Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version and have grown fat and sleek. Their evil deeds have no limit; they do not seek justice. They do not promote the case of the fatherless; they do not defend the just cause of the poor. New Living Translation They are fat and sleek, and there is no limit to their wicked deeds. They refuse to provide justice to orphans and deny the rights of the poor. English Standard Version they have grown fat and sleek. They know no bounds in deeds of evil; they judge not with justice the cause of the fatherless, to make it prosper, and they do not defend the rights of the needy. Berean Standard Bible They have grown fat and sleek, and have excelled in the deeds of the wicked. They have not taken up the cause of the fatherless, that they might prosper; nor have they defended the rights of the needy. Berean Literal Bible they have grown fat; they are sleek. Yes, they surpass the deeds of the wicked; they do not judge justly the cause of the fatherless, and they prosper, and the justice of the needy ones they have not vindicated. King James Bible 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. New King James Version They have grown fat, they are sleek; Yes, they surpass the deeds of the wicked; They do not plead the cause, The cause of the fatherless; Yet they prosper, And the right of the needy they do not defend. New American Standard Bible ‘They are fat, they are sleek, They also excel in deeds of wickedness; They do not plead the cause, The cause of the orphan, so that they may be successful; And they do not defend the rights of the poor. NASB 1995 ‘They are fat, they are sleek, They also excel in deeds of wickedness; They do not plead the cause, The cause of the orphan, that they may prosper; And they do not defend the rights of the poor. NASB 1977 ‘They are fat, they are sleek, They also excel in deeds of wickedness; They do not plead the cause, The cause of the orphan, that they may prosper; And they do not defend the rights of the poor. Legacy Standard Bible They are fat, they are sleek; They also excel in deeds of evil; They do not plead the cause, The cause of the orphan, that they may succeed; And they do not render justice for the poor. Amplified Bible ‘They are fat and they are sleek (prosperous), They excel in acts of wickedness; They do not plead the cause, The cause of the orphan, so that they [the wicked] may prosper, And they do not defend the rights of the poor. Berean Annotated Bible They have grown fat and sleek, and have excelled in the deeds of the wicked. They have not taken up the cause of the fatherless, that they might prosper; nor have they defended the rights of the needy. Christian Standard Bible They have become fat and sleek. They have also excelled in evil matters. They have not taken up cases, such as the case of the fatherless, so they might prosper, and they have not defended the rights of the needy. Holman Christian Standard Bible They have become fat and sleek. They have also excelled in evil matters. They have not taken up cases, such as the case of the fatherless, so they might prosper, and they have not defended the rights of the needy. American Standard Version They are waxed fat, they shine: yea, they overpass in deeds of wickedness; they plead not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, that they may prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge. Contemporary English Version and prosperous, but you refuse to help the poor get the justice they deserve. English Revised Version They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass in deeds of wickedness: they plead not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, that they should prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge. GOD'S WORD® Translation They grow big and fat. Their evil deeds have no limits. They have no respect for the rights of others. They have no respect for the rights of orphans. But they still prosper. They don't defend the rights of the poor. Good News Translation why they are fat and well fed. There is no limit to their evil deeds. They do not give orphans their rights or show justice to the oppressed. International Standard Version and have grown fat and sleek. There is no limit to their evil deeds. They don't argue the case of the orphan to secure justice. They don't defend the rights of the poor. NET Bible That is how they have grown fat and sleek. There is no limit to the evil things they do. They do not plead the cause of the fatherless in such a way as to win it. They do not defend the rights of the poor. New Heart English Bible They have grown fat. They shine; yes, they excel in deeds of wickedness. They do not plead the cause, the cause of the fatherless, that they may prosper; and they do not judge the right of the needy. Webster's Bible Translation They have become fat, they shine: yes, they surpass 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. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThey have grown fat and sleek, and have excelled in the deeds of the wicked. They have not taken up the cause of the fatherless, that they might prosper; nor have they defended the rights of the needy. World English Bible They have grown fat. They shine; yes, they excel in deeds of wickedness. They don’t plead the cause, the cause of the fatherless, that they may prosper; and they don’t defend the rights of the needy. