Jeremiah 5:2

And though they say, The LORD liveth; surely they swear falsely.

And though they say {H559}, The LORD {H3068} liveth {H2416}; surely they swear {H7650} falsely {H8267}.

And though they say, 'As ADONAI lives,' the fact is that they are swearing falsely."

Although they say, ‘As surely as the LORD lives,’ they are swearing falsely.”

And though they say, As Jehovah liveth; surely they swear falsely.

Jeremiah 5:2 reveals a profound spiritual crisis in ancient Judah, where even the most sacred oath became a vehicle for deception. Despite outwardly invoking God’s name with the declaration, "The LORD liveth," the people were speaking falsehoods, demonstrating a deep-seated hypocrisy and a complete disregard for divine truth.

Context

This verse is part of a larger indictment by the prophet Jeremiah against the nation of Judah, particularly Jerusalem, for their widespread sin and rebellion against God. Following God's challenge to find a single righteous person in the city (as seen in Jeremiah 5:1), this verse immediately highlights the pervasive corruption. It shows that even religious language and practices had become hollow, used to mask deceit rather than express genuine devotion or truthfulness. This spiritual decay was a primary reason for God's impending judgment upon Judah, leading to the Babylonian exile.

Key Themes

  • Hypocrisy and Deception: The core message is the stark contrast between outward religious profession and inward moral corruption. The people were willing to use God's name, but not to live by His truth. This superficial faith is a recurring theme in prophetic literature, where God consistently desires genuine obedience over mere ritual.
  • Disregard for God's Name: Invoking "The LORD liveth" was a solemn oath, placing one's word under divine scrutiny. To swear falsely by it was a grave offense, essentially taking God's name in vain and profaning His holiness. This act directly violated the Third Commandment.
  • Moral Decay and Spiritual Blindness: The verse illustrates a society where moral standards had eroded to such an extent that even foundational truths were disregarded. This spiritual blindness prevented them from recognizing their sin and repenting.
  • Justification for Judgment: The widespread deceit, even in the context of sacred oaths, underscored the nation's spiritual bankruptcy and justified the severe judgment God was bringing upon them.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "The LORD liveth" translates the Hebrew Yahweh chai (יְהוָה חַי), a common and powerful oath in ancient Israel, affirming the living God as witness to the truth of one's statement. The term for "falsely" is shav' (שָׁוְא), which means "vanity," "falsehood," or "emptiness." It signifies something that is worthless, deceptive, or leads to ruin. Thus, their oaths were not just untrue, but empty and meaningless in the eyes of God.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 5:2 serves as a timeless warning against superficial faith and the danger of religious hypocrisy. It challenges believers to examine their own hearts and ensure that their outward expressions of faith are matched by inner integrity and genuine devotion. God values truthfulness and sincerity above all else, and our words, especially those made in His name, should reflect His character. This verse reminds us that true worship is not merely ritualistic, but a matter of living in truth and integrity before a holy God, as emphasized by Jesus when speaking about worship in John 4:24.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Titus 1:16

    They profess that they know God; but in works they deny [him], being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

  • Jeremiah 4:2

    And thou shalt swear, The LORD liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; and the nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory.

  • Isaiah 48:1

    ¶ Hear ye this, O house of Jacob, which are called by the name of Israel, and are come forth out of the waters of Judah, which swear by the name of the LORD, and make mention of the God of Israel, [but] not in truth, nor in righteousness.

  • Hosea 10:4

    They have spoken words, swearing falsely in making a covenant: thus judgment springeth up as hemlock in the furrows of the field.

  • Leviticus 19:12

    And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I [am] the LORD.

  • 2 Timothy 3:5

    Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

  • Jeremiah 7:9

    Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not;

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back