Jeremiah 9:8
Their tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaks deceitfully; with his mouth each speaks peace to his neighbor, but in his heart he plans an ambush for him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The verse doesn't just say their tongues are sharp, but that they're like "murderous arrows"—implying a deliberate intent to kill or destroy reputation and peace. This isn't just casual gossip; it's weaponized speech, where pleasant words hide a deadly, hidden agenda to ambush the unsuspecting neighbor.
Jeremiah has just described the people's persistent wickedness and refusal to listen to God's warnings, even to the point where their land is becoming desolate. He then laments that their deceitful tongues are like deadly, sharpened arrows, so ingrained in their nature that they offer smooth words of peace to their neighbors while secretly plotting treachery. This stark contrast between outward speech and inward intent highlights the depth of their corruption and the impending judgment they face.
Jeremiah doesn't just say the tongue is sharp; he compares it to a weapon aimed for destruction. What makes our words so dangerous?
The Tongue as a Murderous Arrow
The prophet uses vivid imagery to describe the destructive power of the tongue. The Hebrew word here points to an arrow that is "murderous" or "slaying." It's not just a careless word, but a deliberate instrument of harm. Think of it like this:
We often say one thing and mean another, especially when we want to hide our true intentions. Jeremiah exposes this dangerous disconnect.
The Deceit of Double-Tongued Speech
This verse reveals a chilling hypocrisy: the outward show of friendship masking inner treachery.
The Mouth Speaks Peace
The Heart Plots Ambush
Understand the original words
lāšôn · Hebrew Noun
The organ of speech and deception; biblically, it is often viewed as an instrument that reveals the condition of the human heart, capable of producing life-giving words or deathly harm.
šālôm · Hebrew Noun
A Hebrew greeting and state of well-being, wholeness, prosperity, and harmony with God and others; it signifies a state of reconciliation.
lēb · Hebrew Noun
The inner seat of human thought, will, intention, and emotion; it is where decisions are made and is known perfectly by God.
Jeremiah's words about deceitful tongues gain immense weight against the backdrop of Judah's repeated betrayals of God and their neighbors, culminating in the catastrophic destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple.
Late 8th Century BC
Assyrian Hegemony and Northern Kingdom's Fall
The Northern Kingdom of Israel falls to the Assyrian Empire, marking a period of intense political and social upheaval. Many Israelites are exiled, and the land is resettled.
c. 626 BC
Jeremiah Begins His Ministry
Jeremiah is called by God to prophesy during a tumultuous time in Judah, facing the rising threat of the Neo-Babylonian Empire.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquers Judah and deports a group of Jewish elite, including Daniel, to Babylon. This event shakes the kingdom's foundations.
597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
Following a rebellion, Nebuchadnezzar deports another wave of Judeans, including King Jehoiachin and the prophet Ezekiel, intensifying the crisis.
This passage directly parallels Jeremiah's complaint, highlighting how trusted friends turn into enemies who speak kind words while harboring malicious intentions in their hearts.
Proverbs 26:24-26This proverb warns about people who disguise their hatred with pleasant words, revealing that their evil intentions will eventually be exposed, much like Jeremiah's depiction of deceitful tongues.
Matthew 23:27-28Jesus uses the powerful imagery of 'whitewashed tombs' to condemn the religious leaders who appear righteous outwardly but are inwardly full of deceit and wickedness, mirroring Jeremiah's critique of outward peace masking inner ambush.
Romans 16:17-18Paul warns the church about those who cause divisions and discord by their teachings, urging them to be wise about those who seem harmless but inwardly plot against the community's unity.
pulpitJeremiah 9:8: "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."
Verse 8. - (Comp. Psalm 55:21.) As an arrow shot out; rather, as a sharpened arrow; but this is based on the marginal reading, and is itself a slightly forced rendering. The Hebrew text (i.e. the consonants), and also the Septuagint and Vulgate, have "as a murderous arrow."
barnesJeremiah 9:8: "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."
An arrow shot out - Rather, "a murderous arrow." In heart he layeth his wait - Rather, "inwardly he layeth his ambush."
The verse doesn't just say their tongues are sharp, but that they're like "murderous arrows"—implying a deliberate intent to kill or destroy reputation and peace. This isn't just casual gossip; it's weaponized speech, where pleasant words hide a deadly, hidden agenda to ambush the unsuspecting neighbor.
Jeremiah has just described the people's persistent wickedness and refusal to listen to God's warnings, even to the point where their land is becoming desolate. He then laments that their deceitful tongues are like deadly, sharpened arrows, so ingrained in their nature that they offer smooth words of peace to their neighbors while secretly plotting treachery. This stark contrast between outward speech and inward intent highlights the depth of their corruption and the impending judgment they face.
Jeremiah has just described the people's persistent wickedness and refusal to listen to God's warnings, even to the point where their land is becoming desolate. He then laments that their deceitful tongues are like deadly, sharpened arrows, so ingrained in their nature that they offer smooth words of peace to their neighbors while secretly plotting treachery. This stark contrast between outward speech and inward intent highlights the depth of their corruption and the impending judgment they face.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Jeremiah 9:8 is available in the Sola app.
This stark contrast shows how words can be used not to build bridges, but to dig pits for others.
586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple Destruction
Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling the majority of the population to Babylon. This is the devastating climax of Judah's disobedience.
c. 586-570 BC
Jeremiah's Continued Ministry in Exile
Jeremiah, not exiled, remains in Judah, prophesying to those left behind and later taken to Egypt, continuing to condemn their deceit and call for repentance amidst despair.
"Their tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaks deceitfully; with his mouth each speaks peace to his neighbor, but in his heart he plans an ambush for him." — The verse doesn't just say their tongues are sharp, but that they're like "murderous arrows"—implying a deliberate intent to kill or destroy reputation and peace. This isn't just casual gossip; it's…
