Introduction to Jeremiah 5:1: The Search for Justice in a Corrupt City
Jeremiah 5:1 opens with an evocative challenge: search the streets of יְרוּשָׁלִַם (Yerushalayim), seek out one just person. At the heart of this challenge is a double conditional structure using the Hebrew particle אִם (“if”). The verse offers a window into divine justice and mercy—showing that even one righteous individual could stay YHWH’s judgment. This article will explore the grammar and rhetorical power of the conditional particles אִם־תִּמְצְאוּ and אִם־יֵשׁ, and their implications in the context of prophetic indictment and covenant mercy.
שֹׁוטְט֞וּ בְּחוּצֹ֣ות יְרוּשָׁלִַ֗ם וּרְאוּ־נָ֤א וּדְעוּ֙ וּבַקְשׁ֣וּ בִרְחֹובֹותֶ֔יהָ אִם־תִּמְצְא֣וּ אִ֔ישׁ אִם־יֵ֛שׁ עֹשֶׂ֥ה מִשְׁפָּ֖ט מְבַקֵּ֣שׁ אֱמוּנָ֑ה וְאֶסְלַ֖ח לָֽהּ׃
Grammatical Analysis of אִם־תִּמְצְאוּ and אִם־יֵשׁ
The verse contains a dual conditional clause constructed with the particle אִם (“if”), a marker of possibility or hypothesis in Biblical Hebrew. Both clauses work together to build a hypothetical scenario upon which YHWH’s forgiveness is conditioned.
- אִם־תִּמְצְאוּ – “if you find” – Qal imperfect, 2mp from מָצָא, “to find”
- אִם־יֵשׁ – “if there is” – existential clause; יֵשׁ signals presence/existence
This is a compound condition: “If you find a man… if there is one who practices justice…” The sentence does not use a typical protasis–apodosis structure (if… then), but instead implies the consequence—which is finally stated as וְאֶסְלַח לָהּ (“then I will forgive her”).
Phrase-by-Phrase Commentary
שֹׁוטְטוּ בְּחוּצֹות יְרוּשָׁלִַם
- שֹׁוטְטוּ – “Roam!” – imperative (Qal) plural from שׁוּט, “to roam, go about”
- בְּחוּצֹות – “in the streets” – plural of חוּץ, open areas of the city
- יְרוּשָׁלִַם – “of Yerushalayim” – genitive, the city under divine scrutiny
וּרְאוּ־נָא וּדְעוּ וּבַקְשׁוּ
A trio of imperatives intensifies the command:
- רְאוּ־נָא – “See now!” – imperative + emphatic particle
- דְעוּ – “Know!” – imperative of יָדַע
- בַקְשׁוּ – “Seek!” – imperative of בִּקֵּשׁ (Piel)
These verbs urge the reader to engage in an exhaustive search for righteousness within the city—activating both perception and discernment.
אִם־תִּמְצְאוּ אִישׁ
- אִם־תִּמְצְאוּ – “if you find” – introduces the first hypothetical condition
- אִישׁ – “a man” – not just any individual, but one representing justice and faithfulness
The singular noun intensifies the point: even one righteous person could save the city from judgment—echoing Genesis 18 but in reverse emphasis.
אִם־יֵשׁ עֹשֶׂה מִשְׁפָּט מְבַקֵּשׁ אֱמוּנָה
- יֵשׁ – “there is” – existential indicator
- עֹשֶׂה מִשְׁפָּט – “doing justice” – present participle, acting justly
- מְבַקֵּשׁ אֱמוּנָה – “seeking faithfulness” – Piel participle; אֱמוּנָה implies truth, fidelity, reliability
YHWH’s criteria are both moral (justice) and covenantal (faithfulness)—this reflects His dual concern for social ethics and spiritual integrity.
וְאֶסְלַח לָהּ
- וְאֶסְלַח – “and I will forgive” – Qal imperfect, 1cs from סָלַח
- לָהּ – “to her” – referring to Yerushalayim/the nation
This is the apodosis (consequence) of the implied condition. Though delayed syntactically, its appearance delivers theological weight: even one faithful person could have stayed divine wrath. It is a vision of mercy waiting for grounds to be activated.
Theological Significance of אִם in Jeremiah 5:1
1. Conditional Mercy
The use of אִם here shows that divine judgment is not automatic. YHWH is actively seeking a reason to withhold punishment. His mercy is contingent on righteousness—even if minimal.
2. Justice and Faithfulness as Redemptive Criteria
It is not cultic observance but מִשְׁפָּט (justice) and אֱמוּנָה (faithfulness) that YHWH seeks. This reflects the prophetic priority of ethical and relational integrity over ritual formality.
3. Rhetorical Tragedy
The double אִם constructs a hopeful possibility, but the rest of the chapter makes clear that no such man was found. The conditional structure, thus, builds dramatic tension only to underscore the depth of Judah’s moral failure.
The Role of אִם in Jeremiah 5:1
The particle אִם in this verse is pivotal to the verse’s structure and meaning:
- Grammatically: Used twice to form a compound conditional clause
- Literarily: Delays the consequence (forgiveness) to heighten suspense and moral urgency
- Theologically: Reveals YHWH’s desire to forgive and His search for even minimal covenant fidelity
Jeremiah 5:1 stands as a devastating critique of Judah’s spiritual condition. Yet at its core, the verse shows that YHWH’s justice is tempered by mercy—so much so that He would spare the city for even one faithful person. The double אִם construction signals a door left open—but tragically, unanswered.
