Jeremiah 23:38
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Jeremiah 23:38
38 But since ye say, The burden of the LORD; therefore thus saith the LORD; Because ye say this word, The burden of the LORD, and I have sent unto you, saying, Ye shall not say, The burden of the LORD;
Chapter Context
Jeremiah 23 is a prophetic oracle chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of faith, worship, redemption. Written during the final years of Judah and early exile (c. 627-580 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Prophesied during Judah's final years as Babylon became the dominant power.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-40: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it offers practical wisdom for godly living in a fallen world. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Jeremiah and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Jeremiah 23:38
38 But since ye say, The burden of the LORD; therefore thus saith the LORD; Because ye say this word, The burden of the LORD, and I have sent unto you, saying, Ye shall not say, The burden of the LORD;
Analysis
But since ye say, The burden of the LORD; therefore thus saith the LORD; Because ye say this word, The burden of the LORD, and I have sent unto you, saying, Ye shall not say, The burden of the LORD. The conditional 'since' (וְאִם, v'im, 'but if') introduces judgment based on continued disobedience. Despite explicit prohibition (verse 34), they persist in saying מַשָּׂא יְהוָה (massa YHWH, 'the burden of the LORD'). The phrase and I have sent unto you, saying (וָאֶשְׁלַח אֲלֵיכֶם לֵאמֹר, va'eshlach aleikhem lemor) emphasizes active divine communication—God sent messengers forbidding this language.
The verse structure emphasizes willful rebellion:
- God sends prohibition
- people ignore it
- judgment follows.
This isn't innocent error but defiant disobedience to explicit command. The repetition of 'the burden of the LORD' (three times in one verse!) dramatizes their obstinate clinging to forbidden terminology. It's like children taunting a parent by repeating prohibited words. Such defiance transforms linguistic corruption into direct rebellion against divine authority. When God says 'Don't speak this way' and people insist on doing so, language becomes battleground for sovereignty.
Historical Context
This verse implies a historical sequence: Jeremiah delivered God's prohibition, yet people—especially prophets and priests—continued using the banned phrase. Their persistence despite warning reveals entrenched rebellion. The religious establishment's investment in existing theological language made reform impossible without catastrophic judgment. Sometimes linguistic habits become so ingrained that only exile and starting over can break them.
Reflection
- What prohibited patterns of speech or thought do you cling to despite divine correction?
- How does persistence in 'small' disobediences (forbidden words) reveal deeper rebellion?
- What linguistic or theological habits in your faith community resist reform despite biblical challenge?
Word Studies
- Word: דָּבָר (Davar) H1697 - Word, thing, matter