Jeremiah 9 24

Jeremiah 9:24 kjv

But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 9:24 nkjv

But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight," says the LORD.

Jeremiah 9:24 niv

but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 9:24 esv

but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD."

Jeremiah 9:24 nlt

But those who wish to boast
should boast in this alone:
that they truly know me and understand that I am the LORD
who demonstrates unfailing love
and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth,
and that I delight in these things.
I, the LORD, have spoken!

Jeremiah 9 verses

Jeremiah 9 24 Meaning

Jeremiah 9:24 proclaims that genuine glory or boast should not be found in human wisdom, strength, or wealth, but rather in a profound, experiential knowledge of the LORD. This knowledge involves understanding Him as the God who actively demonstrates steadfast love (covenant loyalty), justice (fair judgment), and righteousness (moral uprightness) throughout the earth. The verse concludes with God declaring His own delight in these very attributes and actions, highlighting that true value lies in His character and active governance. It calls for a radical reorientation from self-exaltation to God-centered humility and worship.

Jeremiah 9 24 Context

Jeremiah chapter 9, preceding verse 24, vividly depicts Judah's spiritual depravity, widespread corruption, deceit, and unfaithfulness. The prophet laments the moral breakdown and foretells imminent divine judgment (vv. 1-22). The people had relied on worldly strengths: their wise men, mighty warriors, and wealthy merchants. Verse 23 explicitly warns against boasting in these human achievements and resources. Jeremiah 9:24 then serves as a sharp contrast and divine counter-declaration. It's a polemic against the pagan values of the surrounding nations and the Israelites' own misplaced confidence in their human wisdom, military power, or economic prosperity. It redirects their focus from finite, self-serving prides to the eternal, transformative pride found in the unique character of YHWH. The verse sets the boundary for legitimate human boast and the object of true faith and worship.

Jeremiah 9 24 Word analysis

• but (כִּי, ki): Here, it functions as an adversative conjunction, "but," introducing a stark contrast to the preceding verses which condemn boasting in worldly attributes. It marks a dramatic shift in perspective.
• let him who boasts (הַמִּתְהַלֵּל, hammithhallēl): From the root הלל (halal), meaning to praise, shout, boast. The hithpa'el stem indicates a reflexive or reciprocal action, emphasizing one who habitually boasts or makes himself glorious.
• boast in this (בְּזֹאת, b'zōt): Refers directly to what follows, anchoring the legitimate ground for boasting in God's nature and actions.
• that he understands (הַשְׂכֵּל, haskel): From the root שָׂכַל (sakal), meaning to discern, have insight, be prudent, act wisely. It implies not just intellectual comprehension but practical discernment that leads to right action. It's an insightful grasp of truth.
• and knows (וְיָדֹעַ, v'yada'): From the root יָדַע (yada'), indicating intimate, experiential, relational knowledge, far beyond mere head-knowledge. It’s the deep, covenantal knowing between two parties, often resulting from personal experience and relationship (e.g., as in Gen 4:1 "Adam knew Eve").
• me (אוֹתִי, oti): The direct object, specifying YHWH Himself. It is not about knowing things about God, but knowing God personally and intimately.
• that I am the LORD (כִּי אֲנִי יְהוָה, ki ani YHVH): "I am YHWH." This emphasizes God's self-revelation, His covenant name, and His unchanging, unique existence. It underscores His sovereignty and authority.
• who practices (עֹשֶׂה, oseh): A participle, signifying an active and continuous doing, a habitual demonstration of His character, not just possessing qualities but actively manifesting them.
• steadfast love (חֶסֶד, hesed): A profound theological term encompassing loyal love, mercy, kindness, grace, and unfailing faithfulness, especially within the context of a covenant relationship. It's robust, enduring love in action.
• justice (מִשְׁפָּט, mishpat): Refers to the administration of fairness, equity, and moral rightness, especially in judgment. It's about establishing what is right and ensuring fair dealing.
• righteousness (וּצְדָקָה, u'tsedaqah): Moral rectitude, ethical uprightness, adherence to God's divine standard, and conformity to His character. It is often linked with salvation and salvation-bringing acts.
• in the earth (בָּאָרֶץ, ba'aretz): Signifies that God's attributes are not abstract but actively displayed and operative in the physical world and human affairs.
• For in these things I delight (כִּי בְאֵלֶּה חָפָצְתִּי, ki ba'elleh chaphatzti): God's pleasure (chaphatz) is found in the demonstration of His own holy and merciful character, which defines His being and action.
• declares the LORD (נְאֻם יְהוָה, n'um YHVH): A common prophetic formula that authenticates the message as a direct divine utterance, lending it supreme authority.
• Understands and knows me: This phrase combines intellectual apprehension with personal, relational experience. It's not enough to intellectually acknowledge God's existence; one must intimately experience His character and Person, leading to discernment in living.
• Steadfast love, justice, and righteousness: These three attributes are inseparably intertwined. God’s hesed is not sentimental but operates within His mishpat and tsedaqah. His justice is not harsh but tempered by His love, and His righteousness is the very standard by which both love and justice are perfectly administered. They form the complete picture of His moral being and covenant fidelity.

Jeremiah 9 24 Bonus section

This verse anticipates and lays foundational truths for the New Testament's emphasis on knowing God through Jesus Christ. Jesus reveals the Father (Matt 11:27, John 14:7-9) and His work on the cross supremely demonstrates God's steadfast love, justice, and righteousness (Rom 3:25-26). True wisdom and glory in the New Covenant are found in Christ alone, reflecting Jer 9:24 (1 Cor 1:30-31). The intimate, saving knowledge of God spoken of here is essential for salvation and life in the Spirit. This experiential knowledge leads to living out God's character, as people are called to "do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God" (Mic 6:8), which directly mirrors the divine attributes highlighted in Jeremiah's declaration.

Jeremiah 9 24 Commentary

Jeremiah 9:24 offers a profound counter-cultural manifesto on what constitutes true worth and cause for glory. In a world and society—then as now—prone to valuing human achievement, material possessions, or personal prowess, this verse radically redefines the object of our boasting. It condemns any form of pride rooted in human wisdom, strength, or wealth (as stated in v. 23) because these are transient, fallible, and ultimately empty before God. Instead, it directs all legitimate glory towards an experiential and relational knowledge of YHWH. This "knowing" is not passive; it encompasses discerning God's active nature—His unwavering hesed (loyal love), His absolute mishpat (justice), and His perfect tsedaqah (righteousness)—all continuously manifested in the earth. The capstone is God's own declaration of delight in these very attributes, affirming them as central to His character and the true foundation for any worthy praise. This challenges believers to pursue a deepening, intimate understanding of God's character and to emulate these virtues in their own lives.