King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 9:3 Mean?

Jeremiah 9:3 in the King James Version says “And they bend their tongues like their bow for lies: but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; for they pro...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Jeremiah 9:3 · KJV

Truth

Context

1

Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people! Oh: Heb. Who will give my head, etc

2

Oh that I had in the wilderness a lodging place of wayfaring men; that I might leave my people, and go from them! for they be all adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men.

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.

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. neighbour: or, friend

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. deceive: or, mock

Read Jeremiah 9 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the bow metaphor capture the intentional, aimed nature of verbal deception?
  2. What is the relationship between knowing God and ethical behavior that makes moral collapse inevitable when knowledge fails?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וַֽיַּדְרְכ֤וּ1 of 19

“And they bend”

H1869

to tread; by implication, to walk; also to string a bow (by treading on it in bending)

אֶת2 of 19
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

לְשׁוֹנָם֙3 of 19

“their tongues”

H3956

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,

קַשְׁתָּ֣ם4 of 19

“like their bow”

H7198

a bow, for shooting (hence, figuratively, strength) or the iris

שֶׁ֔קֶר5 of 19

“for lies”

H8267

an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial)

וְלֹ֥א6 of 19
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

לֶאֱמוּנָ֖ה7 of 19

“for the truth”

H530

literally firmness; figuratively security; morally fidelity

גָּבְר֣וּ8 of 19

“but they are not valiant”

H1396

to be strong; by implication, to prevail, act insolently

בָאָ֑רֶץ9 of 19

“upon the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

כִּי֩10 of 19
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

רָעָ֧ה׀11 of 19

“from evil”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

אֶל12 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

רָעָ֧ה׀13 of 19

“from evil”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

יָצָ֛אוּ14 of 19

“for they proceed”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

וְאֹתִ֥י15 of 19
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

לֹֽא16 of 19
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יָדָ֖עוּ17 of 19

“and they know”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

נְאֻם18 of 19

“not me saith”

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָֽה׃19 of 19

“the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 9:3 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 9:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 9:8Jeremiah 4:22Isaiah 59:13-15Judges 2:10Romans 3:131 Samuel 2:12

Test Your Knowledge

Jeremiah 9 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterJeremiah Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

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