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 5:28KJV
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Jeremiah 5:28 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 5:28 mean?

Jeremiah 5:28 describes a group of people who have become wealthy and self-satisfied, yet they ignore justice and fail to defend the rights of the vulnerable, such as orphans and the needy. The verse highlights that these people prosper while neglecting their responsibility to judge fairly and help those in need.

In this verse, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking God’s message to the people of Judah. He is pointing out the corruption and moral failure among those who should be leading or upholding justice. Instead of caring for the fatherless and needy, they overlook their cases and allow injustice to continue, even as they themselves thrive.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 5:28

  • "fat" (שָׁמֵן, shamen): This word means to be physically fat or figuratively prosperous. Here, it paints a picture of people who are comfortable and well-off, suggesting excess and self-indulgence.
  • "shine" (עָשַׁת, 'ashat): This word can mean to be sleek or polished, further emphasizing the idea of outward prosperity and well-being.
  • "judge" (דִּין, din) and "cause" (רִיב, riv): These words refer to legal judgment and a legal case or dispute. The verse stresses that those in power are not giving fair judgment, especially in cases involving the fatherless and needy.
  • "prosper" (צָלַח, tsalach): This word means to succeed or thrive. The verse notes the irony that these unjust people continue to prosper materially, even as they fail in their moral duties.

Why Jeremiah 5:28 matters

  • Jeremiah 5:28 clarifies that material success does not mean someone is righteous or just; the verse exposes how prosperity can coexist with deep injustice.
  • The verse highlights the specific failure to care for the fatherless and needy, showing that God’s concern for justice is especially focused on society’s most vulnerable.
  • In the wider context of Jeremiah 5, this verse helps explain why judgment is coming upon Judah: their leaders and influential people have abandoned justice and compassion, which are central to God’s expectations for His people.

Where else these words appear

“shine” Hebrew H6245 · used in 2 verses

  • Jonah 1:6 So the shipmaster came to him, and said unto him, What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not.

“fat” Hebrew H8080 · used in 4 verses

  • 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.
  • Nehemiah 9:25 And they took strong cities, and a fat land, and possessed houses full of all goods, wells digged, vineyards, and oliveyards, and fruit trees in abundance: so they did eat, and were filled, and became fat, and delighted themselves in thy great goodness.
  • Isaiah 6:10 Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.

“cause” Hebrew H1779 · used in 17 verses

  • Deuteronomy 17:8 If there arise a matter too hard for thee in judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke, being matters of controversy within thy gates: then shalt thou arise, and get thee up into the place which the LORD thy God shall choose;
  • Psalms 9:4 For thou hast maintained my right and my cause; thou satest in the throne judging right.
  • Proverbs 29:7 The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.

“judge” Hebrew H1777 · used in 24 verses

  • Genesis 6:3 And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.
  • Job 36:31 For by them judgeth he the people; he giveth meat in abundance.
  • Psalms 135:14 For the LORD will judge his people, and he will repent himself concerning his servants.