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionThey have been fat, they have shone, "" Indeed, they have surpassed the acts of the evil, "" They have not judged judgment, "" The judgment of the fatherless—and they prosper, "" And they have not judged the judgment of the needy. Berean Literal Bible they have grown fat; they are sleek. Yes, they surpass the deeds of the wicked; they do not judge justly the cause of the fatherless, and they prosper, and the justice of the needy ones they have not vindicated. Young's Literal Translation They have been fat, they have shone, Yea, they have overpassed the acts of the evil, Judgment they have not judged, The judgment of the fatherless -- and they prosper, And the judgment of the needy they have not judged. Smith's Literal Translation They became fat, they shone: they passed over words of evil: they judged not judgment, the judgment of the orphan, and they will give success; and the judgment of the needy they judged not. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThey are grown gross and fat: andhave most wickedly transgressed my words. They have not judged the cause of the widow, they have not managed the cause of the fatherless, they have not judged the judgement of the poor. Catholic Public Domain Version They have grown stout and fat. And they have transgressed my words most wickedly. They have not judged the case of the widow; they have not given guidance to the case of the orphan; and they have not judged a judgment for the poor. New American Bible fat and sleek. They pass over wicked deeds; justice they do not defend By advancing the claim of the orphan or judging the cause of the poor. New Revised Standard Version they have grown fat and sleek. They know no limits in deeds of wickedness; they do not judge with justice the cause of the orphan, to make it prosper, and they do not defend the rights of the needy. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleTherefore they have become great and rich and have perverted judgment; they do not execute justice, and they do not judge aright the cause of the orphan; and the cause of the needy they did not judge. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Because of this, they increased and they were rich and they passed judgment; they have not judged by justice, and the case of orphans they have not set right, and the case of the afflicted they have not judged OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917They are waxen fat, they are become sleek; Yea, they overpass in deeds of wickedness; They plead not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, That they might make it to prosper; And the right of the needy do they not judge. Brenton Septuagint Translation and they have transgressed the rule of judgment; they have not judged the cause of the orphan, nor have they judged the cause of the widow. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Judgment Proclaimed…27Like cages full of birds, so their houses are full of deceit. Therefore they have become powerful and rich. 28They have grown fat and sleek, and have excelled in the deeds of the wicked. They have not taken up the cause of the fatherless, that they might prosper; nor have they defended the rights of the needy. 29Should I not punish them for these things?” declares the LORD. “Should I not avenge Myself on such a nation as this?… Cross References They have grown fat and sleek, Deuteronomy 32:15 But Jeshurun grew fat and kicked—becoming fat, bloated, and gorged. He abandoned the God who made him and scorned the Rock of his salvation. Hosea 13:6 When they had pasture, they became satisfied; when they were satisfied, their hearts became proud, and as a result they forgot Me. Psalm 73:7 From their prosperity proceeds iniquity; the imaginations of their hearts run wild. and have excelled in the deeds of the wicked. Ezekiel 16:47 And you not only walked in their ways and practiced their abominations, but soon you were more depraved than they were. 2 Kings 21:9 But the people did not listen and Manasseh led them astray, so that they did greater evil than the nations that the LORD had destroyed before the Israelites. They have not taken up the cause of the fatherless, Psalm 82:3 Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; uphold the rights of the afflicted and oppressed. Job 29:12 because I rescued the poor who cried out and the fatherless who had no helper. Isaiah 1:17 Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.” that they might prosper; Micah 3:11 Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets practice divination for money. Yet they lean upon the LORD, saying, “Is not the LORD among us? No disaster can come upon us.” Proverbs 17:23 A wicked man takes a covert bribe to subvert the course of justice. Proverbs 28:21 To show partiality is not good, yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread. nor have they defended the rights of the needy. Proverbs 31:8-9 Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed. / Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy. Psalm 72:4 May he vindicate the afflicted among the people; may he save the children of the needy and crush the oppressor. Isaiah 10:1-2 Woe to those who enact unjust statutes and issue oppressive decrees, / to deprive the poor of fair treatment and withhold justice from the oppressed of My people, to make widows their prey and orphans their plunder. Isaiah 1:23 Your rulers are rebels, friends of thieves. They all love bribes and chasing after rewards. They do not defend the fatherless, and the plea of the widow never comes before them. Ezekiel 