Jeremiah 5:7
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.
Jeremiah 5:7 · King James Version
Meaning
In this verse, the speaker is expressing deep disappointment and incredulity at the behavior of the people, particularly the children of Israel. The speaker, traditionally understood to be God, questions how he can pardon the people for their actions. The verse highlights the rebellious nature of the people, who have forsaken the one true God and turned to worship idols. Despite being provided for and given plenty to eat, the people have still strayed from their faith and committed acts of adultery. The imagery of assembling themselves in harlots' houses emphasizes the extent of their immorality and spiritual betrayal. The verse serves as a warning against turning away from God and the consequences that come from disobeying his commandments.
Theological Overview
The theological interpretation of this verse from the Book of Jeremiah is that God is expressing his dismay and disappointment with the people of Israel for turning away from Him despite all the blessings He has bestowed upon them. The verse portrays God as a loving and compassionate father who had nourished his children, but they still chose to wander off and engage in sinful behavior. The mention of adultery and harlots' houses symbolizes the people's unfaithfulness and idolatry, as they turned to false gods and sinful practices instead of remaining faithful to the one true God. The word study of "forsaken" and "sworn" emphasizes the depth of the people's betrayal and the seriousness of their actions in the eyes of God. Overall, this verse serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and the importance of remaining steadfast in faith.
Jeremiah 5:7 in other translations
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.
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.
Douay-Rheims
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.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Howe should I spare thee for this? thy children haue forsaken me, and sworne by them that are no gods: though I fed them to the full, yet they committed adulterie, and assembled them selues by companies in the harlots houses.