Jeremiah 9:23

KJV

¶ Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise [man] glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty [man] glory in his might, let not the rich [man] glory in his riches:

KJV (with Strong's)

Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}, Let not the wise {H2450} man glory {H1984} in his wisdom {H2451}, neither let the mighty {H1368} man glory {H1984} in his might {H1369}, let not the rich {H6223} man glory {H1984} in his riches {H6239}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Here is what ADONAI says: "The wise man should not boast of his wisdom, the powerful should not boast of his power, the wealthy should not boast of his wealth;

Berean Standard Bible

This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the wealthy man in his riches.

American Standard Version

Thus saith Jehovah, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 9:23 delivers a profound divine declaration from the LORD, unequivocally warning against the human tendency to find ultimate pride, security, or identity in finite earthly achievements or possessions. It serves as a stark prophetic challenge to the common boasts of humanity—wisdom, strength, and wealth—setting the stage for the subsequent revelation of what truly merits glory and understanding. This verse underscores the futility of relying on human capacities and redirects focus towards a proper understanding of divine sovereignty.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal statement within a broader section of Jeremiah (chapters 7-10) that pronounces judgment against Judah for their spiritual apostasy, idolatry, and misplaced trust. Immediately preceding [Jeremiah 9:23](/jeremiah/9-23 "Jeremiah 9:23 - The Futility of Earthly Boasting"), Jeremiah laments the moral decay and spiritual blindness of the people, expressing deep sorrow over their impending destruction. The lament in [Jeremiah 9:1-22](/jeremiah/9 "Jeremiah 9 - Lament Over Judah's Ruin") vividly portrays the nation's unfaithfulness and the resulting divine wrath. Verse 23 acts as a direct divine oracle, a "Thus saith the LORD," which introduces a sharp contrast to the human folly previously described. It functions as an essential preface to [Jeremiah 9:24](/jeremiah/9-24 "Jeremiah 9:24 - What Truly Merits Glory"), which articulates the only legitimate object of boasting: knowing the LORD. Together, these two verses form a powerful theological couplet on true and false glory.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah ministered during the tumultuous final decades of the Kingdom of Judah (late 7th to early 6th centuries BCE), a period marked by political instability, international threats (Assyria, Egypt, Babylon), and profound spiritual decline. The people of Judah often sought security in human wisdom (e.g., political alliances with powerful nations), military might (relying on chariots and horses rather than God, as seen in [Isaiah 31:1](/isaiah/31-1 "Isaiah 31:1 - Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help")), or material prosperity (believing their temple and wealth would protect them, as challenged in [Jeremiah 7:4](/jeremiah/7-4 "Jeremiah 7:4 - Do not trust in deceptive words")). Jeremiah's message directly confronted this misplaced confidence, which was a form of idolatry, as it elevated human achievements above the sovereign God. In the ancient Near East, kings and nations frequently boasted of their military conquests, architectural achievements, and accumulated wealth, making Jeremiah's condemnation of such boasting a counter-cultural and counter-imperial declaration.
* **Key Themes:** The primary theme is the **futility and danger of human pride and self-reliance**. The verse directly challenges the human tendency to find ultimate value, security, and identity in finite attributes—intellectual prowess, physical or political power, and material possessions. This stands in stark contrast to the **necessity of divine dependence**, emphasizing that true strength, wisdom, and security are found only in God. It also introduces the theme of **true versus false glory**, preparing the audience for the revelation in [Jeremiah 9:24](/jeremiah/9-24 "Jeremiah 9:24 - What Truly Merits Glory") that the only worthy boast is in knowing and understanding the LORD. This passage implicitly highlights the **sovereignty of God** over all human endeavors and the **vanity of earthly pursuits** when they become ends in themselves, rather than means to glorify God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **glory (Hebrew, _hâlal'_):** From H1984, a primitive root meaning "to be clear," "to shine," "to make a show," or "to boast." It carries the sense of exulting in something, making much of it, finding one's identity or security in it, or even being clamorously foolish. In this context, it denotes a boastful self-exaltation, a prideful reliance on one's own attributes. The negative command "Let not... glory" strongly prohibits finding ultimate worth or security in these transient human qualities.
* **wise (Hebrew, _châkâm'_):** From H2450, meaning "wise," "intelligent," "skillful," or "artful." It refers not just to intellectual knowledge but also to practical wisdom, cunning, and expertise in various fields. The prohibition here targets the pride that can arise from one's intellectual capacity, strategic insight, or perceived cleverness, which can lead to self-sufficiency apart from God.
* **mighty (Hebrew, _gibbôwr'_):** From H1368, meaning "powerful," "warrior," "tyrant," "champion," or "strong man." This word encompasses physical strength, military prowess, political influence, and any form of human power or dominance. The verse warns against boasting in one's ability to exert force, control, or achieve victory through human might, reminding that such power is ultimately limited and subject to God's will.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thus saith the LORD,"**: This introductory phrase is a classic prophetic formula, signaling that the following words are not Jeremiah's own but a direct, authoritative oracle from YHWH (H3068, _Yᵉhôvâh_), the covenant God of Israel. It establishes the divine authority and absolute truthfulness of the pronouncement.
* **"Let not the wise [man] glory in his wisdom,"**: This is the first of three parallel prohibitions. It directly forbids a person from finding their ultimate pride or security in their intellectual capacity, knowledge, or strategic acumen. True wisdom, according to biblical understanding, begins with the fear of the LORD and is given by Him, making self-glory in it a misplaced boast.
* **"neither let the mighty [man] glory in his might,"**: The second prohibition extends the warning to physical strength, military power, political influence, or any form of human ability to exert force or control. It cautions against relying on one's own power or the power of human institutions (armies, governments) as the ultimate source of security or success, apart from God.
* **"let not the rich [man] glory in his riches:"**: The final prohibition addresses material wealth and possessions. It warns against finding one's identity, security, or self-worth in accumulated wealth, which is inherently fleeting and cannot guarantee true well-being, happiness, or salvation. This challenges the common human tendency to trust in financial stability above divine provision.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 9:23 employs several potent **literary devices** to emphasize its divine message. The most prominent is **Anaphora**, the repetition of the phrase "Let not..." at the beginning of successive clauses, which creates a strong, rhythmic emphasis on the prohibition against boasting. This repetition underscores the absolute nature of the command and highlights the three specific areas of human pride being addressed. The verse also utilizes **Parallelism**, specifically **synonymous parallelism** in its structure, where each clause reiterates the same core message (do not glory in human attributes) but applies it to a different category (wisdom, might, riches). This creates a cumulative effect, reinforcing the comprehensive nature of the warning. Furthermore, the entire verse functions as a **Divine Oracle Formula**, beginning with "Thus saith the LORD," which immediately establishes the absolute authority and divine origin of the message, elevating it beyond mere human counsel to a direct command from God Himself.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 9:23 serves as a foundational text for understanding the biblical critique of human pride and self-sufficiency. Theologically, it asserts God's absolute sovereignty over all human endeavors, demonstrating that true security, wisdom, and power reside in Him alone. It challenges the idolatry inherent in relying on created things or human capacities rather than the Creator. This passage resonates deeply with the broader biblical narrative that consistently warns against the vanity of earthly pursuits and the dangers of a heart lifted up in pride. It underscores the call to humility and a recognition that all good gifts come from God, and therefore, all glory belongs to Him.

* [Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5 "Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart") - "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." This passage directly contrasts human understanding with divine wisdom and guidance.
* [Psalm 20:7](/psalms/20-7 "Psalm 20:7 - Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God") - "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God." This psalm echoes the warning against trusting in military might or human power.
* [1 Timothy 6:17](/1_timothy/6-17 "1 Timothy 6:17 - Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded") - "Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy." Paul's instruction to Timothy directly addresses the danger of trusting in wealth.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world that often measures success by intellectual achievement, physical prowess, and material accumulation, Jeremiah 9:23 remains profoundly relevant. It calls us to a radical re-evaluation of where we place our ultimate trust and derive our sense of worth. For the individual, this means examining our hearts for subtle forms of pride: intellectual arrogance that dismisses divine revelation, reliance on personal strength or influence rather than God's enabling power, or the deceptive security of financial stability that supplants trust in God's provision. This verse challenges us to cultivate a posture of profound humility, recognizing that our abilities, resources, and even our very lives are gifts from God. True flourishing and lasting peace are found not in what we possess or achieve, but in our relationship with the One who is the source of all true wisdom, might, and enduring riches. It is a call to shift our boasting from the temporal to the eternal, from self to God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life (intellect, abilities, possessions) do you find yourself most tempted to boast or find your security?**
* **How does a focus on human wisdom, might, or riches subtly or overtly diminish your dependence on God?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a posture of humility and redirect your "glorying" from yourself to the Lord?**

### FAQ
**Does Jeremiah 9:23 mean that wisdom, strength, and riches are inherently bad or that we should avoid them?**

Answer: Not at all. The verse does not condemn wisdom, strength, or riches in themselves, as these are often presented as blessings or valuable attributes in scripture (e.g., [Proverbs 8:11](/proverbs/8-11 "Proverbs 8:11 - Wisdom is better than rubies"); [Psalm 18:32](/psalms/18-32 "Psalm 18:32 - It is God who arms me with strength"); [Deuteronomy 8:18](/deuteronomy/8-18 "Deuteronomy 8:18 - Remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth")). The prohibition is against "glorying" or boasting in them, meaning finding one's ultimate identity, security, or self-worth in these finite things. When wisdom, might, or wealth become objects of ultimate trust or sources of pride, they displace God in our lives and become idols. The verse is a warning against misplaced confidence and a call to recognize God as the ultimate source and sustainer of all good things, as clarified in the very next verse, [Jeremiah 9:24](/jeremiah/9-24 "Jeremiah 9:24 - What Truly Merits Glory").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 9:23 finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus, who perfectly embodies the antithesis of human boasting and the true object of glory. While humanity is prone to glory in its own wisdom, Jesus is revealed as the very **wisdom of God** ([1 Corinthians 1:24](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God")). He did not boast in His divine wisdom but humbly emptied Himself ([Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ humbled himself")). Similarly, while humanity boasts in its might, Jesus demonstrates true power not through worldly dominance but through sacrificial love and resurrection victory, conquering sin and death ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - He disarmed the rulers and authorities")). He is the **power of God** ([1 Corinthians 1:24](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God")) who achieved salvation not through human strength but through divine humility on the cross. Finally, concerning riches, Jesus, though **rich beyond measure**, became poor for our sake, so that through His poverty we might become truly rich in Him ([2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - For your sakes he became poor")). He calls us to lay up treasures in heaven ([Matthew 6:19-21](/matthew/6-19 "Matthew 6:19-21 - Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven")) rather than trust in fleeting earthly wealth. Ultimately, Christ becomes the sole legitimate object of our boasting, for in Him we find our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, ensuring that "He who boasts, let him boast in the Lord" ([1 Corinthians 1:30-31](/1_corinthians/1-30 "1 Corinthians 1:30-31 - Christ our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption")).

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

1 Corinthians 1:27

But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

1 Corinthians 1:29

That no flesh should glory in his presence.

Isaiah 5:21

Woe unto [them that are] wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!

Ecclesiastes 9:11

¶ I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race [is] not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.

Romans 1:22

Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

1 Corinthians 3:18

¶ Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.

1 Corinthians 3:20

And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.