Jeremiah 23:9 kjv
Mine heart within me is broken because of the prophets; all my bones shake; I am like a drunken man, and like a man whom wine hath overcome, because of the LORD, and because of the words of his holiness.
Jeremiah 23:9 nkjv
My heart within me is broken Because of the prophets; All my bones shake. I am like a drunken man, And like a man whom wine has overcome, Because of the LORD, And because of His holy words.
Jeremiah 23:9 niv
Concerning the prophets: My heart is broken within me; all my bones tremble. I am like a drunken man, like a strong man overcome by wine, because of the LORD and his holy words.
Jeremiah 23:9 esv
Concerning the prophets: My heart is broken within me; all my bones shake; I am like a drunken man, like a man overcome by wine, because of the LORD and because of his holy words.
Jeremiah 23:9 nlt
My heart is broken because of the false prophets,
and my bones tremble.
I stagger like a drunkard,
like someone overcome by wine,
because of the holy words
the LORD has spoken against them.
Jeremiah 23 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jer. 23:9 | My heart is broken within me... | Jeremiah 23:9 (the verse itself) |
| Jer. 8:11 | They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, “Peace, peace,” | Jeremiah 8:11 (False peace by prophets) |
| Jer. 6:14 | They have healed the wound of the daughter of my people lightly, | Jeremiah 6:14 (Similar theme of deceit) |
| Jer. 14:13-14 | Then I said, "Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, the prophets say to them, | Jeremiah 14:13-14 (False prophecy warning) |
| Jer. 23:1-2 | “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!” | Jeremiah 23:1-2 (Condemnation of false leaders) |
| Jer. 29:8 | For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets | Jeremiah 29:8 (Warning against false prophets) |
| Ezek. 13:3 | Thus says the Lord GOD: “Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own | Ezekiel 13:3 (Woe to false prophets) |
| Ezek. 13:10 | Because, indeed, because they have seduced my people, saying, “Peace!” | Ezekiel 13:10 (False peace, seduction) |
| Hos. 4:6 | My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge... | Hosea 4:6 (Lack of knowledge, destruction) |
| Micah 3:5 | Thus says the LORD concerning the prophets who make my people stray | Micah 3:5 (Prophets causing straying) |
| Micah 3:11 | Her heads judge for a bribe, Her priests teach for pay, And her prophets | Micah 3:11 (Corruption of leaders) |
| Zech. 11:17 | “Woe to the worthless shepherd who abandons the flock! | Zechariah 11:17 (Woe to bad shepherds) |
| Matt. 7:15 | “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly | Matthew 7:15 (Warning against false prophets) |
| Matt. 24:24 | For false christs and false prophets will rise and will show great signs | Matthew 24:24 (Deception by false prophets) |
| Mark 13:22 | For false christs and false prophets will arise and show signs and wonders, | Mark 13:22 (Similar warning) |
| 2 Pet. 2:1-3 | But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be | 2 Peter 2:1-3 (False teachers and their doom) |
| 1 John 4:1 | Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are | 1 John 4:1 (Test the spirits) |
| Rev. 19:20 | Then the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who worked miracles | Revelation 19:20 (False prophet mentioned) |
| Rom. 9:2 | that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. | Romans 9:2 (Paul's deep sorrow) |
| Ps. 119:136 | My eyes overflow with tears, because they do not keep your law. | Psalm 119:136 (Sorrow over disobedience) |
Jeremiah 23 verses
Jeremiah 23 9 Meaning
Jeremiah 23:9 speaks of the prophet Jeremiah's broken heart regarding the spiritual state of his people, specifically concerning the false prophets who have corrupted the hearts of the people with their lies. It emphasizes the grief Jeremiah experiences as he witnesses the pervasive sin and spiritual adultery within the nation.
Jeremiah 23 9 Context
Jeremiah 23:9 is part of a larger prophecy in chapter 23 where Jeremiah addresses the severe spiritual corruption in Judah. The nation was facing judgment, and a significant reason for this was the proliferation of false prophets. These prophets spoke comforting lies, claiming "peace" and success, while in reality, their words led the people further into sin and away from repentance. Jeremiah, as a true prophet of God, was deeply grieved by this deception and its devastating impact on his people's relationship with the Lord. This particular verse reflects Jeremiah's personal anguish over the widespread spiritual infidelity and the false sense of security that blinded the people to their impending doom.
