Their tongue is as an arrow shot out; it speaketh deceit: one speaketh peaceably to his neighbour with his mouth, but in heart he layeth his wait.
Their tongues are like arrows that have been shot out; they speak lies and deception. A person speaks kindly to their neighbor with their mouth, but in their heart they are planning to harm them.
The writer is describing people who use their words as weapons, speaking kindly on the surface while secretly plotting harm against others.
📚 Historical Context
Jeremiah was prophesying during the final decades before Jerusalem's destruction in 586 BC, when corruption and deceit had become widespread among the people of Judah. The prophet was condemning the breakdown of trust and honesty in society, where neighbors could no longer rely on each other's words. This was part of God's case against His people for abandoning His ways and embracing dishonesty in their relationships.
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