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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Jeremiah 8:5 Why then have these people turned away? Why does Jerusalem always turn away? They cling to deceit; they refuse to return.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/jeremiah/8-5.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/24_Jer_08_05.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Jeremiah 8:5 - Judah's Sin and Punishment" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Why then have these people turned away? Why does Jerusalem always turn away? 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Why does Jerusalem always turn away? They cling to deceit; they refuse to return.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/jeremiah/8.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Then why do these people stay on their self-destructive path? Why do the people of Jerusalem refuse to turn back? They cling tightly to their lies and will not turn around.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/jeremiah/8.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Why then has this people turned away in perpetual backsliding? They hold fast to deceit; they refuse to return.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why then have these people turned away? Why does Jerusalem always turn away? They cling to deceit; they refuse to return.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/jeremiah/8.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Why <i>then</i> is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/jeremiah/8.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Why has this people slidden back, Jerusalem, in a perpetual backsliding? They hold fast to deceit, They refuse to return.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/jeremiah/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Why has this people, Jerusalem, Turned away in continual apostasy? They hold on to deceit, They refuse to return.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/jeremiah/8.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Why then has this people, Jerusalem, Turned away in continual apostasy? They hold fast to deceit, They refuse to return.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/jeremiah/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Why then has this people, Jerusalem, Turned away in continual apostasy? They hold fast to deceit, They refuse to return.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/jeremiah/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Why then has this people, Jerusalem, Turned away in continual faithlessness? They hold fast to deceit; They refuse to return.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/jeremiah/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Why then has this people of Jerusalem Turned away with a perpetual turning away [from Me]? They hold tightly to deceit (idolatry); They refuse to repent <i>and</i> return [to God].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/jeremiah/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why have these people turned away? Why is Jerusalem always turning away? They take hold of deceit; they refuse to return.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/jeremiah/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why have these people turned away? Why is Jerusalem always turning away? They take hold of deceit; they refuse to return. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/jeremiah/8.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Why then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/jeremiah/8.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />So why do you refuse to come back to me? Why do you hold so tightly to your false gods? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/jeremiah/8.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Why then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/jeremiah/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The people of Jerusalem turned away from me without ever returning. They still cling to deceit. They refuse to return.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/jeremiah/8.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Why then, my people, do you turn away from me without ever turning back? You cling to your idols and refuse to return to me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/jeremiah/8.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Why has this people turned away? Why does Jerusalem continue in apostasy? They hold on to deceit and refuse to repent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/jeremiah/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why then have these people turned away? Why does Jerusalem always turn away? They cling to deceit; they refuse to return.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/jeremiah/8.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Why, then, do these people of Jerusalem continually turn away from me in apostasy? They hold fast to their deception. They refuse to turn back to me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/jeremiah/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Why then do these people of Jerusalem turn away in perpetual backsliding? They hold fast deceit; they refuse to return.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/jeremiah/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Why then hath this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/jeremiah/8.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Why then have the people of Jerusalem fallen back by a perpetual backsliding? They cling to deceit. They refuse to return. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/jeremiah/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Why has this people of Jerusalem "" Turned back—a continuous backsliding? They have kept hold on deceit, "" They have refused to turn back.