Jeremiah 23:38

KJV

But since ye say, The burden of the LORD; therefore thus saith the LORD; Because ye say this word, The burden of the LORD, and I have sent unto you, saying, Ye shall not say, The burden of the LORD;

KJV (with Strong's)

But {H518} since ye say {H559}, The burden {H4853} of the LORD {H3068}; therefore thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}; Because ye say {H559} this word {H1697}, The burden {H4853} of the LORD {H3068}, and I have sent {H7971} unto you, saying {H559}, Ye shall not say {H559}, The burden {H4853} of the LORD {H3068};

Complete Jewish Bible

But if you talk about "the burden of ADONAI," then here is what ADONAI says: "Because you use this expression, 'the burden of ADONAI,' after I have already sent you the order not to say, 'the burden of ADONAI,

Berean Standard Bible

But if you claim, ‘This is the burden of the LORD,’ then this is what the LORD says: Because you have said, ‘This is the burden of the LORD,’ and I specifically told you not to make this claim,

American Standard Version

But if ye say, The burden of Jehovah; therefore thus saith Jehovah: Because ye say this word, The burden of Jehovah, and I have sent unto you, saying, Ye shall not say, The burden of Jehovah;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 23:38 delivers a profound divine indictment against the people of Judah and their false prophets for their persistent and contemptuous misuse of the sacred phrase "the burden of the LORD." This verse underscores God's severe displeasure with those who trivialized His prophetic messages, treating them as an unwelcome imposition rather than a solemn, authoritative revelation. It highlights the gravity of their irreverence and defiance, signaling impending judgment for their willful disobedience to God's explicit command regarding the handling of His holy word.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within Jeremiah's extensive and fervent condemnation of false prophets and corrupt leaders, particularly in [Jeremiah 23](/jeremiah/23 "Jeremiah 23 - False Shepherds and True Righteousness"). Jeremiah's prophetic ministry was characterized by the unpopular delivery of God's true messages concerning Judah's pervasive idolatry, moral decay, and impending judgment. The immediate preceding verses, [Jeremiah 23:33-37](/jeremiah/23-33-37 "Jeremiah 23:33-37 - The Mockery of God's Burden"), directly address the people's flippant and sarcastic attitude towards God's word, specifically their derisive use of "the burden of the LORD." God had already issued a stark warning in [Jeremiah 23:33](/jeremiah/23-33 "Jeremiah 23:33 - God's Warning Against Mockery") that if they continued to employ this phrase mockingly, He would "forsake" or "cast off" them and their city. Verse 38 serves as the culminating reiteration of this divine prohibition, escalating the condemnation due to their continued, defiant disobedience, thereby emphasizing the finality of God's judgment.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, the term "burden" (Hebrew: *massâʼ*) held significant meaning as a recognized designation for a prophetic oracle, frequently one that conveyed a weighty or severe message, typically of judgment or doom. Prophets such as Isaiah, Nahum, and Habakkuk legitimately used this term to introduce their solemn pronouncements (e.g., [Isaiah 13:1](/isaiah/13-1 "Isaiah 13:1 - The Burden of Babylon") and [Nahum 1:1](/nahum/1-1 "Nahum 1:1 - The Burden of Nineveh")). However, by Jeremiah's era, the term had become tragically corrupted in popular usage. The people, heavily influenced by false prophets who preferred comforting lies over uncomfortable truths, began to use "the burden of the LORD" sarcastically. They perceived God's authentic messages, especially those delivered by Jeremiah concerning impending judgment and exile, as an annoying, burdensome imposition they wished to dismiss. This cultural degeneration reveals a profound spiritual sickness where divine revelation was not only rejected but actively mocked, indicating a deep-seated lack of reverence for God Himself and His sacred communication.

* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 23:38 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes woven throughout the book of Jeremiah. Firstly, it profoundly reinforces the theme of **Reverence for God's Word**, unequivocally emphasizing that divine revelation must be treated with the utmost seriousness, humility, and respect, never with contempt. Secondly, it sharply delineates the **Distinction Between True and False Prophecy**. True prophets, epitomized by Jeremiah, faithfully bore and delivered God's authentic "burden," even when it was unpopular, while false prophets either spoke their own deceptive dreams or trivialized the genuine word of God, leading the people astray, as clearly seen in [Jeremiah 23:21](/jeremiah/23-21 "Jeremiah 23:21 - God Did Not Send False Prophets"). Thirdly, the verse highlights **Divine Authority and Judgment**, asserting God's sovereign right to dictate how His word is received and spoken of, and warning of severe consequences for those who defy His explicit commands and disrespect His divine communication. Finally, it underscores the **Consequences of Disobedience**, serving as a direct and solemn warning that continued irreverence and defiance will inevitably result in divine judgment, emphasizing the grave implications of their actions.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **But (Hebrew, _ʼim'_):** A primitive particle used here conditionally or adversatively. In this context, it functions to introduce a direct consequence or divine response to the people's ongoing action. It sets up the contrast between their defiant speech and God's authoritative declaration, indicating that God's forthcoming judgment is a direct result of their continued mockery.
* **say (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** A primitive root meaning "to say," used with great latitude. In this verse, its repeated occurrence ("ye say," "saith," "ye say," "saying," "shall not say") underscores the deliberate, persistent, and defiant verbal act of the people and false prophets. The repetition highlights their unyielding verbal disobedience despite God's clear prohibition, emphasizing the intentionality behind their irreverence.
* **burden (Hebrew, _massâʼ'_):** From the root `nâsâʼ` (to lift, carry), `massâʼ` literally means "a load" or "weight." In a prophetic context, it refers to a "prophetic utterance" or "oracle," particularly one that is weighty in its significance, often implying a message of judgment or doom. The people's misuse of this term transformed a sacred designation for a divine message into a sarcastic taunt, treating God's solemn pronouncements as an annoying, heavy imposition rather than a divine revelation.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the covenant name of God, `YHWH`, signifying "the self-Existent or Eternal One." Its inclusion here emphasizes that the "burden" is not merely a human opinion or a general message, but a direct utterance from the sovereign, eternal God of Israel. The irreverent use of "the burden of the LORD" was therefore a direct affront to God's holy name and His inherent authority and majesty.
* **word (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** From the root `dâbar` (to speak), `dâbâr` refers to a "word," "matter," "thing," or "affair." Here, it specifically refers to the phrase "The burden of the LORD." God's condemnation is directed at their *saying this word*, indicating that the specific phrase itself, when used in defiance and mockery, became an object of divine wrath, not just the general concept. This precision highlights the direct nature of their rebellion against God's explicit command.
* **sent (Hebrew, _shâlach'_):** A primitive root meaning "to send away, for, or out." In this context, it refers to God sending His prophets, particularly Jeremiah, with His explicit message. The phrase "I have sent unto you, saying, Ye shall not say, The burden of the LORD" emphasizes that God's prohibition was not unknown or unclear; it was directly communicated through His appointed messengers, making their continued defiance a conscious act of rebellion against divine authority.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But since ye say, The burden of the LORD;"**: This opening clause establishes the premise for God's severe rebuke. It directly acknowledges the people's persistent and defiant utterance of the forbidden phrase, highlighting their active and ongoing participation in the irreverent act. The "but since" implies that God's subsequent declaration is a direct, unavoidable consequence of their continued transgression.
* **"therefore thus saith the LORD;"**: This is the authoritative divine declaration, signaling that what follows is a direct, unmediated pronouncement from God Himself. It emphasizes the solemnity, certainty, and inescapable nature of the ensuing judgment, standing in stark contrast to the people's casual flippancy and mockery.
* **"Because ye say this word, The burden of the LORD,"**: This clause reiterates with emphasis the precise reason for God's judgment: their continued, deliberate use of the specific phrase, "the burden of the LORD." The repetition underscores their unrepentant defiance of God's previous command. It clarifies that their offense is not an accidental slip but a chosen, persistent act of mockery and disrespect.
* **"and I have sent unto you, saying, Ye shall not say, The burden of the LORD;"**: This final clause serves as a powerful and damning reminder of God's prior warning and their willful, inexcusable disobedience. God had explicitly communicated His prohibition through His prophet Jeremiah, making their continued use of the phrase a direct act of rebellion against a clear, divine command. This highlights their full culpability and underscores the perfect justice of God's impending judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 23:38 is exceptionally rich in **Repetition**, which is its most dominant and impactful literary device. The phrase "The burden of the LORD" is repeated four times, and the verb "say" (or its variations) appears six times. This insistent repetition serves to profoundly emphasize the specific nature of the people's offense—their defiant speech—and God's unwavering focus on this particular act of irreverence. It creates a palpable sense of divine exasperation and highlights the persistent, unyielding nature of their sin. The verse also employs powerful **Direct Address** and **Divine Speech**, as God directly confronts the people ("ye say") and personally pronounces judgment ("thus saith the LORD"). This directness underscores God's personal engagement with their disobedience and the immediate, authoritative, and inescapable nature of His rebuke. Furthermore, there is a profound element of **Irony** at play: what was once a sacred term for a weighty divine message has been twisted into a sarcastic jest, and in response, God declares that He will impose a *true* burden—the burden of His judgment—upon them precisely because of their mockery.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 23:38 powerfully articulates the profound sanctity of God's word and the severe, unavoidable consequences of treating divine revelation with contempt. It reveals God's deep and righteous displeasure with a people who had become so spiritually callous that they mocked the very messages intended for their repentance, salvation, and well-being. This passage unequivocally underscores that disrespect for God's word is, at its core, a direct and grievous disrespect for God Himself. It speaks to the absolute authority of God's pronouncements and the inescapable accountability of humanity for how they receive and respond to His truth. The "burden of the LORD" was not merely a human concept or a general message, but a divinely inspired communication, and its trivialization represented a dangerous spiritual rebellion that inevitably invited divine wrath and judgment.

