Jeremiah 8:5 Meaning and Explanation
“Why then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Judah persists in continuous, willful rebellion against God.
The Context of Jeremiah 8:5
Description of Judah's habitual rebellion and embrace of deception.
What Does Jeremiah 8:5 Mean?
The word 'perpetual' captures Judah's pattern: not a single misstep but habitual, ongoing backsliding from God's covenant. Jerusalem's default trajectory is away from the Lord, described as a repeated slide backward rather than deliberate steps.
Worse, they 'hold fast deceit'—actively clinging to lies and false beliefs. The city that should be God's dwelling place has become a place of deception. Their refusal to return shows deliberate opposition, not passive drift.
Jeremiah 8:5 in the Original Language
meshubah (מְשׁוּבָה), 'backsliding'—continuous turning away, emphasizing the habitual nature of their unfaithfulness.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 8:5
What does Jeremiah 8:5 mean?
Judah persists in continuous, willful rebellion against God.
What is the context of Jeremiah 8:5?
Description of Judah's habitual rebellion and embrace of deception.