Why then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return.

JEREMIAH 8:5KJV
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Jeremiah 8:5 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 8:5 mean?

Jeremiah 8:5 asks why the people of Jerusalem keep turning away from God again and again, holding tightly to lies and refusing to come back to Him. The verse points out a stubborn pattern of rejecting truth and resisting change, even when given chances to return.

The prophet Jeremiah is speaking to the people of Jerusalem during a time when they have repeatedly abandoned their commitment to God. He is troubled by their ongoing "backsliding"—a word that means falling away or turning back from what is right. Instead of correcting their ways, the people cling to falsehood and deliberately refuse to repent, showing a deep unwillingness to change direction.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 8:5

  • "Back" (שׁוּב, shuv): This word means "to return" or "to turn back." Here, it highlights the idea of the people moving away from God, when they should be returning to Him.
  • "Perpetual" (נֶצַח, netzach): This word carries the sense of something lasting or enduring. Calling their backsliding "perpetual" stresses that their turning away is not just occasional, but ongoing and persistent.
  • "Backsliding" (מְשׁוּבָה, meshubah): This term refers to turning away or being faithless. It paints a picture of people who keep slipping away from their commitments.
  • "Hold" (חָזַק, chazaq): This word means "to grasp" or "to hold firmly." The people are not just deceived—they are actively holding onto deceit, showing determination in their refusal to change.
  • "Deceit" (תַּרְמִית, tarmit): This word means "fraud" or "deception." The people are clinging to what is false, rather than seeking truth.
  • "Refuse" (מָאֵן, ma'en): This word means "to refuse" or "to be unwilling." It emphasizes the people's stubbornness in not returning to God.

Why Jeremiah 8:5 matters

  • Jeremiah 8:5 shows that the problem is not just occasional mistakes, but a deep, ongoing refusal to change direction, making the seriousness of the people's condition clear.
  • The verse highlights the active role the people play in their situation—they are not just passively misled, but are holding tightly to deception and resisting the truth.
  • In the wider context, this verse helps explain why judgment is coming to Jerusalem: it is not because of a single failure, but because of a persistent and deliberate turning away from what is right.

Where else these words appear

“deceit” Hebrew H8649 · used in 6 verses

  • Judges 9:31 And he sent messengers unto Abimelech privily, saying, Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his brethren be come to Shechem; and, behold, they fortify the city against thee.
  • Psalms 119:118 Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood.
  • Jeremiah 23:26 How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies? yea, they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart;

“backsliding” Hebrew H4878 · used in 12 verses

  • Proverbs 1:32 For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
  • Jeremiah 3:8 And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also.
  • Jeremiah 5:6 Wherefore a lion out of the forest shall slay them, and a wolf of the evenings shall spoil them, a leopard shall watch over their cities: every one that goeth out thence shall be torn in pieces: because their transgressions are many, and their backslidings are increased.

“refuse” Hebrew H3985 · used in 39 verses

  • Genesis 37:35 And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted; and he said, For I will go down into the grave unto my son mourning. Thus his father wept for him.
  • 1 Samuel 8:19 Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us;
  • Proverbs 21:7 The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.

“perpetual” Hebrew H5329 · used in 65 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 15:21 And Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and Obededom, and Jeiel, and Azaziah, with harps on the Sheminith to excel.
  • Psalms 22:1 To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?
  • Psalms 60:1 To the chief Musician upon Shushaneduth, Michtam of David, to teach; when he strove with Aramnaharaim and with Aramzobah, when Joab returned, and smote of Edom in the valley of salt twelve thousand. O God, thou hast cast us off, thou hast scattered us, thou hast been displeased; O turn thyself to us again.