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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 9:4 "Let everyone guard against his neighbor; do not trust any brother, for every brother deals craftily, and every friend spreads slander.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/jeremiah/9-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/24_Jer_09_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Jeremiah 9:4 - A Lament over Zion" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Let everyone guard against his neighbor; do not trust any brother, for every brother deals craftily, and every friend spreads slander." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/jeremiah/9-4.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/jeremiah/9-4.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/jeremiah/">Jeremiah</a> > <a href="/jeremiah/9.htm">Chapter 9</a> > Verse 4</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad4.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/jeremiah/9-3.htm" title="Jeremiah 9:3">◄</a> Jeremiah 9:4 <a href="/jeremiah/9-5.htm" title="Jeremiah 9:5">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/jeremiah/9.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/jeremiah/9.htm">New International Version</a> &#8220Beware of your friends; do not trust anyone in your clan. For every one of them is a deceiver, and every friend a slanderer. <a href="/nlt/jeremiah/9.htm">New Living Translation</a> “Beware of your neighbor! Don’t even trust your brother! For brother takes advantage of brother, and friend slanders friend. <a href="/esv/jeremiah/9.htm">English Standard Version</a> Let everyone beware of his neighbor, and put no trust in any brother, for every brother is a deceiver, and every neighbor goes about as a slanderer. <a href="/bsb/jeremiah/9.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> “Let everyone guard against his neighbor; do not trust any brother, for every brother deals craftily, and every friend spreads slander. <a href="/kjv/jeremiah/9.htm">King James Bible</a> Take ye heed every one of his neighbour, and trust ye not in any brother: for every brother will utterly supplant, and every neighbour will walk with slanders. <a href="/nkjv/jeremiah/9.htm">New King James Version</a> “Everyone take heed to his neighbor, And do not trust any brother; For every brother will utterly supplant, And every neighbor will walk with slanderers. <a href="/nasb_/jeremiah/9.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> “Let everyone be on guard against his neighbor, And do not trust any brother; Because every brother utterly betrays, And every neighbor goes about as a slanderer. <a href="/nasb/jeremiah/9.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220Let everyone be on guard against his neighbor, And do not trust any brother; Because every brother deals craftily, And every neighbor goes about as a slanderer. <a href="/nasb77/jeremiah/9.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “Let everyone be on guard against his neighbor, And do not trust any brother; Because every brother deals craftily, And every neighbor goes about as a slanderer. <a href="/lsb/jeremiah/9.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> “Let everyone beware of his neighbor, And do not trust any brother, Because every brother surely supplants, And every neighbor goes about as a slanderer. <a href="/amp/jeremiah/9.htm">Amplified Bible</a> “Let everyone beware of his neighbor And do not trust any brother. For every brother is a supplanter [like Jacob, a deceiver, ready to grab his brother’s heel], And every neighbor goes around as a slanderer. <a href="/csb/jeremiah/9.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Everyone has to be on guard against his friend. Don’t trust any brother, for every brother will certainly deceive, and every friend spread slander. <a href="/hcsb/jeremiah/9.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Everyone has to be on guard against his friend. Don&#8217t trust any brother, for every brother will certainly deceive, and every friend spread slander. <a href="/asv/jeremiah/9.htm">American Standard Version</a> Take ye heed every one of his neighbor, and trust ye not in any brother; for every brother will utterly supplant, and every neighbor will go about with slanders. <a href="/cev/jeremiah/9.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Jeremiah, all your friends and relatives tell lies about you, so don't trust them. <a href="/erv/jeremiah/9.htm">English Revised Version</a> Take ye heed every one of his neighbour, and trust ye not in any brother: for every brother will utterly supplant, and every neighbour will go about with slanders. <a href="/gwt/jeremiah/9.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> "Beware of your neighbors. Don't trust your relatives. Every relative cheats. Every neighbor goes around slandering. <a href="/gnt/jeremiah/9.htm">Good News Translation</a> Everyone must be on guard against their friends, and no one can trust their relatives; for all relatives are as deceitful as Jacob, and everyone slanders their friends. <a href="/isv/jeremiah/9.htm">International Standard Version</a> "Beware of your neighbors, and don't trust any of your relatives. For all of your relatives act deceitfully, and every friend goes around as a slanderer. <a href="/msb/jeremiah/9.