Jeremiah 23:40

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

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

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

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

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

Commentary

Context of Jeremiah 23:40

Jeremiah 23:40 concludes a powerful and condemning prophecy against the false prophets and unfaithful leaders of Judah. Throughout chapter 23, Jeremiah, often called the "weeping prophet," delivers God's stern words concerning those who misled His people, speaking their own dreams and visions instead of God's true message. They promised peace when destruction was imminent, and they did not call the people to repentance. Verses 33-39 specifically address the people's irreverent use of the phrase "the burden of the LORD," turning God's solemn word into a jest. God declares that He will abandon them and their city, Jerusalem, because of their corruption of His message. This particular verse, Jeremiah 23:40, serves as the climactic pronouncement of the lasting consequences for such profound spiritual rebellion and deception.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment and Accountability: The verse powerfully illustrates God's unwavering justice. It is a clear declaration that those who abuse their spiritual authority and corrupt God's word will face severe and lasting consequences. This judgment is not arbitrary but a direct result of their unfaithfulness and misleading actions.
  • The Nature of Everlasting Shame: The "everlasting reproach" and "perpetual shame" signify a judgment that is not temporary or easily forgotten. It implies a permanent stain on their legacy and a lasting recognition of their offense, both in the eyes of God and, historically, among people. This stands in stark contrast to the promise of God removing shame from His faithful people.
  • Integrity of God's Word: This prophecy underscores the sanctity and seriousness of God's message. Those who tamper with it, dilute it, or use it for their own gain are severely condemned, demonstrating God's fierce protection over His truth. This highlights the importance of speaking God's word accurately, as also seen in Deuteronomy 18:20.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrases "everlasting reproach" and "perpetual shame" are strong translations of the Hebrew.

  • The word for "reproach" (Hebrew: cherpah - ื—ึถืจึฐืคึผึธื”) conveys a sense of disgrace, humiliation, and public scorn. It's often associated with a loss of honor or status.
  • "Perpetual shame" (Hebrew: bushet olam - ื‘ึผื•ึผืฉืึทืช ืขื•ึนืœึธื) literally means "shame of eternity" or "everlasting shame." The term olam emphasizes an indefinite, enduring period, suggesting that this disgrace will not fade from memory. The phrase "which shall not be forgotten" further reinforces the permanence and indelible nature of this judgment.

Practical Application and Reflection

Jeremiah 23:40 serves as a timeless warning and a call to discernment for all generations:

  • For Leaders and Teachers: This verse is a sober reminder of the immense responsibility that comes with handling God's word. Those who teach or lead others spiritually must do so with utmost integrity, ensuring their message is consistent with God's truth and not their own desires or popular opinions. The consequences for misleading God's people are severe, emphasizing the need for humility and faithfulness in ministry.
  • For Believers: It encourages believers to be discerning listeners, to test what is taught against the unchanging standard of God's Word (Acts 17:11). Not every message claiming divine origin is from God. This verse reminds us that God holds both speakers and hearers accountable for the truth.
  • God's Justice: Ultimately, this verse affirms God's righteous character. He is not indifferent to those who corrupt His name or harm His people. His justice, though sometimes delayed, is certain and ensures that truth and faithfulness will ultimately prevail.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 20:11 (5 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

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