Jeremiah 7:8

8 Look, you [are] relying for yourselves on {deceitful words} without benefiting.

Jeremiah 7:8 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 7:8

Behold, ye trust in lying words
What they are dissuaded from, ( Jeremiah 7:4 ) , is here affirmed they did, and which is introduced with a note of asseveration, attention, and admiration; it being a certain thing that they did so; and was what was worthy of their consideration and serious reflection upon; and it was astonishing that they should, since so to do was of no advantage to them, but the contrary: that cannot profit;
temple worship and service, legal sacrifices and ceremonies, could not take away sin, and expiate the guilt of it; or justify men, and render them acceptable to God; these, without faith in the blood and sacrifice of Christ, were of no avail; and especially could never be thought to be of any use and profit, when such gross abominations were indulged by them as are next mentioned.

Jeremiah 7:8 In-Context

6 you do not oppress [the] alien, [the] orphan, and [the] widow, you do not shed innocent blood in this place, and you do not go after other gods {to your harm},

7 then I will let you dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your ancestors {forever and ever}.

8 Look, you [are] relying for yourselves on {deceitful words} without benefiting.

9 Will you steal? Will you murder? And will you commit adultery? And will you swear {falsely}? And will you make a smoke offering to the Baal? And will you go after other gods whom you have not known?

10 And then you come and you stand {before} me in this house, which is called {by my name}, and you say, 'we are safe {to go on doing} all of these detestable things.'

Footnotes

• [a] Literally "the words of the deception"