Jeremiah 8:5

Why [then] is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return.

Why then is this people {H5971} of Jerusalem {H3389} slidden back {H7725} by a perpetual {H5329} backsliding {H4878}? they hold {H2388} fast deceit {H8649}, they refuse {H3985} to return {H7725}.

Why do these people keep backsliding? Why is their backsliding so persistent? They cling to deceit and refuse to return!

Why then have these people turned away? Why does Jerusalem always turn away? They cling to deceit; they refuse to return.

Why then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return.

Commentary

Commentary on Jeremiah 8:5

Jeremiah 8:5 captures the Lord's lament and rhetorical question concerning the persistent spiritual decline of the people of Jerusalem and Judah. Through the prophet Jeremiah, God expresses profound dismay at their refusal to repent and their deep-seated commitment to falsehoods, despite continuous warnings and calls to return to Him.

Context

The book of Jeremiah is set during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, leading up to the Babylonian exile (late 7th and early 6th centuries BC). Jeremiah, known as the "weeping prophet," delivered stern warnings of impending judgment due to the nation's rampant idolatry, social injustice, and covenant unfaithfulness. This verse is part of a larger indictment against the people who, rather than turning back to God after seeing the consequences of their disobedience, grew more entrenched in their sin. They had abandoned the covenant established at Sinai and pursued practices of surrounding pagan nations, leading to a profound spiritual sickness that permeated society.

Key Themes

  • Perpetual Backsliding: The phrase "perpetual backsliding" (KJV) emphasizes the continuous and chronic nature of Judah's departure from God. It wasn't a temporary lapse but a deep-seated, ongoing spiritual apostasy. This highlights a persistent pattern of disobedience and a rejection of divine instruction, a common theme throughout Jeremiah's prophecies, as seen in passages like Jeremiah 3:6-11.
  • Holding Fast Deceit: The people "hold fast deceit," meaning they stubbornly cling to falsehoods. This could refer to the deceptive messages of false prophets who promised peace when judgment was imminent, or their own self-deception that all was well despite their egregious sins. It signifies an intentional embrace of lies over divine truth, refusing to acknowledge their true spiritual state.
  • Refusal to Return: This is a powerful statement of their willful disobedience. Despite God's patient calls for repentance and restoration, the people "refuse to return." This refusal is not out of ignorance but a stubborn, deliberate choice to reject God's gracious invitation to repent and turn back to the path of righteousness. God's desire for His people to return is often expressed, as in Ezekiel 33:11.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew term for "backsliding" (ืžึฐืฉึปืื‘ึธื” - meshuvah) carries the sense of turning away or apostasy, often implying a turning back from a right path. When combined with "perpetual" (ื ึดืฆึทึผื—ึทืช - nitzachat), it underscores the enduring and unwavering nature of their spiritual rebellion. The phrase "hold fast deceit" (ื”ึถื—ึฑื–ึดื™ืงื•ึผ ื‘ึทึผืชึทึผืจึฐืžึดื™ืช - hecheziku batarmit) literally means "they strengthen themselves in deception" or "they grip the deception," suggesting an active and firm embrace of what is false rather than a passive acceptance. Their refusal to "return" (ืœึธืฉืื•ึผื‘ - lashuv) is a strong verb indicating a deliberate rejection of repentance and restoration.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 8:5 serves as a timeless warning against spiritual apathy and stubbornness. For believers today, it highlights the dangers of:

  • Persistent Sin: Allowing small compromises to become a "perpetual backsliding" from God's path. Regular self-examination and repentance are vital.
  • Embracing Falsehoods: Clinging to deceptive ideas or rationalizations that justify sin, rather than embracing the truth of God's Word. This can manifest in various forms, from denying clear biblical teachings to believing comforting lies about one's spiritual condition.
  • Refusing God's Call: Ignoring or resisting the Holy Spirit's promptings to repent, confess sin, or yield to God's will. God continually calls His people to humble themselves and turn from their wicked ways.

This verse challenges us to honestly assess our own hearts and ensure we are not clinging to any form of deceit or refusing to return to the Lord when He calls us to deeper communion and obedience.

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

  • Jeremiah 9:6 (8 votes)

    Thine habitation [is] in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know me, saith the LORD.

  • Jeremiah 5:3 (6 votes)

    O LORD, [are] not thine eyes upon the truth? thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved; thou hast consumed them, [but] they have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return.

  • Zechariah 7:11 (5 votes)

    But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear.

  • Hosea 11:7 (3 votes)

    And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt [him].

  • Jeremiah 5:27 (3 votes)

    As a cage is full of birds, so [are] their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich.

  • 2 Thessalonians 2:9 (3 votes)

    [Even him], whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

  • 2 Thessalonians 2:12 (3 votes)

    That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.