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/jeremiah/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Wherefore hath this people of Jerusalem Turned back -- a perpetual backsliding? They have kept hold on deceit, They have refused to turn back.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/jeremiah/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Wherefore did this people of Jerusalem turn away a continual turning away? they laid hold upon deceit; they refused to turn back.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/jeremiah/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Why then is this people in Jerusalem turned away with a stubborn revolting? they have laid hold on lying, and have refused to return. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/jeremiah/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Then why have this people in Jerusalem turned away with a contentious loathing? They have taken hold of what is false, and they are not willing to return.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/jeremiah/8.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Why then do these people resist with persistent rebellion? Why do they cling to deception, refuse to turn back? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/jeremiah/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Why then has this people turned away in perpetual backsliding? They have held fast to deceit, they have refused to return.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/jeremiah/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Why then is this people of Jerusalem perpetually backsliding? They hold fast to deceit, they refuse to repent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/jeremiah/8.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Why does this backsliding, shameless people return to Jerusalem? They held fast to deceit and they chose not to return to God<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/jeremiah/8.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Why then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back By a perpetual backsliding? They hold fast deceit, They refuse to return.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/jeremiah/8.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Wherefore has this my people turned away with a shameless revolting, and strengthened themselves in their willfulness, and refused to return?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/jeremiah/8-5.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5k55c51ZGhs?start=2512" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/8.htm">Judah's Sin and Punishment</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">4</span>So you are to tell them this is what the LORD says: “Do men fall and not get up again? Does one turn away and not return? <span class="reftext">5</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4069.htm" title="4069: mad·dū·a‘ (Interrog) -- Why? for what reason?. Or madduaa; from mah and the passive participle of yada'; what known?; i.e. why?.">Why then</a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: haz·zeh (Art:: Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that.">have these</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: hā·‘ām (Art:: N-ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">people</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: šō·wḇ·ḇāh (V-Piel-Perf-3fs) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">turned away?</a> <a href="/hebrew/3389.htm" title="3389: yə·rū·šā·lim (N-proper-fs) -- Probably foundation of peace, capital city of all Isr. ">Why does Jerusalem</a> <a href="/hebrew/4878.htm" title="4878: mə·šu·ḇāh (N-fs) -- Turning back, apostasy. Or mshubah; from shuwb; apostasy.">always turn away?</a> <a href="/hebrew/5329.htm" title="5329: niṣ·ṣa·ḥaṯ (V-Nifal-Prtcpl-fs) -- Preeminent or enduring. A primitive root; properly, to glitter from afar, i.e. To be eminent; also, to be permanent."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2388.htm" title="2388: he·ḥĕ·zî·qū (V-Hifil-Perf-3cp) -- A primitive root; to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong, obstinate; to bind, restrain, conquer.">They cling</a> <a href="/hebrew/8649.htm" title="8649: bat·tar·mîṯ (Prep-b, Art:: N-fs) -- Perhaps treachery. And tarmuwth; or tarmiyth; from ramah; fraud.">to deceit;</a> <a href="/hebrew/3985.htm" title="3985: mê·’ă·nū (V-Piel-Perf-3cp) -- To refuse. A primitive root; to refuse.">they refuse</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: lā·šūḇ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">to return.</a> </span><span class="reftext">6</span>I have listened and heard; they do not speak what is right. No one repents of his wickedness, asking, ‘What have I done?’ Everyone has pursued his own course like a horse charging into battle.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/11-7.htm">Hosea 11:7</a></span><br />My people are bent on turning from Me. Though they call to the Most High, He will by no means exalt them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/57-17.htm">Isaiah 57:17</a></span><br />I was enraged by his sinful greed, so I struck him and hid My face in anger; yet he kept turning back to the desires of his heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/7-11.htm">Zechariah 7:11-12</a></span><br />But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder; they stopped up their ears from hearing. / They made their hearts like flint and would not listen to the law or to the words that the LORD of Hosts had sent by His Spirit through the earlier prophets. Therefore great anger came from the LORD of Hosts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/5-23.htm">Jeremiah 5:23</a></span><br />But these people have stubborn and rebellious hearts. They have turned aside and gone away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/6-28.htm">Jeremiah 6:28</a></span><br />All are hardened rebels, walking around as slanderers. They are bronze and iron; all of them are corrupt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/1-4.htm">Isaiah 1:4</a></span><br />Alas, O sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a brood of evildoers, children who act corruptly! They have forsaken the LORD; they have despised the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/4-16.htm">Hosea 4:16</a></span><br />For Israel is as obstinate as a stubborn heifer. Can the LORD now shepherd them like lambs in an open meadow?