Original Word: רְמִיָּה
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: rmiyah
Pronunciation: reh-mee-yah
Phonetic Spelling: (rem-ee-yaw')
KJV: deceit(-ful, -fully), false, guile, idle, slack, slothful
Word Origin: [from H7411 (רָמָה - To betray)]

1. remissness, treachery

remissness, treachery

From ramah; remissness, treachery -- deceit(- ful, -fully), false, guile, idle, slack, slothful.

see HEBREW ramah

I. רְמִיָּה noun feminine deceit, treachery; — always absolute ׳ר; — deceit, treachery: especially of speech, predicate of לָשׁוֺן Micah 6:12 ("" שֶׁקֶר), apposition of לָשׁוֺן (or read לְשֹׁוֺן ?) Psalm 120:2 ("" שְׂפַת שֶׁקֶר), Psalm 120:3; of man, ׳עשֵֹׁה ר Psalm 52:4 that workest treachery, Psalm 101:7 ("" דֹּבֵר שְׁקָדִים); also Job 13:7; Job 27:4 (both "" עַוְלָה); deception Psalm 32:2 ("" עָוֺן); in phrase ׳קֶשֶׁת ר treacherous bow (simile) Hosea 7:16; Psalm 78:57 (failing him who trusts to it).

II. רְמִיָּה noun feminine laxness, slackness; — always absolute ׳ר; — ׳כַּף ר Proverbs 10:4 slack (negligent, idle) hand (opposed to יַד חָרוּצִים); ׳ר alone = slackness (abstract for concrete = one who is slack) Proverbs 12:24 ("" id.), Proverbs 12:27 (see חרך); ׳נֶפֶשׁ ר Proverbs 19:15 ("" עַצְלָה); as adverb עשֶֹׁה רְמִיָּה ׳מְלֶאכֶת י Jeremiah 48:10.

Overview

רְמִיָּה gathers two moral charges—deceit and slackness—under one term. Whether it appears as treacherous speech or negligent labor, it marks an inner refusal to give God and neighbor what is due.

Deceit in Speech

Job protests, “Will you speak wickedness on God’s behalf? Will you speak deceitfully for Him?” (Job 13:7). David celebrates the blessed man “in whose spirit there is no deceit” (Psalm 32:2). Psalm 52:2 calls the deceitful tongue “a sharpened razor,” exposing the lethal power of untruth. Psalm 120:2–3 pleads for rescue from “lying lips, from a deceitful tongue,” then warns of sharpened arrows for the offender. Deceitful speech is thus both a personal sin and a social contagion.

Slackness in Labor

Proverbs applies רְמִיָּה to idle hands:
• “Idle hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth” (Proverbs 10:4).
• “The hand of the diligent will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor” (Proverbs 12:24).
• “A lazy man does not roast his game, but diligence is man’s precious possession” (Proverbs 12:27).

Laziness here is more than inefficiency; it is moral failure, stealing productivity, stewardship, and service.

Covenant Unfaithfulness

National calamity springs from corporate רְמִיָּה. Hosea likens apostate Israel to “a faulty bow” (Hosea 7:16). Micah indicts Jerusalem: “Her residents speak lies, and their tongue is deceitful in their mouth” (Micah 6:12). Jeremiah levels a curse on Moabite mercenaries who withhold full effort: “Cursed be the one who does the Lord’s work deceitfully” (Jeremiah 48:10). Slack obedience and twisted speech both provoke divine judgment.

Themes in Wisdom Literature

Proverbs opposes רְמִיָּה to diligence and righteousness: lazy hands become dependent; deceitful words erode trust; the diligent enjoy authority and provision. Psalm 101:7 extends the principle to leadership: “No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house.” Integrity, then, is a qualification for influence.

Theological Emphasis

Because the Lord is “a God of truth” (Deuteronomy 32:4), deceit confronts His very nature. Slackness insults His good design for labor. Together they betray the covenant ethic of wholehearted love for God and neighbor.

Christological Contrast

Jesus embodies the antithesis of רְמִיָּה: “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth” (1 Peter 2:22). His diligent obedience—“I have brought You glory on earth by completing the work You gave Me to do” (John 17:4)—models the life believers are called to imitate.

Ministry Implications

1. Preaching must expose deceit and laziness as sins needing repentance, not mere personality quirks.
2. Discipleship should foster transparent speech and industrious service.
3. Leadership selection requires scrutiny of both integrity and work ethic.
4. Corporate prayer and accountability aid in rooting out hidden guile and apathy.

Personal Application

• Guard the tongue (Psalm 120:2).
• Labor “with all your heart, as working for the Lord” (Colossians 3:23).
• Seek accountability partners to challenge deceitful tendencies.
• Rest in Christ’s righteousness while pursuing truthful, diligent living.

Conclusion

Where רְמִיָּה operates—lying lips, careless hands, half-hearted obedience—Scripture issues warning and curse. The covenant call is integrity and vigor, mirroring the God of truth and the diligent Savior who redeems His people for works of truth.

וּ֝רְמִיָּ֗ה ורמיה רְמִ֫יָּ֥ה רְמִיָּ֑ה רְמִיָּ֔ה רְמִיָּ֣ה רְמִיָּ֥ה רְמִיָּֽה׃ רְמִיָּה׃ רמיה רמיה׃ rə·mî·yāh remiYah rəmîyāh ū·rə·mî·yāh uremiYah ūrəmîyāhInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts