Jeremiah 23:40

KJV

And I will bring an everlasting reproach upon you, and a perpetual shame, which shall not be forgotten.

KJV (with Strong's)

And I will bring {H5414} an everlasting {H5769} reproach {H2781} upon you, and a perpetual {H5769} shame {H3640}, which shall not be forgotten {H7911}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then I will subject you to everlasting disgrace - eternal, unforgettable shame."

Berean Standard Bible

And I will bring upon you everlasting shame and perpetual humiliation that will never be forgotten.”

American Standard Version

and I will bring an everlasting reproach upon you, and a perpetual shame, which shall not be forgotten.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 23:40 delivers a climactic and severe pronouncement of divine judgment against the false prophets and unfaithful leaders of Judah, declaring that their spiritual rebellion, deceptive messages, and corruption of God's word will result in an "everlasting reproach" and "perpetual shame" that will never be forgotten. This verse powerfully underscores God's unwavering justice, the sanctity of His truth, and the enduring consequences for those who mislead His people and dishonor His name.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 23:40 serves as the devastating culmination of a protracted and scathing indictment against the false prophets and unfaithful shepherds of Israel, which commences earlier in the chapter. Jeremiah, known as the "weeping prophet" due to his lamentations and prophecies of judgment, meticulously details how these leaders have scattered God's flock, spoken lies in His name, and offered false assurances of peace and prosperity, directly contradicting God's true message of impending judgment and a call to repentance. Verses 33-39 specifically target the people's irreverent and mocking misuse of the phrase "the burden of the LORD" (Hebrew: *massa'*), transforming God's solemn and weighty prophetic oracle into a flippant jest. In response to their perversion of His words and their disregard for His genuine message, God declares that He will "utterly forget" them and cast them out of His presence, along with the city of Jerusalem. Jeremiah 23:40, therefore, acts as the final, indelible stroke, summarizing the permanent and unforgettable nature of the disgrace that will befall those who have so grievously dishonored God and His truth.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah's prophetic ministry unfolded during a profoundly tumultuous period in Judah's history, spanning the reigns of several kings (Josiah, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, Zedekiah) leading up to the catastrophic Babylonian exile in the late 7th and early 6th centuries BCE. The nation was in a state of profound spiritual decline, characterized by rampant idolatry, pervasive social injustice, and a widespread disregard for God's covenant and laws. Within this deteriorating environment, false prophets thrived, often tailoring their messages to align with the desires of the people and the prevailing political establishment, promising peace and security even as the shadow of destruction loomed. These opportunistic prophets stood in stark contrast to true prophets like Jeremiah, who faithfully delivered unpopular messages of repentance, impending judgment, and the necessity of submission to God's will. The concepts of "reproach" and "shame" mentioned in the verse would have carried immense weight in the ancient Near Eastern honor-shame culture, where public reputation, social standing, and one's legacy were paramount. To be subjected to an "everlasting reproach" meant not only immediate public humiliation but a permanent, indelible stain on one's name, family, and lineage, effectively a profound and enduring cultural curse that transcended individual lifespan.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes prominent within the book of Jeremiah and the broader prophetic literature. Primarily, it highlights the theme of **Divine Judgment and Accountability**, demonstrating God's righteous wrath against those who abuse their spiritual authority and corrupt His sacred word. The "everlasting reproach" signifies that God's justice is not temporary but carries lasting, indelible consequences for profound spiritual rebellion, contrasting sharply with the divine promise of removing shame from the repentant, as seen in [Isaiah 54:4](/isaiah/54-4 "Isaiah 54:4 - God's Promise to His Redeemed"). Secondly, it underscores the **Integrity and Sanctity of God's Word**. The severe condemnation of those who tamper with, dilute, or distort God's message emphasizes His fierce protection over His truth, reinforcing the imperative for faithful proclamation and reception of divine revelation. This theme is echoed throughout Scripture, with severe warnings against false prophecy, such as in [Deuteronomy 18:20](/deuteronomy/18-20 "Deuteronomy 18:20 - Consequences of False Prophecy"). Finally, the verse speaks to the **Enduring Nature of Consequences**, particularly for unfaithfulness in spiritual leadership. The "perpetual shame, which shall not be forgotten" indicates that the impact of one's actions, especially in the realm of divine truth, can extend far beyond their lifetime, serving as a perpetual warning and a testament to God's unwavering justice.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Reproach (Hebrew, _cherpâh'_):** From H2781, this word signifies contumely, disgrace, or public scorn. It denotes a profound loss of honor and status, often associated with humiliation and public shaming. In this context, it is the divinely ordained consequence for the false prophets' egregious betrayal, marking them with an indelible stain of dishonor that will be publicly known.
* **Shame (Hebrew, _kᵉlimmûwth'_):** From H3640, this term directly means disgrace or shame. While similar to "reproach," "kᵉlimmûwth" often carries a stronger sense of inner humiliation, confusion, and a feeling of being utterly confounded and disgraced. Its pairing with "reproach" in the verse intensifies the severity and comprehensiveness of the judgment, encompassing both external dishonor and internal humiliation.
* **Everlasting/Perpetual (Hebrew, _ʻôwlâm'_):** From H5769, this word describes something concealed, extending to the vanishing point, thus signifying eternity or time out of mind (past or future). When applied to "reproach" and "shame," it emphasizes the enduring, permanent, and unforgettable nature of the judgment. This is not a temporary setback but a lasting state of disgrace that will persist through generations and throughout history.
* **Forgotten (Hebrew, _shâkach'_):** From H7911, this primitive root means to mislay or to be oblivious of, implying a lack of memory or attention. The phrase "which shall not be forgotten" (a negative construction, literally "not be forgotten") powerfully reinforces the permanence of the reproach and shame. It means that the memory of their transgression and its resulting disgrace will be perpetually preserved, serving as a lasting testimony to God's justice and a warning to future generations.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I will bring an everlasting reproach upon you":** This clause establishes God as the sovereign and active agent of judgment ("I will bring"). The "reproach" (cherpâh) is not merely a natural consequence of their actions but a direct, intentional imposition by God Himself. The term "everlasting" (ʻôwlâm) underscores the permanent and unending nature of this disgrace, signifying that the dishonor brought upon them will persist indefinitely, a perpetual mark of divine condemnation that cannot be expunged.
* **"and a perpetual shame":** This phrase serves as a powerful parallel to the preceding clause, intensifying and broadening the scope of the judgment. "Perpetual" (again, ʻôwlâm) reiterates the enduring quality of the "shame" (kᵉlimmûwth), which implies deep humiliation and disgrace. The parallelism emphasizes the comprehensive and inescapable nature of the divine verdict, where both public dishonor and profound internal humiliation are divinely ordained and will last forever.
* **"which shall not be forgotten":** This final clause provides a definitive statement about the permanence and indelible nature of the judgment. It means that the memory of their unfaithfulness, their corruption of God's word, and its resulting disgrace will not fade with time or be erased from history. This serves as a perpetual warning, a lasting testimony to God's unwavering justice, and ensures that the consequences of their rebellion will remain a lasting example for all generations to behold and remember.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 23:40 employs several potent literary devices to convey the severity and permanence of God's judgment. **Parallelism** is prominently featured in the pairing of "everlasting reproach" and "perpetual shame," where two distinct yet semantically similar phrases are used to reinforce and intensify the same core idea of enduring disgrace and condemnation. This repetition emphasizes the comprehensive and inescapable nature of the divine verdict. The use of **Hyperbole** or strong, emphatic language (e.g., "everlasting," "perpetual," "shall not be forgotten") underscores the absolute and irreversible nature of the consequences, ensuring that the audience fully grasps the gravity of God's wrath against false prophecy and spiritual deception. The verse also functions as a direct **Divine Pronouncement**, with God Himself declaring the judgment, lending it ultimate authority, certainty, and an undeniable finality. Furthermore, the abstract concepts of "reproach" and "shame" are treated almost as tangible entities that God "brings" upon the offenders, a form of **Figurative Language** that makes the judgment feel inescapable, concrete, and personally imposed by the Almighty.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 23:40 is a profound theological statement on the nature of divine justice, particularly concerning those entrusted with the sacred task of proclaiming God's word. It reveals that God is not indifferent to the corruption of truth, the manipulation of His revelation, or the misleading of His people. The "everlasting reproach" and "perpetual shame" signify a judgment that transcends mere temporal punishment, impacting legacy, memory, and spiritual standing in a way that serves as a perpetual warning across generations. This speaks to the absolute sanctity of God's revelation and the immense, awesome responsibility of those who handle it, asserting that divine accountability for spiritual deception is certain and its consequences can be eternal in their impact and remembrance.

* [Daniel 12:2](/daniel/12-2 "Daniel 12:2 - Everlasting Life and Everlasting Contempt")
* [Isaiah 66:24](/isaiah/66-24 "Isaiah 66:24 - A Perpetual Abhorrence")
* [Matthew 25:46](/matthew/25-46 "Matthew 25:46 - Eternal Punishment and Eternal Life")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 23:40 stands as a timeless and profoundly sobering warning for all who claim to speak for God, and equally for all who listen. For those in positions of spiritual leadership, teaching, or communication, it is a stark reminder of the immense weight of responsibility that accompanies handling God's sacred and infallible word. The consequences for misrepresenting divine truth, whether through deliberate deception, careless handling, or self-serving distortion, are presented as severe and enduring. This calls for utmost humility, rigorous and faithful study of Scripture, and unwavering integrity in ministry, ensuring that the message proclaimed is truly God's and not merely human opinion, cultural trends, or self-serving rhetoric. For individual believers, this verse encourages profound discernment. It challenges us to be like the Bereans, who "examined the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so" ([Acts 17:11](/acts/17-11 "Acts 17:11 - The Bereans' Diligence")). We are called to diligently test all teachings and messages against the unchanging, inspired standard of God's Word, recognizing that both the speaker and the hearer are accountable for the truth. Ultimately, this passage affirms God's righteous and just character; He is a God who will not tolerate the abuse of His name or the harm of His flock, ensuring that truth and integrity will ultimately prevail, and that those who corrupt it will face lasting consequences.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might modern-day leaders or communicators be susceptible to the temptations of false prophecy, even unintentionally, by prioritizing popularity or personal gain over biblical truth?**
* **How can individual believers cultivate greater spiritual discernment to recognize and resist messages that subtly or overtly deviate from God's revealed truth?**
* **What is the personal responsibility of each believer to uphold the integrity of God's word in their own lives, conversations, and the communities they inhabit?**
* **How does the concept of "everlasting reproach" motivate us to live lives of integrity, faithfulness, and reverence before God, especially in how we speak about Him?**

### FAQ

**What is the "burden of the LORD" that the people were misusing in Jeremiah 23?**

Answer: In the prophetic tradition, a "burden" (Hebrew: *massa'*) referred to a weighty, authoritative prophetic oracle, often one of judgment or impending doom, delivered by God through His prophet. It conveyed the solemnity and gravity of God's message. However, in [Jeremiah 23:33-39](/jeremiah/23-33-39 "Jeremiah 23:33-39 - The Burden of the Lord"), the people, particularly the false prophets, were using this phrase irreverently, turning it into a lighthearted jest or a sarcastic challenge to Jeremiah. They would ask, "What is the burden of the LORD?" as if expecting some trivial or predictable pronouncement, thereby mocking God's serious word and reducing His divine revelation to a triviality. God's response is that He will make them the "burden" (i.e., a heavy load of judgment) and cast them off, along with Jerusalem, for their irreverence and corruption of His message.

**Does "everlasting reproach" mean eternal damnation in the sense of hell?**

Answer: While [Jeremiah 23:40](/jeremiah/23-40 "Jeremiah 23:40 - Everlasting Reproach") speaks of an "everlasting reproach" and "perpetual shame," the primary focus in this Old Testament context is on the lasting, indelible disgrace and historical condemnation that would befall the false prophets and unfaithful leaders of Judah. It signifies that their legacy would be forever marked by their unfaithfulness, serving as a perpetual warning and a monument to divine judgment. While the language of "everlasting" (Hebrew: *ʻôwlâm*) can indeed refer to eternity in other contexts (e.g., God's eternal nature, eternal covenant, or the eternal punishment described in [Daniel 12:2](/daniel/12-2 "Daniel 12:2 - Everlasting Life and Everlasting Contempt")), here it emphasizes the enduring nature of the *reproach* and *shame* in human memory and divine judgment, rather than explicitly detailing the specifics of an afterlife punishment. However, it certainly implies a severe and permanent separation from God's favor and blessing, which can be seen as a precursor to New Testament concepts of eternal separation from God for those who reject His truth.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Jeremiah 23:40 pronounces an "everlasting reproach" upon those who corrupt God's word and mislead His people, the New Testament reveals how Jesus Christ, the true Word of God incarnate, uniquely fulfills and transcends this concept by taking the ultimate reproach upon Himself, thereby offering a way for humanity to escape perpetual shame. Christ became "a reproach of men, and despised of the people" ([Psalm 22:6](/psalm/22-6 "Psalm 22:6 - A Reproach of Men")) when He hung on the cross, bearing the shame, curse, and public disgrace that was justly due to us for our own sin and rebellion ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse")). He, who knew no sin, "became sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Through His perfect sacrifice and resurrection, the "perpetual shame" of sin and rebellion, which would otherwise lead to eternal separation from God and an everlasting reproach, is removed for all who believe and trust in Him. Instead of an unforgettable reproach, believers are clothed with Christ's righteousness and given "an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you" ([1 Peter 1:4](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - An Imperishable Inheritance")). Thus, the judgment pronounced in [Jeremiah 23:40](/jeremiah/23-40 "Jeremiah 23:40 - Everlasting Reproach") highlights the profound severity of sin and the unwavering integrity of God's justice, while Christ's redemptive work on the cross offers the divine solution, transforming everlasting reproach into everlasting glory and honor for those redeemed by His precious blood.

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

Jeremiah 20:11

But the LORD [is] with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper: [their] everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten.

Ezekiel 5:14

Moreover I will make thee waste, and a reproach among the nations that [are] round about thee, in the sight of all that pass by.

Ezekiel 5:15

So it shall be a reproach and a taunt, an instruction and an astonishment unto the nations that [are] round about thee, when I shall execute judgments in thee in anger and in fury and in furious rebukes. I the LORD have spoken [it].

Jeremiah 42:18

For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; As mine anger and my fury hath been poured forth upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem; so shall my fury be poured forth upon you, when ye shall enter into Egypt: and ye shall be an execration, and an astonishment, and a curse, and a reproach; and ye shall see this place no more.

Jeremiah 44:8

In that ye provoke me unto wrath with the works of your hands, burning incense unto other gods in the land of Egypt, whither ye be gone to dwell, that ye might cut yourselves off, and that ye might be a curse and a reproach among all the nations of the earth?

Jeremiah 44:12

And I will take the remnant of Judah, that have set their faces to go into the land of Egypt to sojourn there, and they shall all be consumed, [and] fall in the land of Egypt; they shall [even] be consumed by the sword [and] by the famine: they shall die, from the least even unto the greatest, by the sword and by the famine: and they shall be an execration, [and] an astonishment, and a curse, and a reproach.

Deuteronomy 28:37

And thou shalt become an astonishment, a proverb, and a byword, among all nations whither the LORD shall lead thee.