New International Version
Jeremiah 9:8
8Their 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 in other versions
- King James Version (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.
- English Standard Version (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.
- New King James Version (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.
- New Living Translation (NLT)For their tongues shoot lies like poisoned arrows. They speak friendly words to their neighbors while scheming in their heart to kill them.
Context of Jeremiah 9:8
6You live in the midst of deception; in their deceit they refuse to acknowledge me,” declares the Lord. 7Therefore this is what the Lord Almighty says: “See, I will refine and test them, for what else can I do because of the sin of my people? 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. 9Should I not punish them for this?” declares the Lord. “Should I not avenge myself on such a nation as this?” 10I will weep and wail for the mountains and take up a lament concerning the wilderness grasslands. They are desolate and untraveled, and the lowing of cattle is not heard. The birds have all fled and the animals are gone.
Read all of Jeremiah 9Jeremiah 9:8 word by word
חֵ֥ץ שָׁח֛וּט לְשׁוֹנָ֖ם מִרְמָ֣ה דִבֵּ֑ר בְּפִ֗יו שָׁל֤וֹם אֶת־רֵעֵ֙הוּ֙ יְדַבֵּ֔ר וּבְקִרְבּ֖וֹ יָשִׂ֥ים אָרְבּֽוֹ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Their tongueלָשׁוֹןlâshôn lâshôn leshônâh · tongueH3956
- an arrowחֵץchêts · arrowH2671
- shot outשָׁחַטshâchaţ · to slaughterH7819
- it speakethדָבַרdâbar · to speak: speakH1696
- deceitמִרְמָהmirmâh · deceitH4820
- peaceablyשָׁלוֹםshâlôm shâlôm · peaceH7965
- to his neighbourרֵעַrêa‛ rêya‛ · neighborH7453
- with his mouthפֶּהpeh · lipH6310
- but in heartקֶ֫רֶבqereb · entrails: amongH7130
- he layethשׂוּםώûm ώîym · to set: considerH7760
- his waitאֹ֫רֶב'ôreb · ambushH696
Cross-references for Jeremiah 9:8
- Jeremiah 9:3“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.
- Psalms 12:2Everyone lies to their neighbor; they flatter with their lips but harbor deception in their hearts.
- Psalms 57:4I am in the midst of lions; I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts— men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.
- Psalms 64:3They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim cruel words like deadly arrows.
- Psalms 120:3What will he do to you, and what more besides, you deceitful tongue?
- 2 Samuel 3:27Now when Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into an inner chamber, as if to speak with him privately. And there, to avenge the blood of his brother Asahel, Joab stabbed him in the stomach, and he died.
- 2 Samuel 20:9Joab said to Amasa, “How are you, my brother?” Then Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him.
- Psalms 28:3Do not drag me away with the wicked, with those who do evil, who speak cordially with their neighbors but harbor malice in their hearts.
- Psalms 55:21His talk is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords.
- Proverbs 26:24Enemies disguise themselves with their lips, but in their hearts they harbor deceit.
- Matthew 26:48Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.”
Commentaries on Jeremiah 9:8
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 2-9Verses 2-9 From their punishment the prophet now turns to their sins. Jeremiah 9:2 The prophet utters the wish that he might be spared his daily striving, and in some lone wilderness give way to his sorrow, without restraint. A lodging place - It was usual to build in the desert, either by private charity or at the public expense, caravanserais, to receive travelers for a single night, who had however to bring their own supplies with them. An assembly…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 7-9The Lord declared he would test the people through hardship (Jeremiah 6:27–30; Isaiah 1:25). Three rhetorical questions challenged Jeremiah or anyone else to propose an alternative to the Lord’s actions or explain why they were unjustified.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 88. tongue ... arrow shot out--rather, "a murdering arrow" [Maurer] (Jr 9:3). speaketh peaceably ... in heart ... layeth ... wait--layeth his ambush [Henderson], (Psa 55:21).Read the comment
Topics related to Jeremiah 9:8
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Jeremiah 9
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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