Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be any that executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth; and I will pardon it.
JEREMIAH 5:1KJVWhat does Jeremiah 5:1 mean?
Jeremiah 5:1 describes God telling people to search all over Jerusalem to see if they can find even one person who truly does what is right and seeks the truth; if such a person is found, God promises to forgive the city. The verse highlights how rare genuine justice and honesty have become in Jerusalem at this time.
The prophet Jeremiah is speaking God’s words to the people of Jerusalem during a time of widespread unfaithfulness. God challenges anyone to look everywhere—through the streets and public places—to find a single person who acts with true justice and seeks truth. This verse sets the stage for the message of judgment in the chapter, showing how deeply the people have turned away from what is right.
The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 5:1
- The word for "streets" is חוּץ (ḥuts), meaning the open areas or public spaces of the city. This stresses that the search is to be thorough and public, not hidden or limited.
- "Executeth judgment" uses the word עָשָׂה (asah) for "does" and מִשְׁפָּט (mishpat) for "judgment" or "justice." This points to someone who actively practices justice, not just someone who knows about it.
- "Seeketh the truth" uses אֱמוּנָה (emunah), which often means faithfulness, reliability, or integrity, not just factual truth. God is looking for someone who is trustworthy and steadfast in character.
- "Pardon" comes from סָלַח (salach), meaning to forgive or spare. God’s willingness to forgive the whole city for the sake of one righteous person shows both the seriousness of the situation and the depth of God’s mercy.
Why Jeremiah 5:1 matters
- Jeremiah 5:1 clears up any idea that God’s judgment is rash or unfair; God is willing to spare everyone if even one truly righteous person can be found.
- The verse emphasizes how rare true justice and faithfulness have become in Jerusalem, setting up the reason for the coming warnings and judgments in the book.
- This verse connects to a wider biblical theme, seen also in Genesis 18 with Abraham pleading for Sodom, where God’s mercy is available even for the sake of a few righteous people.