Jeremiah 9:8

Authorized King James Version

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Their 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.

Original Language Analysis

חֵ֥ץ is as an arrow H2671
חֵ֥ץ is as an arrow
Strong's: H2671
Word #: 1 of 13
properly, a piercer, i.e., an arrow; by implication, a wound; figuratively, (of god) thunder-bolt; the shaft of a spear
שָׁו֛חּט shot out H7819
שָׁו֛חּט shot out
Strong's: H7819
Word #: 2 of 13
to slaughter (in sacrifice or massacre)
לְשׁוֹנָ֖ם Their tongue H3956
לְשׁוֹנָ֖ם Their tongue
Strong's: H3956
Word #: 3 of 13
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,
מִרְמָ֣ה deceit H4820
מִרְמָ֣ה deceit
Strong's: H4820
Word #: 4 of 13
fraud
יְדַבֵּ֔ר it speaketh H1696
יְדַבֵּ֔ר it speaketh
Strong's: H1696
Word #: 5 of 13
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
בְּפִ֗יו with his mouth H6310
בְּפִ֗יו with his mouth
Strong's: H6310
Word #: 6 of 13
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
שָׁל֤וֹם peaceably H7965
שָׁל֤וֹם peaceably
Strong's: H7965
Word #: 7 of 13
safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace
אֶת H854
אֶת
Strong's: H854
Word #: 8 of 13
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
רֵעֵ֙הוּ֙ to his neighbour H7453
רֵעֵ֙הוּ֙ to his neighbour
Strong's: H7453
Word #: 9 of 13
an associate (more or less close)
יְדַבֵּ֔ר it speaketh H1696
יְדַבֵּ֔ר it speaketh
Strong's: H1696
Word #: 10 of 13
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
וּבְקִרְבּ֖וֹ but in heart H7130
וּבְקִרְבּ֖וֹ but in heart
Strong's: H7130
Word #: 11 of 13
properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)
יָשִׂ֥ים he layeth H7760
יָשִׂ֥ים he layeth
Strong's: H7760
Word #: 12 of 13
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
אָרְבּֽוֹ׃ his wait H696
אָרְבּֽוֹ׃ his wait
Strong's: H696
Word #: 13 of 13
ambuscade

Analysis & Commentary

This verse describes the tongue as deadly weapon: 'Their tongue is as an arrow shot out.' The Hebrew chets shachut (חֵץ שָׁחוּט) literally means 'a slaughtering arrow' or 'a sharpened arrow'—designed for killing. 'It speaketh deceit' continues the theme of verbal treachery. 'One speaketh peaceably to his neighbour with his mouth, but in heart he layeth his wait.' The contrast between mouth (peh, פֶּה) and heart (qereb, קֶרֶב, inner being) reveals hypocrisy—friendly words concealing murderous intent. 'Layeth his wait' (orbo, אָרְבּוֹ) pictures an ambush, lying in wait to destroy. Social interaction becomes warfare with words as weapons.

Historical Context

Ancient warfare relied heavily on archery; the arrow was the quintessential killing weapon. Jeremiah's audience understood arrows as deadly, precise instruments of death. The image of speaking peace while planning harm describes Judah's political culture—treaties made to be broken, alliances formed for exploitation, friendships feigned for advantage. This anticipates Psalm 55:21 about smooth words with war in the heart.

Questions for Reflection

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