Jeremiah 23:9

KJV

¶ Mine heart within me is broken because of the prophets; all my bones shake; I am like a drunken man, and like a man whom wine hath overcome, because of the LORD, and because of the words of his holiness.

KJV (with Strong's)

Mine heart {H3820} within {H7130} me is broken {H7665} because of the prophets {H5030}; all my bones {H6106} shake {H7363}; I am like a drunken {H7910} man {H376}, and like a man {H1397} whom wine {H3196} hath overcome {H5674}, because {H6440} of the LORD {H3068}, and because of the words {H1697} of his holiness {H6944}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Concerning the prophets: My heart within me is broken, all my bones are shaking; I am like a drunk, like a man overcome by wine, because of ADONAI, because of his holy words.

Berean Standard Bible

As for the prophets: My heart is broken within me, and all my bones tremble. I have become like a drunkard, like a man overcome by wine, because of the LORD, because of His holy words.

American Standard Version

Concerning the prophets. My heart within me is broken, all my bones shake; I am like a drunken man, and like a man whom wine hath overcome, because of Jehovah, and because of his holy words.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 23:9 vividly portrays the prophet Jeremiah's profound physical and emotional distress, a direct consequence of the widespread corruption of false prophecy in Judah and the overwhelming, awe-inspiring weight of God's unblemished holiness and His authoritative words. This verse serves as a visceral depiction of the true prophet's agony, not from personal sin, but from bearing the divine burden of truth in an era of pervasive deception and impending divine judgment upon a rebellious nation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within Jeremiah's passionate indictment of the false prophets in [Jeremiah chapter 23](/jeremiah/23 "Jeremiah 23 - Denunciation of False Prophets and Promise of the Righteous Branch"). Prior to this personal lament, Jeremiah has already pronounced judgment on the "shepherds" (leaders) who scatter God's flock, promising a future "Righteous Branch" (the Messiah) who will gather and justly rule them ([Jeremiah 23:1-8](/jeremiah/23-1-8 "Jeremiah 23:1-8 - The Righteous Branch")). Immediately following Jeremiah's personal anguish in verse 9, he continues his scathing critique of the false prophets, exposing their immorality, their theft of God's words, and their deceptive messages of "peace" when God's judgment was imminent ([Jeremiah 23:10-32](/jeremiah/23-10-32 "Jeremiah 23:10-32 - Exposure of False Prophets")). Jeremiah's visceral reaction in this verse thus serves as a stark contrast to the carefree, unburdened pronouncements of the false prophets, powerfully underscoring the authenticity, cost, and profound spiritual burden of true prophetic ministry.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah prophesied during one of the most tumultuous periods in Judah's history, spanning the reigns of the last kings before the Babylonian exile (c. 627-586 BC). This era was marked by profound spiritual decline, pervasive idolatry, social injustice, and a widespread disregard for God's covenant. False prophets were rampant, often operating within the temple system, offering popular, reassuring messages of "peace and safety" that directly contradicted God's true word, thereby pacifying the people and preventing genuine repentance. Jeremiah's ministry was profoundly counter-cultural and deeply unpopular, as he faithfully delivered God's unpopular messages of impending judgment and exile. His anguish in this verse reflects the immense pressure and spiritual isolation of delivering such a message in a society steeped in comforting lies.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 23:9 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Jeremiah. It vividly portrays the **burden of true prophecy**, demonstrating the immense personal cost of delivering God's uncompromised truth to a rebellious people. Jeremiah's physical and emotional distress highlights the **holiness and power of God's word**, which, unlike the empty words of the false prophets, carries an overwhelming weight that profoundly impacts the one who speaks it. This verse also implicitly underscores the **contrast between true and false prophecy**, where authentic ministry is characterized by anguish over sin and a deep reverence for God's holiness, as opposed to the self-serving, comforting lies of the deceivers. This theme is further developed in passages like [Jeremiah 20:9](/jeremiah/20-9 "Jeremiah 20:9 - Jeremiah's Burning Fire") where Jeremiah describes God's word as a burning fire within him, and [Jeremiah 23:16-17](/jeremiah/23-16-17 "Jeremiah 23:16-17 - Warning Against False Prophets") where he directly warns the people against listening to the false prophets.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **heart (Hebrew, _lêb'_):** From H3820, this term refers to the innermost being of a person, encompassing not only emotions and feelings but also the will, intellect, and conscience. Jeremiah's "broken" heart indicates a profound, comprehensive internal shattering, affecting his entire inner person, not merely superficial sadness. It speaks to the core of his identity being deeply impacted by the spiritual corruption around him.
* **broken (Hebrew, _shâbar'_):** From H7665, this verb means to burst, shatter, or crush. It denotes an intense, violent breaking, suggesting a complete collapse or fragmentation. When applied to Jeremiah's heart, it conveys an overwhelming and destructive internal pain, far beyond mere sorrow, indicating a profound spiritual and emotional trauma caused by the magnitude of the situation, especially the affront to God's holiness.
* **words (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** From H1697, this term is rich in meaning, referring not just to spoken utterances but also to matters, affairs, decrees, or even the very essence of something. In the context of "words of his holiness," it refers to God's divine pronouncements, His authoritative message, and the very nature of His holy character expressed through His revelation. Jeremiah's anguish is a direct response to the profound impact and unyielding truth of these holy words, which stand in stark contrast to the lies of the false prophets.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Mine heart within me is broken because of the prophets;":** Jeremiah begins by revealing his profound internal devastation. His "heart" (his innermost being, will, and intellect) is not merely sad but utterly "broken" or shattered. This intense anguish is directly attributed to "the prophets," specifically the false prophets whose pervasive deception and corruption were leading the people astray and bringing God's judgment upon the nation. Jeremiah's pain is a vicarious experience of God's own grief and righteous anger.
* **"all my bones shake; I am like a drunken man, and like a man whom wine hath overcome,":** The internal agony manifests physically. His "bones," representing the very framework and strength of his body, "shake" or tremble uncontrollably. This physical trembling is so severe that he compares himself to a "drunken man" or one "overcome" by wine. This vivid simile conveys a complete loss of physical and emotional control, a state of overwhelming disorientation and weakness, not from actual intoxication, but from the immense spiritual burden he carries due to the confrontation between divine holiness and human sin.
* **"because of the LORD, and because of the words of his holiness.":** The ultimate and deepest source of Jeremiah's profound distress is revealed. His anguish is not merely due to the false prophets' actions in isolation, but because their actions stand in stark opposition to "the LORD" Himself (H3068, _Yᵉhôvâh_) and "the words of his holiness" (H6944, _qôdesh_). Jeremiah's intimate knowledge of God's pure and holy character, and the unblemished truth of His divine word, makes the widespread deception and sin unbearable, causing him to feel the weight of God's righteous indignation and impending judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 23:9 employs several powerful literary devices to convey the prophet's intense anguish and the overwhelming nature of his prophetic burden. **Hyperbole** is powerfully evident in phrases like "Mine heart within me is broken" and "all my bones shake," emphasizing the extreme and overwhelming nature of his distress beyond normal human experience. This exaggeration underscores the profound spiritual burden Jeremiah carries. The verse also features a vivid **Simile**, comparing Jeremiah's state to "a drunken man, and like a man whom wine hath overcome." This comparison effectively communicates a sense of disorientation, loss of control, and overwhelming physical and emotional impact, suggesting that the weight of God's truth and the sin of the false prophets have an effect akin to severe intoxication. Furthermore, there is a clear **Contrast** implied between Jeremiah's genuine, agonizing response to God's holiness and the superficial, unburdened pronouncements of the false prophets, highlighting the authenticity and immense cost of his prophetic calling.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 23:9 profoundly illustrates the immense burden of being a true prophet of God, particularly in a time of widespread spiritual apostasy. Jeremiah's physical and emotional collapse underscores the terrifying reality of God's unapproachable holiness and the devastating impact of His pure word when confronted with human sin and deception. His agony is a vicarious experience of God's own grief and righteous anger over the corruption of His people and the perversion of His message by false prophets. This verse highlights that genuine encounter with divine truth and holiness is not a light matter; it can be overwhelming, breaking the human vessel that carries it. Yet, it is precisely this brokenness that authenticates the prophet's message as truly from God, in stark contrast to the self-serving ease of the false prophets who offer only comforting lies.

* [Psalm 119:136](/psalms/119-136 "Psalm 119:136 - Rivers of Tears for God's Law")
* [Habakkuk 3:16](/habakkuk/3-16 "Habakkuk 3:16 - Trembling at God's Voice and Judgment")
* [2 Corinthians 11:28-29](/2_corinthians/11-28-29 "2 Corinthians 11:28-29 - Paul's Daily Burden for the Churches")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 23:9 offers a profound challenge to contemporary believers, calling us to a deeper reverence for God's holiness and His word, and to cultivate a discerning spirit in an age saturated with competing voices. Jeremiah's brokenness reminds us that true spiritual insight and prophetic sensitivity often come with a significant cost, demanding a profound sensitivity to sin and a willingness to feel the weight of God's truth, even when it is uncomfortable or unpopular. We are called not to seek comforting lies, but to embrace the transformative power of God's unvarnished word, allowing it to expose our own hearts and the deceptions around us. This verse encourages us to cultivate a heart that grieves over sin, both personal and societal, and to stand firm for truth, even when it means experiencing personal anguish or unpopularity. It is a call to authentic faith, marked by a profound respect for the Lord and His holy utterances, and a willingness to bear the burden of truth in a world that often prefers deception.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways does God's holiness and the truth of His word impact your own heart and life? Do you experience a similar "brokenness" or conviction when confronted with sin or spiritual deception?**
* **How can we cultivate a greater discernment in our own lives to distinguish between true spiritual messages and those that are comforting but ultimately deceptive?**
* **What is the cost of standing for God's truth in our current cultural climate, and how does Jeremiah's experience encourage us to embrace that cost for the sake of God's glory and the good of others?**

### FAQ
**What does Jeremiah mean by his heart being "broken because of the prophets"?**

Answer: Jeremiah's "broken heart" (from H3820, _lêb_, meaning the innermost being; and H7665, _shâbar_, meaning to shatter or crush) signifies a profound, crushing internal anguish. This is not merely sadness but a deep spiritual and emotional trauma that affects his entire being. It is "because of the prophets" (H5030, _nâbîyʼ_) in the sense that the false prophets' widespread deception, their lies, and their leading the people astray directly contradicted God's holy character and His true word. Jeremiah, as a faithful prophet, felt the immense weight of God's grief and righteous anger over this spiritual corruption, which manifested as a shattering within his very being. His pain was a reflection of God's own pain and impending judgment.

**Why does Jeremiah compare himself to a "drunken man" in this context?**

Answer: Jeremiah's comparison to a "drunken man" (H7910, _shikkôwr_) or one "whom wine" (H3196, _yayin_) "hath overcome" (H5674, _ʻâbar_) is a powerful simile. It conveys a state of utter physical and emotional disorientation, a loss of control, and overwhelming weakness. He is not literally intoxicated, but the sheer impact of God's holy presence and the devastating reality of the false prophets' sin and the judgment it portends have produced an effect akin to severe drunkenness. It illustrates that the divine revelation and the burden of God's truth are so potent that they can physically and mentally incapacitate the prophet, demonstrating the immense spiritual weight he bears as he stands in the gap between a holy God and a rebellious people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah's profound anguish in this verse, stemming from the holiness of God and the corruption of His people by false prophets, finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in Jesus Christ. Jeremiah, often called the "weeping prophet," foreshadows the [Man of Sorrows](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - Jesus, the Man of Sorrows"), Jesus, who perfectly embodied God's holiness and bore the full weight of human sin and deception. While Jeremiah's heart was broken because of the prophets' lies and the people's rebellion, Jesus' heart was broken not only by the rejection of His own people but by the crushing burden of the world's sin, culminating in His agony in Gethsemane and on the cross. He was truly "overcome" by the cup of God's wrath against sin, yet He willingly drank it ([Matthew 26:39](/matthew/26-39 "Matthew 26:39 - Jesus' Prayer of Submission")). Jesus is the true Prophet, whose "words of holiness" ([John 6:68](/john/6-68 "John 6:68 - Words of Eternal Life")) were not merely spoken but perfectly lived and fulfilled. Unlike the false prophets who offered empty promises, Jesus offered Himself as the ultimate sacrifice, taking away the sin of the world and ushering in an era of genuine restoration and truth ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). His suffering and perfect obedience provide the ultimate answer to the brokenness caused by sin and the false words of humanity, offering true peace and reconciliation.

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

Habakkuk 3:16

¶ When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: when he cometh up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops.

Daniel 8:27

And I Daniel fainted, and was sick [certain] days; afterward I rose up, and did the king's business; and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood [it].

Isaiah 51:21

Therefore hear now this, thou afflicted, and drunken, but not with wine:

Lamentations 3:15

He hath filled me with bitterness, he hath made me drunken with wormwood.

Psalms 60:3

Thou hast shewed thy people hard things: thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment.

Isaiah 6:5

¶ Then said I, Woe [is] me! for I am undone; because I [am] a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.

Jeremiah 5:31

The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love [to have it] so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?