And there shall be, like people, like {k} priest: and I will punish them for their ways, and reward them their doings.

(k) Signifying that as they have sinned together, so will they be punished together.

King James Translators' Notes

punish: Heb. visit upon

reward: Heb. cause to return

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

9. like people, like priest-They are one in guilt; therefore they shall be one in punishment (Isa 24:2).

reward them their doings-in homely phrase, "pay them back in their own coin" (Pr 1:31).

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

4:6-11 Both priests and people rejected knowledge; God will justly reject them. They forgot the law of God, neither desired nor endeavoured to retain it in mind, and to transmit the remembrance to their posterity; therefore God will justly forget them and their children. If we dishonour God with that which is our honour, it will, sooner or later, be turned into shame to us. Instead of warning the people against sin, from the consideration of the sacrifices, which showed what an offence sin was to God, since it needed an atonement, the priests encouraged the people to sin, since atonement might be made at so small an expense. It is very wicked to be pleased with the sins of others, because they may turn to our advantage. What is unlawfully gained, cannot be comfortably used. The people and the priests hardened one another in sin; therefore justly shall they share in the punishment. Sharers in sin must expect to share in ruin. Any lust harboured in the heart, in time will eat out all its strength and vigour. That is the reason why many professors grow so heavy, so dull, so dead in the way of religion. They have a liking for some secret lust, which takes away their hearts.