Jeremiah 9 6

Jeremiah 9:6 kjv

Thine habitation is in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know me, saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 9:6 nkjv

Your dwelling place is in the midst of deceit; Through deceit they refuse to know Me," says the LORD.

Jeremiah 9:6 niv

You live in the midst of deception; in their deceit they refuse to acknowledge me," declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 9:6 esv

Heaping oppression upon oppression, and deceit upon deceit, they refuse to know me, declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 9:6 nlt

They pile lie upon lie
and utterly refuse to acknowledge me,"
says the LORD.

Jeremiah 9 verses

Jeremiah 9 6 Meaning

Jeremiah 9:6 succinctly exposes the profound spiritual decay of Judah. It declares that the people's entire way of life, their "dwelling," is steeped in pervasive deceit. This deeply entrenched deception, in turn, acts as the very mechanism through which they actively and stubbornly refuse to gain a true, relational knowledge of the LORD. It signifies not mere ignorance, but a willful rejection of God born out of their ingrained treachery and false practices, prompting a direct divine pronouncement of this tragic reality.

Jeremiah 9 6 Context

Jeremiah 9:6 falls within a passage where the prophet Jeremiah intensely laments the spiritual and moral degradation of Judah, painting a picture of a nation deeply entrenched in sin. The chapter opens with Jeremiah wishing he could weep endlessly over his people's iniquities (vv. 1-2). He describes their pervasive deceit, treachery, and abandonment of the LORD (vv. 3-6). This specific verse underscores that not only are their lives characterized by deceit, but this very deceit actively hinders their relationship with God. The following verses detail the judgment awaiting Judah for this pervasive sin, emphasizing that true wisdom is knowing God, rather than relying on their own strength or earthly wisdom. Historically, this prophecy occurs during the final decades of the Kingdom of Judah, a period marked by superficial religious reforms, widespread idolatry, social injustice, and reliance on political alliances rather than covenant faithfulness to YHWH, all while facing the rising threat of Babylonian power.

Jeremiah 9 6 Word analysis

• Your dwelling / הִנֵּה מַשְׁכָּן (hinneh mishkan): The Hebrew hinneh often means "behold" or "indeed," signaling an important pronouncement. Mishkan refers to a "dwelling place" or "tabernacle." While sometimes used for the sacred tent of meeting, here it is used metaphorically. It signifies that the very environment, the collective existence, and the deep-seated character of the people of Judah are thoroughly permeated and defined by deceit. It's not just a casual act; it's their pervasive reality.
• is in the midst of deceit / תִמְרֹמָה הָם (timromah hām): The word timromah is derived from the root for "deceit," "treachery," or "fraud." The form suggests an intensive or abstract state, emphasizing the profound and widespread nature of their deceit. It's not simply "some deceit" but that deceit itself forms their bedrock. Hām means "they are," confirming the state.
• through deceit they refuse / מַאַנָּם (ma'annām): This term expresses an active, stubborn, and willful refusal or rejection. It’s not a passive inability but a strong determination not to do something. The phrase "through deceit" clarifies that their ingrained treachery and reliance on falsehood are not only prevalent but actively prevent them from engaging in a genuine relationship with God. Deception isn't just an outcome; it's a barrier they uphold.
• to know me / לָדַעַת אוֹתִי (lādāʿat oti): Lādāʿat (from yada) signifies "to know." In a biblical context concerning God, yada often implies more than intellectual knowledge. It denotes an intimate, experiential, and relational understanding that profoundly influences one's behavior and allegiance. It's a covenantal knowledge, involving personal communion, obedience, and alignment with God's character and will. "Me" (oti) refers directly to YHWH.
• declares the LORD / נְאֻם יְהוָה (ne'um YHWH): Ne'um is a prophetic formula, authenticating the preceding statement as a direct, authoritative oracle from God. YHWH (the LORD) is God's covenant name, emphasizing that the very God whom Judah claims to worship is the one they are refusing to know.

• "Your dwelling is in the midst of deceit": This group of words portrays a life thoroughly immersed in falsehood. It implies that their very environment, society, and personal lives are characterized by systematic deceit and treachery. It's an indictment of their moral atmosphere, indicating that deceit is not an occasional transgression but a foundational aspect of their existence, whether consciously or unconsciously adopted.
• "through deceit they refuse to know me": This phrase highlights a causal link. Their deep-seated deceit isn't merely a byproduct; it's the active agent or instrument through which they choose to turn away from a genuine, intimate relationship with God. Their fraudulent practices, false hopes, and self-serving ways act as a veil and a barrier, actively obstructing the true knowledge of YHWH which requires honesty, faithfulness, and genuine covenant commitment. This shows an active spiritual resistance rooted in their character.

Jeremiah 9 6 Bonus section

This verse offers a profound polemic against the superficial religiosity prevalent in Judah. It directly challenges the belief that external acts of worship, temple rituals, or merely being the covenant people ensured a right relationship with God. By declaring that their deceit led them to refuse "to know Me," YHWH clarifies that true covenant relationship is not inherited or automatic but requires an authentic, personal, and ethically demonstrated knowledge of His character and commands. Their internal state of deception directly contradicted any outward claims of piety. The emphasis on "knowledge of Me" also connects deeply with Jeremiah's recurring theme throughout the book that Judah's ultimate sin, causing their downfall, was a failure to truly know, understand, and obey their covenant God. This isn't just a failure of intellect but of the will and heart, a choice to reside in and perpetuate falsehood rather than embrace divine truth.

Jeremiah 9 6 Commentary

Jeremiah 9:6 powerfully encapsulates the spiritual plight of Judah, illustrating how their pervasive deceit formed an insurmountable barrier to truly knowing the LORD. This isn't merely about occasional lies but a society, a "dwelling," so thoroughly saturated in treachery that it shapes their entire being. This ingrained falsehood is not a passive fault; it becomes an active refusal. They choose to live in delusion, making it impossible for them to acquire da'at YHWH, the intimate, ethical, and covenantal knowledge of God. This knowledge isn't about intellectual assent but about living righteously, justly, and faithfully according to God's character. By prioritizing deceit and self-interest, they effectively sealed themselves off from a living relationship with their Creator. This foundational failure to know God underpinned all their other transgressions, setting the stage for divine judgment. In practical terms, it warns that consistent dishonesty corrupts our capacity for truth, eventually blinding us to God's true nature and leading to an active resistance to His ways, because true knowledge of God always calls for authenticity and transformation.