Jeremiah 5:8
Jeremiah 5:8 in Multiple Translations
They are well-fed, lusty stallions, each neighing after his neighbor’s wife.
They were as fed horses in the morning: every one neighed after his neighbour’s wife.
they were as fed horses roaming at large; every one neighed after his neighbor’s wife.
They were full of desire, like horses after a meal of grain: everyone went after his neighbour's wife.
They're like virile stallions wanting sex, each of them neighing with lust after his neighbor's wife.
They rose vp in the morning like fed horses: for euery man neyed after his neighbours wife.
Fed horses — they have been early risers, Each to the wife of his neighbour they neigh.
They were as fed horses roaming at large. Everyone neighed after his neighbor’s wife.
They were as fed horses in the morning: every one neighed after his neighbor's wife.
They are become as amorous horses and stallions, every one neighed after his neighbor’s wife.
Just like [MET] well-fed male horses neigh, wanting sex with female horses, each of the men desires to have sex with his neighbor’s wife.
Berean Amplified Bible — Jeremiah 5:8
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Jeremiah 5:8 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
סוּסִ֥ים
מְיֻזָּנִ֖ים
מַשְׁכִּ֣ים
הָי֑וּ
אִ֛ישׁ
אֶל
אֵ֥שֶׁת
רֵעֵ֖/הוּ
יִצְהָֽלוּ
סוּסִ֥ים
çûwç
H5483
swallow
N-mp
מְיֻזָּנִ֖ים
zûwn
H2109
to feed
V-Pual-Inf-c
מַשְׁכִּ֣ים
shâkâh
H7904
to lust
V-Hiphil
הָי֑וּ
hâyâh
H1961
to be
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
אִ֛ישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
man
N-ms
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep
אֵ֥שֶׁת
ʼishshâh
H802
woman
N-fs
רֵעֵ֖/הוּ
rêaʻ
H7453
neighbor
N-ms | Suff
יִצְהָֽלוּ
tsâhal
H6670
to cry out
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Jeremiah 5:8
סוּסִ֥ים
çûwç
H5483
"swallow"
N-mp
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means a horse, often referring to chariot horses. It also describes a swallow due to its swift flight, as seen in the book of Jeremiah. The word is used to describe strong and fast animals.
Definition: swallow, swift
Usage: Occurs in 130 OT verses. KJV: crane, horse (-back, -hoof). Compare H6571 (פָּרָשׁ). See also: Genesis 47:17; Psalms 76:7; Psalms 20:8.
מְיֻזָּנִ֖ים
zûwn
H2109
"to feed"
V-Pual-Inf-c
The Hebrew word means to feed or nourish, and is related to being plump or well-fed. It is used in the Bible to describe providing food for someone or something. In the KJV, it is translated as feed.
Definition: 1) to feed 1a) (Hophal) to be well fed
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: feed. See also: Jeremiah 5:8.
מַשְׁכִּ֣ים
shâkâh
H7904
"to lust"
V-Hiphil
This Hebrew word means to wander or roam, often due to lust, and is first used in a context where it seems to describe a strong desire. It appears to be related to a sense of searching or longing. In some cases, it is translated as 'in the morning'.
Definition: 1) (Hiphil) lustful (participle) 1a) meaning uncertain
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: in the morning (by mistake for H7925 (שָׁכַם)). See also: Jeremiah 5:8.
הָי֑וּ
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
אִ֛ישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
"man"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)
Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
אֵ֥שֶׁת
ʼishshâh
H802
"woman"
N-fs
The Hebrew word for woman, used to describe a female person, wife, or animal, appears in many biblical passages, including Genesis and Exodus, and is often translated as woman, wife, or female.
Definition: : woman 1) woman, wife, female 1a) woman (opposite of man) 1b) wife (woman married to a man) 1c) female (of animals) 1d) each, every (pronoun)
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English. See also: Genesis 2:22; Genesis 34:4; Numbers 5:12.
רֵעֵ֖/הוּ
rêaʻ
H7453
"neighbor"
N-ms | Suff
A neighbor or friend is what this word means, describing someone close to you. It can also refer to a companion, fellow citizen, or another person, and is often translated as brother or friend.
Definition: 1) friend, companion, fellow, another person 1a) friend, intimate 1b) fellow, fellow-citizen, another person (weaker sense) 1c) other, another (reciprocal phrase)
Usage: Occurs in 173 OT verses. KJV: brother, companion, fellow, friend, husband, lover, neighbour, [idiom] (an-) other. See also: Genesis 11:3; Job 42:7; Psalms 12:3.
יִצְהָֽלוּ
tsâhal
H6670
"to cry out"
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
To shine means to gleam or be cheerful, and can also be used to describe the clear sounds of animals or humans, such as shouting or neighing. This word is used to describe something that is radiant and full of life.
