Jeremiah 9:4 kjv
Take ye heed every one of his neighbour, and trust ye not in any brother: for every brother will utterly supplant, and every neighbour will walk with slanders.
Jeremiah 9:4 nkjv
"Everyone take heed to his neighbor, And do not trust any brother; For every brother will utterly supplant, And every neighbor will walk with slanderers.
Jeremiah 9:4 niv
"Beware of your friends; do not trust anyone in your clan. For every one of them is a deceiver, and every friend a slanderer.
Jeremiah 9:4 esv
Let everyone beware of his neighbor, and put no trust in any brother, for every brother is a deceiver, and every neighbor goes about as a slanderer.
Jeremiah 9:4 nlt
"Beware of your neighbor!
Don't even trust your brother!
For brother takes advantage of brother,
and friend slanders friend.
Jeremiah 9 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremiah 9:4 | "Every one will take himself in hand with his neighbour, and in his brother will he not have confidence:" | Jeremiah 9:4 |
| Psalm 41:9 | "Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me." | Psalm 41:9 (Fulfillment) |
| Psalm 55:12-14 | "For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him: But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance." | Psalm 55:12-14 (Echoes betrayal) |
| Proverbs 14:20 | "The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends." | Proverbs 14:20 (Social division) |
| Proverbs 19:4 | "Wealth maketh many neighbours; but the poor is separated from his neighbour." | Proverbs 19:4 (Friends by advantage) |
| Jeremiah 17:5 | "Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD." | Jeremiah 17:5 (General warning) |
| Psalm 118:8 | "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man." | Psalm 118:8 (Preference for God) |
| Isaiah 2:22 | "Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?" | Isaiah 2:22 (Warning against man) |
| 1 Corinthians 1:31 | "That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord." | 1 Corinthians 1:31 (Glory in Lord) |
| Jeremiah 7:24 | "But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked every one after the imagination of their evil heart, and turned their back unto me, and not their face." | Jeremiah 7:24 (Context of disobedience) |
| Jeremiah 11:19 | "But I was like a lamb or an ox that is brought to the slaughter; and I knew not that they had devised devices against me." | Jeremiah 11:19 (Betrayal within the community) |
| Galatians 5:19-21 | "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." | Galatians 5:19-21 (Wickedness of flesh) |
| Romans 3:12 | "They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one." | Romans 3:12 (Universal sinfulness) |
| Ephesians 4:25 | "Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another." | Ephesians 4:25 (Contrast with honesty) |
| Acts 1:16 | "Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them which took Jesus." | Acts 1:16 (Judas as betrayer) |
| Psalm 35:11 | "False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not." | Psalm 35:11 (False accusations) |
| Matthew 10:21 | "And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child; and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death." | Matthew 10:21 (Internal division predicted) |
| John 13:21-27 | "When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me." | John 13:21-27 (Betrayal by a disciple) |
| Jeremiah 20:10 | "For I heard this device of many, Fear was on every side, scribe. Let us device, and let us talk of it. All my familiar friends watched for my halting, saying, Peradventure he will be enticed, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him." | Jeremiah 20:10 (Betrayal from friends) |
Jeremiah 9 verses
Jeremiah 9 4 Meaning
The verse speaks about not trusting or relying on friends or companions because of their deceitfulness and betrayal. It emphasizes that everyone, even those close to one, can act wickedly or unjustly.
Jeremiah 9 4 Context
This verse is found in Jeremiah chapter 9, a section of the book that deals with severe judgment against Judah. Jerusalem and the nation have sinned deeply, leading God to pronounce impending destruction. The prophet Jeremiah laments the corruption and wickedness prevalent among his people. The verses preceding and following this one speak of deceptive tongues, malice, and the breaking of covenants. The overall context is one of spiritual and moral decay within Israel, prompting divine wrath.
Jeremiah 9 4 Word Analysis
- "Every one": (Hebrew: אִ֣ישׁ, ish) - signifies "man" or "each man," emphasizing universality.
- "will take himself in hand": (Hebrew: לָמַד לְעָב֔וֹת, lamad le'aboth) - This phrase is difficult and has varying interpretations. Some translate it as "learn to work," while others suggest "to prepare his hand," "to lay hold," or even "to flatter" or "to act deceitfully." The context of betrayal leans towards the latter meanings, indicating cunning or self-serving actions.
- "with his neighbour": (Hebrew: אֶל־רֵעֵ֑הוּ, el re'ehu) - literally "to his fellow" or "his companion," highlighting the breach of trust even among close associates.
- "and in his brother": (Hebrew: וְאָחִ֛י, ve'achi) - "and his brother," reinforcing the intimacy of the betrayed relationships.
- "will he not have confidence": (Hebrew: לֹ֣א יִבְטָ֔ח, lo yivtach) - signifies "will not trust" or "will not rely on." This verb denotes a deep lack of faith and security.
Jeremiah 9 4 Bonus Section
The phrase "take himself in hand" (לָמַד לְעָב֔וֹת, lamad le'aboth) is particularly instructive. Scholars note the root lamad meaning "to learn" and aboth potentially relating to deeds or work. However, in this context, the 'learning' is not for good but for malicious manipulation or self-protection through deception. The intensity of betrayal described here – even within familial and close community bonds – underscores the divine judgment that was to fall upon Judah. The inability to trust friends or brothers is a consequence of pervasive sin that erodes the very fabric of society, leaving individuals isolated in their fear and suspicion.
Jeremiah 9 4 Commentary
Jeremiah 9:4 conveys a stark reality of societal breakdown. It speaks not of casual acquaintances, but of those closest – neighbors and brothers – who cannot be relied upon. The breakdown in trust reflects a deep spiritual sickness. This isn't merely political or social unrest; it's a pervasive lack of integrity. When honesty and loyalty vanish, even fundamental human relationships are corrupted. The verse serves as a profound warning against placing ultimate trust in flawed human beings. It directs the listener to the only unfailing source of confidence: the Lord. The pervasiveness of deceit among people indicates that their hearts have turned away from righteous principles, mirroring the fallen state of humanity described in other biblical texts.