Jeremiah 9:5

And they will deceive every one his neighbour, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, [and] weary themselves to commit iniquity.

And they will deceive {H2048} every one {H376} his neighbour {H7453}, and will not speak {H1696} the truth {H571}: they have taught {H3925} their tongue {H3956} to speak {H1696} lies {H8267}, and weary {H3811} themselves to commit iniquity {H5753}.

Everyone deceives his neighbor, no one speaks the truth; they have taught their tongues to lie, they wear themselves out with sinning.

Each one betrays his friend; no one tells the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they wear themselves out committing iniquity.

And they will deceive every one his neighbor, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies; they weary themselves to commit iniquity.

Jeremiah 9:5 paints a vivid and somber picture of the moral decay prevalent in Judah during the prophet Jeremiah's time. This verse is part of a larger lament and stern warning from God through Jeremiah, highlighting the widespread corruption and spiritual rebellion of the people.

Context

The prophet Jeremiah was called by God to deliver messages of judgment and warning to the southern kingdom of Judah, urging them to repent and return to the Lord. Chapters 7-10 of Jeremiah intensely describe the nation's spiritual apostasy, idolatry, and moral corruption, which would inevitably lead to divine judgment, including the Babylonian exile. Jeremiah 9 specifically details the pervasive deceit and lack of truth among the people, leading the prophet to express profound sorrow and despair, as seen in Jeremiah 9:1 where he wishes his head were a fountain of tears. The society described here is one where truth is absent, and dishonesty is the norm.

Key Themes

  • Pervasive Deceit: The phrase "deceive every one his neighbour" underscores a society where trust has eroded completely. Dishonesty is not an isolated incident but a widespread, ingrained practice affecting all social interactions.
  • Rejection of Truth: The statement "will not speak the truth" highlights a deliberate refusal to embrace honesty. It's an active choice to live in falsehood, contrasting sharply with God's nature as the God of truth (Deuteronomy 32:4).
  • Cultivated Lying: "They have taught their tongue to speak lies" suggests that deceit was not accidental but a learned and practiced skill. It implies a deliberate effort to master the art of falsehood, indicating a deep spiritual and moral perversion. This contrasts with the New Testament call to "put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor".
  • Laborious Iniquity: The powerful phrase "weary themselves to commit iniquity" reveals the intensity of their sin. It's not passive sin but an active, exhausting pursuit of wrongdoing. They expend significant energy and effort in perpetrating evil, showing a profound dedication to unrighteousness rather than to God's ways.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase for "taught their tongue" is limmedu leshonam (לִמְּדוּ לְשׁוֹנָם), which literally means "they have trained their tongue" or "they have taught their tongue." This emphasizes the intentional and habitual nature of their lying, suggesting it was a cultivated behavior, not an accidental slip. The phrase "weary themselves to commit iniquity" comes from the Hebrew ya'avu la'avven (יֶעָוּוּ לַעֲוֹן), which conveys the idea of toiling or exerting great effort. It paints a picture of people who are not just passively sinning, but actively, even strenuously, pursuing wickedness, demonstrating a deep commitment to their sinful ways.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 9:5 serves as a timeless warning about the dangers of widespread dishonesty and the cultivation of sin. For individuals, it calls for self-examination: Do we "teach our tongue" to speak truth or falsehood? It reminds us that habitual sin can become a laborious pursuit, draining us of spiritual vitality. For communities, it highlights the corrosive effect of deceit on relationships and societal trust. The verse implores believers to value truth, seek integrity, and actively pursue righteousness, recognizing that a life dedicated to God stands in stark contrast to one that "wearies itself to commit iniquity." We are called to be people of truth, reflecting the character of God who is Truth itself, and to walk in the light rather than the darkness of deceit.

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.

  • Micah 6:12

    For the rich men thereof are full of violence, and the inhabitants thereof have spoken lies, and their tongue [is] deceitful in their mouth.

  • Isaiah 57:10

    Thou art wearied in the greatness of thy way; [yet] saidst thou not, There is no hope: thou hast found the life of thine hand; therefore thou wast not grieved.

  • Job 15:5

    For thy mouth uttereth thine iniquity, and thou choosest the tongue of the crafty.

  • Habakkuk 2:13

    Behold, [is it] not of the LORD of hosts that the people shall labour in the very fire, and the people shall weary themselves for very vanity?

  • Isaiah 59:13

    In transgressing and lying against the LORD, and departing away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood.

  • Isaiah 59:15

    Yea, truth faileth; and he [that] departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the LORD saw [it], and it displeased him that [there was] no judgment.

  • Proverbs 4:16

    For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause [some] to fall.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back