22:29 The people of the land have practiced extortion and committed robbery. They have oppressed the poor and needy and have exploited the foreign resident without justice. Treasury of Scripture They are waxen fat, they shine: yes, 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. waxen. Deuteronomy 32:15 But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation. Job 15:27,28 Because he covereth his face with his fatness, and maketh collops of fat on his flanks… Job 21:23,24 One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet… overpass. Jeremiah 2:33 Why trimmest thou thy way to seek love? therefore hast thou also taught the wicked ones thy ways. Ezekiel 5:6,7 And she hath changed my judgments into wickedness more than the nations, and my statutes more than the countries that are round about her: for they have refused my judgments and my statutes, they have not walked in them… Ezekiel 16:47-52 Yet hast thou not walked after their ways, nor done after their abominations: but, as if that were a very little thing, thou wast corrupted more than they in all thy ways… judge. Jeremiah 22:15-19 Shalt thou reign, because thou closest thyself in cedar? did not thy father eat and drink, and do judgment and justice, and then it was well with him? … Job 29:12-14 Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him… Psalm 72:4 He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor. yet. Jeremiah 12:1 Righteous art thou, O LORD, when I plead with thee: yet let me talk with thee of thy judgments: Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacherously? Job 12:6 The tabernacles of robbers prosper, and they that provoke God are secure; into whose hand God bringeth abundantly. Psalm 73:12 Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches. Jump to Previous Bounds Case Cause Child Deeds Defend Evil Excel Far Fat Fatherless Gets Grew Grown Judge Limit Needy Orphan Plead Poor Prosper Right Rights Shine Sleek Strong Support Surpass Waxed Waxen Wicked Wickedness Win WorksJump to Next Bounds Case Cause Child Deeds Defend Evil Excel Far Fat Fatherless Gets Grew Grown Judge Limit Needy Orphan Plead Poor Prosper Right Rights Shine Sleek Strong Support Surpass Waxed Waxen Wicked Wickedness Win WorksJeremiah 5 1. The judgments of God upon the people, for their perverseness;7. for their adultery; 10. for their impiety; 15. for their worship of idols; 19. for their contempt of God; 25. and for their great corruption in the civil state; 30. and ecclesiastical. They have grown fat and sleek This phrase indicates a state of prosperity and self-indulgence. In the biblical context, "fat and sleek" often symbolizes complacency and moral decay due to wealth and comfort. The Israelites, particularly the leaders, had become materially prosperous but spiritually bankrupt. This imagery is reminiscent of Deuteronomy 32:15, where Jeshurun (a poetic name for Israel) grew fat and forsook God. The physical description underscores a spiritual condition of pride and neglect of God's commands. and have excelled in the deeds of the wicked They have not taken up the cause of the fatherless that they might prosper nor have they defended the rights of the needy Persons / Places / Events 1. JeremiahA major prophet in the Old Testament, known for his prophecies concerning the judgment and restoration of Israel. He is often called the "weeping prophet" due to his deep sorrow over the sins of his people. 2. Judah The southern kingdom of Israel during the time of Jeremiah. The people of Judah are the primary audience of Jeremiah's prophecies, as they had turned away from God and were facing impending judgment. 3. The Fatherless and Needy Representing the vulnerable and marginalized in society, whom God commands His people to protect and support. Their neglect is a sign of societal corruption and injustice. Teaching Points The Danger of ComplacencyThe phrase "grown fat and sleek" suggests a life of ease and self-indulgence. Believers must guard against becoming complacent in their spiritual lives and neglecting the needs of others. Unlimited Evil The description of their "evil deeds have no limit" warns of the dangers of unchecked sin. Christians are called to live lives of holiness and accountability. Advocacy for the Vulnerable The failure to "plead the case of the fatherless" and "defend the rights of the needy" highlights the importance of social justice. Believers are called to be advocates for the marginalized and oppressed. Righteousness and Justice True righteousness involves active justice. Christians should seek to embody God's heart for justice in their communities. Repentance and Restoration The broader context of Jeremiah calls for repentance. Believers should regularly examine their lives, repent of sin, and seek God's restoration. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Jeremiah 5:28?2. How does Jeremiah 5:28 describe the moral state of the people? 3. What actions in Jeremiah 5:28 show neglect of justice for the needy? 4. How can we ensure we "defend not the rights" of the vulnerable today? 5. Compare Jeremiah 5:28 with Proverbs 31:8-9 on defending the needy. 6. How can we avoid becoming "fat and sleek" in our spiritual lives? 7. How does Jeremiah 5:28 reflect on societal justice and righteousness today? 8. What historical context influenced the message in Jeremiah 5:28? 9. How does Jeremiah 5:28 challenge modern Christian views on wealth and prosperity? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 5? 11. What does the Bible say about social action? 