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Jeremiah 9:6

Jeremiah 9:6 in Multiple Translations

You dwell in the midst of deception; in their deceit they refuse to know Me,” declares the LORD.

Thine habitation is in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know me, saith the LORD.

Thy habitation is in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know me, saith Jehovah.

There is wrong on wrong, deceit on deceit; they have given up the knowledge of me, says the Lord.

Everyone exploits each other, and in all their lies they don't want to know me, declares the Lord.

Thine habitation is in the middes of deceiuers: because of their deceit they refuse to know me, sayth the Lord.

thy dwelling [is] in the midst of deceit, Through deceit they refused to know Me, An affirmation of Jehovah.

Your habitation is in the middle of deceit. Through deceit, they refuse to know me,” says the LORD.

Thy habitation is in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know me, saith the LORD.

Thy habitation is in the midst of deceit: Through deceit they have refused to know me, saith the Lord.

They habitually lie and deceive each other, and no one will admit/say that I am God.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Jeremiah 9:6

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Jeremiah 9:6 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB לָ/כֵ֗ן כֹּ֤ה אָמַר֙ יְהוָ֣ה צְבָא֔וֹת הִנְ/נִ֥י צוֹרְפָ֖/ם וּ/בְחַנְתִּ֑י/ם כִּֽי אֵ֣יךְ אֶעֱשֶׂ֔ה מִ/פְּנֵ֖י בַּת עַמִּֽ/י
לָ/כֵ֗ן kên H3651 right Prep | Adv
כֹּ֤ה kôh H3541 thus Adv
אָמַר֙ ʼâmar H559 to say V-Qal-Perf-3ms
יְהוָ֣ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 The Lord N-proper
צְבָא֔וֹת tsâbâʼ H6635 army N-cp
הִנְ/נִ֥י hên H2005 look! Part | Suff
צוֹרְפָ֖/ם tsâraph H6884 to refine V-Qal | Suff
וּ/בְחַנְתִּ֑י/ם bâchan H974 to test Conj | V-Qal-1cs | Suff
כִּֽי kîy H3588 for Conj
אֵ֣יךְ ʼêyk H349 how? Part
אֶעֱשֶׂ֔ה ʻâsâh H6213 to make V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
מִ/פְּנֵ֖י pânîym H6440 face Prep | N-cp
בַּת bath H1323 Bath (Shua) N-fs
עַמִּֽ/י ʻam H5971 Amaw N-ms | Suff
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Jeremiah 9:6

