Jeremiah 9:3
Jeremiah 9:3 in Multiple Translations
“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.
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.
And they bend their tongue, as it were their bow, for falsehood; and they are grown strong in the land, but not for truth: for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith Jehovah.
Their tongues are bent like a bow to send out false words: they have become strong in the land, but not for good faith: they go on from evil to evil, and they have no knowledge of me, says the Lord.
Their words are like arrows shot from a bow. Lies win out over the truth throughout the country. They go from one evil thing to the next, forgetting all about me, declares the Lord.
And they bende their tongues like their bowes for lyes: but they haue no courage for the trueth vpon the earth: for they proceede from euill to worse, and they haue not knowen mee, sayth the Lord.
And they bend their tongue, their bow [is] a lie, And not for stedfastness have they been mighty in the land, For from evil unto evil they have gone forth, And Me they have not known, An affirmation of Jehovah!
“They bend their tongue, as their bow, for falsehood. They have grown strong in the land, but not for truth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they don’t know me,” says the LORD.
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.
And they have bent their tongue, as a bow, for lies, and not for truth: they have strengthened themselves upon the earth, for they have proceeded from evil to evil, and me they have not known, saith the Lord.
Yahweh replied to me, “They use their tongues to tell [MET] lies like people shoot arrows with bows. It is because they tell lies that they have become more powerful in this land, and they do not know me.
Berean Amplified Bible — Jeremiah 9:3
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Jeremiah 9:3 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אִ֤ישׁ
מֵ/רֵעֵ֨/הוּ֙
הִשָּׁמֵ֔רוּ
וְ/עַל
כָּל
אָ֖ח
אַל
תִּבְטָ֑חוּ
כִּ֤י
כָל
אָח֙
עָק֣וֹב
יַעְקֹ֔ב
וְ/כָל
רֵ֖עַ
רָכִ֥יל
יַהֲלֹֽךְ
אִ֤ישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
man
N-ms
מֵ/רֵעֵ֨/הוּ֙
rêaʻ
H7453
neighbor
Prep | N-ms | Suff
הִשָּׁמֵ֔רוּ
shâmar
H8104
to keep
V-Niphal-Impv-2mp
וְ/עַל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Conj | Prep
כָּל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
אָ֖ח
ʼâch
H251
brother
N-ms
אַל
ʼal
H408
not
Part
תִּבְטָ֑חוּ
bâṭach
H982
to trust
V-Qal-Juss-2mp
כִּ֤י
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
כָל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
אָח֙
ʼâch
H251
brother
N-ms
עָק֣וֹב
ʻâqab
H6117
to assail
V-Qal-Ptc
יַעְקֹ֔ב
ʻâqab
H6117
to assail
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
וְ/כָל
kôl
H3605
all
Conj | N-ms
רֵ֖עַ
rêaʻ
H7453
neighbor
N-ms
רָכִ֥יל
râkîyl
H7400
slander
N-ms
יַהֲלֹֽךְ
hâlak
H1980
to go
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Jeremiah 9:3
אִ֤ישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
"man"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)
Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.
מֵ/רֵעֵ֨/הוּ֙
rêaʻ
H7453
"neighbor"
Prep | N-ms | Suff
A neighbor or friend is what this word means, describing someone close to you. It can also refer to a companion, fellow citizen, or another person, and is often translated as brother or friend.
Definition: 1) friend, companion, fellow, another person 1a) friend, intimate 1b) fellow, fellow-citizen, another person (weaker sense) 1c) other, another (reciprocal phrase)
Usage: Occurs in 173 OT verses. KJV: brother, companion, fellow, friend, husband, lover, neighbour, [idiom] (an-) other. See also: Genesis 11:3; Job 42:7; Psalms 12:3.
הִשָּׁמֵ֔רוּ
shâmar
H8104
"to keep"
V-Niphal-Impv-2mp
To keep or obey means to protect, attend to, or guard something, like keeping a promise or watching over someone, as seen in the commands to observe the Sabbath.
Definition: : obey/observe 1) to keep, guard, observe, give heed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to keep, have charge of 1a2) to keep, guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life 1a2a) watch, watchman (participle) 1a3) to watch for, wait for 1a4) to watch, observe 1a5) to keep, retain, treasure up (in memory) 1a6) to keep (within bounds), restrain 1a7) to observe, celebrate, keep (sabbath or covenant or commands), perform (vow) 1a8) to keep, preserve, protect 1a9) to keep, reserve 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be on one's guard, take heed, take care, beware 1b2) to keep oneself, refrain, abstain 1b3) to be kept, be guarded 1c) (Piel) to keep, pay heed 1d) (Hithpael) to keep oneself from
Usage: Occurs in 440 OT verses. KJV: beward, be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep(-er, self), mark, look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save (self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch(-man). See also: Genesis 2:15; Deuteronomy 11:1; 1 Kings 14:8.
וְ/עַל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Conj | Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
כָּל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
אָ֖ח
ʼâch
H251
"brother"
N-ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means a brother or male sibling, but it can also refer to a close relative, friend, or someone with a similar relationship. It is used to describe the bond between brothers, like the relationship between Cain and Abel in Genesis.
Definition: : male-sibling 1) brother 1a) brother of same parents 1b) half-brother (same father) 1c) relative, kinship, same tribe 1d) each to the other (reciprocal relationship) 1e) (fig.) of resemblance
Usage: Occurs in 572 OT verses. KJV: another, brother(-ly); kindred, like, other. Compare also the proper names beginning with 'Ah-' or 'Ahi-'. See also: Genesis 4:2; Genesis 42:13; Numbers 25:6.
אַל
ʼal
H408
"not"
Part
Means not or nothing, used to express negation, as in the phrase do not or let not be.
Definition: 1) not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference) 1a) do not, let not (with a verb) 1b) let there not be (with a verb understood) 1c) not, no (with substantive) 1d) nothing (as substantive) Aramaic equivalent: al (אַל "not" H0409)
Usage: Occurs in 572 OT verses. KJV: nay, neither, [phrase] never, no, nor, not, nothing (worth), rather than. See also: Genesis 13:8; Joshua 11:6; 1 Chronicles 22:13.
תִּבְטָ֑חוּ
bâṭach
H982
"to trust"
V-Qal-Juss-2mp
To trust means to have confidence or faith in something or someone, like the Israelites trusting in God to lead them through the desert, as seen in Psalm 23.
Definition: 1) to trust 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to trust, trust in 1a2) to have confidence, be confident 1a3) to be bold 1a4) to be secure 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to trust, make secure 2) (TWOT) to feel safe, be careless
Usage: Occurs in 117 OT verses. KJV: be bold (confident, secure, sure), careless (one, woman), put confidence, (make to) hope, (put, make to) trust. See also: Deuteronomy 28:52; Psalms 118:8; Psalms 4:6.
כִּ֤י
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
כָל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
אָח֙
ʼâch
H251
"brother"
N-ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means a brother or male sibling, but it can also refer to a close relative, friend, or someone with a similar relationship. It is used to describe the bond between brothers, like the relationship between Cain and Abel in Genesis.
Definition: : male-sibling 1) brother 1a) brother of same parents 1b) half-brother (same father) 1c) relative, kinship, same tribe 1d) each to the other (reciprocal relationship) 1e) (fig.) of resemblance
Usage: Occurs in 572 OT verses. KJV: another, brother(-ly); kindred, like, other. Compare also the proper names beginning with 'Ah-' or 'Ahi-'. See also: Genesis 4:2; Genesis 42:13; Numbers 25:6.
עָק֣וֹב
ʻâqab
H6117
"to assail"
V-Qal-Ptc
This Hebrew word means to attack or trip someone up from behind, often used to describe underhanded tactics. It appears in Genesis 27:36, where Jacob is said to have supplanted Esau. The word is also used in Hosea 12:3-4 to describe Jacob's actions.
Definition: 1) to supplant, circumvent, take by the heel, follow at the heel, assail insidiously, overreach 1a) (Qal) to supplant, overreach, attack at the heel 1b) (Piel) to hold back
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: take by the heel, stay, supplant, [idiom] utterly. See also: Genesis 27:36; Jeremiah 9:3; Hosea 12:4.
יַעְקֹ֔ב
ʻâqab
H6117
"to assail"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to attack or trip someone up from behind, often used to describe underhanded tactics. It appears in Genesis 27:36, where Jacob is said to have supplanted Esau. The word is also used in Hosea 12:3-4 to describe Jacob's actions.
Definition: 1) to supplant, circumvent, take by the heel, follow at the heel, assail insidiously, overreach 1a) (Qal) to supplant, overreach, attack at the heel 1b) (Piel) to hold back
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: take by the heel, stay, supplant, [idiom] utterly. See also: Genesis 27:36; Jeremiah 9:3; Hosea 12:4.
וְ/כָל
kôl
H3605
"all"
Conj | N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
רֵ֖עַ
rêaʻ
H7453
"neighbor"
N-ms
A neighbor or friend is what this word means, describing someone close to you. It can also refer to a companion, fellow citizen, or another person, and is often translated as brother or friend.
Definition: 1) friend, companion, fellow, another person 1a) friend, intimate 1b) fellow, fellow-citizen, another person (weaker sense) 1c) other, another (reciprocal phrase)
Usage: Occurs in 173 OT verses. KJV: brother, companion, fellow, friend, husband, lover, neighbour, [idiom] (an-) other. See also: Genesis 11:3; Job 42:7; Psalms 12:3.
רָכִ֥יל
râkîyl
H7400
"slander"
N-ms
This word means slander, referring to someone who spreads rumors or false information. In the Bible, it describes a person who carries tales and causes trouble. The KJV translates it as slander or talebearer.
Definition: slander, slanderer, tale bearer, informer
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: slander, carry tales, talebearer. See also: Leviticus 19:16; Jeremiah 6:28; Proverbs 11:13.
יַהֲלֹֽךְ
hâlak
H1980
"to go"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
Means to walk or go, used in many different contexts in the Bible. It can describe physical movement, but also spiritual or emotional journeys. Appears in various forms, such as 'to go' or 'to walk'.
Definition: : walk/move 1) to go, walk, come 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away 1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.) 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to walk 1b2) to walk (fig.) 1c) (Hithpael) 1c1) to traverse 1c2) to walk about 1d) (Niphal) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk
Usage: Occurs in 473 OT verses. KJV: (all) along, apace, behave (self), come, (on) continually, be conversant, depart, [phrase] be eased, enter, exercise (self), [phrase] follow, forth, forward, get, go (about, abroad, along, away, forward, on, out, up and down), [phrase] greater, grow, be wont to haunt, lead, march, [idiom] more and more, move (self), needs, on, pass (away), be at the point, quite, run (along), [phrase] send, speedily, spread, still, surely, [phrase] tale-bearer, [phrase] travel(-ler), walk (abroad, on, to and fro, up and down, to places), wander, wax, (way-) faring man, [idiom] be weak, whirl. See also: Genesis 2:14; Judges 4:9; 1 Kings 13:12.
Study Notes — Jeremiah 9:3
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Jeremiah 9:3 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 9:3
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 9:3
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 9:3
- Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 9:3
- Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 9:3
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 9:3
- Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 9:3
- Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 9:3
- Sermons on Jeremiah 9:3
Context — A Lament over Zion
1Oh, that my head were a spring of water, and my eyes a fountain of tears! I would weep day and night over the slain daughter of my people.
2If only I had a traveler’s lodge in the wilderness, I would abandon my people and depart from them, for they are all adulterers, a crowd of faithless people.
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.
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.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 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. |
| 2 | 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.” |
| 3 | 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. |
| 4 | 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. So justice is turned away, and righteousness stands at a distance. For truth has stumbled in the public square, and honesty cannot enter. Truth is missing, and whoever turns from evil becomes prey. The LORD looked and was displeased that there was no justice. |
| 5 | Romans 3:13 | “Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.” “The venom of vipers is on their lips.” |
| 6 | 1 Samuel 2:12 | Now the sons of Eli were wicked men; they had no regard for the LORD |
| 7 | Psalms 120:2–4 | Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips and a deceitful tongue. What will He do to you, and what will be added to you, O deceitful tongue? Sharp arrows will come from the warrior, with burning coals of the broom tree! |
| 8 | Romans 1:16 | I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Greek. |
| 9 | Psalms 64:3–4 | who sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their bitter words like arrows, ambushing the innocent in seclusion, shooting suddenly, without fear. |
| 10 | 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. |
Jeremiah 9:3 Summary
[Jeremiah 9:3 is saying that the people are using their words to hurt and deceive others, and they are not thinking about God or what He wants. This is similar to what is written in Psalm 52:4, where it is said that 'the words of the Lord are pure words'. We can learn from this by being careful with our own words and making sure to speak the truth, as encouraged in Ephesians 4:29. By doing so, we can live with integrity and honesty, and remember that God is always with us, as seen in Hebrews 4:13.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'bend their tongues like bows' in Jeremiah 9:3?
This phrase means that the people are using their words as weapons to deceive and harm others, much like a bow is used to shoot arrows, as seen in the way they 'wear themselves out committing iniquity' in Jeremiah 9:5. This is similar to the warning in Ephesians 4:25 to speak truthfully to one another.
Why does the Lord say 'they do not take Me into account' in Jeremiah 9:3?
The Lord is saying that the people have forgotten about Him and are living their lives without considering His presence or will, much like it is written in Psalm 10:4 that 'the wicked, in the pride of his countenance, does not seek God; God is not in all his thoughts'.
How can we apply Jeremiah 9:3 to our own lives today?
We can apply this verse by being mindful of the words we speak and the actions we take, making sure to speak the truth and live with integrity, as encouraged in Colossians 3:8-10, and by remembering that God is always with us and taking our actions into account.
What is the result of the people's actions in Jeremiah 9:3?
The result is that 'lies prevail over truth in the land', indicating a complete breakdown of trust and morality, which is further explained in Jeremiah 9:4-5, where it is written that everyone guards against their neighbor and no one tells the truth.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I may be 'bending my tongue like a bow' in my own life, and how can I change this?
- How can I make sure to 'take God into account' in my daily decisions and actions?
- What are some lies that I may be believing or telling myself, and how can I replace them with the truth of God's Word?
- In what ways can I be a truth-teller in a world where lies often prevail, as seen in Jeremiah 9:3 and encouraged in Proverbs 12:22?
Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 9:3
And they bend their tongues like their bow for lies,.... Their tongues were like bows, and their lying words like arrows, which they directed against persons to their injury; see Psalms 11:2, or,
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 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.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 9:3
Bend, Heb. tread, because bows are usually kneeled or trod upon when they are bent, Jeremiah 1 14 51:3. Like their bow; their tongues are here compared to a bow, and lies to arrows, because as a bow shoots out arrows, so doth the tongue words, . For lies, i.e. all reproachful, false, and noxious words, to the damage of one another; and so bending may be preparing, framing, and contriving that mischief which they purpose to vent with their tongues, 64:3, as bending is preparing the bow to do execution with the arrow. They are not valiant for the truth; equity, justice; they are as eager in the ways of falsehood as men engaged in war, but show no valour in maintaining the truth. Upon the earth, i.e. no truth in the earth in them, as we use to express ourselves; or rather more genuinely in the land wherein they live, they have no courage in what is good. They proceed from evil to evil; either in kind or in degree; they go on from bad to worse, , which speaks little hopes of their repentance; the ground of all which is said here to be, their not knowing of God, as in the next clause, ,11 . The heart cannot work strongly after God where there be but mean apprehensions of him.
Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 9:3
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.Ver. 3. And they bend their tongues like their bow for lies.] To the impeaching of others in their name, state, and life. I read that in Italy, at this day, they have a pocketstone bow, which, held under a cloak, shoots needles with violence to pierce a man’ s body, yet leaveth a wound scarce discernible. Lo, such is an evil tongue, and such mischief it may do a man. But they are not valiant for the truth.] Truth is no part of their profession; and courage in a good cause they have none. Of the most we may say, as of harts and stags, they have great horns, but to little purpose; or as Themistocles said of the Eretrians, that they were like the swordfish, which hath a sword indeed, but not a heart to make use of it. And they know not me, saith the Lord.] The low apprehensions men have of God, make their hearts work so poorly after him. Il Mercurio Italico. Plutarch.
Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 9:3
(3) Like their bow for lies.—The inserted words turn the boldness of the metaphor into a comparatively tame simile. They bend their tongue to be their bow of lies. The same figure meets us in Psalms 57:4; Psalms 58:7; Psalms 64:3. They are not valiant for the truth upon the earth.—Better, they are not mighty for truth, i.e., faithfulness, in the land—i.e., they do not rule faithfully. It is not without some regret that we part with a phrase which has gained something of a proverbial character as applied to the champions of speculative truth or abstract right, but the above gives the true meaning of the Hebrew. They know not me.—“Know” in the sense of acknowledging and obeying (1 Samuel 2:12; Job 18:21). This was the root evil from which all other evils issued.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 9:3
Verse 3. They bend their tongues like their bow for lies] And their lies are such that they as fully take away life as the keenest arrow shot from the best strung bow. The false prophets told the people that there was no desolation at hand: the people believed them; made no preparation for their defence; did not return to the Lord; and the sword came and destroyed them. They are not valiant for the truth] They are bold in sin, and courageous to support their lies; but the truth they neither patronize nor support.
Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 9:3
3. falsehood] as the arrow. For the figure cp. Psalms 64:3 f. truth] mg. faithfulness. See on Jeremiah 5:1.
Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 9:3
3. Tongues like their bow — Ready to shoot out lies. Not valiant for the truth — This grand phrase is not defensible as a translation in this place.
Sermons on Jeremiah 9:3
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Mr. Valiant-for-Truth by Ernest C. Reisinger | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the importance of understanding and embracing the doctrines of grace. He addresses young preachers and attendees of a conference who may encou |
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Knowing and Doing Good by Thomas Watson | Thomas Watson preaches about the importance of knowing and doing good, emphasizing that sinning knowingly and presumptuously is a heinous offense before God. He explains that to si |
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Epistle 400 by George Fox | George Fox preaches about the importance of dwelling in God's love, patience, and truth, emphasizing the eternal nature of God's Word and the need to abide in it. He encourages liv |
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Epistle 227 by George Fox | George Fox encourages believers to rejoice and sing, emphasizing that despite the darkness surrounding them, the Lord is actively working and truth is flourishing. He reminds them |
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Epistle 386 by George Fox | George Fox addresses the Monthly Meeting of Charleston, encouraging them to stand faithful in truth and righteousness, bearing fruits of holiness that lead to everlasting life. He |
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Epistle 35 by George Fox | George Fox calls upon the prophets of the Lord to stand firm in their calling and not to be discouraged by the world's disdain for prophecy. He emphasizes the importance of remaini |
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Epistle 236 by George Fox | George Fox preaches about the enduring power of truth and the sovereignty of God amidst trials and tribulations. He encourages believers to find strength in Christ, the bread of li |