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> ?Let everyone guard against his neighbor; do not trust any brother, for every brother deals craftily, and every friend spreads slander. <a href="/net/jeremiah/9.htm">NET Bible</a> Everyone must be on his guard around his friends. He must not even trust any of his relatives. For every one of them will find some way to cheat him. And all of his friends will tell lies about him. <a href="/nheb/jeremiah/9.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> "Everyone be on guard against his neighbor, and do not trust any brother; for every brother is a deceiver, and every neighbor will go about with slanders. <a href="/wbt/jeremiah/9.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Take ye heed every one of his neighbor, and trust ye not in any brother: for every brother will utterly supplant, and every neighbor will walk with slanders. <a href="/web/jeremiah/9.htm">World English Bible</a> “Everyone beware of his neighbor, and don’t trust in any brother; for every brother will utterly supplant, and every neighbor will go around like a slanderer. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/jeremiah/9.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> “You each beware of his friend, "" And do not trust any brother, "" For every brother utterly supplants, "" For every friend slanderously walks, <a href="/ylt/jeremiah/9.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Each of his friend -- beware ye, And on any brother, do not trust, For every brother doth utterly supplant, For every friend slanderously doth walk, <a href="/slt/jeremiah/9.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Watch ye each from his neighbor, and to any brother ye shall not trust, for every brother deceiving, will deceive, and every neighbor will go tale-bearing.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/jeremiah/9.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Let every man take heed of his neighbor, and let his not trust in any brother of his: for every brother will utterly supplant, and every friend will walk deceitfully. <a href="/cpdv/jeremiah/9.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Let each one guard himself against his neighbor, and let him have no trust in any brother of his. For every brother will utterly overthrow, and every friend will advance deceitfully. <a href="/nabre/jeremiah/9.htm">New American Bible</a> Be on your guard, everyone against his neighbor; put no trust in any brother. Every brother imitates Jacob, the supplanter, every neighbor is guilty of slander. <a href="/nrsvce/jeremiah/9.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Beware of your neighbors, and put no trust in any of your kin; for all your kin are supplanters, and every neighbor goes around like a slanderer.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/jeremiah/9.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Take heed every one of his neighbor and do not trust in any brother; for every brother henceforth will defraud and every neighbor will walk deceitfully. <a href="/hpbt/jeremiah/9.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> Let a man beware of his neighbor, and you shall not trust upon any brother, because every brother shall defraud from all, and every friend walks by treachery<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/jeremiah/9.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> Take ye heed every one of his neighbour, And trust ye not in any brother; For every brother acteth subtly, And every neighbour goeth about with slanders. <a href="/sep/jeremiah/9.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> Beware ye each of his neighbour, and trust ye not in your brethren: for every one will surely supplant, and every friend will walk craftily. <a href="/parallel/jeremiah/9-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5k55c51ZGhs?start=2778" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/9.htm">A Lament over Zion</a> …3“They bend their tongues like bows; lies prevail over truth in the land. For they proceed from evil to evil, and they do not take Me into account,” declares the LORD. 4<a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">“Let everyone</a> <a href="/hebrew/8104.htm" title="8104: hiš·šā·mê·rū (V-Nifal-Imp-mp) -- To keep, watch, preserve. A primitive root; properly, to hedge about, i.e. Guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.">guard</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: wə·‘al- (Conj-w:: Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">against</a> <a href="/hebrew/7453.htm" title="7453: mê·rê·‘ê·hū (Prep-m:: N-msc:: 3ms) -- Friend, companion, fellow. Or reya2; from ra'ah; an associate.">his neighbor;</a> <a href="/hebrew/408.htm" title="408: ’al- (Adv) -- Not (a subjective