Jeremiah 9 8

Jeremiah 9:8 kjv

Their tongue is as an arrow shot out; it speaketh deceit: one speaketh peaceably to his neighbour with his mouth, but in heart he layeth his wait.

Jeremiah 9:8 nkjv

Their tongue is an arrow shot out; It speaks deceit; One speaks peaceably to his neighbor with his mouth, But in his heart he lies in wait.

Jeremiah 9:8 niv

Their tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaks deceitfully. With their mouths they all speak cordially to their neighbors, but in their hearts they set traps for them.

Jeremiah 9:8 esv

Their tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaks deceitfully; with his mouth each speaks peace to his neighbor, but in his heart he plans an ambush for him.

Jeremiah 9:8 nlt

For their tongues shoot lies like poisoned arrows.
They speak friendly words to their neighbors
while scheming in their heart to kill them.

Jeremiah 9 verses

Jeremiah 9 8 Meaning

Jeremiah 9:8 exposes the profound hypocrisy and deceit prevalent in Judah. The verse describes people whose tongues are like deadly arrows, constantly speaking treachery and lies. While their outward words convey peace and friendliness to their neighbors, their innermost hearts harbor malicious intent, planning ambushes and setting traps for harm. It portrays a society where trust has eroded, and outward civility conceals deep-seated animosity and treacherous plots.

Jeremiah 9 8 Context

Jeremiah chapter 9 falls within Jeremiah's ministry of warning Judah about their impending judgment due to pervasive sin. The prophet deeply grieves the moral corruption of his people, expressing personal distress over their unfaithfulness. The chapter opens with Jeremiah's lament (vv. 1-2), highlighting the depth of their depravity. Following this, the Lord speaks (vv. 3-11), indicting the people for widespread lying, treachery, and deceit, leading to a breakdown of trust even among family and friends. Verse 8 specifically illustrates this internal rot, depicting the hypocrisy that masquerades as peace while plotting harm. The historical context is Judah on the verge of Babylonian exile, a consequence of their persistent sin and rejection of God's warnings through Jeremiah. This pervasive deceit, as highlighted in verse 8, directly contributed to the societal and spiritual breakdown that warranted God's judgment.

Jeremiah 9 8 Word analysis

• Their tongue: (לְשׁוֹנָם l'shonam) Refers metaphorically to their speech or communication. The focus is on the power of spoken words, whether used for truth or falsehood.
• is a deadly arrow: (חֵץ שׁוֹחֵט khetz shocheṭ) Khetz (arrow) implies swiftness, precision, and the capacity for lethal injury. Shocheṭ (slaughtering/deadly) further intensifies the imagery, suggesting words are not merely hurtful but designed to kill or utterly destroy, often unexpectedly.
• it speaks deceitfully; (מִרְמָה דִּבֵּר ה֗וּא mirmah dibber hu) Mirmah signifies treachery, guile, or fraud. It suggests premeditated and deep-seated falsehood, indicating speech designed to mislead, betray, or exploit rather than accidental miscommunication. The male speaker implies an active agency.
• with their mouths they speak peace: (בְּפִיו שָׁלֹם יְדַבֵּר֙ b'fiv shalom yedabber) B'fiv (with his mouth) highlights the outward presentation. Shalom (peace) is a comprehensive Hebrew term meaning well-being, wholeness, safety, and prosperity. Its deceptive usage here demonstrates extreme hypocrisy, invoking a sacred concept to mask destructive intentions.
• to their neighbors, (אֶת־רֵעֵ֔הוּ et-re'ehu) Refers to a close associate, fellow countryman, or anyone with whom one interacts socially. The betrayal is amplified because it targets those who should be trustworthy.
• but in their hearts they set traps. (וּבְקִרְבּ֖וֹ יָשִׂ֥ים אָרְבּֽוֹ uv'kirbo yasim arbeho) B'kirbo (in his inner part/heart) directly contrasts with the "mouth," revealing the true, hidden motives. Arbeho (his ambush/trap) signifies premeditated malicious schemes, lying in wait to harm. This highlights the calculated nature of their evil.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "Their tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaks deceitfully": This phrase equates their speech directly with a lethal weapon of deception. It vividly portrays words as instruments of violent, hidden aggression rather than tools for genuine communication or peace. The immediate connection of their tongue to such a weapon underscores the rapid, silent, and fatal potential of their falsehoods.
• "with their mouths they speak peace to their neighbors, but in their hearts they set traps": This profound contrast highlights the radical duality of the people. Outwardly, they feign friendliness and offer blessing (shalom); inwardly, they harbor hostile, premeditated evil (*arb). This illustrates extreme hypocrisy and the complete lack of integrity, revealing an intention to destroy rather than uplift their fellow people.

Jeremiah 9 8 Bonus section

The imagery of the tongue as a weapon, specifically an arrow, connects with other ancient Near Eastern texts and biblical passages that emphasize the power of speech for both good and ill. The metaphor chosen here is potent because arrows are silent until release, strike from a distance, and inflict grievous, often fatal wounds. This perfectly captures the deceptive nature of the talk described: seemingly harmless, yet covertly aimed to destroy. The "deadly arrow" points to an internal depravity that translates into actions veiled under pretense, undermining communal bonds from within. The very use of shalom, a divine attribute and the ultimate desire of God for His people, being turned into a tool of deceit, signifies a deep rebellion against the covenant. It's a complete inversion of righteous living. This particular verse helps establish the justification for God's severe judgments, as the societal fabric has been utterly destroyed by pervasive internal malevolence, leaving no room for genuine repentance without radical transformation.

Jeremiah 9 8 Commentary

Jeremiah 9:8 delivers a scathing indictment of Judah's moral corruption, encapsulating the pervasive treachery and hypocrisy that plagued the society. The imagery of the "deadly arrow" for the tongue is striking, presenting speech not just as damaging, but as lethally destructive and insidious. It implies that their words are precise instruments of death, akin to a sniper's shot, not random hurtful remarks. This is further elaborated by describing the words as mirmah (deceit), a deliberate and deeply ingrained pattern of falsehood. The stark contrast between "speaking peace" with the mouth and "setting traps" in the heart exposes the core of their spiritual ailment. It's not a superficial act, but a deep-seated pathology where the outward appearance of shalom (wholeness, well-being) masks an internal desire for ruin. This spiritual duplicity makes trust impossible, leading to a fragmented society where everyone is wary of everyone else, even their closest neighbors. The verse functions as both an accusation against a sinful people and a warning against such treacherous behavior in any community, emphasizing that true peace emanates from an upright heart, not from deceitful lips. This complete breakdown of genuine relationship, both with God and fellow humans, ultimately necessitates divine judgment.