astonishment and filthiness

Read Jeremiah 5 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The indictment continues: 'They are waxen fat, they shine' (šāmĕnû ʿāšĕṯû, שָׁמְנוּ עָשְׁתוּ)—physical prosperity from exploitation. 'Yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked' (gam-ʿāḇĕrû diḇrê-rāʿ, גַּם־עָבְרוּ דִבְרֵי־רָע) means they surpass even pagans in evil. The specific charge: 'they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge' (dîn lōʾ-ḏānû dîn-yāṯôm wĕyaṣlîḥû ûmišpaṭ ʾeḇyônîm lōʾ šāp̄āṭû). This pinpoints covenant violation: failing to provide justice for orphans and the poor (Exodus 22:22-24, Deuteronomy 10:18, 24:17). The orphan (yāṯôm) and poor (ʾeḇyôn) represent society's most vulnerable, whom covenant law specially protected. Their prosperity ('yet they prosper,' wĕyaṣlîḥû) despite injustice demonstrates that short-term success doesn't indicate divine approval—judgment comes.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern law codes (Hammurabi, Lipit-Ishtar) included provisions for protecting widows and orphans, showing universal moral awareness of this responsibility. Israel's covenant law exceeded these, making care for the vulnerable a religious obligation reflecting God's character (Psalm 68:5, 146:9). Kings were especially responsible to ensure judicial justice (Psalm 72:1-4). Judah's failure to protect the vulnerable while maintaining temple worship epitomized hypocrisy that prophets consistently condemned. Isaiah 1:17, 23 demands, 'Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow'—but leaders failed. Jesus later demonstrated this priority, warning that judgment evaluates how we treat 'the least of these' (Matthew 25:31-46). James defines pure religion as caring for orphans and widows (James 1:27).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does your church community actively protect and provide justice for society's most vulnerable members?
  2. What does it mean practically to 'judge the cause of the fatherless' in your cultural context?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
שָׁמְנ֣וּ1 of 16

“They are waxen fat”

H8080

to shine, i.e., (by analogy) be (causatively, make) oily or gross

עָשְׁת֗וּ2 of 16

“they shine”

H6245

probably to be sleek, i.e., glossy; hence (through the idea of polishing) to excogitate (as if forming in the mind)

גַּ֚ם3 of 16
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

עָֽבְר֣וּ4 of 16

“yea they overpass”

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

דִבְרֵי5 of 16

“the deeds”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

רָ֔ע6 of 16

“of the wicked”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

דִּ֥ין7 of 16

“not the cause”

H1779

judgement (the suit, justice, sentence or tribunal); by implication also strife

לֹא8 of 16
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

דָ֔נוּ9 of 16

“they judge”

H1777

to rule; by implication to judge (as umpire); also to strive (as at law)

דִּ֥ין10 of 16

“not the cause”

H1779

judgement (the suit, justice, sentence or tribunal); by implication also strife

יָת֖וֹם11 of 16

“the cause of the fatherless”

H3490

a bereaved person

וְיַצְלִ֑יחוּ12 of 16

“yet they prosper”

H6743

to push forward, in various senses (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)

וּמִשְׁפַּ֥ט13 of 16

“and the right”

H4941

properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind

אֶבְיוֹנִ֖ים14 of 16

“of the needy”

H34

destitute

לֹ֥א15 of 16
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

שָׁפָֽטוּ׃16 of 16

“do they not judge”

H8199

to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal

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 5:28 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 5:28 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 1:23Deuteronomy 32:15Psalms 73:12Zechariah 7:10Jeremiah 7:6James 5:4-5

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