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.
Original Language Analysis
וְכִי
H3588
וְכִי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 21
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יִשְׁאָלְךָ֩
shall ask
H7592
יִשְׁאָלְךָ֩
shall ask
Strong's:
H7592
Word #:
2 of 21
to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand
הָעָ֨ם
And when this people
H5971
הָעָ֨ם
And when this people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
3 of 21
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
הַזֶּ֜ה
H2088
אֽוֹ
H176
אֽוֹ
Strong's:
H176
Word #:
5 of 21
desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
אֽוֹ
H176
אֽוֹ
Strong's:
H176
Word #:
7 of 21
desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
כֹהֵן֙
or a priest
H3548
כֹהֵן֙
or a priest
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
8 of 21
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
מַה
H4100
מַה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
10 of 21
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
מַשָּׂ֔א
What is the burden
H4853
מַשָּׂ֔א
What is the burden
Strong's:
H4853
Word #:
11 of 21
a burden; figuratively, an utterance, chiefly a doom, especially singing; mental, desire
יְהוָֽה׃
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָֽה׃
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
12 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
15 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מַה
H4100
מַה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
16 of 21
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
מַשָּׂ֔א
What is the burden
H4853
מַשָּׂ֔א
What is the burden
Strong's:
H4853
Word #:
17 of 21
a burden; figuratively, an utterance, chiefly a doom, especially singing; mental, desire
וְנָטַשְׁתִּ֥י
I will even forsake
H5203
וְנָטַשְׁתִּ֥י
I will even forsake
Strong's:
H5203
Word #:
18 of 21
properly, to pound, i.e., smite; by implication (as if beating out, and thus expanding) to disperse; also, to thrust off, down, out or upon (inclusive
Cross References
Malachi 1:1The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi.Isaiah 13:1The burden of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz did see.Jeremiah 12:7I have forsaken mine house, I have left mine heritage; I have given the dearly beloved of my soul into the hand of her enemies.Nahum 1:1The burden of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.Habakkuk 1:1The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see.Hosea 9:12Though they bring up their children, yet will I bereave them, that there shall not be a man left: yea, woe also to them when I depart from them!
Historical Context
By Jeremiah's era, the term massa had become common religious jargon, emptied of weight and reverence. People asked 'What is the massa of the LORD?' like asking for gossip or news. This casual treatment of prophetic oracles reflected broader covenant disregard. God's response—'I will forsake you'—predicted the exile when divine presence would depart the temple (Ezekiel 10:18-19) and God would abandon Jerusalem to Babylon.
Questions for Reflection
- How might you be treating divine revelation casually, as religious trivia rather than weighty truth?
- What would it mean for God to 'forsake' you—withdrawing His presence and leaving you to your choices?
- In what ways does flippant religious language profane sacred realities?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And when this people, or the prophet, or a priest, shall ask thee, saying, What is the burden of the LORD? The Hebrew מַשָּׂא (massa, 'burden/oracle/pronouncement') is a wordplay—it means both 'prophetic oracle' and 'heavy burden.' False prophets trivialized this term, using it casually. God responds: What burden? I will even forsake you, saith the LORD (מַה־מַשָּׂא וְנָטַשְׁתִּי אֶתְכֶם נְאֻם־יְהוָה, mah-massa v'natashti etkhem ne'um-YHWH). The pun suggests: 'You want a burden? The burden is that I will abandon you!'
The verb נָטַשׁ (natash, 'forsake/abandon/cast off') represents covenant divorce—God withdrawing His presence. This is the ultimate burden: not judgment itself but God's absence. The flippant use of sacred terminology (מַשָּׂא) provokes divine anger. When people treat prophecy as entertainment or casual conversation ('What's God's latest oracle?'), they profane holy things. The severest judgment is divine abandonment—'I will forsake you.' Paul echoes this: 'God gave them over' (Romans 1:24, 26, 28). Nothing is more terrifying than getting what you demand—a God who leaves you alone.