Jeremiah 9:4

Take ye heed every one of his neighbour, and trust ye not in any brother: for every brother will utterly supplant, and every neighbour will walk with slanders.

Take ye heed {H8104} every one {H376} of his neighbour {H7453}, and trust {H982} ye not in any brother {H251}: for every brother {H251} will utterly {H6117} supplant {H6117}, and every neighbour {H7453} will walk {H1980} with slanders {H7400}.

Everyone, be on guard against your neighbor, don't trust even a brother; for every brother is out to trick you, and every neighbor goes around gossiping.

โ€œLet everyone guard against his neighbor; do not trust any brother, for every brother deals craftily, and every friend spreads slander.

Take ye heed every one of his neighbor, and trust ye not in any brother; for every brother will utterly supplant, and every neighbor will go about with slanders.

Commentary

Commentary on Jeremiah 9:4

Jeremiah 9:4 delivers a stark and sobering warning about the pervasive moral decay and lack of trustworthiness within Judah during the prophet's time. It paints a grim picture of a society where even the closest relationships โ€“ those between neighbors and brothers โ€“ are corrupted by deceit and betrayal.

Context

The prophet Jeremiah ministered during a tumultuous period leading up to the Babylonian exile, a time characterized by spiritual apostasy, social injustice, and political instability in Judah. Chapters 7-10 of Jeremiah contain strong pronouncements against the nation's sinfulness and the impending judgment. This particular verse reflects the deep internal corruption that had permeated the very fabric of society, making genuine trust almost impossible. It's part of a lament (Jeremiah 9:1-11) where Jeremiah expresses profound sorrow over the state of his people, whose hearts have turned away from God, leading to a breakdown in human relationships.

Key Themes

  • Widespread Deceit: The verse highlights a society where deception is rampant, not just among strangers but within families and communities. It implies a complete breakdown of integrity and honesty.
  • Betrayal of Trust: The warning "trust ye not in any brother" underscores the profound betrayal felt when those closest to us act with malice or deceit. This betrayal extends to the neighbor, who is expected to be a source of community support.
  • Moral Decay: Jeremiah's words reveal a deep-seated moral decline where people are driven by self-interest and a willingness to harm others for personal gain, reflecting Judah's spiritual rebellion against God. This theme is echoed throughout Jeremiah's prophecies concerning the nation's sinfulness and their stubborn hearts, as seen in Jeremiah 7:24.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "utterly supplant" translates the Hebrew verb `aqav` (ืขึธืงึทื‘), which means to trip up, overreach, defraud, or deceive. This word is famously linked to the patriarch Jacob, whose name (Ya'akov) means "he who supplants" or "heel-grabber," because he supplanted his brother Esau (Genesis 27:36). The use of this word here emphasizes a deliberate, cunning act of deception and manipulation. The term "slanders" comes from the Hebrew rakรฎl (ืจึธื›ึดื™ืœ), meaning a talebearer or slanderer, someone who spreads malicious gossip and false accusations, further eroding trust and fostering hostility.

Practical Application

While Jeremiah's warning was specific to ancient Judah, its message holds timeless relevance. It serves as a powerful reminder of:

  • The Importance of Discernment: We are called to be wise and discerning in our relationships, not naive, recognizing that even those close to us can sometimes act in ways that are untrustworthy.
  • The Danger of Deceit: The verse highlights how widespread deceit can destroy the fabric of any community or nation. It underscores the biblical call for integrity and truthfulness in all our dealings.
  • The Need for Godly Trust: When human trust is so fragile and often broken, our ultimate trust must rest in God alone. He is the only one who never betrays, never deceives, and is always faithful (Psalm 118:8).

Jeremiah 9:4 challenges us to examine our own hearts and the health of our relationships, urging us towards honesty and integrity in a world where trust can often be elusive.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Micah 7:5

    Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom.

  • Micah 7:6

    For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter in law against her mother in law; a man's enemies [are] the men of his own house.

  • Jeremiah 6:28

    They [are] all grievous revolters, walking with slanders: [they are] brass and iron; they [are] all corrupters.

  • Proverbs 26:24

    ยถ He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;

  • Proverbs 26:25

    When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for [there are] seven abominations in his heart.

  • Leviticus 19:16

    Thou shalt not go up and down [as] a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I [am] the LORD.

  • Psalms 12:2

    They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: [with] flattering lips [and] with a double heart do they speak.
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