Jeremiah 9:8

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.
• New International Version (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.
• 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.

Context of Jeremiah 9:8

6They pile lie upon lie and utterly refuse to acknowledge me,” says the Lord. 7Therefore, this is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: “See, I will melt them down in a crucible and test them like metal. What else can I do with my people? For their tongues shoot lies like poisoned arrows. They speak friendly words to their neighbors while scheming in their heart to kill them. 9Should I not punish them for this?” says the Lord. “Should I not avenge myself against such a nation?” 10I will weep for the mountains and wail for the wilderness pastures. For they are desolate and empty of life; the lowing of cattle is heard no more; the birds and wild animals have all fled.

Jeremiah 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“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.
• Psalms 12:2Neighbors lie to each other, speaking with flattering lips and deceitful hearts.
• Psalms 57:4I am surrounded by fierce lions who greedily devour human prey— whose teeth pierce like spears and arrows, and whose tongues cut like swords.
• Psalms 64:3They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their bitter words like arrows.
• Psalms 120:3O deceptive tongue, what will God do to you? How will he increase your punishment?
• 2 Samuel 3:27When Abner arrived back at Hebron, Joab took him aside at the gateway as if to speak with him privately. But then he stabbed Abner in the stomach and killed him in revenge for killing his brother Asahel.
• 2 Samuel 20:9“How are you, my cousin?” Joab said and took him by the beard with his right hand as though to kiss him.
• Psalms 28:3Do not drag me away with the wicked— with those who do evil— those who speak friendly words to their neighbors while planning evil in their hearts.
• Psalms 55:21His words are as smooth as butter, but in his heart is war. His words are as soothing as lotion, but underneath are daggers!
• Proverbs 26:24People may cover their hatred with pleasant words, but they’re deceiving you.
• Matthew 26:48The traitor, Judas, had given them a prearranged signal: “You will know which one to arrest when I greet him with a kiss.”

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

• Deceit
• Dishonesty
• Falsehood
• Hypocrisy
• Treachery

In the dictionaries

• Adulterer
• Arrow
• Desolate
• Heaven
• Perish
• Teach
• Wait
• Covenant, the New
• Exodus, the Book of
• Jeremiah (2)

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