Jeremiah 8:5
Why then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return.
Original Language Analysis
מַדּ֨וּעַ
H4069
מַדּ֨וּעַ
Strong's:
H4069
Word #:
1 of 11
what (is) known?; i.e., (by implication) (adverbially) why?
לָשֽׁוּב׃
slidden back
H7725
לָשֽׁוּב׃
slidden back
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
2 of 11
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
הָעָ֥ם
Why then is this people
H5971
הָעָ֥ם
Why then is this people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
3 of 11
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
הַזֶּ֛ה
H2088
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֖ם
of Jerusalem
H3389
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֖ם
of Jerusalem
Strong's:
H3389
Word #:
5 of 11
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
נִצַּ֑חַת
by a perpetual
H5329
נִצַּ֑חַת
by a perpetual
Strong's:
H5329
Word #:
7 of 11
properly, to glitter from afar, i.e., to be eminent (as a superintendent, especially of the temple services and its music); to be permanent
Cross References
Jeremiah 9:6Thine habitation is in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know me, saith the LORD.Jeremiah 5:3O 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 7:11But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear.Hebrews 12:25See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:Isaiah 30:10Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:Isaiah 44:20He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?Jeremiah 5:27As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich.John 5:40And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.Hosea 11:7And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt him.
Historical Context
Jeremiah's ministry spanned Judah's final decades, witnessing repeated opportunities for national repentance squandered. Josiah's reforms (622 BC) produced external change without heart transformation. After his death at Megiddo (609 BC), his successors Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah led the nation back into covenant unfaithfulness. Each Babylonian incursion (605, 597 BC) should have prompted repentance but instead hardened resistance.
Questions for Reflection
- What distinguishes 'perpetual backsliding' from occasional spiritual failure, and how can we avoid entrenched patterns of sin?
- How does 'holding fast to deceit' describe the self-deception that accompanies persistent sin?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
God's lament intensifies: 'Why then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding?' The Hebrew meshuvah nitsachat (מְשׁוּבָה נִצַּחַת) combines meshuvah (backsliding, apostasy, turning away) with nitsachat (perpetual, enduring, complete). This isn't temporary wandering but entrenched, settled apostasy. 'They hold fast deceit' uses chazaq (חָזַק, to strengthen, seize firmly) with tarmit (תַּרְמִית, deceit, treachery). They cling to lies with determination that should characterize faithfulness to God. 'They refuse to return' employs me'anu (מֵאֲנוּ), indicating willful refusal, not inability. The Hebrew ma'an suggests stubborn determination against repentance. This verse exposes the heart problem: Judah's apostasy wasn't weakness but willfulness, not ignorance but intentional rebellion.