Jeremiah 5:2

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 5:2 powerfully exposes the deep spiritual hypocrisy prevalent in Judah, where the people outwardly invoked the most sacred divine oath, "The LORD liveth," yet simultaneously engaged in blatant falsehoods. This verse starkly reveals a society where religious language had become a mere facade, devoid of genuine reverence for God or commitment to truth, highlighting the profound moral decay that necessitated divine judgment upon the nation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Jeremiah's scathing indictment of Judah's pervasive sin and rebellion against Yahweh, specifically following God's challenge in [Jeremiah 5:1](/jeremiah/5-1 "Jeremiah 5:1 - Searching for a Righteous Person") to find even one righteous person in Jerusalem. The broader context of [Jeremiah 5](/jeremiah/5 "Jeremiah 5 - Judah's Rebellion and Impending Judgment") portrays a nation steeped in idolatry, injustice, and moral corruption, where every segment of society, from the prophets and priests to the common people, has abandoned God's covenant. Verse 2 specifically targets the perversion of sacred acts, demonstrating that even solemn oaths, meant to invoke divine witness and ensure truthfulness, had become instruments of deceit. This illustrates the depth of spiritual depravity that left God with no recourse but to bring judgment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, an oath invoking God's name, such as "The LORD liveth" (Hebrew: *Yahweh chai*), was the highest form of affirmation, placing one's word under divine scrutiny and inviting divine wrath if the oath was broken or made falsely. Such oaths were foundational to legal proceedings, covenants, and daily interactions, signifying utmost sincerity and truthfulness. For the people of Judah to swear falsely by this sacred phrase indicated a profound desecration of God's name and a complete breakdown of societal trust and religious integrity. This period in Judah's history (late 7th to early 6th century BCE) was marked by political instability, the rise of Babylonian power, and a pervasive syncretism where the worship of Yahweh was mixed with pagan practices, leading to widespread moral decay and a disregard for the Mosaic Law, including the [Third Commandment against taking God's name in vain](/exodus/20-7 "Exodus 20:7 - The Third Commandment").
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 5:2 powerfully underscores several key themes prevalent throughout the book of [Jeremiah](/jeremiah/1 "The Book of Jeremiah - Prophecies of Judgment and Restoration"). Foremost is the theme of **Hypocrisy and Deception**, where outward religious observance is starkly contrasted with inward corruption and a complete lack of integrity. The people's willingness to use God's name while living in falsehood highlights a superficial faith that God vehemently rejects, as seen in passages like [Isaiah 29:13](/isaiah/29-13 "Isaiah 29:13 - Lip Service vs. Heart Worship"). This leads to the theme of **Disregard for God's Name and Covenant**, as swearing falsely by Yahweh's name was a direct violation of the covenant and a profanation of divine holiness. The verse also illustrates the pervasive **Moral Decay and Spiritual Blindness** that afflicted Judah, preventing them from recognizing their sin and repenting, a condition often described by Jeremiah (e.g., [Jeremiah 8:5-7](/jeremiah/8-5-7 "Jeremiah 8:5-7 - Judah's Stubbornness and Lack of Discernment")). Ultimately, this deep-seated deceit, even in the context of sacred oaths, serves as a compelling **Justification for God's Impending Judgment**, demonstrating the nation's spiritual bankruptcy and validating the severe consequences of the Babylonian exile prophesied by Jeremiah.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **say (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** A primitive root, this verb is used with great latitude, encompassing the act of speaking, answering, declaring, or even thinking. In this context, it refers to the verbal utterance of the solemn oath. The problem is not the act of saying itself, but the intention and truthfulness behind the utterance, which are revealed to be absent.
* **liveth (Hebrew, _chay'_):** Derived from the root meaning "to live," this word signifies being alive, vigorous, or fresh. When used in the oath "The LORD liveth," it affirms God's active existence, His vitality, and His role as a living, seeing, and judging witness to all human actions and words. To swear by the "living" God implies that He is present and capable of holding one accountable for their sworn word.
* **falsely (Hebrew, _sheqer'_):** This noun denotes an untruth, a lie, or a sham. It implies something deceptive, vain, or worthless. When applied to an oath, it means the oath is not only untrue but also empty and meaningless in God's sight, a deliberate perversion of truth that carries no weight or validity, demonstrating a profound lack of integrity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And though they say":** This introductory clause sets the stage for the revelation of profound hypocrisy. It acknowledges the outward profession or utterance made by the people, suggesting a performative aspect of their religious life. They are speaking, but their words are disconnected from their hearts and true intentions.
* **"The LORD liveth":** This is the specific, solemn oath being uttered. It is a declaration of God's active, living presence and sovereignty, typically used to affirm the absolute truth of a statement or promise. On the surface, it appears to be an act of reverence and faith, invoking the very name of Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel.
* **"surely they swear falsely":** This concluding phrase delivers the crushing indictment. Despite the sacred nature of the oath and the invocation of God's living name, the people's underlying intention is deceitful. The word "surely" (Hebrew: *ʾak*) emphasizes the certainty and undeniable nature of their falsehood. They are not merely mistaken; they are deliberately and habitually swearing lies, demonstrating a profound disrespect for God and a complete lack of integrity.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 5:2 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of spiritual decay. The most prominent is **Irony**, as the very act of invoking "The LORD liveth"—an oath meant to affirm truth by the living God—is immediately followed by the declaration that "surely they swear falsely." This creates a stark and tragic contrast, highlighting the profound disconnect between outward religious profession and inward moral corruption. The phrase "The LORD liveth" itself functions as a **Symbol** of divine sovereignty and truth, which is then desecrated by the people's actions. The prophet's direct and declarative statement, "surely they swear falsely," serves as a powerful **Indictment**, leaving no room for doubt about the nation's guilt. This concise verse also exemplifies **Conciseness**, packing a profound theological and moral critique into a few words, making its message all the more impactful.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 5:2 serves as a stark reminder that God values genuine integrity and truthfulness above all outward religious performance. The perversion of sacred oaths underscores a fundamental theological principle: God cannot be mocked, and true worship is not merely ritualistic but demands a heart transformed by truth and obedience. The people's actions reveal a society that had lost its moral compass, where even the most sacred expressions became tools for deceit, demonstrating a profound failure to honor God's name and covenant. This spiritual bankruptcy ultimately justified God's severe judgment, as a nation that could not be trusted with its own words, even before God, had forfeited its claim to His protection and blessing.

* [Psalm 15:4](/psalm/15-4 "Psalm 15:4 - Who May Dwell on Your Holy Hill?")
* [Matthew 5:33-37](/matthew/5-33-37 "Matthew 5:33-37 - Jesus on Oaths")
* [James 5:12](/james/5-12 "James 5:12 - Do Not Swear")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 5:2 stands as a timeless warning against the insidious nature of hypocrisy and the danger of allowing religious language to become a cover for unrighteous living. It challenges us to look beyond mere external conformity and examine the true condition of our hearts. Do our words align with our actions? Do we invoke God's name in sincerity, or do we use it casually, or even worse, to mask deceit? This verse calls us to a deeper level of integrity, reminding us that God sees beyond our outward professions into the very core of our being. True faith is demonstrated not just in what we say, but in how we live, especially in our commitment to truthfulness in all our dealings. It compels us to cultivate a genuine reverence for God's name, ensuring that our lives are a testament to His character rather than a contradiction.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be tempted to use religious language or outward displays of faith to mask a lack of genuine integrity?**
* **How does my commitment to truthfulness in daily interactions reflect my reverence for God's name and character?**
* **What steps can I take to ensure that my words and actions are consistently aligned with biblical truth and sincerity?**
* **How does this verse challenge my understanding of what it means to truly "fear the LORD" and live in His presence?**

### FAQ
**What was the significance of the oath "The LORD liveth" in ancient Israel?**

Answer: In ancient Israel, the oath "The LORD liveth" (Hebrew: *Yahweh chai*) was one of the most solemn and binding declarations a person could make. It invoked the living God as a direct witness to the truthfulness of a statement or promise. By swearing by the Lord's life, the speaker was essentially placing their own life and integrity under divine scrutiny, implying that if the oath were false, they would incur God's wrath or judgment. It was a powerful affirmation of truth, signifying utmost sincerity and a deep reverence for God's active presence and authority. This oath was used in various contexts, including legal proceedings, covenants, and personal assurances, as seen in passages like [1 Samuel 14:39](/1_samuel/14-39 "1 Samuel 14:39 - Saul's Oath").

**How does Jeremiah 5:2 relate to the Third Commandment?**

Answer: Jeremiah 5:2 directly illustrates a profound violation of the [Third Commandment](/exodus/20-7 "Exodus 20:7 - The Third Commandment"), which states, "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain." To "take God's name in vain" means to treat it lightly, irreverently, or to use it for empty, false, or deceptive purposes. By swearing "The LORD liveth" while simultaneously swearing falsely, the people of Judah were using God's holy name as a mere instrument for their deceit, stripping it of its sacred weight and meaning. This was not just a casual misuse but an active profanation, demonstrating a complete disregard for God's holiness and His covenant.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 5:2, with its indictment of false oaths and spiritual hypocrisy, finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in Jesus Christ. While the people of Judah swore falsely by the living God, Jesus is Himself the embodiment of truth and the living God. He declared, "[I am the way, and the truth, and the life](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")," demonstrating that in Him, there is no falsehood or deceit. His entire life and ministry were marked by perfect integrity, fulfilling the law's demand for truthfulness that Israel so utterly failed to uphold. When Jesus taught on oaths in the Sermon on the Mount, He elevated the standard beyond merely avoiding false swearing, urging His disciples to let their "['Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'](/matthew/5-37 "Matthew 5:37 - Let Your Yes Be Yes")" so that there would be no need for oaths at all, reflecting a life of consistent truthfulness that honors God in every word. Furthermore, Christ's sacrifice on the cross addresses the very sin of hypocrisy and false witness, providing the means for genuine repentance and the transformation of hearts that were once prone to deceit. He is the faithful and true witness ([Revelation 19:11](/revelation/19-11 "Revelation 19:11 - The Faithful and True Witness")), whose own oath to His Father was perfectly kept, securing our salvation. Through Him, believers are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live lives of integrity, reflecting the character of God who is "[faithful and true](/1_john/1-9 "1 John 1:9 - God's Faithfulness and Forgiveness")" and whose promises are "[Yes and Amen](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises in Christ")" in Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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;