Jeremiah 9:5 - A Lament over Zion
Audio Bible
Context
A Lament over Zion
…4“Let everyone guard against his neighbor; do not trust any brother, for every brother deals craftily, and every friend spreads slander. 5Each one betrays his friend; no one tells the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they wear themselves out committing iniquity. 6You dwell in the midst of deception; in their deceit they refuse to know Me,” declares the LORD.…
Cross References
Psalm 52:2-4
Your tongue devises destruction like a sharpened razor, O worker of deceit. / You love evil more than good, falsehood more than speaking truth. Selah / You love every word that devours, O deceitful tongue.Proverbs 6:16-19
There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to Him: / haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, / a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that run swiftly to evil, ...Isaiah 59:3-4
For your hands are stained with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, and your tongue mutters injustice. / No one calls for justice; no one pleads his case honestly. They rely on empty pleas; they tell lies; they conceive mischief and give birth to iniquity.Micah 6:12
For the wealthy of the city are full of violence, and its residents speak lies; their tongues are deceitful in their mouths.Hosea 4:1-2
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! / Cursing and lying, murder and stealing, and adultery are rampant; one act of bloodshed follows another.Zechariah 8:16-17
These are the things you must do: Speak truth to one another, render true and sound judgments in your gates, / do not plot evil in your hearts against your neighbor, and do not love to swear falsely, for I hate all these things,” declares the LORD.Psalm 12:2-3
They lie to one another; they speak with flattering lips and a double heart. / May the LORD cut off all flattering lips and every boastful tongue.Proverbs 12:22
Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight.Isaiah 48:8
You have never heard; you have never understood; for a long time your ears have not been open. For I knew how deceitful you are; you have been called a rebel from birth.Ezekiel 22:9
Among you are slanderous men bent on bloodshed; within you are those who eat on the mountain shrines and commit acts of indecency.Romans 3:13-14
“Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.” “The venom of vipers is on their lips.” / “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”Ephesians 4:25
Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one another.Colossians 3:9
Do not lie to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices,James 3:6-8
The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. / All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, / but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.1 Peter 3:10
For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.
Treasury of Scripture
And they will deceive every one his neighbor, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, and weary themselves to commit iniquity.
they will.
Jeremiah 9:5,8
And they will deceive every one his neighbour, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, and weary themselves to commit iniquity…
Isaiah 59:13-15
In transgressing and lying against the LORD, and departing away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood…
Micah 6:12
For the rich men thereof are full of violence, and the inhabitants thereof have spoken lies, and their tongue is deceitful in their mouth.
deceive.
Job 11:3
Should thy lies make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?
taught.
Jeremiah 9:3
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.
Job 15:5
For thy mouth uttereth thine iniquity, and thou choosest the tongue of the crafty.
Psalm 50:19
Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit.
weary.
Genesis 19:11
And they smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great: so that they wearied themselves to find the door.
Psalm 7:14
Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood.
Proverbs 4:16
For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.
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Act Commit Committing Dealing Deceit Deceive Deceives False. Falsehood Friend Hating Iniquity Lies Mock Neighbor Neighbour Perverse Repent Sinning Speak Speaks Taught Themselves Tongue Tongues Trained True. Truth Twisted Weary WordsJump to Next
Act Commit Committing Dealing Deceit Deceive Deceives False. Falsehood Friend Hating Iniquity Lies Mock Neighbor Neighbour Perverse Repent Sinning Speak Speaks Taught Themselves Tongue Tongues Trained True. Truth Twisted Weary WordsJeremiah 9
1. Jeremiah laments the people for their manifold sins;9. and for their judgment.
12. Disobedience is the cause of their bitter calamity.
17. He exhorts to mourn for their destruction;
23. and to trust not in themselves, but in God.
25. He threatens both Jews and Gentiles.
Each one betrays his friend;
This phrase highlights the pervasive nature of betrayal among the people of Judah. In the context of Jeremiah's ministry, this reflects the breakdown of social and covenantal relationships. Betrayal among friends was a serious violation of trust, echoing the treachery that God felt from His people. This mirrors the betrayal of Jesus by Judas Iscariot, as seen in the New Testament, where close relationships are marred by deceit and disloyalty.
no one tells the truth.
The absence of truth-telling indicates a society steeped in falsehood and deception. This aligns with the broader biblical theme of truth versus falsehood, where God is depicted as the God of truth (Isaiah 65:16) and Satan as the father of lies (John 8:44). The lack of truthfulness among the people signifies their departure from God's ways and commandments, which emphasize honesty and integrity.
They have taught their tongues to lie;
This phrase suggests a deliberate and learned behavior of deceit. The people have become so accustomed to lying that it has become second nature. This reflects the cultural and spiritual decay of the time, where lying was not only common but also taught and perpetuated. It contrasts with the biblical call to teach and uphold God's truth, as seen in Deuteronomy 6:6-7, where parents are instructed to teach God's commandments to their children.
they wear themselves out committing iniquity.
The imagery of wearing oneself out implies a relentless pursuit of sinful behavior, leading to spiritual and physical exhaustion. This reflects the futility and destructive nature of sin, as described in other parts of Scripture, such as Romans 6:23, which states that the wages of sin is death. The people of Judah are depicted as being consumed by their iniquity, highlighting the need for repentance and return to God. This also foreshadows the ultimate rest and redemption found in Jesus Christ, who offers rest for the weary and burdened (Matthew 11:28-30).
Persons / Places / Events
1. Jeremiah
A major prophet in the Old Testament, known for his prophecies concerning the destruction of Jerusalem and the need for repentance among the people of Judah.
2. Judah
The southern kingdom of Israel, which was facing impending judgment due to its persistent sin and rebellion against God.
3. Neighbors
Refers to the people within the community of Judah, highlighting the breakdown of trust and integrity among them.
4. Tongues
Symbolic of speech and communication, emphasizing the deliberate choice to speak falsehoods.
5. Iniquity
Represents the moral corruption and sinfulness that had become pervasive in the society of Judah.
Teaching Points
The Danger of Deception
Deception erodes trust and community. As seen in Jeremiah's time, when deceit becomes widespread, it leads to societal breakdown and divine judgment.
The Power of the Tongue
Our words have the power to build up or destroy. We must be intentional in teaching our tongues to speak truth, aligning with God's standards.
Weariness from Sin
Engaging in sin, such as lying, is exhausting and ultimately unfulfilling. True rest and peace come from living in truth and righteousness.
The Call to Repentance
Just as Judah was called to repent, we too must examine our lives for areas of deceit and turn back to God, seeking His forgiveness and guidance.
Living as People of Truth
As followers of Christ, we are called to be people of truth, reflecting God's character in our interactions and relationships.
(5) Deceive.--The word is commonly translated, as in the margin, mock. (So in 1Kings 18:27; Judges 16:10; Judges 16:13; Judges 16:15.) The context here shows, however, that the kind of mockery is that which at once deludes and derides; and as the former meaning is predominant, the text of the English version had better stand as it is.
To commit iniquity.--Literally, to go crookedly, or, in the strict sense of the word, to do wrong.
Verse 5. - They have taught their tongue, etc.; again an intimation of the unnaturalness (in the higher sense) of vice (comp. on Jeremiah 2:33). Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Each one
וְאִ֤ישׁ (wə·’îš)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person
betrays
יְהָתֵ֔לּוּ (yə·hā·ṯêl·lū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 2048: To deride, to cheat
his friend;
בְּרֵעֵ֙הוּ֙ (bə·rê·‘ê·hū)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7453: Friend, companion, fellow
no
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no
one tells
יְדַבֵּ֑רוּ (yə·ḏab·bê·rū)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue
the truth.
וֶאֱמֶ֖ת (we·’ĕ·meṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 571: Stability, certainty, truth, trustworthiness
They have taught
לִמְּד֧וּ (lim·mə·ḏū)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3925: To exercise in, learn
their tongues
לְשׁוֹנָ֛ם (lə·šō·w·nām)
Noun - common singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 3956: The tongue
to lie;
דַּבֶּר־ (dab·ber-)
Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue
they wear themselves out
נִלְאֽוּ׃ (nil·’ū)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3811: To tire, to be, disgusted
committing iniquity.
הַעֲוֵ֥ה (ha·‘ă·wêh)
Verb - Hifil - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 5753: To bend, twist
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Jeremiah 9:5 Catholic BibleOT Prophets: Jeremiah 9:5 They will deceive everyone his neighbor (Jer.)