Jeremiah 23:34

KJV

And [as for] the prophet, and the priest, and the people, that shall say, The burden of the LORD, I will even punish that man and his house.

KJV (with Strong's)

And as for the prophet {H5030}, and the priest {H3548}, and the people {H5971}, that shall say {H559}, The burden {H4853} of the LORD {H3068}, I will even punish {H6485} that man {H376} and his house {H1004}.

Complete Jewish Bible

As for a prophet, cohen or [someone else from] this people who speaks about 'the burden of ADONAI,' I will punish him and his household."

Berean Standard Bible

As for the prophet or priest or anyone who claims, ‘This is the burden of the LORD,’ I will punish that man and his household.

American Standard Version

And as for the prophet, and the priest, and the people, that shall say, The burden of Jehovah, I will even punish that man and his house.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 23:34 delivers a severe divine warning against the profaning of God's sacred word, specifically the prophetic phrase "the burden of the LORD." This verse underscores God's absolute intolerance for the trivialization or misuse of His authoritative messages, declaring that He will personally and corporately punish any individual—whether prophet, priest, or common person—who engages in such spiritual mockery, extending the consequences to their entire household.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Jeremiah's extensive prophetic discourse in [Jeremiah chapter 23](/jeremiah/23 "Jeremiah 23 - False Prophets and True Shepherds"), which primarily condemns the false prophets who were misleading Judah. Jeremiah contrasts their deceptive, self-serving messages with the authentic, often challenging, word of the LORD. Preceding verses detail the Lord's wrath against those who "steal" His words from one another or prophesy false dreams ([Jeremiah 23:30](/jeremiah/23-30 "Jeremiah 23:30 - False Prophets Steal Words")). Jeremiah 23:34 specifically addresses the misuse of the phrase "the burden of the LORD," which was a recognized technical term for a weighty, divine oracle, often one of judgment. The Lord's strong reaction here emphasizes the sanctity of His communication and the severe consequences for those who treat it lightly or apply it falsely.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah prophesied during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, spanning from the late 7th to early 6th centuries BCE, leading up to the Babylonian exile. The nation was steeped in idolatry and moral decay, yet many false prophets offered soothing messages of peace and prosperity, contradicting Jeremiah's warnings of impending judgment. The phrase "the burden of the LORD" (Hebrew: *massâʼ YHWH*) was a common prophetic idiom, signifying a heavy, divinely imposed message or oracle, often one of doom or a significant decree. In this context, its casual or mocking use by prophets, priests, or the people indicated a profound spiritual apathy and disrespect for divine authority, undermining the very concept of God's sovereign word. This trivialization was a symptom of Judah's deeper rebellion against God.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 23:34 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Jeremiah and broader biblical theology. It highlights the **divine authority and integrity of God's word**, asserting that God alone defines and delivers His messages, and any distortion or mockery thereof is a direct affront to Him. It underscores the **seriousness of prophetic ministry and spiritual leadership**, demanding reverence and faithfulness from those who claim to speak for God. Furthermore, the verse emphasizes **universal accountability**, extending the warning not only to religious leaders but also to "the people," indicating that all who participate in or condone the profaning of God's word will face severe consequences. This ties into the broader theme of **judgment for covenant unfaithfulness**, which permeates Jeremiah's prophecy as Judah faces the consequences of its persistent rebellion against God's law and prophets, as seen in passages like [Jeremiah 25:8-11](/jeremiah/25-8 "Jeremiah 25:8-11 - Seventy Years of Babylonian Captivity").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Prophet (Hebrew, _nâbîyʼ_):** Derived from a root meaning "to bubble up" or "to pour forth," a prophet is essentially an inspired man, one who speaks for God, acting as His mouthpiece. In this context, it refers to those who claim this divine mandate, whether true or false, and are therefore held to a higher standard regarding the transmission of God's message.
