Jeremiah 9 3

Jeremiah 9:3 kjv

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.

Jeremiah 9:3 nkjv

"And like their bow they have bent their tongues for lies. They are not valiant for the truth on the earth. For they proceed from evil to evil, And they do not know Me," says the LORD.

Jeremiah 9:3 niv

"They make ready their tongue like a bow, to shoot lies; it is not by truth that they triumph in the land. They go from one sin to another; they do not acknowledge me," declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 9:3 esv

They bend their tongue like a bow; falsehood and not truth has grown strong in the land; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they do not know me, declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 9:3 nlt

"My people bend their tongues like bows
to shoot out lies.
They refuse to stand up for the truth.
They only go from bad to worse.
They do not know me,"
says the LORD.

Jeremiah 9 verses

Jeremiah 9 3 Meaning

The people of Judah have proven themselves to be faithless and rebellious, choosing to listen to falsehoods rather than God's words. They have been diligently trained and prepared for battle and speaking, but not for listening to the Lord their God. Consequently, the Lord declares His judgment upon them for their persistent disobedience.

Jeremiah 9 3 Context

Jeremiah chapter 9 occurs within a larger prophetic discourse of judgment against Judah for their sins. The prophet Jeremiah has been commissioned by God to denounce the spiritual corruption, social injustice, idolatry, and disobedience prevalent in Judah. In the preceding verses (Jeremiah 9:1-2), Jeremiah expresses profound grief and a desire to flee from the wickedness he witnesses in Jerusalem, a city filled with liars and deceitful practices, rejecting God's call. This verse follows that expression of sorrow, detailing the pervasive nature of their deceit and their stubborn refusal to heed God's voice despite ample opportunity and preparation. The immediate context highlights Judah's consistent rebellion, emphasizing their skill in falsehood rather than in righteousness. The wider context of Jeremiah's prophecy is one of impending Babylonian exile, a consequence of their prolonged apostasy and failure to repent.

Jeremiah 9 3 Word Analysis

• מִן־ (min-): From. Indicates origin or source, setting apart from something.
• הָאִישׁ (ha-'ish): The man. Refers to any individual person, emphasizing that their deception is widespread among all men.
• בְּשָׁמּוֹ (be-shammo): In his name; by his name; indeed. Can emphasize a certainty or a manner of acting. Here it can suggest their deliberate action.
• חָכְמָה (chokhmah): Wisdom. The capacity for knowing, discerning, and applying skill. In this context, it's a twisted or cunning intelligence used for evil purposes.
• לַעֲשׂוֹת ('asot): To do; to make; to perform. Implies their active engagement in their deceptive schemes.
• שֶׁקֶר (sheqer): Lie; falsehood; deceit; deception. The antithesis of truth, a deliberate distortion of reality.
• וַיַּחְדָּלוּ (vay-ychdaloo): And they desisted; they ceased. However, in this context, with "הַרְבּוֹת" (harbot - to increase, many), it implies they desisted from or stopped actively seeking (and thus doing more of) a better way, i.e., stopping from stopping their wicked ways. The meaning here is somewhat inverted by the strong emphasis on their continuation in deceit, "for they stopped not."
• וַאֲשֶׁר (wa-'asher): And that; and they. Connects their stopping from not doing good with the action that follows.
• הַרְבּוֹת (harbot): To do many things; to greatly multiply; to increase. In connection with 'ceased,' it can suggest that they 'ceased their abstaining' from doing many things (good), or more commonly, that their deceitful acts were multiplied.
• עוֹז (oz): Strength; might; power. Divine strength or power.
• לַיהוָה (la-Yahweh): To the LORD. Emphasizes their failure to commit to or seek strength from God.
• אִם־ ('im-): If; whether. A conditional particle, here used negatively, indicating their lack of showing strength.
• אֹזֶן ('ozen): Ear. The organ of hearing. Represents the capacity to listen and obey.
• תִּתְּנוּ (titt'noo): You give. Future tense, referring to their giving of attention or willingness to hear.
• כִּי (ki): For; that; because. A conjunction indicating cause or reason.
• כֹּה (koh): Thus; so. Refers to a manner or condition.
• נָאֻמוּ (na-'umoo): They say; they speak. In the past tense, perfect. Referring to the words they utter.
• אָח ('ach): Brother. A close kinsman.
• רֵעַ (re'a): Neighbor; friend; companion. Refers to those within their community.
• אִישׁ ('ish): Man. Each individual.
• מַתְעִים (mat'im): Deceiving; causing to stray. Present participle, indicating their ongoing practice of leading others astray.

Phrase/Words Group Analysis:"That being very cunning, they went forth to tell lies." - This phrase emphasizes the deliberate and skilled nature of their deceit. Their "cunning" (חָכְמָה - chokhmah) was not for good but for constructing and propagating falsehoods (שֶׁקֶר - sheqer)."and they did not show strength for the LORD" - This highlights a profound lack of reliance on God's power. Instead of drawing strength from their covenant relationship with Yahweh, they failed to manifest any God-given resilience or adherence."but hardened their ear" - This signifies a willful refusal to listen. Their ears were metaphorically "hardened" or closed off to God's pronouncements, preventing them from receiving His instruction or warnings."all of them have been deviating, each man deceiving his neighbor and brother" - This depicts a societal breakdown of truth and trust. The deception is pervasive, affecting all levels of human relationship, from casual acquaintance to familial bonds, revealing a deep moral decay.

Jeremiah 9 3 Bonus Section

The "cunning" used for lying (חָכְמָה לַעֲשׂוֹת שֶׁקֶר) can be seen as a perversion of true wisdom, which the Bible elsewhere defines as the "fear of the LORD" (Proverbs 9:10). This manipulation of intelligence for deceitful ends reflects a deep spiritual void, where God's authority and truth are disregarded. The phrase "hardened their ear" echoes the persistent resistance of Pharaoh in Exodus, a characteristic of those who refuse to submit to God's will even when faced with undeniable displays of His power. The concept of "strength for the LORD" suggests a power or authority that comes from God, manifested in obedience and faithfulness. Their lack of it means they operate independently of His sustaining might. The lament in this verse sets the stage for God's subsequent judgment, underscoring that the sin of stubborn disobedience and pervasive falsehood leads to severe consequences. The failure to listen is presented as a primary offense, as it precludes all other forms of obedience and relationship with God.

Jeremiah 9 3 Commentary

Jeremiah 9:3 paints a stark picture of a society deeply entrenched in falsehood, characterized by its inability to discern or heed God's truth. Their supposed "wisdom" has become a tool for deceit, turning them away from genuine strength found in the Lord. They are skilled in speaking lies, having been trained in deception rather than in obedience. This verse illustrates that external religious practice or national identity cannot substitute for a genuine, listening heart that relies on God's power. Their stubborn refusal to "hear" God means they are impervious to His correction, leading them further into a spiritual blindness. The pervasive nature of their deceit, extending to "neighbor and brother," signifies a fundamental breakdown of community values rooted in truth and fidelity to God. The Lord, therefore, finds them not aligned with His purpose, actively choosing to operate in ways that oppose His will.