Jeremiah 9:6

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

Jeremiah 9:6 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 9:6

Thine habitation is in the midst of deceit
In the midst of a people of deceit, as Kimchi and Ben Molech. These are the words of the Lord to the prophet, showing what a people he dwelt among, and had to do with; how cautiously and prudently he should act; how little they were to be trusted to and depended upon; and what little hope there was of bringing them to true repentance, since there was so much deceit and hypocrisy among them. The Targum interprets the words not of the habitation of the prophet, but of the people, thus,

``they sit in the house of their own congregation, and talk of their iniquities deceitfully;''

and so Jarchi,

``while they are sitting they devise deceitful devices.''

Through deceit they refuse to know me, saith the Lord:
or, "because of deceit" ^F20; hypocrisy being a reigning and governing sin in them; they liked not the true knowledge of God, and refused to worship him according to the revelation of his will.

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FOOTNOTES:

F20 (hmrmb) "ob dolum", Schmidt.

Jeremiah 9:6 In-Context

4 Take heed each one of his neighbour, and trust ye not in any brother: for every brother will utterly supplant, and every neighbour will walk with slanders.

5 And they will deceive each one his neighbour and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies and weary themselves to commit iniquity.

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

7 Therefore thus hath the LORD of the hosts said, Behold, I will melt them and try them; for how shall I do for the daughter of my people?

8 Their tongue is as a sharp arrow; it speaks deceit: one speaks peaceably to his neighbour with his mouth but in heart he lays in wait.