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/17-14.htm">2 Kings 17:14</a></span><br />But they would not listen, and they stiffened their necks like their fathers, who did not believe the LORD their God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/78-8.htm">Psalm 78:8</a></span><br />Then they will not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose heart was not loyal, whose spirit was not faithful to God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/1-24.htm">Proverbs 1:24-25</a></span><br />Because you refused my call, and no one took my outstretched hand, / because you neglected all my counsel, and wanted none of my correction,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-37.htm">Matthew 23:37</a></span><br />O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-51.htm">Acts 7:51</a></span><br />You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit, just as your fathers did.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/10-21.htm">Romans 10:21</a></span><br />But as for Israel he says: “All day long I have held out My hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/3-12.htm">Hebrews 3:12</a></span><br />See to it, brothers, that none of you has a wicked heart of unbelief that turns away from the living God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/4-4.htm">2 Timothy 4:4</a></span><br />So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Why then is this people of Jerusalem slid back by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return.</p><p class="hdg">slidden.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/2-32.htm">Jeremiah 2:32</a></b></br> Can a maid forget her ornaments, <i>or</i> a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without number.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/3-11.htm">Jeremiah 3:11-14</a></b></br> And the LORD said unto me, The backsliding Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/7-24.htm">Jeremiah 7:24-26</a></b></br> But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels <i>and</i> in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward… </p><p class="hdg">they hold.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/9-6.htm">Jeremiah 9:6</a></b></br> Thine habitation <i>is</i> in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know me, saith the LORD.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/4-13.htm">Proverbs 4:13</a></b></br> Take fast hold of instruction; let <i>her</i> not go: keep her; for she <i>is</i> thy life.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/30-10.htm">Isaiah 30:10</a></b></br> Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:</p><p class="hdg">they refuse.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/5-3.htm">Jeremiah 5:3</a></b></br> O LORD, <i>are</i> not thine eyes upon the truth? thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved; thou hast consumed them, <i>but</i> they have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/1-20.htm">Isaiah 1:20</a></b></br> But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken <i>it</i>.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/zechariah/7-11.htm">Zechariah 7:11</a></b></br> But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/jeremiah/3-5.htm">Always</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-6.htm">Apostasy</a> <a href="/jeremiah/5-6.htm">Backsliding</a> <a href="/psalms/137-6.htm">Cling</a> <a href="/isaiah/33-14.htm">Continual</a> <a href="/jeremiah/6-28.htm">Deceit</a> <a href="/isaiah/58-6.htm">Fast</a> <a href="/jeremiah/6-24.htm">Hold</a> <a href="/jeremiah/8-1.htm">Jerusalem</a> <a href="/jeremiah/5-25.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/jeremiah/5-22.htm">Perpetual</a> <a href="/jeremiah/6-30.htm">Refuse</a> <a href="/jeremiah/5-3.htm">Refused</a> <a href="/psalms/18-36.htm">Slidden</a> <a href="/jeremiah/8-4.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/jeremiah/7-29.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-11.htm">Turning</a> <a href="/jeremiah/5-19.htm">Wherefore</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/jeremiah/12-2.htm">Always</a> <a href="/hosea/5-2.htm">Apostasy</a> <a href="/jeremiah/14-7.htm">Backsliding</a> <a href="/jeremiah/13-11.htm">Cling</a> <a href="/jeremiah/48-5.htm">Continual</a> <a href="/jeremiah/9-5.htm">Deceit</a> <a href="/jeremiah/14-12.htm">Fast</a> <a href="/jeremiah/8-21.htm">Hold</a> <a href="/jeremiah/9-11.htm">Jerusalem</a> <a href="/jeremiah/14-10.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/jeremiah/15-18.htm">Perpetual</a> <a href="/jeremiah/9-6.htm">Refuse</a> <a href="/jeremiah/9-6.htm">Refused</a> <a href="/john/5-13.htm">Slidden</a> <a href="/jeremiah/11-8.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/jeremiah/8-6.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/jeremiah/13-27.htm">Turning</a> <a href="/jeremiah/8-22.htm">Wherefore</a><div class="vheading2">Jeremiah 8</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/8-1.htm">The calamity of the Jews, both dead and alive.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/8-4.htm">He upbraids their foolish and shameless impenitency.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/8-13.htm">He shows their grievous judgment;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/8-18.htm">and bewails their desperate estate.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/jeremiah/8.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/jeremiah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/jeremiah/8.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Why then have these people turned away?</b><br>This phrase reflects God's lament over the persistent unfaithfulness of His people, Israel. The question implies a sense of bewilderment and sorrow from God, who has consistently shown mercy and provided guidance. The turning away signifies a deliberate choice to abandon God's covenant, echoing the recurring theme of Israel's spiritual adultery found throughout the Old Testament. This turning away can be seen as a rejection of God's law and a preference for idolatry, as seen in passages like <a href="/hosea/11-7.htm">Hosea 11:7</a>, where God expresses similar sentiments about Israel's stubbornness.<p><b>Why does Jerusalem always turn away?</b><br>Jerusalem, as the capital city, represents the heart of the nation and its spiritual state. The city's repeated turning away highlights a pattern of rebellion and apostasy. Historically, Jerusalem was the center of worship and the location of the Temple, making its unfaithfulness particularly grievous. This phrase underscores the city's role in leading the nation astray, as seen in the actions of its leaders and prophets who often led the people into idolatry and injustice, as documented in <a href="/2_kings/21-11.htm">2 Kings 21:11-15</a>. The phrase also foreshadows the eventual destruction of Jerusalem as a consequence of its persistent sin.<p><b>They cling to deceit;</b><br>This part of the verse points to the people's embrace of falsehoods and lies, both in their personal lives and in their religious practices. The deceit may refer to false prophets who misled the people with messages of peace and security when judgment was imminent, as seen in <a href="/jeremiah/6-14.htm">Jeremiah 6:14</a>. It also suggests a self-deception, where the people convince themselves that they are secure despite their disobedience. This clinging to deceit is a willful act, indicating a preference for comforting lies over the hard truth of God's impending judgment.<p><b>they refuse to return.</b><br>The refusal to return signifies a stubborn resistance to repentance and reconciliation with God. Despite numerous warnings and calls to repentance through prophets like Jeremiah, the people persist in their rebellion. This refusal is not due to ignorance but a deliberate choice, highlighting the hardness of their hearts. The concept of returning, or repentance, is central to the prophetic message, as seen in passages like <a href="/isaiah/30-15.htm">Isaiah 30:15</a>, where God calls His people to return and find salvation. This refusal ultimately leads to the fulfillment of prophetic warnings of exile and destruction, serving as a sobering reminder of the consequences of unrepentant sin.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jeremiah.htm">Jeremiah</a></b><br>A prophet called by God to deliver messages of warning and hope to the people of Judah. His ministry spanned over 40 years during a tumultuous period in Israel's history.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The capital city of Judah, representing the spiritual and political heart of the nation. It is often used symbolically to refer to the people of Judah as a whole.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_people_of_judah.htm">The People of Judah</a></b><br>The southern kingdom of Israel, who were repeatedly warned by prophets like Jeremiah to turn from their sinful ways and return to God.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/d/deceit.htm">Deceit</a></b><br>The falsehoods and lies that the people of Judah clung to, which led them away from the truth of God's word.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/turning_away.htm">Turning Away</a></b><br>The act of apostasy or backsliding, where the people of Judah repeatedly turned away from God despite His calls for repentance.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_deceit.htm">The Danger of Deceit</a></b><br>Deceit is not just a lie we tell others; it is a lie we live. The people of Judah clung to deceit, which led them away from God. We must examine our lives for any falsehoods we might be holding onto.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_return.htm">The Call to Return</a></b><br>God continually calls His people to return to Him. Despite our failures, His grace is always available. We must be willing to repent and turn back to God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_turning_away.htm">The Consequences of Turning Away</a></b><br>Turning away from God leads to spiritual decay and judgment. We must remain vigilant in our faith and not allow ourselves to drift from God's truth.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_prophets_and_scripture.htm">The Role of Prophets and Scripture</a></b><br>Just as Jeremiah was sent to warn Judah, God uses His Word and His messengers today to guide us back to Him. We should heed the warnings and teachings found in Scripture.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_truth.htm">The Importance of Truth</a></b><br>Embracing truth is essential for a healthy relationship with God. We must seek truth in our personal lives and in our communities, rejecting deceit and falsehood.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_jeremiah_8.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 8</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_are_the_babylonian_captivity.htm">What are the Babylonian Captivity and Exile?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_jer_15_1_align_with_god's_mercy.htm">If Jeremiah 15:1 implies God would not listen to Moses or Samuel, how does this align with other passages portraying a merciful God? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_micah_4_8_align_with_zion's_fate.htm">How does Micah 4:8 align with other prophecies about Zion's future when some passages (e.g., Ezekiel 5) predict destruction rather than restoration?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_threaten_a_city_if_one_righteous_saves.htm">Why would God threaten a city in Jeremiah 5:1 if one righteous person could save it, unlike the mercy shown in Genesis 18?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/jeremiah/8.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(5) <span class= "bld">Slidden back . . . backsliding.