Jeremiah 23:39
Therefore, behold, I, even I, will utterly forget you, and I will forsake you, and the city that I gave you and your fathers, and cast you out of my presence:
Original Language Analysis
לָכֵ֣ן
H3651
לָכֵ֣ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
1 of 15
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
וְנָשִׁ֥יתִי
forget
H5382
וְנָשִׁ֥יתִי
forget
Strong's:
H5382
Word #:
3 of 15
to forget; figuratively, to neglect; causatively, to remit, remove
אֶתְכֶ֖ם
H853
אֶתְכֶ֖ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
נָשֹׁ֑א
Therefore behold I even I will utterly
H5377
נָשֹׁ֑א
Therefore behold I even I will utterly
Strong's:
H5377
Word #:
5 of 15
to lead astray, i.e., (mentally) to delude, or (morally) to seduce
וְנָטַשְׁתִּ֣י
you and I will forsake
H5203
וְנָטַשְׁתִּ֣י
you and I will forsake
Strong's:
H5203
Word #:
6 of 15
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
אֶתְכֶ֗ם
H853
אֶתְכֶ֗ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָעִיר֙
you and the city
H5892
הָעִיר֙
you and the city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
9 of 15
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
10 of 15
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נָתַ֧תִּי
that I gave
H5414
נָתַ֧תִּי
that I gave
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
11 of 15
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
וְלַאֲבוֹתֵיכֶ֖ם
you and your fathers
H1
וְלַאֲבוֹתֵיכֶ֖ם
you and your fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
13 of 15
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
Cross References
Jeremiah 23:33And 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.Ezekiel 8:18Therefore will I also deal in fury: mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: and though they cry in mine ears with a loud voice, yet will I not hear them.
Historical Context
This prophecy found literal fulfillment in 586 BC when Babylon destroyed Jerusalem and exiled Judah. God's presence departed the temple (Ezekiel 10), the city was forsaken, and people were cast from the land. The exile represented divine forgetting—ceasing to remember covenant promises in their favor. Only after 70 years would God 'remember' again (Jeremiah 29:10), demonstrating that even divine forgetting has limits bounded by grace.
Questions for Reflection
- What would it mean for God to 'utterly forget' you—ceasing to attend to your prayers or life?
- How does understanding blessing as gift (not entitlement) change your relationship with God's provision?
- In what ways might you already be experiencing exile 'from God's presence' without recognizing it?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Therefore, behold, I, even I, will utterly forget you, and I will forsake you, and the city that I gave you and your fathers, and cast you out of my presence (לָכֵן הִנְנִי וְנָשִׁיתִי אֶתְכֶם נָשֹׁא וְנָטַשְׁתִּי אֶתְכֶם וְאֶת־הָעִיר אֲשֶׁר נָתַתִּי לָכֶם וְלַאֲבוֹתֵיכֶם מֵעַל פָּנָי, lakhen hin'ni v'nashiti etkhem nasho v'natashti etkhem v'et-ha'ir asher natatti lakhem v'la'avoteikhem me'al panai). The emphatic אָנֹכִי וְנָשִׁיתִי (anokhi v'nashiti, 'I, even I, will forget') uses the infinitive absolute נָשֹׁא נָשָׁה (nasho nashah) for emphasis—'utterly, completely forget.' The verbs pile up: forget (נָשָׁה, nashah), forsake (נָטַשׁ, natash), cast out (שָׁלַךְ implied in context).
The threefold judgment mirrors the Trinity of divine rejection:
The city 'that I gave you and your fathers' emphasizes gift being revoked—Jerusalem was grace, not entitlement. Being cast מֵעַל פָּנָי (me'al panai, 'from my face/presence') is ultimate curse, reversal of Aaronic blessing ('The LORD make his face shine upon thee,' Numbers 6:25). To be forgotten by God is worse than death.