Jeremiah 5:26
For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men.
For among my people are found wicked men,.... Not a few only, but in general they appeared to be so, upon an inquiry into their character and conduct; for otherwise it would not have been so difficult to find a good man among them, as is suggested Jeremiah 5:1,
they lay wait as he that setteth snares; or, "they look about" {c}; that is, as Kimchi interprets it, every man looks in the ways, to see if a man passed by, that he might rob him of what he had; as a man that lays snares, or sets a trap to catch birds in: or, "everyone looks out, when they that lay snares rest" {d}; and so they are more diligent and constant in catching men than such persons are in catching birds:
they set a trap; or "dig a pit, or ditch" {e}; for men to fall in; see Psalms 7:15:
they catch men; and rob them of their substance; or by their ill examples and counsels draw them into sin, and so into ruin; or circumvent them in trade and business.
{c} rwvy "aspicit", Vatablus, i. e. "quisque eorum", Piscator; "aspicient", Pagninus.
{d} Myvwqy Kvk rwvy "contemplatur quisque, cum quiescunt aucupes", De Dieu; so Ben Melech; "et cum resident aucupes", Piscator, Gataker; "sit quiet and unmoved, that they may not frighten the birds by any noise, watching and expecting when they would get into the net"; so Gussetius.
{e} tyxvm wbyuh "fodiunt foveas", Tigurine version.