Jeremiah 23 33

Jeremiah 23:33 kjv

And when this people, or the prophet, or a priest, shall ask thee, saying, What is the burden of the LORD? thou shalt then say unto them, What burden? I will even forsake you, saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 23:33 nkjv

"So when these people or the prophet or the priest ask you, saying, 'What is the oracle of the LORD?' you shall then say to them, 'What oracle?' I will even forsake you," says the LORD.

Jeremiah 23:33 niv

"When these people, or a prophet or a priest, ask you, 'What is the message from the LORD?' say to them, 'What message? I will forsake you, declares the LORD.'

Jeremiah 23:33 esv

"When one of this people, or a prophet or a priest asks you, 'What is the burden of the LORD?' you shall say to them, 'You are the burden, and I will cast you off, declares the LORD.'

Jeremiah 23:33 nlt

"Suppose one of the people or one of the prophets or priests asks you, 'What prophecy has the LORD burdened you with now?' You must reply, 'You are the burden! The LORD says he will abandon you!'

Jeremiah 23 verses

Jeremiah 23 33 Meaning

This verse in Jeremiah speaks of God's people being held accountable for their unfaithfulness. They are called to face the consequences of their actions, symbolized by bearing the "burden of the LORD." This burden signifies divine judgment and the weighty responsibility that comes with breaking God's covenant.

Jeremiah 23 33 Context

Jeremiah 23:33 is part of a larger section where the prophet is confronting false prophets who are misleading God's people with smooth words and false assurances. These prophets claimed to have received visions and messages from the LORD, but their words were actually their own inventions. They offered peace when there was no peace. In response, God declares through Jeremiah that He will reject and cast out these prophets and the message they preach, characterizing their prophecies as a burdensome weight. The immediate context is the pronouncement of judgment on these deceptive religious leaders and their followers, who have been led astray.

Jeremiah 23 33 Word Analysis

• "And when this people, or a prophet, or a priest, saith unto you,
  • And: A conjunction connecting this statement to previous pronouncements.
  • when: Indicates the specific circumstance or time.
  • this: Refers to the people of Israel.
  • people: Refers to the nation of Israel, God's covenant people.
  • or: Introduces alternatives, showing multiple sources of the deceptive message.
  • a prophet: A religious leader claiming divine authority, here, a false prophet.
  • or: Another alternative.
  • a priest: An official of religious worship, also implicated in leading astray.
  • saith unto you: "Says to you," indicating direct address.
• "What is the burden of the LORD?"
  • What: An interrogative pronoun seeking information.
  • is: Indicates existence or identity.
  • the burden: Hebrew: massa (מַשָּׂא). This term signifies a "burden," "utterance," or "oracle," particularly a heavy, pronouncement of judgment or doom from God. It implies weight and significance.
  • of the LORD: Hebrew: Yahweh (יְהוָה). Refers to God Himself, indicating the source of the oracle.
• "then shall ye say unto them, Thus saith the LORD,
  • then: Indicates consequence or response.
  • shall ye say: You shall respond.
  • unto them: Directed towards the people, prophet, or priest asking the question.
  • Thus saith the LORD: Hebrew: koh amar Yahweh (כֹּה אָמַר יְהוָה). This is a standard prophetic formula, affirming the divine origin of the message. It is ironic here because the false prophets were using similar phrases falsely.
• I will even forsake you; and will cast you away, and the city thereof:
  • I: Emphasizes God's direct action.
  • will even: Strengthens the certainty of the action.
  • forsake you: Hebrew: 'azav ('ָזַב) - to leave, abandon, forsake. God will abandon them.
  • and will cast you away: Hebrew: mush (מוּש) - to thrust away, cast off, reject. A forceful rejection.
  • and the city thereof: Refers to Jerusalem, the religious and political center of Judah. The judgment extends to the city as well as the people.
• and all the inhabitants thereof:
  • and all: Encompasses everyone.
  • the inhabitants thereof: Those living within the city and the land.

Jeremiah 23 33 Bonus Section

The use of the term massa (burden) for a prophecy is significant. It often implied a message of divine displeasure and impending judgment. When the false prophets' prophecies were filled with falsehoods and "light" messages, God is showing that His true message to these people, particularly in response to their misplaced question about His "burden," will be one of abandonment and casting away. This mirrors themes found elsewhere, such as God turning from people or cities when they reject His word, as seen in the judgment against idolatrous nations or unfaithful Israel. It also contrasts with the "easy yoke" of Christ in the New Testament (Matt 11:29-30), highlighting the freedom and lightness found in submitting to Him versus the crushing weight of sin and divine judgment.

Jeremiah 23 33 Commentary

The question "What is the burden of the LORD?" is posed by those who are misled by false prophecies. They hear the term "burden" associated with prophetic pronouncements of judgment and, either out of curiosity, defiance, or a genuine misunderstanding, ask what this "burden" entails. God's instruction through Jeremiah is to turn this question back on them with a message of severe judgment. The "burden" is not some abstract concept but the direct consequence of their disobedience and the false prophets' deception. God will abandon them, cast them off, and judge their city. The irony is that the false prophets likely spoke of light matters or presented a false sense of security, while God's "burden" is an actual, crushing judgment for their sin and rejection of truth. The prophetic formula "Thus says the LORD" is used here with damning effect, highlighting that God's true word carries the weight of His sovereign justice.