Definition: 1) to neigh, cry shrilly 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to neigh (of men as stallions-fig.) 1a2) (Piel) to cry shrilly (in distress)
Usage: Occurs in 9 OT verses. KJV: bellow, cry aloud (out), lift up, neigh, rejoice, make to shine, shout. See also: Esther 8:15; Isaiah 24:14; Psalms 104:15.
Study Notes — Jeremiah 5:8
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Jeremiah 5:8 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 5:8
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 5:8
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 5:8
- Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 5:8
- Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 5:8
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 5:8
- Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 5:8
- Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 5:8
- Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 5:8
- Sermons on Jeremiah 5:8
Context — No One Is Just
6Therefore a lion from the forest will strike them down, a wolf from the desert will ravage them. A leopard will lie in wait near their cities, and everyone who ventures out will be torn to pieces. For their rebellious acts are many, and their unfaithful deeds are numerous.
7“Why should I forgive you? Your children have forsaken Me and sworn by gods that are not gods. I satisfied their needs, yet they committed adultery and assembled at the houses of prostitutes.
8They are well-fed, lusty stallions, each neighing after his neighbor’s wife.
9Should I not punish them for these things?” declares the LORD. “Should I not avenge Myself on such a nation as this? 10Go up through her vineyards and ravage them, but do not finish them off. Strip off her branches, for they do not belong to the LORD.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremiah 13:27 | Your adulteries and lustful neighings, your shameless prostitution on the hills and in the fields— I have seen your detestable acts. Woe to you, O Jerusalem! How long will you remain unclean?” |
| 2 | Deuteronomy 5:18 | You shall not commit adultery. |
| 3 | 2 Samuel 11:2–4 | One evening David got up from his bed and strolled around on the roof of the palace. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing—a very beautiful woman. So David sent and inquired about the woman, and he was told, “This is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” Then David sent messengers to get her, and when she came to him, he slept with her. (Now she had just purified herself from her uncleanness.) Then she returned home. |
| 4 | Ezekiel 22:11 | One man commits an abomination with his neighbor’s wife; another wickedly defiles his daughter-in-law; and yet another violates his sister, his own father’s daughter. |
| 5 | Exodus 20:14 | You shall not commit adultery. |
| 6 | Deuteronomy 5:21 | You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. You shall not covet your neighbor’s house or field, or his manservant or maidservant, or his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” |
| 7 | Matthew 5:27–28 | You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. |
| 8 | Genesis 39:9 | No one in this house is greater than I am. He has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. So how could I do such a great evil and sin against God?” |
| 9 | Jeremiah 29:23 | For they have committed an outrage in Israel by committing adultery with the wives of their neighbors and speaking lies in My name, which I did not command them to do. I am He who knows, and I am a witness, declares the LORD.” |
| 10 | Exodus 20:17 | You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, or his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” |
Jeremiah 5:8 Summary
[This verse is saying that the people of Judah have become like strong and lustful horses, giving in to their sinful desires and lusting after things that don't belong to them, including their neighbor's wife. This is a serious sin that God sees and will judge, as we read in Exodus 20:17 and Jeremiah 17:9-10. We can learn from this verse to examine our own hearts and priorities, and to seek to honor God in all our relationships. By doing so, we can avoid the temptation to sin and instead cultivate a spirit of faithfulness and commitment.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to be a 'well-fed, lusty stallion' in Jeremiah 5:8?
In this verse, God is using the metaphor of a strong and lustful horse to describe the uncontrolled desires of the people, who are giving in to their sinful passions, as seen in other scriptures like Proverbs 28:7 and 1 Corinthians 6:18-20.
Why is God emphasizing the sin of adultery in Jeremiah 5:8?
God is highlighting the seriousness of this sin because it is a direct violation of the seventh commandment, as stated in Exodus 20:17, and it also represents the spiritual adultery of turning away from God, as seen in Hosea 1:2.
How does this verse relate to the overall message of Jeremiah 5?
This verse is part of a larger condemnation of Judah's sins, and it specifically highlights their unfaithfulness to God and to one another, which is a major theme throughout the book of Jeremiah, as seen in Jeremiah 2:13 and Jeremiah 17:9-10.
What is the significance of the image of neighing after a neighbor's wife?
This image emphasizes the public and shameless nature of their sin, as well as the fact that they are lusting after what belongs to someone else, much like the sin of covetousness described in Exodus 20:17 and Jeremiah 6:13.
Reflection Questions
- How can I examine my own heart to see if I have allowed sinful desires to take control, and what steps can I take to bring them under the control of the Holy Spirit?
- In what ways can I prioritize faithfulness and commitment in my own relationships, and how can I seek to honor God in these areas?
- What are some ways that I can avoid the temptation to covet or lust after what belongs to someone else, and how can I instead cultivate a spirit of contentment and gratitude?
- How can I apply the principle of Jeremiah 5:8 to my own life, recognizing that my actions have consequences and that God sees and judges all that I do?
Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 5:8
They were as fed horses in the morning,.... Adulterers are compared to horses, because they are very salacious and lustful creatures; wherefore the Septuagint renders the word: "horses are become mad
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 5:8
They were as fed horses in the morning: every one neighed after his neighbour's wife. In the morning - (Isaiah 5:11).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 5:8
Fed horses, to note the greatness and unruliness of their lust, pampered horses being most wanton, like that . In the morning: it is questioned whether morning relates to horses or to men; if to horses, then they are compared to stallions, that having been fed to the full over-night, and lain at ease, in the morning they are most lusty; but rather it seems to relate to men, showing that they were very early in going about their filthinesses, , following their uncleanness with as great eagerness as it is said that drunkards follow strong drink, . Every one neighed after his neighbour’ s wife, i.e. with an impetuous earnestness and unwearied hunting, they sought after the adulteresses to satisfy their beastly lusts. It notes, 1. The strength of their lust, a thing in horses much taken notice of by authors. 2. The unbridledness and uncontrollableness of it, as is seen in the pampered horses hunting after the mare, of which neighing is a sign, thus expressed . Thus the Grecians would express men extremely libidinous by the word ippobinoi, and ippopornoi, and that they do ippomanein, so the LXX., and thus described .
Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 5:8
Jeremiah 5:8 They were [as] fed horses in the morning: every one neighed after his neighbour’ s wife.Ver. 8. They were as fed horses,] As stallions and stone horses, that are ιππομανεις, mare mad, as the Septuagint have it. Libido effrons et plus quam pecuina.
Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 5:8
(8) They were as fed horses in the morning.—Better, As fed stallion horses they rove about. The animal passion is taken, as in Ezekiel 23:20, (1) as answering to the same passion in man; (2) as symbolical of the lust for idolatrous ritual. (Comp. Jeremiah 2:24.)
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 5:8
Verse 8. After his neighbour's wife.] This may have been literally true, as the abominations of idolatry, in which they were so deeply practised, would necessarily produce such a state of things as that here mentioned.
Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 5:8
8. The Hebrew of the first clause is obscure. The reading “fed horses,” which is to be preferred, represents the consonants of MT. (K’thibh), though the verb which they form is found elsewhere only in cognate languages (meaning to feed). The mg. of MT. (Ḳ ?’ri) is of uncertain signification, but probably is from a root giving a sense equivalent to the word dealt with in the next note. in the morning] Hebrew grammar forbids this rendering, while mg. roaming at large connects it with a root from which it cannot, strictly speaking, be drawn. It is best, with a slight change in MT., to take it as meaning stallions. See Dr. p. 345.
Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 5:8
In the morning - Render, they rove about. Some prefer, “(horses) from Mesech.”
Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 5:8
8. Fed horses — The lechery of horses is alluded to in many passages, for example, Ezekiel 23:20. In Ezekiel 22:11, the thing stated in this verse is brought out more plainly and fully.
Sermons on Jeremiah 5:8
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
There Were Two Trees in the Midst of Eden by Dean Taylor | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of entering into God's rest. He references Hebrews chapter three, which talks about how Jesus has provided a rest for the people |
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God's Desire to Bless the Sinner. by Horatius Bonar | Horatius Bonar emphasizes God's desire to bless sinners despite their spiritual uncleanliness, highlighting humanity's unfaithfulness to God in heart, life, and religion. He urges |
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Do Not Be Discouraged by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher talks about feeling captive and discouraged in life. He uses the example of Ezekiel, who was held captive and had his freedom taken away. The preacher |
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Maximum Effort Noblest Cause by Danny Bond | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the life and mindset of the apostle Paul, particularly in his letter to Timothy. The speaker highlights four key aspects of Paul's life that |
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Capital City Church - Part 1 by David Ravenhill | In the video, the speaker shares a personal story about being asked to teach in Malaysia. During their stay, they were shown a video by a Chinese doctor featuring Suzette Hadding, |
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David's Sin, So Admonitory to Us Weak Men by Clement of Rome | Clement of Rome warns about the dangers of lust and temptation using the example of David, a man after God's heart who fell into sin after being captivated by Bathsheba. He emphasi |
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Importance of Purity in Our Life by Zac Poonen | Zac Poonen delivers a powerful message on the importance of purity in the sexual area as outlined in 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8. He emphasizes the need to possess our bodies in sanctifi |