Jeremiah 9:3 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Judah's people have weaponized deception and abandoned truth while progressing deeper into evil.
The Context of Jeremiah 9:3
The Lord describes the people's habitual deception and departure from righteousness.
What Does Jeremiah 9:3 Mean?
The metaphor of tongues as bows depicts speech as weaponized. Where an archer bends a bow with skill and intent, Judah bends language toward lies with deliberate practice. Simultaneously, they show no courage—no 'valiance'—for truth. They have chosen falsehood over righteousness.
Their trajectory reveals spiritual bankruptcy: they move from evil to evil without repentance or return, and this persistent path away from God means they no longer know Him in any meaningful relationship. Knowledge of God requires alignment with truth.
Jeremiah 9:3 in the Original Language
bow (קֶשֶׁת, qeshet) — instrument of war, metaphorically the tongue as a weapon of deception.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 9:3
What does Jeremiah 9:3 mean?
Judah's people have weaponized deception and abandoned truth while progressing deeper into evil.
What is the context of Jeremiah 9:3?
The Lord describes the people's habitual deception and departure from righteousness.