Jeremiah 9:3

Translations

Modern

“They bend their tongues like bows; lies prevail over truth in the land. For they proceed from evil to evil, and they do not take Me into account,” declares the LORD.

Traditional

And they bend their tongues like their bow for lies: but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith the Lord.

Literal

“And they bend their tongues like their bow in deception, and they are not mighty for the truth on the earth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they do not know Me!” A declaration of YHWH.

Latin

Et extenderunt linguam suam quasi arcum mendacii et non veritatis: confortati sunt in terra, quia de malo ad malum egressi sunt, et me non cognoverunt, dicit Dominus.

Original

Hebrew

English

“They bend their tongues like bows; lies prevail over truth in the land. For they proceed from evil to evil, and they do not take Me into account,” declares the LORD.

Notes

Jeremiah 9:3

The Lord did not scold Jeremiah for his outburst. Instead, the Lord listed the charges against his people.
The comparison with bows shows that the people's lies were meant to harm others.

Jeremiah 9:3–16

The heavenly court was still in session (see study note on Jeremiah 2:9). The divine Judge explained the charges against the people and justified the harsh verdict. Jeremiah interrupted the Lord’s speech twice to respond to the Lord’s messages (Jeremiah 9:10, 12).

Jeremiah 8:18–9:26

The priests in the Temple memorized and repeated prayers as part of their rituals. They believed using the exact words was crucial; otherwise, the prayers lost their magical power. The character of the priests saying the prayers was not very important. This was also true for lamentations. In contrast, Jeremiah's prayers and lamentations were spontaneous and deeply personal.

Theme notes and profiles

The New Covenant

Events

Prophecies of Jeremiahc. 628 BC

Related verses

Jeremiah 9:8
Their tongues are deadly arrows; they speak deception. With his mouth a man speaks peace to his neighbor, but in his heart he sets a trap for him.
Jeremiah 4:22
“For My people are fools; they have not known Me. They are foolish children, without understanding. They are skilled in doing evil, but they know not how to do good.”
Isaiah 59:13–15
…rebelling and denying the LORD, turning away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering lies from the heart.
Judges 2:10
After that whole generation had also been gathered to their fathers, another generation rose up who did not know the LORD or the works that He had done for Israel.
Romans 3:13
“Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.” “The venom of vipers is on their lips.”
1 Samuel 2:12
Now the sons of Eli were wicked men; they had no regard for the LORD
Jeremiah 7:26
Yet they would not listen to Me or incline their ear, but they stiffened their necks and did more evil than their fathers.
2 Timothy 3:13
…while evil men and imposters go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
Hosea 4:1–3
Hear the word of the LORD, O children of Israel, for the LORD has a case against the people of the land: “There is no truth, no loving devotion, and no knowledge of God in the land!
Romans 1:28
Furthermore, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, He gave them up to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.
Philippians 1:28
…without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a clear sign of their destruction but of your salvation, and it is from God.
Psalm 52:2–4
Your tongue devises destruction like a sharpened razor, O worker of deceit.

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (Old Testament) Book of Jeremiah Jeremiah (Person) Neighbor

Topics

Believing Lies Blindness: Spiritual Church: Backslidden Falsehood: General Scriptures Concerning Ignorance of God: The Wicked, in a State of Lukewarmness: Figurative Lying: The Wicked: Prepare Their Tongues For Prophets: Felt Deeply on Account of the Calamities Which They Predicted Religious Zeal: Exemplified Sin: Progressive The Bow of the Tongue of the Wicked Truth: The Evil People are not Valiant For Truth: The Wicked are not Valiant For War: Mere Professors do not Maintain Warfare of Saints: Mere Professors do not Maintain Wicked (People): Described

Jeremiah 9:3

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Events?

Related verses?

Glossary?

Topics?

Translations

Original

Notes

Events

Related verses

Glossary

Topics