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

The Lord declares that true boasting is not found in wisdom, might, or wealth, but in understanding and knowing Him. This knowledge of God involves acknowledging His justice, righteousness, and steadfast love that He demonstrates to the world.

Jeremiah 9 24 Context

This verse comes from the latter part of Jeremiah chapter 9. The prophet has been lamenting the impending destruction of Jerusalem and Judah due to their sin and idolatry. God is preparing to bring judgment through the Babylonian empire. Jeremiah has been pronouncing woe upon the people for their reliance on worldly wisdom, military strength, and material wealth, which will all prove useless against the coming invasion. This verse serves as a divine re-framing of true value and pride. It pivots from the futility of human achievements to the supreme importance of knowing and experiencing God. The surrounding verses highlight the utter desolation awaiting Judah. Therefore, the prophetic call in verse 24 is a stark contrast: true security and worth are not in what they possess or can do, but in their relationship with the Lord.

Jeremiah 9 24 Word Analysis

• כֹּ֣י (ki): "For," "because." Introduces a reason or explanation for the preceding statement. It signifies a foundational truth.
• אָמַ֣ר (amar): "Says." A standard prophetic formula, attributing the following words directly to God.
• יְהוָֽה (Yahweh): "The LORD." The personal covenant name of God. This underscores that the declaration is from the covenant-making, covenant-keeping God of Israel.
• כִּ֤י (ki): "That." Used here to introduce the content of what the LORD says.
• אִ֧ם (im): "If." Introduces a conditional statement.
• לֹֽא־ (lo-): "Not." Negation.
• בַֽחָכְמַ֤ת (bakhokmat): "in wisdom." The noun chokmah refers to skill, prudence, insight, and wisdom, often human or earthly. The prefix ba- means "in."
• הַֽחָכָם (hakhakam): "the wise man." The definite article ha- specifies "the wise," and chakham is the noun for wise person.
• יִתְהַלֵּ֖ל (yithalel): "boasts." From the root halal, which can mean to shine, to be clamorous, to praise, and to boast. Here, in its causative/intensive form (Hithpael), it implies self-glorification.
• וְאִם־ (wə’im-): "And if." Continues the conditional pattern.
• בַֽגְּבוּרַ֤ת (bagəvurat): "in might." gevurah means strength, might, power, valor. It can refer to physical strength or power derived from leadership.
• הַגִּבֹּ֖ר (haggibor): "the mighty man." gibbor emphasizes powerfulness, strength, often in a martial or significant capacity.
• יִתְהַלֵּֽל (yithalel): "boasts." Same verb as above.
• וְאִם־ (wə’im-): "And if."
• בָעֹ֣שֶׁר (ba’osher): "in riches." osher denotes wealth, prosperity, abundance.
• הֶֽעָשִׁ֑יר (he’ashir): "the rich man." ashir means wealthy or rich.
• יִתְהַלֵּֽל (yithalel): "boasts."
• כִּ֤י (ki): "But" or "For." Here it signals a contrast or a fundamental condition for genuine boasting.
• אֲנִי֙ (’anî): "I." Emphatic, referring to the LORD.
• יְהוָ֖ה (Yahweh): "the LORD."
• וְעֹשֶׂ֣ה (wə’oseh): "and doer" or "and acting." Derived from asah, to do, make.
• בְּאֵ֣ת (bə’et): "in this." Lit. "in this thing," or "in this matter."
• זֹ֣את (zot): "this." A demonstrative pronoun pointing to something specific, in this context, to the qualities mentioned next.
• חֶ֣סֶד (ḥeseḏ): "steadfast love," "lovingkindness," "mercy." A rich term in Hebrew, signifying loyal love, covenant faithfulness, kindness that goes beyond obligation.
• מִשְׁפָּט (mišpāṭ): "justice," "judgment." Refers to doing what is right, administering law and equity, and upholding what is just.
• וּצְדָקָ֗ה (uṯṣəḏāqāh): "and righteousness." tzedakah refers to righteousness, justice, rightness in action, often linked to doing right by others, especially the needy.
• בָּאָ: "in the earth." From the root erets, meaning land or earth. The verse links these divine attributes to their demonstration within the creation or human society.

Word-Group Analysis

• Wisdom, Might, Riches (Verses 9:23): These three categories represent the peak of human achievement and pride in the ancient Near East: intellectual prowess (chokmah), military and political power (gevurah), and material prosperity (osher). The prophet dismisses them as grounds for ultimate boasting.
• Knowing Me, the LORD (Verse 9:24): This clause is the divine counterpoint. The true boast is not in what man has or does, but in the Lord Himself. The knowing involves understanding His character: His steadfast love (ḥeseḏ), justice (mišpāṭ), and righteousness (uṯṣəḏāqāh).
• In the earth (בָאָרֶץ - bā’areṣ): This phrase grounds God's true nature in tangible action within the world. He demonstrates these attributes "in the earth," meaning in His dealings with humanity and His creation. It is not an abstract knowledge but one observable in His actions.

Jeremiah 9 24 Bonus Section

This verse highlights a pivotal theological distinction. Human achievements, though valuable in their context, are ultimately temporary and insufficient for ultimate confidence. The wisdom of the world, the might of nations, and the wealth of the rich are all subject to change, loss, or judgment.

True, unassailable boasting, however, rests in understanding God's unchanging character and His faithful actions. This knowing of God is demonstrated through His covenant faithfulness (ḥeseḏ) and His unwavering commitment to what is right and just (mišpāṭ uṯṣəḏāqāh). These are the attributes that define God’s essence and are continually displayed in His redemptive actions, culminating in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Therefore, the prophet directs all of Israel—and by extension, all believers—to find their ultimate identity and source of confidence in this divine reality. The people are urged to value the knowledge of God above all else.

Jeremiah 9 24 Commentary

Jeremiah 9:24 is a profound declaration that reframes the human pursuit of glory and security. The prophet, earlier in chapter 9, explicitly states that wise people should not boast in their wisdom, the strong in their strength, or the rich in their riches, because these earthly distinctions will vanish in the face of divine judgment (Jer 9:23). This verse explains why this is the case and where true pride should be placed.

The core message is that genuine significance and lasting glory are found not in accumulating human advantages but in apprehending and relating to God. The verb translated "know" (לָדַעַת - ladagat) implies more than mere intellectual assent; it denotes a deep, experiential understanding and intimate relationship with God. This understanding is specifically linked to God's covenant attributes: ḥeseḏ (steadfast love/mercy) and mišpāṭ uṯṣəḏāqāh (justice and righteousness). To know God is to recognize and embrace the fact that He is a God who loves faithfully and acts justly.

This is echoed throughout Scripture. Jesus himself stated, "And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent" (John 17:3). The apostle Paul considered all his former accomplishments worthless compared to the surpassing value of knowing Christ (Phil 3:7-9).

The final phrase, "for in the earth I am doing this," is crucial. It emphasizes that God's love, justice, and righteousness are not abstract concepts but are actively demonstrated in His interaction with His creation and His people. This understanding should be the source of genuine boast because it aligns one with the true sovereign ruler and sustainer of all things. It calls the people to shift their focus from the temporal and superficial to the eternal and essential reality of who God is and what He does.