Jeremiah 9:3
And they bend their tongues like their bow for lies: but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith the LORD.
Original Language Analysis
וַֽיַּדְרְכ֤וּ
And they bend
H1869
וַֽיַּדְרְכ֤וּ
And they bend
Strong's:
H1869
Word #:
1 of 19
to tread; by implication, to walk; also to string a bow (by treading on it in bending)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לְשׁוֹנָם֙
their tongues
H3956
לְשׁוֹנָם֙
their tongues
Strong's:
H3956
Word #:
3 of 19
the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech), and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame,
קַשְׁתָּ֣ם
like their bow
H7198
קַשְׁתָּ֣ם
like their bow
Strong's:
H7198
Word #:
4 of 19
a bow, for shooting (hence, figuratively, strength) or the iris
שֶׁ֔קֶר
for lies
H8267
שֶׁ֔קֶר
for lies
Strong's:
H8267
Word #:
5 of 19
an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial)
וְלֹ֥א
H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
6 of 19
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
לֶאֱמוּנָ֖ה
for the truth
H530
לֶאֱמוּנָ֖ה
for the truth
Strong's:
H530
Word #:
7 of 19
literally firmness; figuratively security; morally fidelity
גָּבְר֣וּ
but they are not valiant
H1396
גָּבְר֣וּ
but they are not valiant
Strong's:
H1396
Word #:
8 of 19
to be strong; by implication, to prevail, act insolently
כִּי֩
H3588
כִּי֩
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
10 of 19
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יָצָ֛אוּ
for they proceed
H3318
יָצָ֛אוּ
for they proceed
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
14 of 19
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
וְאֹתִ֥י
H853
וְאֹתִ֥י
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
15 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
16 of 19
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
Jeremiah 9:8Their tongue is as an arrow shot out; it speaketh deceit: one speaketh peaceably to his neighbour with his mouth, but in heart he layeth his wait.Jeremiah 4:22For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.Romans 3:13Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:Judges 2:10And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.Jeremiah 31:34And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.1 Samuel 2:12Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD.Revelation 12:11And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.Jeremiah 22:16He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well with him: was not this to know me? saith the LORD.Jeremiah 9:5And 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.Jeremiah 7:26Yet they hearkened not unto me, nor inclined their ear, but hardened their neck: they did worse than their fathers.
Historical Context
Archery metaphors appear throughout prophetic literature (Psalm 64:3-4, Jeremiah 9:8). The tongue as weapon is developed extensively in wisdom literature (Proverbs 12:18, 18:21, James 3:1-12). Jeremiah's era witnessed sophisticated deception in diplomacy, commerce, and religion. The 'not knowing God' indictment echoes Hosea 4:1-6 where lack of divine knowledge produces moral chaos.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the bow metaphor capture the intentional, aimed nature of verbal deception?
- What is the relationship between knowing God and ethical behavior that makes moral collapse inevitable when knowledge fails?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
This verse describes moral decay: 'And they bend their tongues like their bow for lies.' The Hebrew imagery pictures the tongue as a weapon—bent and aimed like a bow shooting arrows of falsehood. 'But they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth' uses gavar (גָּבַר, to be mighty, prevail)—they show no courage for truth. 'For they proceed from evil to evil' indicates progression in wickedness rather than repentance. The climactic indictment: 'and they know me not, saith the LORD.' Using yada (יָדַע), the covenant knowledge term, God declares the relationship broken. They no longer 'know' Him in intimate, loyal relationship. Knowledge of God is the foundation of covenant faithfulness; its absence explains their moral collapse.