</span>--The English fails to give the full emphasis of the re-iteration of the same word as in the previous verse. <span class= "ital">Why doth this people of Jerusalem turn away with a perpetual turning? </span>Here, so far, there was no retracing the evil path which they had chosen.<span class= "bld"><p>I hearkened and heard.</span>--Jehovah himself is introduced here, as probably in the question of the previous verse, as speaking, listening for cries of penitence, and hearing only the words of the evildoers.<p><span class= "bld">Rusheth.</span>--The word is primarily used of the rushing of a torrent (<a href="/isaiah/8-8.htm" title="And he shall pass through Judah; he shall overflow and go over, he shall reach even to the neck; and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of your land, O Immanuel.">Isaiah 8:8</a>; <a href="/isaiah/10-22.htm" title="For though your people Israel be as the sand of the sea, yet a remnant of them shall return: the consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness.">Isaiah 10:22</a>; <a href="/isaiah/28-17.htm" title="Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.">Isaiah 28:17</a>), and is applied to the frantic impetuosity with which Israel was rushing into evil, and therefore into the misery that followed it.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/jeremiah/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 5.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Slidden back</span>... <span class="cmt_word">backsliding</span>. The verb is the same verb (in another conjugation) as in Ver. 4, and the noun is a derivative from it. The Authorized Version, therefore, has slightly weakened the force of the argument. <span class="cmt_word">They hold fast deceit</span>. They cling to a false view of their relation to their God (comp. <a href="/jeremiah/4-2.htm">Jeremiah 4:2</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/5-2.htm">Jeremiah 5:2</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/jeremiah/8-5.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Why [then]</span><br /><span class="heb">מַדּ֨וּעַ</span> <span class="translit">(mad·dū·a‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4069.htm">Strong's 4069: </a> </span><span class="str2">Why? for what reason?</span><br /><br /><span class="word">have these</span><br /><span class="heb">הַזֶּ֛ה</span> <span class="translit">(haz·zeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Pronoun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2088.htm">Strong's 2088: </a> </span><span class="str2">This, that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">people</span><br /><span class="heb">הָעָ֥ם</span> <span class="translit">(hā·‘ām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> </span><span class="str2">A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock</span><br /><br /><span class="word">turned away?</span><br /><span class="heb">שׁוֹבְבָ֜ה</span> <span class="translit">(šō·wḇ·ḇāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn back, in, to retreat, again</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Why does Jerusalem</span><br /><span class="heb">יְרוּשָׁלִַ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(yə·rū·šā·lim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3389.htm">Strong's 3389: </a> </span><span class="str2">Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">always turn away?</span><br /><span class="heb">מְשֻׁבָ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(mə·šu·ḇāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4878.htm">Strong's 4878: </a> </span><span class="str2">Turning back, apostasy</span><br /><br /><span class="word">They cling</span><br /><span class="heb">הֶחֱזִ֙יקוּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(he·ḥĕ·zî·qū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2388.htm">Strong's 2388: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fasten upon, to seize, be strong, obstinate, to bind, restrain, conquer</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to deceit;</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּתַּרְמִ֔ית</span> <span class="translit">(bat·tar·mîṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8649.htm">Strong's 8649: </a> </span><span class="str2">Perhaps treachery</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they refuse</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵאֲנ֖וּ</span> <span class="translit">(mê·’ă·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3985.htm">Strong's 3985: </a> </span><span class="str2">To refuse</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to return.</span><br /><span class="heb">לָשֽׁוּב׃</span> <span class="translit">(lā·šūḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn back, in, to retreat, again</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/jeremiah/8-5.htm">Jeremiah 8:5 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/jeremiah/8-5.htm">Jeremiah 8:5 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/jeremiah/8-5.htm">Jeremiah 8:5 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/jeremiah/8-5.htm">Jeremiah 8:5 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/jeremiah/8-5.htm">Jeremiah 8:5 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/jeremiah/8-5.htm">Jeremiah 8:5 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/jeremiah/8-5.htm">Jeremiah 8:5 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/jeremiah/8-5.htm">Jeremiah 8:5 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/jeremiah/8-5.htm">Jeremiah 8:5 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/jeremiah/8-5.htm">Jeremiah 8:5 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/jeremiah/8-5.htm">OT Prophets: Jeremiah 8:5 Why then is this people of Jerusalem (Jer.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/jeremiah/8-4.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Jeremiah 8:4"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 8:4" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/jeremiah/8-6.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Jeremiah 8:6"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 8:6" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>