Jeremiah 9:8

“Their tongue is as an arrow shot out, etc.] As an arrow out of a bow, which moves swiftly, and comes with great force; or, “drawn out”f188; as out of a quiver. The word is used of gold, and rendered “beaten gold”, (<111016>1 Kings 10:16), gold drawn out into plates; and here of an arrow drawn out of a quiver; and so it is interpreted in the Talmudf189; or is “wounding”, as the Septuagint, or “slaying”f190; denoting the mischief and injury done to the characters of men, by a deceitful, detracting, and calumniating tongue. The Targum is, “as a sharp arrow their tongue”; which pierces deep, and is deadly; (see Gill on “<240903>Jeremiah 9:3”), it speaketh deceit; deceitful words, by which men…”

“tongue . . . arrow shot out--rather, "a murdering arrow" [MAURER] (Jer 9:3). speaketh peaceably . . . in heart . . . layeth . . . wait--layeth his ambush [HENDERSON], (Psa 55:21).”

“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…”

“tongue: Jer 9:3, Jer 9:5; Psa 12:2, Psa 57:4, Psa 64:3, Psa 64:4, Psa 64:8, Psa 120:3 one: Sa2 3:27, Sa2 20:9, Sa2 20:10; Psa 28:3, Psa 55:21; Pro 26:24-26; Mat 26:48, Mat 26:49 in heart: Heb. in the midst of him his wait: or, wait for him Jeremiah 9:9”