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:
• 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;
• 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

21Death has climbed in through our windows and has entered our fortresses; it has removed the children from the streets and the young men from the public squares. 22Say, “This is what the Lord declares: “ ‘Dead bodies will lie like dung on the open field, like cut grain behind the reaper, with no one to gather them.’ ” 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, 24but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord. 25“The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will punish all 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 thwarts the plans of the crafty, so that their hands achieve no success.
• Psalms 49:10For all can see that the wise die, that the foolish and the senseless also perish, leaving their wealth to others.
• Ecclesiastes 2:13I saw that wisdom is better than folly, just as light is better than darkness.
• Ecclesiastes 9:11I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all.
• Isaiah 5:21Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.
• Isaiah 10:12When the Lord has finished all his work against Mount Zion and Jerusalem, he will say, “I will punish the king of Assyria for the willful pride of his heart and the haughty look in his eyes.
• Ezekiel 28:2“Son of man, say to the ruler of Tyre, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: “ ‘In the pride of your heart you say, “I am a god; I sit on the throne of a god in the heart of the seas.” But you are a mere mortal and not a god, though you think you are as wise as a god.
• 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; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”
• 1 Corinthians 3:18Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise.
• James 3:14But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.
• Deuteronomy 8:17You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.”
• 1 Samuel 17:4A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span.
• 1 Kings 20:10Then Ben-Hadad sent another message to Ahab: “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if enough dust remains in Samaria to give each of my men a handful.”
• Psalms 33:16No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength.
• Isaiah 10:8‘Are not my commanders all kings?’ he says.

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