Jeremiah 9:8
New International Version
Their tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaks deceitfully. With their mouths they all speak cordially to their neighbors, but in their hearts they set traps for them.

New Living Translation
For their tongues shoot lies like poisoned arrows. They speak friendly words to their neighbors while scheming in their heart to kill them.

English Standard Version
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.

Berean Standard Bible
Their tongues are deadly arrows; they speak deception. With his mouth a man speaks peace to his neighbor, but in his heart he sets a trap for him.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Their tongue is an arrow shot out; It speaks deceit; One speaks peaceably to his neighbor with his mouth, But in his heart he lies in wait.

New American Standard Bible
“Their tongue is a deadly arrow; It speaks deceit; With his mouth one speaks peace to his neighbor, But inwardly he sets an ambush for him.

NASB 1995
“Their tongue is a deadly arrow; It speaks deceit; With his mouth one speaks peace to his neighbor, But inwardly he sets an ambush for him.

NASB 1977
“Their tongue is a deadly arrow; It speaks deceit; With his mouth one speaks peace to his neighbor, But inwardly he sets an ambush for him.

Legacy Standard Bible
Their tongue is a slaughtering arrow; It speaks deceit; With his mouth one speaks peace to his neighbor, But inwardly he sets an ambush for him.

Amplified Bible
“Their tongue is a murderous arrow; It speaks deceit; With his mouth one speaks peace to his neighbor, But in his heart he lays traps and waits in ambush for him.

Christian Standard Bible
Their tongues are deadly arrows — they speak deception. With his mouth one speaks peaceably with his friend, but inwardly he sets up an ambush.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Their tongues are deadly arrows— they speak deception. With his mouth a man speaks peaceably with his friend, but inwardly he sets up an ambush.

American Standard Version
Their tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaketh deceit: one speaketh peaceably to his neighbor with his mouth, but in his heart he layeth wait for him.

Contemporary English Version
They say they want peace, but this lie is deadly, like an arrow that strikes when you least expect it.

English Revised Version
Their tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaketh deceit: one speaketh peaceably to his neighbour with his mouth, but in his heart he layeth wait for him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Their tongues are like deadly arrows. They speak deceitfully. People speak politely to their neighbors, but they think of ways to set traps for them.

Good News Translation
Their tongues are like deadly arrows; they always tell lies. Everyone speaks friendly words to their neighbors, but they are really setting a trap for them.

International Standard Version
Their tongue is a deadly arrow that speaks deceit. With his mouth a person says, 'Peace,' to his friend, but inwardly he sets a trap for him.

Majority Standard Bible
Their tongues are deadly arrows; they speak deception. With his mouth a man speaks peace to his neighbor, but in his heart he sets a trap for him.

NET Bible
Their tongues are like deadly arrows. They are always telling lies. Friendly words for their neighbors come from their mouths. But their minds are thinking up ways to trap them.

New Heart English Bible
Their tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaks deceit: one speaks peaceably to his neighbor with his mouth, but in his heart he lies in wait for him.

Webster's Bible Translation
Their tongue is as an arrow shot out; it speaketh deceit: one speaketh peaceably to his neighbor with his mouth, but in heart he layeth his wait.

World English Bible
Their tongue is a deadly arrow. It speaks deceit. One speaks peaceably to his neighbor with his mouth, but in his heart, he waits to ambush him.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Their tongue [is] a slaughtering arrow, "" It has spoken deceit in its mouth, "" It speaks peace with its neighbor, "" And in its heart it lays its ambush,

Young's Literal Translation
A slaughtering arrow is their tongue, Deceit it hath spoken in its mouth, Peace with its neighbour it speaketh, And in its heart it layeth its ambush,

Smith's Literal Translation
Their tongue a deadly arrow, speaking deceit; in his mouth he will speak peace to his neighbor, and be will lay his wait in his midst.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Their tongue is a piercing arrow, it hath spoken deceit: with his mouth one speaketh peace with his friend, and secretly he lieth in wait for him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Their tongue is a wounding arrow; it has spoken deceit. With his mouth, he speaks peace with his friend, and then he secretly lies in ambush for him.

New American Bible
A murderous arrow is their tongue, their mouths utter deceit; They speak peaceably with their neighbors, but in their hearts they lay an ambush!

New Revised Standard Version
Their tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaks deceit through the mouth. They all speak friendly words to their neighbors, but inwardly are planning to lay an ambush.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Their tongue is a sharp pointed arrow; it speaks deceit; one speaks peacefully to his neighbor with his mouth, but in his heart he lies in wait for him.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Their tongue is as a sharp arrow and it speaks deceit in its mouth. A man speaks peace with his neighbor, and within himself he plots an ambush
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Their tongue is a sharpened arrow, It speaketh deceit; One speaketh peaceably to his neighbour with his mouth, But in his heart he layeth wait for him.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Their tongue is a wounding arrow; the words of their mouth are deceitful: one speaks peaceably to his neighbour, but in himself retains enmity.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
A Lament over Zion
7Therefore this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Behold, I will refine them and test them, for what else can I do because of the daughter of My people? 8Their tongues are deadly arrows; they speak deception. With his mouth a man speaks peace to his neighbor, but in his heart he sets a trap for him. 9Should I not punish them for these things? declares the LORD. Should I not avenge Myself on such a nation as this?”…

Cross References
Psalm 55:21
His speech is smooth as butter, but war is in his heart. His words are softer than oil, yet they are swords unsheathed.

Proverbs 26:24-26
A hateful man disguises himself with his speech, but he lays up deceit in his heart. / When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart. / Though his hatred is concealed by deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.

Psalm 12:2-3
They lie to one another; they speak with flattering lips and a double heart. / May the LORD cut off all flattering lips and every boastful tongue.

Romans 3:13
“Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.” “The venom of vipers is on their lips.”

James 3:6-8
The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. / All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, / but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

Matthew 12:34
You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.

Psalm 28:3
Do not drag me away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, who speak peace to their neighbors while malice is in their hearts.

Psalm 5:9
For not a word they speak can be trusted; destruction lies within them. Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.

Isaiah 59:3-4
For your hands are stained with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, and your tongue mutters injustice. / No one calls for justice; no one pleads his case honestly. They rely on empty pleas; they tell lies; they conceive mischief and give birth to iniquity.

Matthew 15:18-19
But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these things defile a man. / For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander.

Psalm 57:4
My soul is among the lions; I lie down with ravenous beasts—with men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.

Psalm 64:3
who sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their bitter words like arrows,

Proverbs 10:18
The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool.

Ezekiel 22:28
Her prophets whitewash these deeds by false visions and lying divinations, saying, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says,’ when the LORD has not spoken.

Micah 6:12
For the wealthy of the city are full of violence, and its residents speak lies; their tongues are deceitful in their mouths.


Treasury of Scripture

Their tongue is as an arrow shot out; it speaks deceit: one speaks peaceably to his neighbor with his mouth, but in heart he lays his wait.

tongue.

Jeremiah 9:3,5
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…

Psalm 12:2
They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.

Psalm 57:4
My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.

one.

2 Samuel 3:27
And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.

2 Samuel 20:9,10
And Joab said to Amasa, Art thou in health, my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him…

Psalm 28:3
Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief is in their hearts.

in heart.

Jump to Previous
Ambush Arrow Causing Cordially Deadly Death Deceit Deceitfully Heart Inwardly Lays Mouth Murderous Neighbor Neighbour Peace Peaceably Secretly Sets Sharpened Shot Slaughtering Speaketh Speaks Tongue Trap Wait Waiting Words
Jump to Next
Ambush Arrow Causing Cordially Deadly Death Deceit Deceitfully Heart Inwardly Lays Mouth Murderous Neighbor Neighbour Peace Peaceably Secretly Sets Sharpened Shot Slaughtering Speaketh Speaks Tongue Trap Wait Waiting Words
Jeremiah 9
1. Jeremiah laments the people for their manifold sins;
9. and for their judgment.
12. Disobedience is the cause of their bitter calamity.
17. He exhorts to mourn for their destruction;
23. and to trust not in themselves, but in God.
25. He threatens both Jews and Gentiles.














