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.
Original Language Analysis
וְאִ֤ישׁ
every one
H376
וְאִ֤ישׁ
every one
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
1 of 12
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)
יְהָתֵ֔לּוּ
And they will deceive
H2048
יְהָתֵ֔לּוּ
And they will deceive
Strong's:
H2048
Word #:
3 of 12
to deride; by implication, to cheat
וֶאֱמֶ֖ת
the truth
H571
וֶאֱמֶ֖ת
the truth
Strong's:
H571
Word #:
4 of 12
stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
5 of 12
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
דַּבֶּר
and will not speak
H1696
דַּבֶּר
and will not speak
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
6 of 12
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
לִמְּד֧וּ
they have taught
H3925
לִמְּד֧וּ
they have taught
Strong's:
H3925
Word #:
7 of 12
properly, to goad, i.e., (by implication) to teach (the rod being an middle eastern incentive)
לְשׁוֹנָ֛ם
their tongue
H3956
לְשׁוֹנָ֛ם
their tongue
Strong's:
H3956
Word #:
8 of 12
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,
דַּבֶּר
and will not speak
H1696
דַּבֶּר
and will not speak
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
9 of 12
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
Historical Context
The concept of 'trained' tongues suggests systematic corruption, not occasional lapses. Children learn to lie from adults who model deception. By Jeremiah's time, multiple generations had normalized dishonesty. The exhausting nature of maintaining lies and pursuing iniquity contrasts with the 'rest' God offers those who return to Him (Jeremiah 6:16). Weary sinners nevertheless refused the yoke of obedience.
Questions for Reflection
- How does viewing lying as a learned, practiced skill challenge assumptions about 'little white lies'?
- What does the picture of wearying oneself in sin reveal about the irrationality and cost of persistent rebellion?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
This verse continues describing deceit: 'And they will deceive every one his neighbour, and will not speak the truth.' The Hebrew hathal (הָתַל, mock, deceive) and emeth lo yedabberu (אֱמֶת לֹא יְדַבֵּרוּ, truth they will not speak) emphasize comprehensive dishonesty. 'They have taught their tongue to speak lies' uses the Hebrew limmedu (לִמְּדוּ, trained, disciplined)—lying requires practice until it becomes habitual, second nature. 'And weary themselves to commit iniquity' employs la'u (לָאוּ, to be weary, exhausted). They expend energy on evil that should fuel righteousness, wearing themselves out in pursuit of wickedness. Sin is presented as hard work, yet they persist.