לָ/כֵ֗ן kên H3651 "right" Prep | Adv
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means 'so' or 'thus', often used to show agreement or confirmation, like in the book of Genesis. It can also mean 'rightly' or 'justly', as in doing something the correct way. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: adv adj 1) right, just, honest, true, veritable 1a) right, just, honest 1b) correct 1c) true, veritable
Usage: Occurs in 737 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] after that (this, -ward, -wards), as... as, [phrase] (for-) asmuch as yet, [phrase] be (for which) cause, [phrase] following, howbeit, in (the) like (manner, -wise), [idiom] the more, right, (even) so, state, straightway, such (thing), surely, [phrase] there (where) -fore, this, thus, true, well, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:7; Exodus 37:19; Judges 7:17.
כֹּ֤ה kôh H3541 "thus" Adv
This Hebrew word means thus or in this manner. It can also indicate a location or time, such as here or now. The KJV translates it in various ways, including also, here, and so.
Definition: 1) thus, here, in this manner 1a) thus, so 1b) here, here and there 1c) until now, until now...until then, meanwhile Aramaic equivalent: kah (כָּה "thus" H3542)
Usage: Occurs in 541 OT verses. KJV: also, here, + hitherto, like, on the other side, so (and much), such, on that manner, (on) this (manner, side, way, way and that way), + mean while, yonder. See also: Genesis 15:5; 1 Kings 22:20; Isaiah 7:7.
אָמַר֙ ʼâmar H559 "to say" V-Qal-Perf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
יְהוָ֣ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 "The Lord" N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
צְבָא֔וֹת tsâbâʼ H6635 "army" N-cp
This Hebrew word means a large group of people or things, often referring to an army or a campaign, and is also used to describe the Lord's hosts. It appears in the Bible as a name for God, emphasizing His power and authority. In the KJV, it's translated as 'host' or 'army'.
Definition: : army 1) that which goes forth, army, war, warfare, host 1a) army, host 1a1) host (of organised army) 1a2) host (of angels) 1a3) of sun, moon, and stars 1a4) of whole creation 1b) war, warfare, service, go out to war 1c) service
Usage: Occurs in 463 OT verses. KJV: appointed time, ([phrase]) army, ([phrase]) battle, company, host, service, soldiers, waiting upon, war(-fare). See also: Genesis 2:1; 1 Samuel 17:55; Psalms 24:10.
הִנְ/נִ֥י hên H2005 "look!" Part | Suff
An expression meaning look or behold, used to get someone's attention, like in the prophet Isaiah's writings. It can also express surprise or introduce a hypothetical situation.
Definition: interj 1) behold, lo, though hypothetical part 2) if Aramaic equivalent: hen (הֵן "look!" H2006A)
Usage: Occurs in 311 OT verses. KJV: behold, if, lo, though. See also: Genesis 3:22; Job 2:6; Psalms 51:7.
צוֹרְפָ֖/ם tsâraph H6884 "to refine" V-Qal | Suff
To refine means to purify something, like metal, by removing impurities. In the Bible, God refines his people like silver, testing and purifying them through trials. This process makes them stronger and more faithful.
Definition: 1) to smelt, refine, test 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to smelt, refine 1a2) to test 1a3) to test (and prove true) 1a4) smelter, refiner, goldsmith (participle) 1b) (Niphal) to be refined 1c) (Piel) to be a refiner 1c1) refiner (participle)
Usage: Occurs in 29 OT verses. KJV: cast, (re-) fine(-er), founder, goldsmith, melt, pure, purge away, try. See also: Judges 7:4; Isaiah 1:25; Psalms 12:7.
וּ/בְחַנְתִּ֑י/ם bâchan H974 "to test" Conj | V-Qal-1cs | Suff
To test or examine something, like gold or a person's heart, is what this word means. It appears in stories like Job's trials, where his faith is tested by God, and in Proverbs 17:3, which talks about refining silver.
Definition: 1) to examine, try, prove 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to examine, scrutinise 1a2) to test, prove, try (of gold, persons, the heart, man of God) 1b) (Niphal) to be tried, proved 1c) (Pual) to make a trial
Usage: Occurs in 28 OT verses. KJV: examine, prove, tempt, try (trial). See also: Genesis 42:15; Psalms 81:8; Psalms 7:10.
כִּֽי kîy H3588 "for" Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
אֵ֣יךְ ʼêyk H349 "how?" Part
In the Bible, this word means 'how' or 'where', like in Genesis when God asks Adam 'where are you'. It's also used to express surprise or excitement.
Definition: interrog adv how?
Usage: Occurs in 74 OT verses. KJV: how, what. See also: Genesis 26:9; Ecclesiastes 2:16; Psalms 11:1.
אֶעֱשֶׂ֔ה ʻâsâh H6213 "to make" V-Qal-Imperf-1cs
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
מִ/פְּנֵ֖י pânîym H6440 "face" Prep | N-cp
This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.
Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.
בַּת bath H1323 "Bath (Shua)" N-fs
The Hebrew word for daughter is used to describe a female child or a woman, and can also be used figuratively. In the Bible, it is used to describe women like Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah and later of King David.
Definition: A woman living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.38.2; daughter of: Shua (H7770); married to Judah (H3063); mother of: Er (H6147), Onan (H0209) and Shelah (H7956) the wife of Uriah whom David had murdered, having had adulterous relations with her; subsequently wife of David and mother of Solomon, Shimea, Shobab, and Nathan (alternate spelling to 'Bathsheba')
Usage: Occurs in 498 OT verses. KJV: apple (of the eye), branch, company, daughter, [idiom] first, [idiom] old, [phrase] owl, town, village. See also: Genesis 5:4; Exodus 2:21; Ruth 1:13.
עַמִּֽ/י ʻam H5971 "Amaw" N-ms | Suff
A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.
Definition: This name means nation, people
Usage: Occurs in 1655 OT verses. KJV: folk, men, nation, people. See also: Genesis 11:6; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 17:9.