* [Deuteronomy 18:20](/deuteronomy/18-20 "Deuteronomy 18:20 - The Prophet Who Speaks in My Name")
* [Proverbs 1:7](/proverbs/1-7 "Proverbs 1:7 - The Fear of the Lord")
* [2 Timothy 3:16](/2_timothy/3-16 "2 Timothy 3:16 - All Scripture is God-Breathed")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 23:38 serves as a timeless and potent warning against spiritual flippancy and profound irreverence towards God's truth. In an era where sacred things are often casually dismissed or outright trivialized, this verse calls believers to adopt a profound posture of humility, awe, and reverence when approaching God's word. It compels us to deeply examine our own hearts: Do we receive God's commands, His challenging teachings, or His convicting truths as an unwelcome "burden" to be shrugged off, or as life-giving, transformative truth to be embraced with gratitude? Are our conversations about spiritual matters, our discussions of Scripture, and our expressions of faith marked by genuine sincerity, profound respect, and thoughtful consideration, or by casualness, cynicism, or even outright mockery? This passage powerfully reminds us that God takes our words seriously, especially those concerning Him and His divine revelation. It compels us to cultivate a deep and abiding respect for the Bible, recognizing it as the living, authoritative, and holy voice of our Creator, and to diligently guard our tongues against any speech that would diminish its sacred weight or dishonor God's holy name.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I personally receive challenging or convicting passages from the Bible? Do I view them as a "burden" or as necessary truth for spiritual growth and transformation?**
* **In what subtle or overt ways might I, or the Christian community I am a part of, inadvertently trivialize sacred language or God's word in our daily interactions?**
* **What does my speech about God, His commands, His church, and His truth reveal about my true reverence and awe for Him?**
* **How can I actively cultivate a deeper sense of awe, respect, and submission to the authority and holiness of God's word in my daily life and spiritual practices?**

### FAQ

**What was the original meaning of "the burden of the LORD" (massaʼ Yahweh)?**

Answer: Originally, "the burden of the LORD" (Hebrew: *massaʼ Yahweh*) was a legitimate, solemn, and technical prophetic term. The Hebrew word *massaʼ* literally means "a load" or "weight," and in a prophetic context, it referred to a weighty oracle or divine pronouncement, often one that carried a serious message of judgment or doom. Prophets would use it to introduce a divinely inspired message that was considered heavy due to its profound significance or the severe consequences it foretold. This usage can be observed in other prophetic books, such as [Isaiah 13:1](/isaiah/13-1 "Isaiah 13:1 - The Burden of Babylon") and [Nahum 1:1](/nahum/1-1 "Nahum 1:1 - The Burden of Nineveh"), where it introduces a pronouncement of judgment against nations or cities.

**Why was God so angry about the people using this phrase?**

Answer: God's anger stemmed from the people's profound irreverence and mocking misuse of a sacred and solemn term. They were not employing "the burden of the LORD" in its original, reverent sense to introduce a solemn prophetic message. Instead, they used it sarcastically, treating God's genuine messages (especially those delivered by Jeremiah, which often spoke of impending judgment and exile) as an unwelcome, tiresome, and annoying imposition. This flippant and contemptuous attitude demonstrated a deep-seated disrespect for God's word and, by extension, for God Himself. Furthermore, God had explicitly commanded them not to use it in this derisive way (as clearly implied in [Jeremiah 23:33](/jeremiah/23-33 "Jeremiah 23:33 - God's Warning Against Mockery")), making their continued use a direct act of rebellion, spiritual contempt, and a profound dishonor to His holy name.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 23:38, with its stern rebuke against the trivialization of God's "burden" or "word," finds its profound fulfillment and transformative reinterpretation in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament prophets faithfully bore the "burden" of God's messages, often heavy with judgment and difficult truths, Jesus is revealed as the ultimate **Word of God** incarnate ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God")). He is not merely a messenger who delivers a divine burden, but He *is* the message itself, the very embodiment of divine revelation, the definitive and final word from God to humanity ([Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1-2 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Has Spoken Through His Son")). Furthermore, Jesus bore the ultimate "burden"—the crushing weight of humanity's sin and the full measure of God's righteous wrath—upon the cross, becoming the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). In stark contrast to the heavy, unwelcome burdens imposed by the legalistic religious leaders of His day, Jesus extends a gracious invitation to all who are weary and heavy-laden to come to Him, promising that His [yoke is easy and His burden is light](/matthew/11-28-30 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary"). The irreverence and defiance condemned in Jeremiah 23:38 highlight humanity's inherent propensity to reject God's truth; yet, in Christ, God's definitive word has been spoken, and those who receive Him with humble faith find not a burdensome imposition, but profound liberation, rest for their souls, and eternal life ([John 8:31-32](/john/8-31-32 "John 8:31-32 - The Truth Will Set You Free")).

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

2 Chronicles 11:13

¶ And the priests and the Levites that [were] in all Israel resorted to him out of all their coasts.

2 Chronicles 11:14

For the Levites left their suburbs and their possession, and came to Judah and Jerusalem: for Jeroboam and his sons had cast them off from executing the priest's office unto the LORD: