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.
Original Language Analysis
אִ֤ישׁ
every one
H376
אִ֤ישׁ
every one
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
1 of 17
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
הִשָּׁמֵ֔רוּ
Take ye heed
H8104
הִשָּׁמֵ֔רוּ
Take ye heed
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
3 of 17
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
וְעַל
H5921
וְעַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
4 of 17
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
5 of 17
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אָח֙
for every brother
H251
אָח֙
for every brother
Strong's:
H251
Word #:
6 of 17
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
7 of 17
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תִּבְטָ֑חוּ
and trust
H982
תִּבְטָ֑חוּ
and trust
Strong's:
H982
Word #:
8 of 17
properly, to hie for refuge (but not so precipitately as h2620); figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure
כִּ֤י
H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
9 of 17
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
כָל
H3605
כָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
10 of 17
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אָח֙
for every brother
H251
אָח֙
for every brother
Strong's:
H251
Word #:
11 of 17
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
יַעְקֹ֔ב
supplant
H6117
יַעְקֹ֔ב
supplant
Strong's:
H6117
Word #:
12 of 17
to seize by the heel; figuratively, to circumvent (as if tripping up the heels); also to restrain (as if holding by the heel)
יַעְקֹ֔ב
supplant
H6117
יַעְקֹ֔ב
supplant
Strong's:
H6117
Word #:
13 of 17
to seize by the heel; figuratively, to circumvent (as if tripping up the heels); also to restrain (as if holding by the heel)
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
14 of 17
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
Jeremiah 6:28They are all grievous revolters, walking with slanders: they are brass and iron; they are all corrupters.Matthew 10:21And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.Leviticus 19:16Thou 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 15:3He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.Proverbs 25:18A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.Proverbs 10:18He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.Jeremiah 12:6For even thy brethren, and the house of thy father, even they have dealt treacherously with thee; yea, they have called a multitude after thee: believe them not, though they speak fair words unto thee.Genesis 32:28And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.
Historical Context
The reference to Jacob's supplanting recalls patriarchal history, suggesting the nation has degenerated to primordial treachery. Social breakdown during Jeremiah's era reflected political instability and moral chaos. Court intrigues, false accusations, and betrayal characterized Judah's final decades. Jeremiah himself experienced betrayal by family (11:21, 12:6) and fellow citizens (38:4-6). Micah 7:5-6 describes similar social dissolution.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the Jacob wordplay suggest about how covenant people can degenerate to their ancestors' worst traits?
- How does the breakdown of social trust relate to the breakdown of covenant faithfulness to God?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
This verse warns against trusting neighbors: 'Take ye heed every one of his neighbour, and trust ye not in any brother.' The Hebrew shameru (שִׁמְרוּ, guard yourselves) and al-tivtachu (אַל־תִּבְטְחוּ, do not trust) indicate pervasive social breakdown. 'For every brother will utterly supplant' uses the Hebrew aqov ya'aqov (עָקוֹב יַעֲקֹב), a wordplay on Jacob's name—who 'supplanted' his brother Esau (Genesis 25:26, 27:36). The society has become a nation of Jacobs, everyone deceiving everyone. 'And every neighbour will walk with slanders' (rakhil, רָכִיל, slander, tale-bearing) indicates gossip and false witness as normal behavior. Trust, the foundation of community, has collapsed entirely.