English Standard Version
Jeremiah 9:23
23Thus says the Lord: "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches,
Jeremiah 9:23 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:
- New International Version (NIV)This is what the Lord says: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches,
- New King James Version (NKJV)Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches;
- New Living Translation (NLT)This is what the Lord says: “Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches.
Context of Jeremiah 9:23
21For death has come up into our windows; it has entered our palaces, cutting off the children from the streets and the young men from the squares. 22Speak: "Thus declares the Lord, 'The dead bodies of men shall fall like dung upon the open field, like sheaves after the reaper, and none shall gather them.'" Thus says the Lord: "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, 24but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord." 25"Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will punish all those who are circumcised merely in the flesh—
Read all of Jeremiah 9Jeremiah 9:23 word by word
כֹּ֣ה׀ אָמַ֣ר יְהוָ֗ה אַל־יִתְהַלֵּ֤ל חָכָם֙ בְּחָכְמָת֔וֹ וְאַל־יִתְהַלֵּ֥ל הַגִּבּ֖וֹר בִּגְבֽוּרָת֑וֹ אַל־יִתְהַלֵּ֥ל עָשִׁ֖יר בְּעָשְׁרֽוֹ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Thus saithאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
- the Lordיְהֹוָהyehôvâh · LORDH3068
- Let not the wiseחָכָםchâkâm · wiseH2450
- gloryהָלַלhâlal · to shineH1984
- in his wisdomחׇכְמָהchokmâh · wisdomH2451
- neither let the mightyגִּבּוֹרgibbôr gibbôr · mighty manH1368
- in his mightגְּבוּרָהgebûrâh · mightH1369
- let not the richעָשִׁיר‛âshîyr · richH6223
- in his richesעֹ֫שֶׁר‛ôsher · richesH6239
Cross-references for Jeremiah 9:23
- Job 5:12He frustrates the devices of the crafty, so that their hands achieve no success.
- Psalms 49:10For he sees that even the wise die; the fool and the stupid alike must perish and leave their wealth to others.
- Ecclesiastes 2:13Then I saw that there is more gain in wisdom than in folly, as there is more gain in light than in darkness.
- Ecclesiastes 9:11Again I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all.
- Isaiah 5:21Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight!
- Isaiah 10:12When the Lord has finished all his work on Mount Zion and on Jerusalem, he will punish the speech of the arrogant heart of the king of Assyria and the boastful look in his eyes.
- Ezekiel 28:2"Son of man, say to the prince of Tyre, Thus says the Lord God: "Because your heart is proud, and you have said, 'I am a god, I sit in the seat of the gods, in the heart of the seas,' yet you are but a man, and no god, though you make your heart like the heart of a god—
- Romans 1:22Claiming to be wise, they became fools,
- 1 Corinthians 1:19For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart."
- 1 Corinthians 3:18Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.
- James 3:14But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.
- Deuteronomy 8:17Beware lest you say in your heart, 'My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.'
- 1 Samuel 17:4And there came out from the camp of the Philistines a champion named Goliath of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.
- 1 Kings 20:10Ben-hadad sent to him and said, "The gods do so to me and more also, if the dust of Samaria shall suffice for handfuls for all the people who follow me."
- Psalms 33:16The king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.
- Isaiah 10:8for he says: "Are not my commanders all kings?
Commentaries on Jeremiah 9:23
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 23Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom - Because God is the Fountain of all good, neither wisdom, nor might, nor riches, nor prosperity can come but from or through him. Nothing can be more rational than that the Source of all our blessings should be acknowledged. Riches cannot deliver in the day of death; strength cannot avail against him; and as a shield against him, our wisdom is foolishness.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 23To the end of Jeremiah 10 the prophet urges upon the people the practical conclusion to be drawn from God‘s righteous dealings with them. The three things on which men most pride themselves are shown in this verse to have proved vain.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 23-26Verses 23-26 In this world of sin and sorrow, ending soon in death and judgement, how foolish for men to glory in their knowledge, health, strength, riches, or in any thing which leaves them under the dominion of sin and the wrath of God! and of which an account must hereafter be rendered; it will but increase their misery. Those are the true Israel who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. Let us prize…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 23Intellectuals might brag about their knowledge. The king and his royal court might show off their power with grand ceremonies. Wealthy merchants might display their wealth by wearing fancy clothes and building impressive structures. All of these will be destroyed during God's judgment.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2323. wisdom--political sagacity; as if it could rescue from the impending calamities. might--military prowess.Read the comment
Topics related to Jeremiah 9:23
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Jeremiah 9
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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