Jeremiah 9 23

Jeremiah 9:23 kjv

Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:

Jeremiah 9:23 nkjv

Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches;

Jeremiah 9:23 niv

This is what the LORD says: "Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches,

Jeremiah 9:23 esv

Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches,

Jeremiah 9:23 nlt

This is what the LORD says:
"Don't let the wise boast in their wisdom,
or the powerful boast in their power,
or the rich boast in their riches.

Jeremiah 9 verses

Jeremiah 9 23 Meaning

Jeremiah 9:23 delivers an emphatic divine prohibition against human pride in three key areas: intellectual prowess, physical strength or military power, and material wealth. It declares that individuals should not find their ultimate security, identity, or basis for self-worth in what they can achieve, possess, or understand on their own. Instead, it subtly redirects the listener from a focus on worldly achievements and attributes towards a different, unstated (but imminent in v. 24) source of true glory. The verse acts as a direct challenge to conventional human wisdom and measures of success, portraying them as inadequate and temporary.

Jeremiah 9 23 Context

Jeremiah 9:23 is nestled within a larger prophecy concerning the spiritual and moral decay of Judah, leading to its impending judgment and exile. Chapter 9 itself begins with Jeremiah's lament over his people's pervasive unfaithfulness, deceit, and ignorance of God (vv. 1-6). He depicts a land where truth has perished, people slander each other, and trust is non-existent. The prophet calls for mourning over the desolation that will come due to their rebellion (vv. 7-11). The subsequent verses reveal the Lord's decree of judgment against Judah and Jerusalem because they have forsaken His law and walked according to their own stubborn hearts (vv. 12-16). In this context of national breakdown and divine judgment, Jeremiah 9:23-24 provides a powerful counter-cultural message, calling the people to reassess what they truly value and in what they place their ultimate trust and boast. It addresses the misguided priorities that have contributed to their spiritual downfall and the false sense of security derived from human accomplishments, rather than a genuine relationship with God.

Jeremiah 9 23 Word analysis

• Thus says the LORD (כֹּה אָמַר יְהוָה - Koh amar YHWH): This is a classic prophetic formula, signalling an authoritative divine pronouncement. It emphasizes that the following message is not human opinion but a direct, divinely-revealed truth from Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. It elevates the subsequent teaching with absolute authority and urgency.
• Let not... boast (אַל־יִתְהַלֵּל - al-yithallel): This is a negative imperative, a strong prohibition. The Hebrew root halal (הלל) means to praise, glory, or boast. While it can mean to praise God (as in "Hallelujah"), here it's used reflexively to mean "boast about oneself" or "glorify oneself." The injunction is against finding one's glory, pride, or ultimate confidence in anything external or internal that stems from human effort or circumstance rather than God. It signifies a misguided orientation of the heart, putting self or created things in the place of God.
• wise man (חָכָם - chakham): Refers to one possessing intellectual understanding, skill, and sagacity. In ancient Near Eastern cultures and within Israel (e.g., in Wisdom literature), the wise man was a revered figure, valued for his insight and counsel. However, the verse cautions against placing ultimate trust in human intellectual capacity, which can lead to self-reliance and the exclusion of divine wisdom.
• his wisdom (חָכְמָתוֹ - chokhmato): The knowledge, insight, or practical skill of the wise man. This refers to the content and application of his intellect, often seen as a source of problem-solving and life guidance, but here warned against as a source of vain boasting.
• mighty man (גִּבּוֹר - gibbor): Denotes a strong, valiant, or heroic individual, often a warrior, general, or powerful leader. Strength and power were crucial for survival and conquest in the ancient world, often leading to veneration of such figures. The prohibition targets self-exaltation based on physical prowess, military strength, or social dominance, which are ultimately insufficient for true security or salvation.
• his might (גְּבוּרָתוֹ - gevurato): The strength, valor, or heroic power of the mighty man. This encompasses physical strength, military capability, or any form of coercive power that an individual might wield, tempting them to rely on themselves rather than God.
• rich man (עָשִׁיר - ashir): One possessing significant material wealth, property, or abundance. In many cultures, wealth signified divine blessing and provided a measure of earthly security and influence. The warning is against finding ultimate security or value in financial assets, as these are fleeting and cannot protect from ultimate judgment or spiritual poverty.
• his riches (עָשְׁרוֹ - oshro): The accumulated material possessions or financial abundance of the rich man. This is the tangible evidence of wealth, often inspiring self-sufficiency and detachment from the divine, making it an object of pride warned against here.

• Words-group analysis: The triple negative parallelism—"Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, nor let the rich man boast in his riches"—is a rhetorical device that powerfully conveys the universal scope of the prohibition. It targets the three most common and coveted markers of human achievement, security, and status in the ancient world, representing intellect, power, and wealth. This tripartite structure creates a comprehensive repudiation of all self-derived human glory, systematically dismantling the foundations upon which people typically build their pride and identity apart from God. Each pairing highlights that both the person and their most defining attribute are inadequate bases for ultimate boasting.

Jeremiah 9 23 Bonus section

This verse (Jer 9:23) forms a direct literary antithesis with Jeremiah 9:24. While 9:23 rejects all forms of human boasting, 9:24 then positively prescribes where true boasting should be found: in knowing and understanding the Lord, who exercises steadfast love, justice, and righteousness. This juxtaposition underscores a fundamental biblical truth: human worth is not intrinsic to earthly accomplishments, but derived from a relational understanding and trust in God's character. The concept of "boasting" (הלל - halal) is crucial, as its proper usage in the Old Testament is often directed toward God in praise. The negative command here implies that using this same energy to glorify oneself or human achievements is a misuse of this very human capacity to declare worth and significance. The passage thus serves as a powerful call to humility and a redefinition of true value and significance, a theme that resonates throughout both the Old Testament's prophetic critiques of pride and the New Testament's emphasis on faith and reliance on God. The message stands against syncretistic tendencies prevalent in Judah, where reliance on their own (Babylonian-influenced) wise men, powerful armies, or collected wealth might overshadow their covenantal relationship with Yahweh.

Jeremiah 9 23 Commentary

Jeremiah 9:23 functions as a divine reorientation of human values, striking at the heart of where humanity often places its confidence and pride. It's not a condemnation of wisdom, strength, or wealth in themselves, but of the idolatrous self-sufficiency that leads one to boast in them rather than acknowledging their true source or limitation. When human beings rely on their own intellect, might, or possessions as their ultimate security and identity, they usurp God's place in their lives. This boasting demonstrates a deep spiritual disconnect—an ignorance of the ephemeral nature of all human achievements and a failure to grasp God's ultimate sovereignty and unwavering presence. The verse prepares the ground for the subsequent positive instruction in verse 24, which redirects boasting from human accomplishments to knowing the Lord Himself, suggesting that true wisdom, strength, and eternal riches are found only in Him. For practical application, this challenges us to regularly examine the sources of our pride, ensuring that our security, identity, and aspirations are rooted in God alone, not in our talents, successes, or possessions, which can be fleeting and deceptive. For example, a student should not boast only in high grades but acknowledge God's given ability; a business person should not boast only in financial success but remember God as the provider; and a physically strong individual should attribute strength to God's enablement.