Jeremiah 9:8

Translations

Modern

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.

Traditional

Their tongue is as an arrow shot out; it speaketh deceit: one speaketh peaceably to his neighbour with his mouth, but in heart he layeth his wait.

Literal

Their tongue is a slaughtering arrow, speaking deceit; with his mouth he speaks peace to his neighbor, and within himself he sets an ambush.

Latin

Sagitta vulnerans lingua eorum, dolum locuta est. In ore suo pacem cum amico suo loquitur, et occulte ponit ei insidias.

Original

Hebrew

English

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.

Notes

Jeremiah 9:7–9

The Lord declared he would test the people through hardship (Jeremiah 6:27–30; Isaiah 1:25). Three rhetorical questions challenged Jeremiah or anyone else to propose an alternative to the Lord’s actions or explain why they were unjustified.

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

Psalm 28:3
Do not drag me away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, who speak peace to their neighbors while malice is in their hearts.
Proverbs 26:24–26
A hateful man disguises himself with his speech, but he lays up deceit in his heart.
Psalm 120:3
What will He do to you, and what will be added to you, O deceitful tongue?
Psalm 64:3–4
…who sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their bitter words like arrows,
Psalm 55:21
His speech is smooth as butter, but war is in his heart. His words are softer than oil, yet they are swords unsheathed.
Psalm 12:2
They lie to one another; they speak with flattering lips and a double heart.
Psalm 57:4
My soul is among the lions; I lie down with ravenous beasts—with men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.
2 Samuel 20:9–10
“Are you well, my brother?” Joab asked Amasa. And with his right hand Joab grabbed Amasa by the beard to kiss him.
2 Samuel 3:27
When Abner returned to Hebron, Joab pulled him aside into the gateway, as if to speak to him privately, and there Joab stabbed him in the stomach. So Abner died on account of the blood of Joab’s brother Asahel.
Jeremiah 9:3
“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.
Jeremiah 9:5
Each one betrays his friend; no one tells the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they wear themselves out committing iniquity.
Matthew 26:48–49
Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The One I kiss is the man; arrest Him.”

Glossary

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

Topics

Arrows of Slanderous Tongues Deceit: Punishment of Dishonesty: General Scriptures Concerning Falsehood: General Scriptures Concerning Hypocrisy: General Scriptures Concerning Treachery: General Scriptures Concerning

Jeremiah 9:8

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