12. What are the main themes of the Bible's books? 13. How can Jeremiah 21:2 claim the Lord would not rescue Jerusalem when other passages promise divine protection for the city? 14. How can a 'divine council' (Psalm 82:1) fit with passages claiming there is only one God (Deuteronomy 6:4)? What Does Jeremiah 5:28 Mean They have grown fat and sleekJeremiah describes leaders whose bodies mirror their souls—well-fed, pampered, self-indulgent. In Scripture, physical fatness often pictures spiritual complacency and ingratitude (Deuteronomy 32:15; Psalm 17:10). Instead of gratitude birthing generosity, abundance has birthed apathy. • The phrase points to unchecked prosperity that has become an idol (Luke 12:16-21). • Comfort has numbed their conscience; they no longer feel the sting of conviction (Revelation 3:17). • The warning is literal and timeless: success without surrender hardens the heart (Proverbs 1:32). ...and have excelled in the deeds of the wicked Privilege did not restrain sin—it turbocharged it. Their position allowed them to outdo ordinary wrongdoers, “surpassing the deeds of the wicked”. • Moral advantage wasted: with the Law in hand, they still chose greater evil (Jeremiah 2:8; Micah 3:1-4). • Sin snowballs: once greed gains momentum, corruption multiplies (Romans 6:19). • God measures wickedness not only by actions but by the light ignored (Luke 12:47-48; Hebrews 10:26). They have not taken up the cause of the fatherless, that they might prosper True religion defends orphans (Exodus 22:22; James 1:27). These leaders refused. Ironically, they thought abandoning mercy would secure prosperity; God says the opposite (Proverbs 28:27). • The fatherless symbolize society’s most vulnerable—those with no earthly advocate (Psalm 82:3). • Neglect here is active rebellion: “They do not plead” (Isaiah 1:17). • Biblical prosperity flows from righteousness, not exploitation (Psalm 41:1-3). nor have they defended the rights of the needy The poor were left undefended in court, commerce, and community (Amos 5:12). God sees every ignored plea. • The Law demanded fair treatment (Leviticus 19:15; Proverbs 31:8-9). • Refusal to “defend” is a direct offense against the LORD, who champions the oppressed (Psalm 140:12). • Judgment inevitably follows social injustice (Isaiah 10:1-2; Jeremiah 22:3-5). summary Jeremiah 5:28 exposes a people bloated by blessing, sprinting toward sin, and deaf to the cries of the defenseless. Prosperity without piety produced callous leaders who excelled at evil, ignored orphans, and trampled the needy. God’s indictment reminds every generation that true success is measured by faithfulness, compassion, and justice grounded in His unchanging Word. (28) They overpass the deeds of the wicked.--Better (the English being ambiguous), they exceed in deeds (literally, words or things) of wickedness. The prophet dwells not only on the prosperity of the wicked, but on their callous indifference to the well-being of the poor.Yet they prosper.--Better, so that they (the fatherless) may prosper. They do not judge with a view to that result. The words admit, however, in Hebrew as in English, of the sense that they (the wicked themselves) may prosper. That was all they aimed at or cared for. Verse 28. - They overpass the deeds of the wicked; rather, they overpass the common measure of wickedness (literally, the cases of wickedness); or, as others, they exceed in deeds of wickedness. Yet they prosper; rather, so that they (the fatherless) might prosper; or, that they (the rich) might make it to prosper.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew They have grown fatשָׁמְנ֣וּ (šā·mə·nū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 8080: To shine, be, oily, gross and sleek, עָשְׁת֗וּ (‘ā·šə·ṯū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 6245: To be sleek, glossy, to excogitate and גַּ֚ם (gam) Conjunction Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and have excelled עָֽבְר֣וּ (‘ā·ḇə·rū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on in evil רָ֔ע (rā‘) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 7451: Bad, evil matters. דִבְרֵי־ (ḏiḇ·rê-) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause They have not לֹא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no taken up the cause דִּ֣ין (dîn) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1779: Judgement, strife of the fatherless, יָת֖וֹם (yā·ṯō·wm) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3490: A bereaved person so they might prosper, וְיַצְלִ֑יחוּ (wə·yaṣ·lî·ḥū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 6743: To push forward nor have they לֹ֥א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no defended שָׁפָֽטוּ׃ (šā·p̄ā·ṭū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 8199: To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigate the rights וּמִשְׁפַּ֥ט (ū·miš·paṭ) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 4941: A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style of the needy. אֶבְיוֹנִ֖ים (’eḇ·yō·w·nîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 34: In want, needy, poor Links Jeremiah 5:28 NIVJeremiah 5:28 NLT Jeremiah 5:28 ESV Jeremiah 5:28 NASB Jeremiah 5:28 KJV Jeremiah 5:28 BibleApps.com Jeremiah 5:28 Biblia Paralela Jeremiah 5:28 Chinese Bible Jeremiah 5:28 French Bible Jeremiah 5:28 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Jeremiah 5:28 They are grew fat they shine: yes (Jer.) |
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