Study Notes — Jeremiah 9:6

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you as My priests. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.
2 Jeremiah 13:10 These evil people, who refuse to listen to My words, who follow the stubbornness of their own hearts, and who go after other gods to serve and worship them, they will be like this loincloth—of no use at all.
3 Jeremiah 8:5 Why then have these people turned away? Why does Jerusalem always turn away? They cling to deceit; they refuse to return.
4 John 3:19–20 And this is the verdict: The Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness rather than the Light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come into the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.
5 Jeremiah 5:27 Like cages full of birds, so their houses are full of deceit. Therefore they have become powerful and rich.
6 Jeremiah 20:10 For I have heard the whispering of many: “Terror is on every side! Report him; let us report him!” All my trusted friends watch for my fall: “Perhaps he will be deceived so that we may prevail against him and take our vengeance upon him.”
7 Proverbs 1:24 Because you refused my call, and no one took my outstretched hand,
8 Romans 1:28 Furthermore, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, He gave them up to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.
9 Jeremiah 11:19 For I was like a gentle lamb led to slaughter; I did not know that they had plotted against me: “Let us destroy the tree with its fruit; let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be remembered no more.”
10 Proverbs 1:29 For they hated knowledge and chose not to fear the LORD.

Jeremiah 9:6 Summary

This verse, Jeremiah 9:6, means that when people are surrounded by lies and deception, they can become so confused that they don't even want to know the truth about God. It's like they are living in a fog of false information, and they can't see or hear God's voice clearly, similar to what is described in 2 Corinthians 4:4. But God still loves them and wants them to know Him, and He will do what it takes to bring them back to Himself, as seen in Jeremiah 9:7 and John 3:16. By seeking God and His truth, we can escape the deception and find our way back to Him.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to dwell in the midst of deception?

According to Jeremiah 9:6, dwelling in the midst of deception means being surrounded by and influenced by false and misleading information, which can lead to a refusal to know God, as seen in Romans 1:28 where it says that people who suppress the truth become futile in their thinking.

How can people refuse to know God when He is all around them?

As stated in Jeremiah 9:6, people can refuse to know God by choosing to ignore or reject Him, even when they have the opportunity to know Him, much like the Israelites who saw God's wonders in the wilderness but still rebelled against Him, as mentioned in Psalm 95:10-11.

What is the relationship between deception and not knowing God?

According to Jeremiah 9:6, deception can lead to a refusal to know God, as people become so consumed by lies and falsehoods that they are unable to discern the truth about God, similar to what is described in 2 Timothy 4:3-4 where people turn away from the truth and wander off into myths.

How does God feel about people dwelling in deception?

As seen in Jeremiah 9:6, God is grieved by people dwelling in deception and refusing to know Him, and He declares that He will refine and test them, as stated in Jeremiah 9:7, in order to bring them back to Himself, much like a loving father disciplines his children, as mentioned in Hebrews 12:6-7.

Reflection Questions

  1. In what ways am I surrounded by deception in my own life, and how can I guard myself against it?
  2. How can I be sure that I am not refusing to know God in some area of my life, and what steps can I take to deepen my relationship with Him?
  3. What are some common deceptions that people believe today, and how can I share the truth of God's Word with them in a loving and compassionate way?
  4. In what ways can I be a source of truth and light in a world filled with deception, and how can I use my words and actions to point people to God?

Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 9:6

Thine habitation is in the midst of deceit,.... In the midst of a people of deceit, as Kimchi and Ben Molech.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 9:6

Thine habitation is in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know me, saith the LORD. Thine habitation - God addresses Jeremiah, who dwelt in the midst of deceitful men.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 9:6

This God speaks to the prophet, either to inform him that there is no hope of this people’ s reformation, ; therefore he expresseth a deceitful people by the abstract, deceit, i.e. nothing among them but deceit one to another, and hypocrisy towards me, as , and vanity for vain men, ; or to caution and advise him how to behave himself among such a people, that he be very wary he be not insnared by them, . They refuse to know me; either hoping to shift well enough by their several means they think to use, they are careless of turning to me, ; or by hearkening to their false prophets, who have all along deceived them, they obstinately reject my ways and counsels, 82:5.

Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 9:6

Jeremiah 9:6 Thine habitation [is] in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know me, saith the LORD.Ver. 6. Thine habitation is in the midst of deceit,] i.e., Of deceitful persons, who have honey in their tongues, but gall in their hearts; Aliud in labris, aliud in fibris. Another in the vat, another in the glass. They refuse to know me.] Ut liberius peccent, libenter ignorant; they are wilfully ignorant, so wedded and wedged they are to their fraudulent practices.

Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 9:6

(6) Thine habitation . . .—The words may be an individualised, and therefore more emphatic, reproduction of the general warning of Jer 9:4. It is, however, better to take them as spoken by Jehovah to the prophet individually. The LXX., following a different reading and punctuation, translates “usury upon usury, deceit upon deceit; they refuse to know Me, saith the Lord.” And this has been adopted by Ewald, among recent commentators.

Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 9:6

5, 6. The MT. has apparently suffered some corruption. The LXX yield a fairly good sense. Dividing the four consonants of the Hebrew word rendered “thine habitation,” so as to end Jeremiah 9:5 with the first two, which thus yield the meaning of turn, and then taking the second pair, which will thus mean oppression (as in Psalms 10:7; Psalms 55:11), they render the whole “they committed iniquity and Ceased not to turn aside. (Jeremiah 9:6) Oppression on oppression and deceit on deceit, etc.,” the latter pair of identical words suggesting the parallel preceding. As Gi. points out, this does not obviate the objection that the verb rendered “weary themselves” always elsewhere (e.g. Isaiah 16:12; Isaiah 47:13) means to do so to no purpose, which is unsuitable here. Hence, and for other reasons, he rejects Jeremiah 9:4-5.

Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 9:6

4-6. Every brother will utterly supplant, etc. — A terrible indictment! Just in the ratio in which truth is put down must the bonds of mutual confidence be relaxed.

Sermons on Jeremiah 9:6

SermonDescription
Shane Idleman Truth & Deception: When Kingdoms Collide by Shane Idleman Shane Idleman addresses the collision of truth and deception in his sermon 'Truth & Deception: When Kingdoms Collide,' emphasizing the confusion within the modern church, much like
Paul Washer (Biblical Manhood) -Evening Banquet by Paul Washer In this sermon, the speaker expresses his deep concern for the upbringing of his young children and acknowledges his own shortcomings. He emphasizes the importance of studying and
Paul Washer (Biblical Manhood) -Morning Brunch by Paul Washer In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of being a godly example to our children. He shares his desire for his son to see him on his knees, weeping with joy about Jes
Paul Washer "Too Intense?" "Radical?" by Paul Washer In this sermon, the speaker passionately shares his personal experiences of sacrifice and persecution for his faith in Jesus Christ. He recounts witnessing people dying and a young
Carter Conlon A Message for America and Its Cultural Religion by Carter Conlon In this sermon, the preacher discusses the importance of understanding the times we live in and the need for spiritual discernment. He mentions a gathering of churches in New York
B.H. Clendennen Forsaking God by B.H. Clendennen In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of having knowledge and understanding of God's Word. He quotes Hosea 4:6, which states that God's people are disturbed for la
Paul Washer Biblical Courtship Session #2: The Parent's Responsibility in the Home by Paul Washer In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes that we cannot make ourselves love God more through our own efforts. Just as we do nothing to make a beautiful sunset take our breath away, w

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