Jeremiah 5:2

2 Although they say, ‘As surely as the LORD lives,’ still they are swearing falsely.”

Jeremiah 5:2 in Other Translations

2 And though they say, The LORD liveth; surely they swear falsely.

2 Though they say, "As the LORD lives," yet they swear falsely.

2 But even when they are under oath, saying, ‘As surely as the LORD lives,’ they are still telling lies!”

2 "But if all they do is say, 'As sure as God lives . . . ' they're nothing but a bunch of liars."

2 When they say, "As the Lord lives," they are swearing falsely.

Jeremiah 5:2 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 5:2

And though they say, the Lord liveth
It might be said, that there were multitudes that made mention of the name of the Lord, that professed it, and swore by it; which sometimes is put for the worship and service of God, ( Deuteronomy 10:20 ) and therefore it could not be so difficult a matter to find a man of integrity and uprightness among them; this is answered by allowing there were persons that did do so: but then it must be observed, that surely they swear falsely;
they abused the name of God, and were guilty of perjury: or the sense is, they were only nominal professors, hypocritical worshippers; in words professed to know God, but in works denied him; had a form of religion and godliness, but without the power of it.

Jeremiah 5:2 In-Context

1 “Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem, look around and consider, search through her squares. If you can find but one person who deals honestly and seeks the truth, I will forgive this city.

2 Although they say, ‘As surely as the LORD lives,’ still they are swearing falsely.”

3 LORD, do not your eyes look for truth? You struck them, but they felt no pain; you crushed them, but they refused correction. They made their faces harder than stone and refused to repent.

4 I thought, “These are only the poor; they are foolish, for they do not know the way of the LORD, the requirements of their God.

5 So I will go to the leaders and speak to them; surely they know the way of the LORD, the requirements of their God.” But with one accord they too had broken off the yoke and torn off the bonds.

Cross References

• 1. S Jeremiah 4:2
• 2. S Leviticus 19:12