Jeremiah 23:39

Therefore, behold, I, even I, will utterly forget you, and I will forsake you, and the city that I gave you and your fathers, [and cast you] out of my presence:

Therefore, behold, I, even I, will utterly {H5377} forget {H5382} you, and I will forsake {H5203} you, and the city {H5892} that I gave {H5414} you and your fathers {H1}, and cast you out of my presence {H6440}:

I will lift you up, burden that you are, and throw you off, away from my presence - you and the city I gave you and your ancestors.

therefore I will surely forget you and will cast you out of My presence, both you and the city that I gave to you and your fathers.

therefore, behold, I will utterly forget you, and I will cast you off, and the city that I gave unto you and to your fathers, away from my presence:

Commentary on Jeremiah 23:39 (KJV)

Jeremiah 23:39 delivers a stark divine declaration of judgment against the people of Judah, specifically in the context of their spiritual rebellion and the pervasive influence of false prophets. This verse encapsulates God's severe response to those who have corrupted His word and His name.

Context

This verse is part of a larger discourse in Jeremiah 23 where the prophet condemns the false prophets who mislead the people with their own dreams and lies, rather than speaking the true word of God. The Lord repeatedly challenges their claim to have spoken a "burden of the Lord" (Jeremiah 23:33). God declares that He will "forget" (or "lift") the people as a burden, implying removal and judgment, directly countering their misuse of this phrase. This judgment is not only against the false prophets but also extends to the people who accepted their lies and to Jerusalem itself, the very city God had given them.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment: The verse highlights God's absolute sovereignty and His willingness to execute severe judgment when His covenant is broken and His word is defiled. The repetition "I, even I," emphasizes the certainty and directness of God's action.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: It serves as a powerful warning about the severe repercussions of spiritual rebellion, particularly the embrace of false teachings and the rejection of true prophecy. This echoes the warnings found in Deuteronomy 28 regarding covenant curses.
  • Loss of God's Presence: The phrase "cast you out of my presence" signifies the ultimate removal of divine favor, protection, and blessing. For ancient Israel, being cast out of God's presence was the most terrifying consequence, leading to exile and the destruction of their beloved city, Jerusalem.
  • God's Holiness and Justice: The passage underscores God's unwavering holiness and His commitment to justice. He cannot tolerate persistent sin and the desecration of His name.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "utterly forget" (נָשָׁה - nashah) here carries a double meaning. While it means "to forget," in the broader context of Jeremiah 23:33-38, it also plays on the word for "burden" (מַשָּׂא - massa'). God is essentially saying, "I will lift you up and cast you away like a burden," turning their flippant use of "the burden of the Lord" back upon them as a heavy judgment. To be "cast out of my presence" (מֵעַל פָּנָי - me'al panay) literally means "from upon my face," signifying a complete and final removal from God's direct sight and favor, as lamented in Psalm 51:11.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 23:39 serves as a timeless reminder of the seriousness of our relationship with God and His word. It calls believers to:

  1. Discern Truth: Be vigilant against false teachings and those who twist God's word for their own gain. We are called to test all spirits and teachings against the standard of Scripture (1 John 4:1).
  2. Reverence for God's Name: Treat God's name and His word with the utmost reverence, understanding that misusing or profaning them carries severe consequences.
  3. Acknowledge Consequences: Understand that disobedience and spiritual apathy can lead to a sense of God's absence or removal of His blessings, even if God's ultimate faithfulness remains.

This verse, while depicting severe judgment, ultimately highlights God's demand for genuine faith and obedience from His people.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Jeremiah 23:33

    ¶ And when this people, or the prophet, or a priest, shall ask thee, saying, What [is] the burden of the LORD? thou shalt then say unto them, What burden? I will even forsake you, saith the LORD.

  • Ezekiel 8:18

    Therefore will I also deal in fury: mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: and though they cry in mine ears with a loud voice, [yet] will I not hear them.

  • Ezekiel 6:3

    And say, Ye mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Lord GOD; Thus saith the Lord GOD to the mountains, and to the hills, to the rivers, and to the valleys; Behold, I, [even] I, will bring a sword upon you, and I will destroy your high places.

  • Isaiah 48:15

    I, [even] I, have spoken; yea, I have called him: I have brought him, and he shall make his way prosperous.

  • Leviticus 26:28

    Then I will walk contrary unto you also in fury; and I, even I, will chastise you seven times for your sins.

  • Matthew 25:41

    Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

  • Hosea 5:14

    For I [will be] unto Ephraim as a lion, and as a young lion to the house of Judah: I, [even] I, will tear and go away; I will take away, and none shall rescue [him].

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