Jeremiah 8 5

Jeremiah 8:5 kjv

Why then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return.

Jeremiah 8:5 nkjv

Why has this people slidden back, Jerusalem, in a perpetual backsliding? They hold fast to deceit, They refuse to return.

Jeremiah 8:5 niv

Why then have these people turned away? Why does Jerusalem always turn away? They cling to deceit; they refuse to return.

Jeremiah 8:5 esv

Why then has this people turned away in perpetual backsliding? They hold fast to deceit; they refuse to return.

Jeremiah 8:5 nlt

Then why do these people stay on their self-destructive path?
Why do the people of Jerusalem refuse to turn back?
They cling tightly to their lies
and will not turn around.

Jeremiah 8 verses

Jeremiah 8 5 Meaning

This verse expresses the persistent spiritual infidelity of God's people. They are described as having turned away, refusing to return to their Lord. Their ingrained turning away signifies a deep-seated rebellion and a habitual rejection of God's guidance and presence, making their return exceptionally difficult and unlikely.

Jeremiah 8 5 Context

Jeremiah 8:5 is part of a broader oracle of judgment against Judah. The prophet is denouncing the nation's persistent sinfulness and idolatry, particularly their unfaithfulness to God. Earlier in chapter 8, Jeremiah laments the coming destruction and the ignominious treatment of the dead. The verse serves as an explanation for this impending judgment: the people, even when faced with the consequences of their actions and God's continued calls to return, obstinately refuse to do so. This refusal stems from a deep-seated, ingrained rebellion.

Jeremiah 8 5 Word Analysis

• וְאַתָּה (wə’attāh): "and you." A simple conjunction introducing a new subject or emphasis.

• לָמָה (lāmâ): "why." An interrogative particle expressing confusion or a rhetorical question.

• תָּשׁוּבִי (tāšûḇî): "you turn back," "you return." The verb שׁוּב (šûḇ) means to turn, return, go back. The feminine singular ending implies addressing the nation of Judah metaphorically as a feminine entity, which is common in Hebrew poetry and prophetic literature (e.g., Jerusalem or Israel as a woman). This is the core concept of backsliding.

• נְדִיבָה (nəḏîḇâ): "rebellious," "wandering." This word is challenging and has various proposed meanings.

  • It can come from a root meaning "to be free" or "noble," but in a negative sense, "free-willed" in rebellion, or "wilfully astray."
  • Some connect it to nadad (נדד), meaning "to wander," suggesting they are errant and aimless in their rebellion.
  • Other interpretations suggest "stubborn" or "obstinate." The overall sense is persistent, willful deviation from God's path.

• בָּבוּ (bāḇû): "wandering," "straying." From the root נָבַב (nāḇaḇ), often related to "empty" or "vain." Here it emphasizes a purposeful, yet empty and directionless, straying or wandering away from God. It implies a willful, determined moving away, not accidental.

• תֶּחֱטָאִי (teḥĕṭā’î): "you sin," "you rebel." From the verb חָטָא (ḥāṭā’), meaning to miss the mark, to sin, to rebel. The feminine singular ending again addresses the nation. It highlights the active nature of their transgression.

• עַד־לָעַד (‘aḏ-lā‘aḏ): "forevermore," "to eternity." An adverbial phrase emphasizing the perpetual nature of their rebellion. It speaks to the deeply entrenched and seemingly unending character of their sin.

• Group Analysis: "you turn back rebellious, wandering, you sin forevermore"

  • The combination of "turning back rebellious" (תָּשׁוּבִי נְדִיבָה) and "wandering" (בָּבוּ) strongly paints a picture of people who are not just occasionally disloyal but are actively and deliberately straying from God. The adjective "rebellious" coupled with the act of "turning back" suggests a cycle of apostasy that has become their defining characteristic. The "wandering" emphasizes the lack of divine direction and purpose in their lives. The final phrase "you sin forevermore" underscores the apparent hopelessness of their situation, their continuous action of sinning without end or prospect of amendment in their own power.

Jeremiah 8 5 Bonus Section

The Hebrew term נְדִיבָה (nəḏîḇâ) is complex. While it can mean "noble" or "free," its usage here in conjunction with rebellion and turning away from God carries a strong sense of chosen, willful defiance. It suggests an obstinate, determined straying, as opposed to a passive mistake. This choice to be "rebellious" and "wandering" is precisely why their continued sinning is described as perpetual. Jeremiah frequently uses personification, addressing Judah as a woman, as seen in the feminine verb endings here. The prophetic question "Why do you turn back?" underscores God's heartbreak over His people's persistent rejection. The concept of “turning back” (שׁוּב) is pivotal throughout Jeremiah; God’s desire is for them to return in repentance. Yet, here, their “turning back” is a turning away, a relapse into sin, marked by a willfulness and an apparent endlessness that sets the stage for divine judgment.

Jeremiah 8 5 Commentary

The verse paints a grim picture of national apostasy. God, addressing Judah, asks "why" they continue to turn back, implying his persistent longing for their return. However, the descriptions "rebellious" (נְדִיבָה) and "wandering" (בָּבוּ) depict a state of deep, ingrained rebellion and aimless deviation. They are not merely lapsing but are actively and perversely sinning, seemingly without any intention to stop or return to God ("forevermore" עד-לעד). This represents a serious spiritual condition where their transgressions are habitual and defining. The persistent nature of their sin has led them into a cycle of spiritual aimlessness and continuous defiance, alienating them from God's presence and blessing, which will inevitably bring judgment.