Jeremiah 9:23

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,
• English Standard Version (ESV)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,
• 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;

Context of Jeremiah 9:23

21‘Death has climbed in through our windows. It has entered into our fortified houses. It has taken away our children who play in the streets. It has taken away our young men who gather in the city squares.’ 22Tell your daughters and neighbors, ‘The Lord says, “The dead bodies of people will lie scattered everywhere like manure scattered on a field. They will lie scattered on the ground like grain that has been cut down but has not been gathered.”’” The Lord says, “Wise people should not boast that they are wise. Powerful people should not boast that they are powerful. Rich people should not boast that they are rich. 24If people want to boast, they should boast about this: They should boast that they understand and know me. They should boast that they know and understand that I, the Lord, act out of faithfulness, fairness, and justice in the earth and that I desire people to do these things,” says the Lord. 25The Lord says, “Watch out! The time is soon coming when I will punish all those who are circumcised only in the flesh.

Jeremiah 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 plans of the crafty so that their hands cannot accomplish what they had planned!
• Psalms 49:10Surely one sees that even wise people die; fools and spiritually insensitive people all pass away and leave their wealth to others.
• Ecclesiastes 2:13I realized that wisdom is preferable to folly, just as light is preferable to darkness:
• Ecclesiastes 9:11Again, I observed this on the earth: the race is not always won by the swiftest, the battle is not always won by the strongest; prosperity does not always belong to those who are the wisest, wealth does not always belong to those who are the most discerning, nor does success always come to those with the most knowledge – for time and chance may overcome them all.
• Isaiah 5:21Those who think they are wise are as good as dead, those who think they possess understanding.
• Isaiah 10:12But when the sovereign master finishes judging Mount Zion and Jerusalem, then I will punish the king of Assyria for what he has proudly planned and for the arrogant attitude he displays.
• Ezekiel 28:2“Son of man, say to the prince of Tyre, ‘This is what the sovereign Lord says: “‘Your heart is proud and you said, “I am a god; I sit in the seat of gods, in the heart of the seas” – yet you are a man and not a god, though you think you are godlike.
• Romans 1:22Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools
• 1 Corinthians 1:19For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and I will thwart the cleverness of the intelligent.”
• 1 Corinthians 3:18Guard against self-deception, each of you. If someone among you thinks he is wise in this age, let him become foolish so that he can become wise.
• James 3:14But if you have bitter jealousy and selfishness in your hearts, do not boast and tell lies against the truth.
• Deuteronomy 8:17Be careful not to say, “My own ability and skill have gotten me this wealth.”
• 1 Samuel 17:4Then a champion came out from the camp of the Philistines. His name was Goliath; he was from Gath. He was close to seven feet tall.
• 1 Kings 20:10Ben Hadad sent another message to him, “May the gods judge me severely if there is enough dirt left in Samaria for my soldiers to scoop up in their hands.”
• Psalms 33:16No king is delivered by his vast army; a warrior is not saved by his great might.
• Isaiah 10:8Indeed, he says: “Are not my officials 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

• Boasting
• Conceit
• Israel, Prophecies Concerning
• Pride
• Rich, the
• Wisdom

In the dictionaries

• Wise, Man
• Adulterer
• Arrow
• Desolate
• Heaven
• Perish
• Teach
• Wait
• Covenant, the New
• Glory

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