Jeremiah 9:4

Translations

Modern

“Let everyone guard against his neighbor; do not trust any brother, for every brother deals craftily, and every friend spreads slander.

Traditional

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.

Literal

“Let each man take heed of his neighbor, and in any brother not trust. For every brother does utterly supplant, and every neighbor walks in slander.

Latin

Unusquisque se a proximo suo custodiat, et in omni fratre suo non habeat fiduciam: quia omnis frater supplantans supplantabit, et omnis amicus fraudulenter incedet.

Original

Hebrew

English

“Let everyone guard against his neighbor; do not trust any brother, for every brother deals craftily, and every friend spreads slander.

Notes

Jeremiah 9:4–6

Idolatry was the foundation of a culture built on lies.
The word brother, used as a synonym for neighbor, shows that even close relationships were tainted by deceit.

Jeremiah 9:3–16

The heavenly court was still in session (see study note on Jeremiah 2:9). The divine Judge explained the charges against the people and justified the harsh verdict. Jeremiah interrupted the Lord’s speech twice to respond to the Lord’s messages (Jeremiah 9:10, 12).

Jeremiah 8:18–9:26

The priests in the Temple memorized and repeated prayers as part of their rituals. They believed using the exact words was crucial; otherwise, the prayers lost their magical power. The character of the priests saying the prayers was not very important. This was also true for lamentations. In contrast, Jeremiah's prayers and lamentations were spontaneous and deeply personal.

Theme notes and profiles

The New Covenant

Events

Prophecies of Jeremiahc. 628 BC

Related verses

Micah 7:5–6
Do not rely on a friend; do not trust in a companion. Seal the doors of your mouth from her who lies in your arms.
Proverbs 26:24–25
A hateful man disguises himself with his speech, but he lays up deceit in his heart.
Psalm 12:2–3
They lie to one another; they speak with flattering lips and a double heart.
Proverbs 10:18
The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool.
Leviticus 19:16
You must not go about spreading slander among your people. You must not endanger the life of your neighbor. I am the LORD.
Jeremiah 6:28
All are hardened rebels, walking around as slanderers. They are bronze and iron; all of them are corrupt.
Proverbs 25:18
Like a club or sword or sharp arrow is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor.
Matthew 10:21
Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rise against their parents and have them put to death.
Proverbs 6:16
There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to Him:
Psalm 15:3
…who has no slander on his tongue, who does no harm to his neighbor, who casts no scorn on his friend,
Ezekiel 22:9
Among you are slanderous men bent on bloodshed; within you are those who eat on the mountain shrines and commit acts of indecency.
Jeremiah 12:6
Even your brothers—your own father’s household—even they have betrayed you; even they have cried aloud against you. Do not trust them, though they speak well of you.

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (Old Testament) Book of Jeremiah Jeremiah (Person) Neighbor

Topics

Dishonesty: General Scriptures Concerning Hypocrisy: General Scriptures Concerning Prophets: Felt Deeply on Account of the Calamities Which They Predicted Slander: The Wicked Addicted To Slander: They Who Indulge In, not to be Trusted Slander: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Trusting Man Wicked (People): Described

Jeremiah 9:4

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