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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/23.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/jeremiah/23.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220Am I only a God nearby,&#8221 declares the LORD, &#8220and not a God far away?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/jeremiah/23.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Am I a God who is only close at hand?” says the LORD. “No, I am far away at the same time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/jeremiah/23.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“Am I a God at hand, declares the LORD, and not a God far away?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/23.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Am I only a God nearby,” declares the LORD, “and not a God far away?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/jeremiah/23.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br /><i>Am</i> I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/jeremiah/23.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“<i>Am</i> I a God near at hand,” says the LORD, “And not a God afar off?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/jeremiah/23.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Am I a God who is near,” declares the LORD, “And not a God far off?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/jeremiah/23.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Am I a God who is near,&#8221 declares the LORD, &#8220And not a God far off?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/jeremiah/23.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Am I a God who is near,” declares the LORD, “And not a God far off?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/jeremiah/23.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“Am I a God who is near,” declares Yahweh, “And not a God far off?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/jeremiah/23.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Am I a God who is at hand,” says the LORD, “And not a God far away?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/jeremiah/23.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Am I a God who is only near” —this is the LORD’s declaration—“and not a God who is far away?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/jeremiah/23.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />&#8220Am I a God who is only near"—this is the LORD&#8217s declaration—"and not a God who is far away? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/jeremiah/23.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Am I a God at hand, saith Jehovah, and not a God afar off?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/jeremiah/23.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />I am everywhere--both near and far, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/jeremiah/23.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/jeremiah/23.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"I am a God who is near. I am also a God who is far away," declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/jeremiah/23.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"I am a God who is everywhere and not in one place only. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/jeremiah/23.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Am I a God who is near," declares the LORD, "rather than a God who is far away?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/jeremiah/23.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?Am I only a God nearby,? declares the LORD, ?and not a God far away??<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/jeremiah/23.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Do you people think that I am some local deity and not the transcendent God?" the LORD asks. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/jeremiah/23.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Am I a God at hand,' says the LORD, 'and not a God afar off?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/jeremiah/23.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Am I a God at hand, saith the LORD, and not a God afar off.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/jeremiah/23.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“Am I a God at hand,” says Yahweh, “and not a God afar off? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/jeremiah/23.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />[Am] I a God near,” "" A declaration of YHWH, "" “And not a God far off?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/jeremiah/23.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> A God near am I -- an affirmation of Jehovah, And not a God afar off?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/jeremiah/23.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Am I God from near, says Jehovah, and not God from far off?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/jeremiah/23.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Am I, think ye, a God at hand, saith the Lord, and not a God afar off? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/jeremiah/23.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Do you not realize that I am a God close by, says the Lord, and not a God far away?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/jeremiah/23.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Am I a God near at hand only—oracle of the LORD— and not a God far off? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/jeremiah/23.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Am I a God near by, says the LORD, and not a God far off?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/jeremiah/23.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />I am the God who is near, says the LORD God, and not a God afar off.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/jeremiah/23.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />I am God who is from the nearness, says LORD JEHOVAH, and I am not God who is from a distance<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/jeremiah/23.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Am I a God near at hand, saith the LORD, And not a God afar off?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/jeremiah/23.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />I am a God nigh at hand, saith the Lord, and not a God afar off.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/jeremiah/23-23.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5k55c51ZGhs?start=6895" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/23.htm">Lying Prophets</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">22</span>But if they had stood in My council, they would have proclaimed My words to My people and turned them back from their evil ways and deeds.” <span class="reftext">23</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/589.htm" title="589: ’ā·nî (Pro-1cs) -- I. Contracted from 'anokiy; I.">“Am I only</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ha·’ĕ·lō·hê (Art:: N-mpc) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">a God</a> <a href="/hebrew/7138.htm" title="7138: miq·qā·rōḇ (Prep-m:: Adj-ms) -- Near. Or qarob; from qarab; near.">nearby,”</a> <a href="/hebrew/5002.htm" title="5002: nə·’um- (N-msc) -- Utterance. From na'am; an oracle.">declares</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">“and not</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hê (N-mpc) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">a God</a> <a href="/hebrew/7350.htm" title="7350: mê·rā·ḥōq (Prep-m:: Adj-ms) -- Or rachoq; from rachaq; remote, literally or figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often used adverbially.">far away?”</a> </span><span class="reftext">24</span>“Can a man hide in secret places where I cannot see him?” declares the LORD. “Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?” declares the LORD.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/139-7.htm">Psalm 139:7-10</a></span><br />Where can I go to escape Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? / If I ascend to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there. / If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle by the farthest sea, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/17-27.htm">Acts 17:27-28</a></span><br />God intended that they would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us. / ‘For in Him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are His offspring.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/15-3.htm">Proverbs 15:3</a></span><br />The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/4-13.htm">Hebrews 4:13</a></span><br />Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/57-15.htm">Isaiah 57:15</a></span><br />For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in a high and holy place, and with the oppressed and humble in spirit, to restore the spirit of the lowly and revive the heart of the contrite.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/8-27.htm">1 Kings 8:27</a></span><br />But will God indeed dwell upon the earth? The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain You, much less this temple I have built.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/28-20.htm">Matthew 28:20</a></span><br />and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/34-21.htm">Job 34:21-22</a></span><br />For His eyes are on the ways of a man, and He sees his every step. / There is no darkness or deep shadow where the workers of iniquity can hide.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/11-33.htm">Romans 11:33-36</a></span><br />O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways! / “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor?” / “Who has first given to God, that God should repay him?” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/9-2.htm">Amos 9:2-4</a></span><br />Though they dig down to Sheol, from there My hand will take them; and though they climb up to heaven, from there I will pull them down. / Though they hide themselves atop Carmel, there I will track them and seize them; and though they hide from Me at the bottom of the sea, there I will command the serpent to bite them. / Though they are driven by their enemies into captivity, there I will command the sword to slay them. I will fix My eyes upon them for harm and not for good.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/3-16.htm">1 Corinthians 3:16</a></span><br />Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple, and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/66-1.htm">Isaiah 66:1-2</a></span><br />This is what the LORD says: “Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. What kind of house will you build for Me? Or where will My place of repose be? / Has not My hand made all these things? And so they came into being,” declares the LORD. “This is the one I will esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, who trembles at My word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/14-23.htm">John 14:23</a></span><br />Jesus replied, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/4-39.htm">Deuteronomy 4:39</a></span><br />Know therefore this day and take to heart that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth below; there is no other.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/1-17.htm">Colossians 1:17</a></span><br />He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Am I a God at hand, said the LORD, and not a God afar off?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/20-23.htm">1 Kings 20:23,28</a></b></br> And the servants of the king of Syria said unto him, Their gods <i>are</i> gods of the hills; therefore they were stronger than we; but let us fight against them in the plain, and surely we shall be stronger than they… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/113-5.htm">Psalm 113:5</a></b></br> Who <i>is</i> like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high,</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/139-1.htm">Psalm 139:1-10</a></b></br> To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known <i>me</i>… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/jeremiah/18-14.htm">Afar</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-12.htm">Affirmation</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-11.htm">Declares</a> <a href="/isaiah/57-9.htm">Distance</a> <a href="/jeremiah/12-2.htm">Far</a> <a href="/jeremiah/22-25.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-10.htm">Nearby</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/jeremiah/30-10.htm">Afar</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-24.htm">Affirmation</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-24.htm">Declares</a> <a href="/ezekiel/40-15.htm">Distance</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-39.htm">Far</a> <a href="/jeremiah/25-15.