Jeremiah 5:8 Meaning and Explanation
“They were as fed horses in the morning: every one neighed after his neighbour's wife.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The people are likened to overfed horses—full and restless—each one lustfully pursuing another man's wife.
The Context of Jeremiah 5:8
The people are compared to well-fed horses driven by instinctive lust and desire for others' spouses.
What Does Jeremiah 5:8 Mean?
The image of fed horses compares the people's moral state to animals driven by appetite rather than reason. Well-fed horses became restless and uncontrollable; similarly, the satisfied and wealthy Israelites have channeled their energy into selfish, destructive desires. Each man 'neighs after his neighbour's wife'—the verb 'neigh' emphasizes their animal-like nature and the instinctive, undisciplined nature of their lust.
This verse exposes the spiritual consequence of false security and material abundance. Prosperity without covenant faithfulness breeds chaos. The specific focus on desiring another man's wife violates not only sexual morality but also the commandment against coveting and threatens the social order. The animal comparison suggests they have abandoned their human dignity and covenant calling.
Jeremiah 5:8 in the Original Language
yamsuh (יְמַשּׁוּ), 'neighed' — the cry of a horse; here used metaphorically to describe uncontrolled, instinctive desire.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 5:8
What does Jeremiah 5:8 mean?
The people are likened to overfed horses—full and restless—each one lustfully pursuing another man's wife.
What is the context of Jeremiah 5:8?
The people are compared to well-fed horses driven by instinctive lust and desire for others' spouses.