* **Burden (Hebrew, _massâʼ_):** From the verb `nâsâʼ` (to lift, carry), this term literally means "a load" or "a burden." In prophetic literature, however, it takes on a specialized meaning: a "heavy utterance," a "divine oracle," or a "prophetic pronouncement." It often denotes a weighty message, frequently one of judgment or impending doom. The issue in Jeremiah 23 is the trivialization or misapplication of this sacred, authoritative term.
* **Punish (Hebrew, _pâqad_):** This versatile verb encompasses a range of meanings including "to visit," "to oversee," "to muster," "to charge," "to care for," "to miss," or "to deposit." In a hostile context, as here, it means "to visit with hostile intent," "to punish," or "to call to account." The choice of this word emphasizes God's direct, personal, and deliberate act of retribution.
* **House (Hebrew, _bayith_):** While literally meaning a physical dwelling, `bayith` is frequently used metaphorically to refer to a family, household, or even a dynasty. Its inclusion here signifies that the consequences of profaning God's word extend beyond the individual offender to their entire lineage and domestic unit, reflecting the concept of corporate solidarity prevalent in ancient Israelite society.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And [as for] the prophet, and the priest, and the people, that shall say":** This clause establishes the broad scope of accountability. God's warning is not limited to those in religious leadership (prophet, priest) but extends to the entire community ("the people"). The phrase "that shall say" implies not merely uttering the words but adopting, promoting, or even mocking the phrase "the burden of the LORD," thereby participating in its profanation.
* **"The burden of the LORD":** This is the precise phrase being misused. It was a solemn, divinely authorized term for a weighty prophetic message. By treating it lightly, mockingly, or applying it to their own false messages, they were trivializing God's authority and the sanctity of His true word.
* **"I will even punish that man and his house":** This declares God's direct, personal, and severe response. The "I" emphasizes divine initiative and sovereignty in judgment. The punishment extends beyond the individual ("that man") to their entire family or household ("and his house"), underscoring the gravity of the offense and the principle of corporate responsibility in ancient Israel. This collective punishment highlights the severe and far-reaching impact of spiritual transgression.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 23:34 employs several literary devices to emphasize its stern warning. The **tricolon** of "prophet, priest, and people" effectively broadens the scope of accountability, demonstrating that the profanation of God's word is a pervasive issue affecting all strata of society, from religious leaders to the common individual. This device underscores the universality of the sin and the impending judgment. The phrase "the burden of the LORD" functions as a **key phrase** or **leitwort** throughout Jeremiah 23, its repeated (or alluded to) misuse becoming a central motif illustrating the spiritual corruption of the age. The direct declaration "I will even punish that man and his house" is a powerful example of **divine speech** and **assertive language**, conveying God's unwavering resolve and absolute authority in judgment. Finally, the use of "house" as a stand-in for the entire family or lineage is a form of **metonymy**, powerfully communicating the corporate consequences of individual transgression.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 23:34 profoundly underscores the sanctity of God's word and the severe consequences of its profanation. It reveals a God who is zealous for the integrity of His communication, intolerant of spiritual flippancy, and unwavering in His judgment against those who distort, mock, or trivialize His divine utterances. This passage serves as a timeless reminder that God's name and His revealed truth are not to be handled lightly, but with the utmost reverence and awe. The principle extends beyond specific prophetic terms to the entire body of Scripture, calling believers to a deep respect for the divine origin and authority of the Bible.

