Jeremiah 23:36

Authorized King James Version

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And the burden of the LORD shall ye mention no more: for every man's word shall be his burden; for ye have perverted the words of the living God, of the LORD of hosts our God.

Original Language Analysis

הַמַּשָּׂ֗א And the burden H4853
הַמַּשָּׂ֗א And the burden
Strong's: H4853
Word #: 1 of 18
a burden; figuratively, an utterance, chiefly a doom, especially singing; mental, desire
יְהוָ֥ה of the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֥ה of the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 2 of 18
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לֹ֣א H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 3 of 18
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תִזְכְּרוּ shall ye mention H2142
תִזְכְּרוּ shall ye mention
Strong's: H2142
Word #: 4 of 18
properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
ע֑וֹד H5750
ע֑וֹד
Strong's: H5750
Word #: 5 of 18
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
כִּ֣י H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 6 of 18
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הַמַּשָּׂ֗א And the burden H4853
הַמַּשָּׂ֗א And the burden
Strong's: H4853
Word #: 7 of 18
a burden; figuratively, an utterance, chiefly a doom, especially singing; mental, desire
יִֽהְיֶה֙ H1961
יִֽהְיֶה֙
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 8 of 18
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לְאִ֣ישׁ no more for every man's H376
לְאִ֣ישׁ no more for every man's
Strong's: H376
Word #: 9 of 18
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
דִּבְרֵי֙ the words H1697
דִּבְרֵי֙ the words
Strong's: H1697
Word #: 10 of 18
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
וַהֲפַכְתֶּ֗ם for ye have perverted H2015
וַהֲפַכְתֶּ֗ם for ye have perverted
Strong's: H2015
Word #: 11 of 18
to turn about or over; by implication, to change, overturn, return, pervert
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 12 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
דִּבְרֵי֙ the words H1697
דִּבְרֵי֙ the words
Strong's: H1697
Word #: 13 of 18
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ׃ God H430
אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ׃ God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 14 of 18
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
חַיִּ֔ים of the living H2416
חַיִּ֔ים of the living
Strong's: H2416
Word #: 15 of 18
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
יְהוָ֥ה of the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֥ה of the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 16 of 18
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
צְבָא֖וֹת of hosts H6635
צְבָא֖וֹת of hosts
Strong's: H6635
Word #: 17 of 18
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ׃ God H430
אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ׃ God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 18 of 18
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

Analysis & Commentary

And the burden of the LORD shall ye mention no more: for every man's word shall be his burden (וּמַשָּׂא יְהוָה לֹא תִזְכְּרוּ־עוֹד כִּי הַמַּשָּׂא יִהְיֶה לְאִישׁ דְּבָרוֹ, umassa YHWH lo tizkeru-od ki hammassa yihyeh l'ish d'varo). The prohibition continues: stop mentioning מַשָּׂא יְהוָה (massa YHWH). Why? For every man's word shall be his burden—the wordplay becomes judgment. Those who frivolously spoke of God's 'burden' will discover their own words become their burden, bringing condemnation. For ye have perverted the words of the living God, of the LORD of hosts our God (וַהֲפַכְתֶּם אֶת־דִּבְרֵי אֱלֹהִים חַיִּים יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת אֱלֹהֵינוּ, vahafakhtem et-divrei elohim chayyim YHWH tseva'ot eloheinu).

The verb הָפַךְ (hafakh, 'overturn/pervert/twist') describes deliberate distortion. They've corrupted the words of אֱלֹהִים חַיִּים (elohim chayyim, 'the living God')—not dead idols but the active, speaking God. The full divine title 'LORD of hosts our God' (יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת אֱלֹהֵינוּ) emphasizes both transcendent power (Yahweh of armies) and covenantal intimacy (our God). Perverting such a God's words invites catastrophe. Jesus condemned Pharisees for making God's word void through tradition (Mark 7:13). When human words replace divine words, claiming divine authority, those words become a burden of judgment their speakers cannot bear.

Historical Context

The charge of 'perverting' God's words indicts the systematic theological corruption pervading Judah's religious establishment. This wasn't isolated error but institutionalized distortion—schools, guilds, and courts all participating in twisting divine revelation to serve human agendas. The phrase 'living God' contrasts Yahweh with Babylon's dead idols, emphasizing the tragedy: they perverted words from the only God who actually speaks.

Questions for Reflection

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