Jeremiah 23 9 Word Analysis
- כָּל־ (kol): Means "all," "every." It emphasizes the totality of Jeremiah's emotional distress.
- לִבִּי (libbi): "My heart." In Hebrew thought, the heart is the seat of emotions, will, and intellect. Here, it signifies the core of Jeremiah's being is deeply affected.
- נִשְׁבַּר (nishbar): "Is broken." This verb, in the Niphal stem (passive), suggests an internal breaking or shattering. It conveys the profound emotional pain and despair.
- בְּקִרְבִּי (biqirbi): "Within me," "inside me." This intensifies the internal nature of his grief, locating it deep within his person.
- כָּל־ (kol): "All," "every." Again, emphasizing the completeness of his distress.
- עַצְמוֹתַי (atzmotai): "My bones." Bones represent strength, foundation, and the very structure of a person. When the bones are affected, it signifies a deep, all-encompassing affliction that undermines his strength and well-being. This is a common Hebrew idiom for profound distress (e.g., Ps 22:14).
- אֲנִי (ani): "I." A personal pronoun that underscores Jeremiah's direct experience of this sorrow.
- מַרְעִיד (mar‘id): "Shuddering," "trembling." From the verb root meaning "to shake," "to make to tremble." This describes a physical manifestation of his extreme emotional turmoil and fear.
- לִפְנֵי (lifnei): "Before." Indicates the cause or object of his trembling.
- הַסּוֹבֵא (hassovē): "The drunkard," "the intoxicated one." Refers to those who are spiritually or emotionally stupefied by sin or falsehood.
- וּמִפְּנֵי (umipnei): "And from before." Similar to lifnei, indicating the source of the reaction.
- יַיִן (yayin): "Wine." Here, "wine" is likely metaphorical for the intoxicating effects of sin, falsehood, and apostasy that have overcome the people.
- הַזִּמָּה (hazzimmah): "The licentiousness," "the lewdness," "the debauchery." It refers to the pervasive sinfulness and spiritual adultery of the people, who have turned away from God. This word is strongly linked to moral and sexual impurity, symbolizing the nation's betrayal of its covenant with God.
Group Analysis
- "My heart is broken within me; all my bones tremble": This phrase paints a vivid picture of extreme internal suffering and physical manifestation of distress. The breaking of the heart speaks to emotional anguish, while the trembling bones represent a loss of stability and strength under the weight of sorrow and dread caused by the nation's sin.
- "I am like a drunken man, like a man overcome by wine": This comparison highlights Jeremiah's overwhelmed state. The "wine of lewdness" (or debauchery/licentiousness) refers to the intoxicating and mind-clouding effect of the people's persistent sin and idolatry, which has made them insensitive to God's truth and judgment. Jeremiah's reaction is to the pervasiveness of this spiritual intoxication within his own people, which he deeply laments.
Jeremiah 23 9 Bonus Section
The phrase "wine of lewdness" (יַיִן הַזִּמָּה) is a powerful metaphor. "Ziymmah" often refers to illicit sexual acts or lascivious intent, and by extension, it signifies rebellion and covenant betrayal. Applying this to wine symbolizes how the people's sin and apostasy have become a kind of intoxicating agent, dulling their senses to spiritual reality and leading them deeper into corruption, akin to a stupor brought on by strong drink. This intoxication renders them incapable of discerning God's truth or heeding His warnings.
Jeremiah 23 9 Commentary
Jeremiah's heart aches profoundly over the spiritual desolation and spiritual "drunkenness" of his people, induced by the lies of false prophets and their own persistent sin. He uses visceral imagery of a broken heart and trembling bones to convey the depth of his personal suffering. The people, like drunkards, are insensible to their impending judgment because they have been "intoxicated" by the lewdness of their actions and the smooth pronouncements of deceptive leaders. Jeremiah’s grief is not just an emotional reaction but a reflection of his intimate connection to God and his burden for the covenant people of Israel, who are acting like adulterers by turning to other gods and false doctrines.