Jeremiah 9:3

“And they bend their tongues like their bow for lies, etc.] Their tongues were like bows, and their lying words like arrows, which they directed against persons to their injury; (see <191102>Psalm 11:2 64:3), or, “like their deceitful bow”f183; to which the Targum agrees, “they teach their tongues words of falsehood, they are like to a deceitful bow.” Most agreeably to the accents the words may be rendered, “they bend their tongues, their bow is a lie”f184; either deceitful, or carries a lie in it, and shoots one out of it: but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; which a man should do everything for, and nothing against; and which he should earnestly contend for, and not part…”

“bend . . . tongues . . . for lies--that is, with lies as their arrows; they direct lies on their tongue as their bow (Psa 64:3-4). not valiant for . . . truth-- (Jer 7:28). MAURER translates, "They do not prevail by truth" or faith (Psa 12:4). Their tongue, not faith, is their weapon. upon . . . earth--rather, "in the land." know not me-- (Hos 4:1).”

“From their punishment the prophet now turns to their sins. Jeremiah 9:2 The prophet utters the wish that he might be spared his daily striving, and in some lone wilderness give way to his sorrow, without restraint. A lodging place - It was usual to build in the desert, either by private charity or at the public expense, caravanserais, to receive travelers for a single night, who had however to bring their own supplies with them. An assembly - Or, a gang. Treacherous - Faithless toward one another. Jeremiah 9:3 Rather, “And they bend their tongue to be their bow of lies, i. e.” just as men before a battle get their bows ready, so they of set purpose make ready to do mischief, only their…”

“9:3-16 The heavenly court was still in session (see study note on 2:9); the divine Judge lectured the people about the charges facing them and justified the severity of the verdict. Jeremiah interrupted the Lord’s speech twice to respond to the Lord’s messages (9:10, 12). 9:3 The Lord did not scold Jeremiah for his outburst. Instead, the Lord recited the guilty charges against his people. • The comparison with bows indicates that the people’s lies were deliberately aimed to harm their targets.”

“they bend: Jer 9:5, Jer 9:8; Psa 52:2-4, Psa 64:3, Psa 64:4, Psa 120:2-4; Isa 59:3-5, Isa 59:13-15; Mic 7:3-5; Rom 3:13 valiant: Mat 10:31-33; Mar 8:38; Rom 1:16; Phi 1:28; Jde 1:3; Rev 12:11 for they: Jer 7:26; Ti2 3:13 they know: Jer 4:22, Jer 22:16, Jer 31:34; Jdg 2:10; Sa1 2:12; Hos 4:1-3; Joh 8:54, Joh 8:55, Joh 17:3; Rom 1:28; Co2 4:4-6 Jeremiah 9:4”