Jeremiah 23:36

KJV

And the burden of the LORD shall ye mention no more: for every man's word shall be his burden; for ye have perverted the words of the living God, of the LORD of hosts our God.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the burden {H4853} of the LORD {H3068} shall ye mention {H2142} no more: for every man's {H376} word {H1697} shall be his burden {H4853}; for ye have perverted {H2015} the words {H1697} of the living {H2416} God {H430}, of the LORD {H3068} of hosts {H6635} our God {H430}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Don't use the expression, "burden of ADONAI" any more; for every person's own word will be his burden. Must you twist the words of the living God, of ADONAI-Tzva'ot, our God

Berean Standard Bible

But refer no more to the burden of the LORD, for each man’s word becomes the burden, so that you pervert the words of the living God, the LORD of Hosts, our God.

American Standard Version

And the burden of Jehovah shall ye mention no more: for every man’s own word shall be his burden; for ye have perverted the words of the living God, of Jehovah of hosts our God.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 23:36 delivers a profound divine indictment against the people of Judah and their false prophets for their irreverent and mocking treatment of God's prophetic messages. The Lord emphatically declares an end to their trivialization of His "burden" (prophetic oracle), asserting that from this point forward, their own deceitful and perverted words will become their true, crushing burden—a heavy weight of inescapable accountability and judgment. This powerful pronouncement underscores God's absolute sovereignty over His word and His righteous wrath against any who deliberately distort, diminish, or profane His sacred truth.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the climactic and most severe pronouncement within a specific prophetic exchange in [Jeremiah chapter 23](/jeremiah/23 "Jeremiah 23 - Woe to the Shepherds and False Prophets"), which focuses on God's condemnation of unfaithful leaders and, particularly, false prophets. The immediate preceding verses set the stage: the Lord directly addresses the people's mocking question, "What is the burden of the LORD?" ([Jeremiah 23:33](/jeremiah/23-33 "Jeremiah 23:33 - The Mocking Question")). God's response in [Jeremiah 23:34-35](/jeremiah/23-34-35 "Jeremiah 23:34-35 - God's Response to the Mockery") warns of severe punishment for those who continue to use this phrase derisively, declaring that He will "utterly forsake" them and "cast them out of my presence." Verse 36 intensifies this judgment, making it clear that the very words they speak—especially their distortions of divine truth—will become their own spiritual and judicial "burden." This passage stands in stark contrast to the genuine prophetic messages of judgment and hope that Jeremiah faithfully delivered, such as the promise of a righteous Branch in [Jeremiah 23:5-6](/jeremiah/23-5-6 "Jeremiah 23:5-6 - The Righteous Branch, Jesus Christ").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah's prophetic ministry unfolded during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, spanning the final decades before the devastating Babylonian exile (c. 627-586 BC). The nation was steeped in spiritual apostasy, characterized by pervasive idolatry, social injustice, and a profound disregard for God's covenant. False prophets, often aligned with the corrupt leadership, proliferated, offering soothing but deceptive messages of peace and prosperity, directly contradicting Jeremiah's dire warnings of impending judgment and exile ([Jeremiah 14:13-14](/jeremiah/14-13-14 "Jeremiah 14:13-14 - False Prophets and Deception")). The term "burden of the LORD" (Hebrew: _massâ'_) was a recognized technical term for a prophetic oracle, typically one conveying a heavy or ominous message of judgment. However, by this time, the people and the false prophets, weary of Jeremiah's consistent pronouncements of doom, had begun to use the term _massâ'_ derisively, treating God's solemn pronouncements as a tiresome joke or an empty cliché. This mockery reflected a deep-seated spiritual rebellion and a profound disrespect for the divine word itself, occurring amidst the escalating geopolitical pressures from the ascendant Babylonian empire.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes prominent in Jeremiah and the broader prophetic tradition. Firstly, it emphatically highlights the **authority and sanctity of God's word**, emphasizing that divine revelation is not a plaything to be trifled with or manipulated for human convenience. Secondly, it underscores the theme of **divine judgment on false prophecy and spiritual deception**, demonstrating God's absolute intolerance for those who mislead His people or deliberately distort His truth. The concept of **accountability for words** is also central; the verse asserts that human speech, particularly when it touches upon divine matters, carries immense spiritual and eternal weight. Finally, by referring to Himself as "the living God, of the LORD of hosts our God," the passage reinforces the **active, sovereign, and unique nature of Yahweh**, contrasting His vibrant truth with the dead lies of human invention and the impotent idols worshipped by the nations. This passage serves as a stark reminder of the severe consequences of rejecting or perverting the genuine word of God, a theme woven throughout Jeremiah's prophetic ministry, as seen in his call to genuine repentance in [Jeremiah 7:1-7](/jeremiah/7 "Jeremiah 7 - The Temple Sermon").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Burden (Hebrew, _massâ'_):** From H4853. This word is pivotal to the verse's meaning and the broader context. While its literal meaning is a "load" or "burden," in prophetic literature, it specifically denotes a "prophetic utterance" or "oracle," often one conveying a heavy or ominous message of judgment. The profound irony here is that the people mockingly inquire about "the burden of the LORD," treating God's serious message as a trivial imposition. God's response is a divine reversal, declaring that their own perverted words will become their true, weighty burden—a spiritual and judicial accountability that they must personally bear.
* **Perverted (Hebrew, _hâphak'_):** From H2015. This primitive root means "to turn about or over," and by implication, "to change, overturn, return, pervert." In this specific context, it signifies a deliberate and willful act of distorting, corrupting, or twisting something from its original, intended state. It implies a conscious effort to render God's words ineffective, false, or misleading by misrepresenting them, whether through outright lies, selective omission, or by trivializing their sacred nature. This is a grave accusation, highlighting the severe sin of manipulating divine revelation for personal gain, convenience, or to avoid uncomfortable truths.
* **Word (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** From H1697. This highly versatile Hebrew term encompasses "a word," "matter," "thing," "affair," or "speech." Its significant repetition in the verse—"every man's word shall be his burden; for ye have perverted the words of the living God"—underscores its critical importance. It highlights the direct and inescapable connection between human speech and divine truth. The contrast is stark: the "words of the living God" are sacred, authoritative, and inherently true, while "every man's word" (especially when perverted) carries the weighty consequence of human responsibility and potential condemnation. The integrity of _dâbâr_ is paramount, whether it originates from the divine or from humanity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the burden of the LORD shall ye mention no more:"** This opening clause functions as a direct, authoritative divine command, a cessation order from God Himself. It explicitly prohibits the people from continuing their irreverent and mocking use of the phrase "the burden of the LORD." This prohibition vividly reveals God's righteous anger at their profound disrespect and their trivialization of His sacred prophetic messages, which were intended to call them to repentance and warn them of impending judgment. Their flippant attitude had transformed a solemn theological term into a profane jest.
* **"for every man's word shall be his burden;"** This clause articulates the immediate consequence and the nature of the divine judgment. God declares that the very words spoken by individuals, particularly those who have engaged in mockery or perverted His truth, will now become their own "burden." This is a profound statement of accountability: the weight of their own deceit, their own irreverence, and their own false prophecies will fall squarely and inescapably upon them. It implies a heavy spiritual and judicial consequence, where their own speech acts as a self-indictment and a source of their own distress.
* **"for ye have perverted the words of the living God, of the LORD of hosts our God."** This final clause provides the explicit and damning reason for the divine judgment. The people are accused of having "perverted" (twisted, distorted, corrupted, or turned upside down) God's words. The phrase emphasizes the immense gravity of their offense by identifying the ultimate source of these words: "the living God" (underscoring His active, dynamic, sovereign, and unique nature, in stark contrast to dead idols or fabricated human messages) and "the LORD of hosts our God" (stressing His supreme power, His absolute authority over all creation, and His covenant relationship with Israel). This perversion is not merely a misunderstanding but a deliberate act of twisting divine revelation, which constitutes a direct affront to God's character, authority, and holiness.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 23:36 is profoundly rich in literary devices that amplify its powerful and condemning message. The most prominent is **Wordplay** or **Pun**, ingeniously centered on the Hebrew term _massâ'_ ("burden"). The people had been using _massâ'_ mockingly to refer to God's prophetic oracles, treating them as tiresome, unwanted loads. God responds with sharp irony, turning this very word back on them, declaring that their _own_ words—their deceitful, perverted speech—will become _their_ true "burden" of judgment and accountability. This ironic reversal powerfully highlights divine justice. **Repetition** of key terms like "burden" (_massâ'_) and "word" (_dâbâr'_) reinforces their central significance and the overarching theme of accountability for speech. The verse also employs stark **Contrast**, setting the sacred, life-giving "words of the living God" against the perverted, burdensome "every man's word," thereby sharply distinguishing divine truth from human falsehood and rebellion. The overall tone is one of **Divine Declaration** or **Oracular Style**, characterized by direct address, absolute authority, and an emphatic pronouncement, emphasizing God's unassailable sovereignty and His righteous indignation against those who defile His holy word.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 23:36 profoundly articulates God's unwavering commitment to the integrity and sanctity of His divine word, and His severe judgment against those who profane it. Theologically, it asserts that God's revelation is not a trivial matter to be mocked, manipulated, or twisted, but a sacred trust with eternal implications. It underscores the timeless principle that human words, especially those purporting to speak for or about God, carry immense spiritual weight and accountability. The perversion of God's word is presented as a grave sin, a direct assault on the character of "the living God, of the LORD of hosts our God," who is truth itself. This passage serves as a timeless warning against spiritual deception and irreverence, emphasizing the critical need for discernment, reverence, and faithfulness in handling all matters of divine truth.

* [Deuteronomy 18:20-22](/deuteronomy/18-20-22 "Deuteronomy 18:20-22 - Identifying False Prophets")
* [Matthew 12:36-37](/matthew/12-36-37 "Matthew 12:36-37 - Accountability for Every Idle Word")
* [2 Timothy 3:16-17](/2_timothy/3-16-17 "2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All Scripture is God-Breathed")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 23:36 stands as a powerful and enduring challenge to all who engage with the divine word, whether as communicators, teachers, or listeners. It calls us to a profound and active reverence for God's truth, reminding us that His words are not to be treated lightly, twisted for personal convenience, or dismissed with irreverent mockery. For those entrusted with speaking about God—pastors, teachers, parents, and evangelists—this verse demands unwavering integrity, meticulous accuracy, and profound humility, recognizing that we are stewards of sacred revelation and will be held accountable for how we represent Him. For all believers, it fosters a spirit of vigilant discernment, urging us to test all teachings, messages, and cultural narratives against the clear, unadulterated truth of Scripture, guarding against any message that subtly or overtly perverts the character, commands, or promises of the "living God." In an age saturated with information, misinformation, and competing narratives, this passage compels us to cherish the authentic voice of God, allowing His truth to profoundly shape our lives rather than attempting to reshape His truth to fit our fleeting desires or cultural trends. It reminds us that our words, too, carry immense weight, and that our greatest "burden" should be the faithful proclamation and living out of His uncompromised word.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what subtle or overt ways might I, or my community, be "perverting the words of the living God" today, perhaps by ignoring inconvenient truths or emphasizing popular ideas over biblical ones?**
* **How does my daily speech, especially when discussing spiritual matters or sharing my faith, reflect my reverence (or lack thereof) for God's word?**
* **What "burdens" (i.e., negative consequences, spiritual weight, or relational damage) might my own words be creating for myself or others, particularly if they are not aligned with divine truth?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper sense of awe, seriousness, and intentionality when engaging with Scripture, moving beyond a casual or consumerist approach to God's revelation?**

### FAQ
**What does "the burden of the LORD" mean in this context?**

Answer: In Jeremiah 23:36, "the burden of the LORD" (Hebrew: _massâ'_) refers to a prophetic oracle or a message from God, often one that is heavy with a warning or judgment. However, the people and false prophets of Jeremiah's day were using this term mockingly and disrespectfully, treating God's serious pronouncements as a tiresome joke or an empty cliché. God's response in this verse is a powerful act of divine irony and judgment, declaring that their own deceitful and irreverent words will become their true "burden"—a heavy weight of accountability and judgment that they must personally bear. It signifies God's absolute intolerance for the trivialization and profaning of His sacred word.

**Why is perverting God's words such a serious offense?**

Answer: Perverting God's words is an exceptionally serious offense because it directly attacks God's character, authority, and very nature. God is truth itself ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")), and His words are an extension of His being—pure, infallible, and life-giving ([Psalm 12:6](/psalms/12-6 "Psalm 12:6 - The Words of the LORD are Pure")). To "pervert" them (Hebrew: _hâphak'_) means to twist, distort, corrupt, or turn them upside down from their original meaning and divine intent. This not only misleads people and leads them astray but also fundamentally misrepresents God, undermines His sovereignty, and ultimately denies His living presence and power in the world. It is an act of profound spiritual rebellion that carries severe divine judgment, as seen in this passage and others like [Deuteronomy 4:2](/deuteronomy/4-2 "Deuteronomy 4:2 - Do Not Add or Subtract from God's Word") and [Revelation 22:18-19](/revelation/22-18-19 "Revelation 22:18-19 - Do Not Add to or Take Away from This Book").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 23:36, with its stern warning against perverting God's word and the declaration that "every man's word shall be his burden," finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound resolution in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the very **Word of God incarnate** ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Became Flesh")), the perfect embodiment of divine truth who never perverted, distorted, or diminished a single word from God. Unlike the false prophets who spoke their own words and consequently bore their own burdens of judgment, Jesus spoke only what the Father commanded Him ([John 12:49](/john/12-49 "John 12:49 - Jesus Speaks What the Father Commands")), and His words are spirit and life, never a burden in the sense of condemnation ([John 6:63](/john/6-63 "John 6:63 - Words of Spirit and Life")). Furthermore, Jesus did not merely speak truth; He **bore the ultimate burden**—the crushing weight of humanity's sin and the curse of the law ([Isaiah 53:4](/isaiah/53-4 "Isaiah 53:4 - He Bore Our Griefs"), [Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse")). Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, He carried the full weight of our perversions, our rebellious words, and our spiritual accountability, thereby freeing all who believe in Him from the crushing burden of divine judgment. Thus, while Jeremiah 23:36 condemns the perversion of God's word and warns of the burden of human accountability, Christ offers complete release from that burden through His perfect obedience and substitutionary death, inviting us instead to take His "yoke" which is easy and His "burden" which is light ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28-30 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary")). He is the true Prophet, whose words are never perverted, and whose finished work removes the burden of our sin, offering true rest for our souls.

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

Isaiah 3:8

For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen: because their tongue and their doings [are] against the LORD, to provoke the eyes of his glory.

2 Peter 3:16

As also in all [his] epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as [they do] also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

Psalms 120:3

What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue?

Jeremiah 10:10

But the LORD [is] the true God, he [is] the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.

Psalms 64:8

So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves: all that see them shall flee away.

2 Kings 19:4

It may be the LORD thy God will hear all the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master hath sent to reproach the living God; and will reprove the words which the LORD thy God hath heard: wherefore lift up [thy] prayer for the remnant that are left.

Proverbs 17:20

¶ He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.