* [Deuteronomy 18:20](/deuteronomy/18-20 "Deuteronomy 18:20 - Punishment for False Prophets Who Speak in God's Name")
* [Matthew 12:36](/matthew/12-36 "Matthew 12:36 - Account for Every Careless Word")
* [2 Peter 2:1-3](/2_peter/2-1 "2 Peter 2:1-3 - False Teachers Will Arise")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 23:34 calls believers to a profound reverence for God's word and a vigilant discernment against anything that trivializes or distorts it. In an age saturated with information and diverse spiritual claims, this verse serves as a crucial reminder that not all messages claiming divine origin are true, and even true messages can be misused or mocked. We are called to handle Scripture with awe, understanding its divine authority, and to be cautious of those who speak presumptuously in God's name or treat sacred truths with levity. For those who teach or lead, the warning is particularly sharp, emphasizing the heightened accountability for accurately representing God's character and commands. For all believers, it encourages a posture of humility and careful discernment, ensuring that our own words and attitudes reflect the seriousness with which God regards His communication with humanity.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I approach God's Word in my daily life—with deep reverence and awe, or with a casual and perhaps even trivial attitude?**
* **Am I sufficiently discerning to identify teachings or statements that might subtly or overtly trivialize God's truth or speak presumptuously in His name?**
* **In what ways might I, even unintentionally, contribute to the profaning of sacred things through my words, actions, or passive acceptance of spiritual flippancy?**

### FAQ
**What does "the burden of the LORD" mean in this context, and why was its use problematic?**

Answer: In prophetic literature, "the burden of the LORD" (Hebrew: *massâʼ YHWH*) refers to a solemn, weighty prophetic oracle or divine message, often one of judgment or a significant divine decree. It carried the connotation of a heavy message that the prophet was "burdened" to deliver from God. In Jeremiah's time, its use became problematic because people, including false prophets, were either using it mockingly, applying it to their own false prophecies, or treating it as a trivial, common phrase. This trivialized God's authentic, authoritative word, diminishing its solemnity and authority, and was seen by God as a profound disrespect and profanation of His name and message.

**Why does the punishment extend to "that man and his house"?**

Answer: In ancient Israelite society, there was a strong concept of corporate solidarity, where the family or household (the "house" or *bayith*) was seen as a single unit, and its members often shared in the consequences of an individual's actions, especially severe transgressions against God or the covenant. This collective punishment underscores the extreme gravity of the offense of profaning God's word. It highlights that such spiritual corruption had far-reaching societal implications, affecting the entire lineage and demonstrating God's comprehensive judgment against those who undermine His divine authority. This principle is also seen in other biblical accounts of severe sin and its consequences, such as in [Joshua 7:24-25](/joshua/7-24 "Joshua 7:24-25 - Achan's Punishment").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 23:34, with its stern warning against the profanation of God's word, finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound significance in Jesus Christ. He is the very **Word of God made flesh** ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Became Flesh")), the supreme and final revelation of God to humanity ([Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Has Spoken by His Son")). As the true Prophet, Jesus delivered the ultimate "burden" of the LORD—the weighty message of God's kingdom, judgment, and salvation. Unlike the false prophets condemned by Jeremiah who spoke lies and trivialized divine truth, Jesus spoke with unparalleled authority, declaring, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away" ([Matthew 24:35](/matthew/24-35 "Matthew 24:35 - The Permanence of Jesus' Words")). The judgment pronounced in Jeremiah 23:34 against those who profane God's word foreshadows the greater condemnation awaiting those who reject or mock the person and message of Christ ([John 3:18](/john/3-18 "John 3:18 - Those Who Do Not Believe Are Condemned")). Yet, paradoxically, Jesus also invites those who are burdened by sin and the law to take His "yoke" upon them, for His **burden is light** and His yoke is easy ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary")). Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ not only bore the ultimate burden of humanity's sin but also provides forgiveness, cleansing not just the individual but also their "house"—the spiritual family of God—from the defilement of sin and rebellion, establishing a new covenant where God's word is written on hearts ([Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Zechariah 13:3

And it shall come to pass, [that] when any shall yet prophesy, then his father and his mother that begat him shall say unto him, Thou shalt not live; for thou speakest lies in the name of the LORD: and his father and his mother that begat him shall thrust him through when he prophesieth.

Lamentations 2:14

Thy prophets have seen vain and foolish things for thee: and they have not discovered thine iniquity, to turn away thy captivity; but have seen for thee false burdens and causes of banishment.