neg.). A negative particle; not; once as a noun, nothing.">do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/982.htm" title="982: tiḇ·ṭā·ḥū (V-Qal-Imperf-2mp) -- To trust. A primitive root; properly, to hie for refuge; figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure.">trust</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">any</a> <a href="/hebrew/251.htm" title="251: ’āḥ (N-ms) -- A brother. A primitive word; a brother (like 'ab).">brother,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">for</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: ḵāl (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">every</a> <a href="/hebrew/251.htm" title="251: ’āḥ (N-ms) -- A brother. A primitive word; a brother (like 'ab).">brother</a> <a href="/hebrew/6117.htm" title="6117: ‘ā·qō·wḇ (V-Qal-InfAbs) -- To follow at the heel, assail insidiously, circumvent, overreach. ">deals</a> <a href="/hebrew/6117.htm" title="6117: ya‘·qōḇ (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To follow at the heel, assail insidiously, circumvent, overreach. ">craftily,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: wə·ḵāl (Conj-w:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">and every</a> <a href="/hebrew/7453.htm" title="7453: rê·a‘ (N-ms) -- Friend, companion, fellow. Or reya2; from ra'ah; an associate.">friend</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: ya·hă·lōḵ (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">spreads</a> <a href="/hebrew/7400.htm" title="7400: rā·ḵîl (N-ms) -- Slander. From rakal a scandal-monger.">slander.</a> 5Each one betrays his friend; no one tells the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they wear themselves out committing iniquity.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/micah/7-5.htm">Micah 7:5-6</a> Do not rely on a friend; do not trust in a companion. Seal the doors of your mouth from her who lies in your arms. / For a son dishonors his father, a daughter rises against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A man’s enemies are the members of his own household. <a href="/matthew/10-21.htm">Matthew 10:21</a> Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rise against their parents and have them put to death. <a href="/luke/12-53.htm">Luke 12:53</a> They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” <a href="/psalms/41-9.htm">Psalm 41:9</a> Even my close friend whom I trusted, the one who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me. <a href="/psalms/55-12.htm">Psalm 55:12-14</a> For it is not an enemy who insults me; that I could endure. It is not a foe who rises against me; from him I could hide. / But it is you, a man like myself, my companion and close friend. / We shared sweet fellowship together; we walked with the crowd into the house of God. <a href="/proverbs/26-24.htm">Proverbs 26:24-26</a> A hateful man disguises himself with his speech, but he lays up deceit in his heart. / When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart. / Though his hatred is concealed by deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. <a href="/isaiah/24-16.htm">Isaiah 24:16</a> From the ends of the earth we hear singing: “Glory to the Righteous One.” But I said, “I am wasting away! I am wasting away! Woe is me.” The treacherous betray; the treacherous deal in treachery. <a href="/matthew/24-10.htm">Matthew 24:10</a> At that time many will fall away and will betray and hate one another, <a href="/mark/13-12.htm">Mark 13:12</a> Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rise against their parents and have them put to death. <a href="/john/13-21.htm">John 13:21</a> After Jesus had said this, He became troubled in spirit and testified, “Truly, truly, I tell you, one of you will betray Me.” <a href="/john/16-1.htm">John 16:1-2</a> “I have told you these things so that you will not fall away. / They will put you out of the synagogues. In fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God. <a href="/romans/1-29.htm">Romans 1:29-31</a> They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, / slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful. They invent new forms of evil; they disobey their parents. / They are senseless, faithless, heartless, merciless. <a href="/2_timothy/3-1.htm">2 Timothy 3:1-5</a> But understand this: In the last days terrible times will come. / For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, / unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good, ... <a href="/2_timothy/4-16.htm">2 Timothy 4:16</a> At my first defense, no one stood with me, but everyone deserted me. May it not be charged against them. <a href="/1_john/2-19.htm">1 John 2:19</a> They went out from us, but they did not belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. But their departure made it clear that none of them belonged to us.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Take you heed every one of his neighbor, and trust you not in any brother: for every brother will utterly supplant, and every neighbor will walk with slanders.ye heed.<a href="/jeremiah/12-6.htm">Jeremiah 12:6</a> For even thy brethren, and the house of thy father, even they have dealt treacherously with thee; yea, they have called a multitude after thee: believe them not, though they speak fair words unto thee.<a href="/psalms/12-2.htm">Psalm 12:2,3</a> They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak… <a href="/psalms/55-11.htm">Psalm 55:11,12</a> Wickedness is in the midst thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets… neighbour.<a href="/genesis/27-35.htm">Genesis 27:35,36</a> And he said, Thy brother came with subtilty, and hath taken away thy blessing… <a href="/genesis/32-28.htm">Genesis 32:28</a> And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.<a href="/1_thessalonians/4-6.htm">1 Thessalonians 4:6</a> That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.walk.<a href="/jeremiah/6-28.htm">Jeremiah 6:28</a> They are all grievous revolters, walking with slanders: they are brass and iron; they are all corrupters.<a href="/leviticus/19-16.htm">Leviticus 19:16</a> Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD.<a href="/psalms/15-3.htm">Psalm 15:3</a> He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/13-16.htm">Acteth</a> <a href="/jeremiah/7-32.htm">Beware</a> <a href="/psalms/105-25.htm">Craftily</a> <a href="/jeremiah/8-10.htm">Deals</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-19.htm">Deceiver</a> <a href="/jeremiah/9-3.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/jeremiah/9-3.htm">Faith</a> <a href="/jeremiah/6-21.htm">Friend</a> <a href="/isaiah/11-7.htm">Friends</a> <a href="/jeremiah/8-6.htm">Goes</a> <a href="/isaiah/58-8.htm">Guard</a> <a href="/jeremiah/8-6.htm">Heed</a> <a href="/jeremiah/7-5.htm">Neighbor</a> <a href="/jeremiah/7-5.htm">Neighbour</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-19.htm">Slanderer</a> <a href="/jeremiah/6-28.htm">Slanders</a> <a href="/psalms/105-25.htm">Subtly</a> <a href="/genesis/27-12.htm">Tricking</a> <a href="/jeremiah/7-14.htm">Trust</a> <a href="/jeremiah/8-13.htm">Utterly</a> <a href="/jeremiah/7-24.htm">Walk</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_kings/18-7.htm">Acteth</a> <a href="/jeremiah/19-6.htm">Beware</a> <a href="/malachi/1-14.htm">Craftily</a> <a href="/romans/8-2.htm">Deals</a> <a href="/micah/2-11.htm">Deceiver</a> <a href="/jeremiah/10-5.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/jeremiah/12-6.htm">Faith</a> <a href="/jeremiah/9-5.htm">Friend</a> <a href="/jeremiah/13-21.htm">Friends</a> <a href="/jeremiah/9-12.htm">Goes</a> <a href="/jeremiah/32-2.htm">Guard</a> <a href="/jeremiah/11-3.htm">Heed</a> <a href="/jeremiah/9-5.htm">Neighbor</a> <a href="/jeremiah/9-5.htm">Neighbour</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/5-11.htm">Slanderer</a> <a href="/matthew/15-19.htm">Slanders</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-22.htm">Subtly</a> <a href="/genesis/27-12.htm">Tricking</a> <a href="/jeremiah/12-6.htm">Trust</a> <a href="/jeremiah/9-19.htm">Utterly</a> <a href="/jeremiah/9-14.htm">Walk</a><div class="vheading2">Jeremiah 9</div>1. <a href="/jeremiah/9-1.htm">Jeremiah laments the people for their manifold sins;</a> 9. <a href="/jeremiah/9-9.htm">and for their judgment.</a> 12. <a href="/jeremiah/9-12.htm">Disobedience is the cause of their bitter calamity.</a> 17. <a href="/jeremiah/9-17.htm">He exhorts to mourn for their destruction;</a> 23. <a href="/jeremiah/9-23.htm">and to trust not in themselves, but in God.</a> 25. <a href="/jeremiah/9-25.htm">He threatens both Jews and Gentiles.</a> </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'; 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This phrase reflects the deep mistrust and moral decay present in Judah during Jeremiah's time. The prophet warns the people to be cautious even with those who are close to them. This mirrors the societal breakdown described in <a href="/micah/7-5.htm">Micah 7:5-6</a>, where trust is eroded within families and communities. The call to "guard" suggests a defensive posture, indicating the pervasive nature of deceit and betrayal. Historically, this period was marked by political instability and idolatry, leading to a breakdown in social cohesion.do not trust any brother, The term "brother" here extends beyond familial ties to include fellow Israelites, emphasizing the widespread nature of treachery. This reflects the covenant community's failure to uphold the values of loyalty and truthfulness. In <a href="/genesis/4-9.htm">Genesis 4:9</a>, Cain's betrayal of Abel is an early example of fraternal distrust, highlighting the recurring theme of broken relationships due to sin. The admonition not to trust even a brother underscores the severity of the moral crisis facing Judah.for every brother deals craftily, The word "craftily" suggests deceit and cunning, reminiscent of the serpent's deception in <a href="/genesis/3.htm">Genesis 3:1</a>. This behavior is contrary to the covenantal expectations of honesty and integrity among God's people. The Hebrew term used here can also imply treachery, indicating a deliberate intent to deceive. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative of humanity's propensity for sin and the need for divine intervention.and every friend spreads slander. Slander, or false accusations, is condemned throughout Scripture as destructive to community and individual relationships (<a href="/proverbs/10-18.htm">Proverbs 10:18</a>). In the cultural context of ancient Israel, reputation and honor were paramount, making slander a particularly grievous offense. This phrase highlights the breakdown of trust and the prevalence of malicious speech, which is also addressed in the New Testament (<a href="/james/3-5.htm">James 3:5-6</a>). The pervasive nature of slander in Jeremiah's time foreshadows the need for a new covenant, as prophesied in <a href="/jeremiah/31-31.htm">Jeremiah 31:31-34</a>, where God promises to write His law on the hearts of His people, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jeremiah.htm">Jeremiah</a> A prophet called by God to deliver messages of warning and judgment to the people of Judah. His ministry spanned the reigns of several kings and was marked by themes of repentance and impending judgment. 2. <a href="/topical/j/judah.htm">Judah</a> The southern kingdom of Israel, which was facing imminent judgment due to its persistent idolatry and disobedience to God. 3. <a href="/topical/n/neighbors_and_brothers.htm">Neighbors and Brothers</a> Symbolic of the people within the community of Judah, highlighting the breakdown of trust and integrity among them. 4. <a href="/topical/s/supplanting.htm">Supplanting</a> The Hebrew root word (aqab) is used here, meaning to deceive or to take by the heel, reminiscent of Jacob's deception of Esau. 5. <a href="/topical/s/slander.htm">Slander</a> The act of spreading false or damaging statements, indicating the moral decay and betrayal among the people.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_breakdown_of_trust.htm">The Breakdown of Trust</a> Trust is foundational to relationships, and its breakdown is a sign of moral and spiritual decay. In Jeremiah's time, this was a symptom of the people's rebellion against God. <a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_sin.htm">The Consequences of Sin</a> Sin not only affects our relationship with God but also with others. The deceit and slander among the people of Judah illustrate how sin can permeate and destroy community bonds. <a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_integrity.htm">The Call to Integrity</a> As believers, we are called to be people of integrity, reflecting God's truth and love in our relationships. This involves being trustworthy and refraining from deceit and slander. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_discernment.htm">The Importance of Discernment</a> In a world where trust can be easily broken, discernment is crucial. We must seek God's wisdom to navigate relationships and guard against deceit. <a href="/topical/h/hope_in_restoration.htm">Hope in Restoration</a> Despite the grim picture painted in Jeremiah, God's desire is for repentance and restoration. We are reminded of the hope and renewal found in Christ.<a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/jeremiah/9.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) Take ye heed . . .--The extreme bitterness of the prophet's words is explained in part by what we read afterwards of his personal history (<a href="/jeremiah/12-6.htm" title="For even your brothers, and the house of your father, even they have dealt treacherously with you; yes, they have called a multitude after you: believe them not, though they speak fair words to you.">Jeremiah 12:6</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/18-18.htm" title="Then said they, Come and let us devise devices against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, and let us smite him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words.">Jeremiah 18:18</a>). Then, as at other times, a man's foes were those of his own household (<a href="/matthew/10-36.htm" title="And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.">Matthew 10:36</a>).Every brother will utterly supplant.--The word is that which gave the patriarch his significant name of Jacob, the supplanter (<a href="/genesis/25-26.htm" title="And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau's heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac was three score years old when she bore them.">Genesis 25:26</a>; <a href="/genesis/27-36.htm" title="And he said, Is not he rightly named Jacob? for he has supplanted me these two times: he took away my birthright; and, behold, now he has taken away my blessing. And he said, Have you not reserved a blessing for me?">Genesis 27:36</a>). Jeremiah seems to say that the people have forfeited their claims to the name of the true Israel. Every brother Israelite is found to be a thorough-paced Jacob. The adverb "utterly" expresses the force of the Hebrew reduplication of the verb. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/jeremiah/9.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 4. - Take ye heed every one of his neighbor. Such was the result of clinging to an unprogressive religion - one which refused to be spiritualized by the prophets. Certainly, if the established religion was so inefficacious, it was self-condemned. Hero we find the prophet depicting a state of society in which the elementary bonds are already dissolved, and suspicion becomes the natural attitude even of a good man. We find a very similar picture in the last chapter of Micah - a chapter, it is true, which stands apart from the rest of the book, as it implies a greater development of wickedness than the rest of Micah and the contemporary prophecies of Isaiah would lead us to expect. Are these prophetic descriptions just and accurate? We may allow something, no doubt, for the warmth of feeling natural to every human preacher, even under the influence of inspiration; but we must not allow ourselves to explain away the obvious meaning of the prophets. The latter and their disciples were "the salt" of their country; and in proportion as their influence declined, the natural effects of a non-moral, purely ritualistic religion showed themselves on a larger scale. Every brother; i.e. every fellow-tribesman or fellow-citizen. Will utterly supplant. There is nothing in the context to suggest an allusion to <a href="/genesis/27-36.htm">Genesis 27:36</a> (Jacob). The verb has its common sense of deceiving. The tense should be the present, not the future, both here and in the next verse. Will walk; rather, goeth about (see <a href="/jeremiah/6-28.htm">Jeremiah 6:28</a>). <a href="/commentaries/jeremiah/9-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>“Let everyone אִ֤ישׁ (’îš) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> A man as an individual, a male person guard הִשָּׁמֵ֔רוּ (hiš·šā·mê·rū) Verb - Nifal - Imperative - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8104.htm">Strong's 8104: </a> To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to against וְעַל־ (wə·‘al-) Conjunctive waw | Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> Above, over, upon, against his neighbor; מֵרֵעֵ֙הוּ֙ (mê·rê·‘ê·hū) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7453.htm">Strong's 7453: </a> Friend, companion, fellow do not אַל־ (’al-) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_408.htm">Strong's 408: </a> Not trust תִּבְטָ֑חוּ (tiḇ·ṭā·ḥū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_982.htm">Strong's 982: </a> To trust, be confident, sure any כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every brother, אָ֖ח (’āḥ) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_251.htm">Strong's 251: </a> A brother, ) for כִּ֤י (kî) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction every כָל־ (ḵāl) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every brother אָח֙ (’āḥ) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_251.htm">Strong's 251: </a> A brother, ) deals עָק֣וֹב (‘ā·qō·wḇ) Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6117.htm">Strong's 6117: </a> To follow at the heel, assail insidiously, circumvent, overreach craftily, יַעְקֹ֔ב (ya‘·qōḇ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6117.htm">Strong's 6117: </a> To follow at the heel, assail insidiously, circumvent, overreach and every וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every friend רֵ֖עַ (rê·a‘) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7453.htm">Strong's 7453: </a> Friend, companion, fellow spreads יַהֲלֹֽךְ׃ (ya·hă·lōḵ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> To go, come, walk slander. רָכִ֥יל (rā·ḵîl) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7400.htm">Strong's 7400: </a> A scandal-monger <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/jeremiah/9-4.htm">Jeremiah 9:4 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/jeremiah/9-4.htm">Jeremiah 9:4 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/jeremiah/9-4.htm">Jeremiah 9:4 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/jeremiah/9-4.htm">Jeremiah 9:4 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/jeremiah/9-4.htm">Jeremiah 9:4 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/jeremiah/9-4.htm">Jeremiah 9:4 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/jeremiah/9-4.htm">Jeremiah 9:4 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/jeremiah/9-4.htm">Jeremiah 9:4 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/jeremiah/9-4.htm">Jeremiah 9:4 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/jeremiah/9-4.htm">Jeremiah 9:4 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/jeremiah/9-4.htm">OT Prophets: Jeremiah 9:4 Take you heed everyone of his neighbor (Jer.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/jeremiah/9-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Jeremiah 9:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 9:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/jeremiah/9-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Jeremiah 9:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 9:5" /></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>