Their tongue is a deadly arrow
The imagery of the "tongue" as a "deadly arrow" is powerful and evocative. In Hebrew, the word for "tongue" is "לָשׁוֹן" (lashon), which often symbolizes speech or language. The metaphor of a "deadly arrow" suggests something that is both precise and lethal. Arrows in ancient warfare were tools of silent death, striking from a distance without warning. This imagery underscores the destructive power of deceitful words, which can wound and kill relationships and trust. The tongue, though small, can cause great harm, as echoed in James 3:5-6, where the tongue is described as a fire, a world of iniquity.

it speaks deceitfully
The Hebrew root for "deceitfully" is "רָמָה" (ramah), which means to betray or to deal treacherously. This highlights the intentional nature of the deceit being described. The deceitful speech is not accidental but a deliberate act of betrayal. In the context of Jeremiah, the people of Judah were engaging in falsehoods and treachery, not only against each other but also against God. This deceit is a reflection of their spiritual state, where their outward expressions do not match their inner realities.

With his mouth a man speaks peace to his neighbor
The phrase "speaks peace" uses the Hebrew word "שָׁלוֹם" (shalom), which is rich in meaning, encompassing peace, completeness, and welfare. To speak "shalom" is to offer a blessing of wholeness and harmony. However, the duplicity here is stark; the outward expression of peace is contradicted by the inward intention. This reflects a common biblical theme where outward appearances do not align with inner truths, as seen in Jesus' rebuke of the Pharisees in Matthew 23:27, where they are likened to whitewashed tombs.

but in his heart he sets a trap for him
The "heart" in Hebrew, "לֵב" (lev), is the center of thought, emotion, and intention. It is the seat of one's true self. The act of setting a "trap" (Hebrew "אָרַב" - arab) indicates premeditated malice. This duplicity is a grave sin, as it violates the command to love one's neighbor as oneself (Leviticus 19:18). The heart's intentions are hidden from human eyes but are fully visible to God, who judges the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). This verse serves as a warning against hypocrisy and the dangers of a divided heart, calling believers to integrity and sincerity in their relationships with others.

(8) An arrow shot out.--Better, an arrow that pierceth, or slayeth.

In heart.--More literally, inwardly.

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."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Their tongues
לְשׁוֹנָ֖ם (lə·šō·w·nām)
Noun - common singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 3956: The tongue

are deadly
שָׁח֛וּט (šā·ḥūṭ)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular
Strong's 7819: To slaughter, beat

arrows;
חֵ֥ץ (ḥêṣ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2671: A piercer, an arrow, a wound, thunderbolt, the shaft of a, spear

they speak
דִבֵּ֑ר (ḏib·bêr)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

deception.
מִרְמָ֣ה (mir·māh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4820: Deceit, treachery

With his mouth
בְּפִ֗יו (bə·p̄îw)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to

a man speaks
יְדַבֵּ֔ר (yə·ḏab·bêr)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

peace
שָׁל֤וֹם (šā·lō·wm)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7965: Safe, well, happy, friendly, welfare, health, prosperity, peace

to
אֶת־ (’eṯ-)
Preposition
Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among

his neighbor,
רֵעֵ֙הוּ֙ (rê·‘ê·hū)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7453: Friend, companion, fellow

but in his heart
וּבְקִרְבּ֖וֹ (ū·ḇə·qir·bōw)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7130: The nearest part, the center

he sets
יָשִׂ֥ים (yā·śîm)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set

a trap for him.
אָרְבּֽוֹ׃ (’ā·rə·bōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 696: An ambuscade


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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 9:8 Their tongue is a deadly arrow (Jer.)
Jeremiah 9:7
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