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/mark/1-38.htm">Nearby</a><div class="vheading2">Jeremiah 23</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/23-1.htm">He prophesies a restoration of the scattered flock.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/23-5.htm">Christ shall rule and save them.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/23-9.htm">Against false prophets;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">33. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/23-33.htm">and mockers of the true prophets.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/jeremiah/23.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/jeremiah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/jeremiah/23.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>“Am I only a God nearby,” declares the LORD,</b><br>This phrase emphasizes God's omnipresence, a central theme in the Hebrew Scriptures. The rhetorical question challenges the false prophets and people of Judah who believed that God’s presence was limited to the temple in Jerusalem. The context of <a href="/jeremiah/23.htm">Jeremiah 23</a> is a rebuke against false prophets who misled the people, suggesting that God’s influence was restricted. This reflects the cultural and religious misunderstanding of God’s nature at the time. The declaration by the LORD underscores His authority and the seriousness of the message. Theologically, this phrase connects to <a href="/psalms/139-7.htm">Psalm 139:7-10</a>, where David acknowledges that God is present everywhere, whether near or far.<p><b>“and not a God far away?”</b><br>This part of the verse further asserts God’s omnipresence and omniscience. It counters any notion that God is distant or uninvolved in the affairs of the world. Historically, the Israelites often struggled with understanding God’s transcendence and immanence, especially during times of exile and hardship. This statement reassures the faithful that God is not limited by geography or circumstance. It also serves as a warning to those who think they can escape His notice. Theologically, this connects to <a href="/acts/17-27.htm">Acts 17:27-28</a>, where Paul speaks of God being close to everyone, emphasizing that He is not confined to any one place. This understanding of God’s nature is foundational to the biblical worldview and is fulfilled in the New Testament through the incarnation of Jesus Christ, who embodies God’s presence both near and far.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jeremiah.htm">Jeremiah</a></b><br>A major prophet in the Old Testament, Jeremiah was called by God to deliver messages of warning and hope to the people of Judah. His ministry spanned the reigns of several kings and was marked by themes of judgment and restoration.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The covenant name of God used in the Old Testament, emphasizing His eternal existence, sovereignty, and faithfulness to His people.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/judah.htm">Judah</a></b><br>The southern kingdom of Israel, which was often the focus of Jeremiah's prophecies. During Jeremiah's time, Judah was facing imminent judgment due to its persistent idolatry and disobedience to God.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/f/false_prophets.htm">False Prophets</a></b><br>Individuals in Jeremiah's time who claimed to speak for God but led the people astray with messages of false hope and security, contrary to God's true word delivered through Jeremiah.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/e/exile.htm">Exile</a></b><br>The impending event of Judah's captivity by Babylon, which Jeremiah warned about as a consequence of the nation's unfaithfulness to God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_omnipresence.htm">God's Omnipresence</a></b><br>God is not limited by space or time. He is both near to us in our daily lives and far-reaching in His sovereignty over the universe. This truth should comfort us, knowing that we are never out of His sight or care.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/accountability_to_god.htm">Accountability to God</a></b><br>Since God is always present, we are accountable to Him in all our actions and thoughts. This awareness should lead us to live lives of integrity and holiness, knowing that nothing is hidden from Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/false_security.htm">False Security</a></b><br>Like the people of Judah, we must be wary of placing our trust in false assurances. True security comes from aligning ourselves with God's truth and His promises, rather than the deceptive words of those who do not speak for Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_nearness_in_trials.htm">God's Nearness in Trials</a></b><br>In times of trouble, we can take solace in the fact that God is near. He is not distant or unaware of our struggles, but is actively involved in our lives, offering guidance and support.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/seeking_god's_presence.htm">Seeking God's Presence</a></b><br>We are encouraged to seek God's presence continually, through prayer, worship, and the study of His Word. By doing so, we cultivate a deeper relationship with Him and become more attuned to His will for our lives.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_jeremiah_23.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 23</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_can_god_coexist_with_evil.htm">Psalm 139:7–10: If God is truly everywhere, how can He coexist with evil or suffering in remote or unknown places? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_is_god's_omnipresence_reconciled_in_ps._88_14.htm">How do we reconcile the claim of God’s omnipresence with the Psalmist’s sense of complete abandonment in Psalm 88:14? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_do_god's_presence_and_omnipresence_mean.htm">What do God's presence and omnipresence mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_size_of_god.htm">What is the size of God?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/jeremiah/23.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(23) <span class= "bld">Am I a God at hand . . .?</span>--This and the two questions that follow are essentially the same in thought. The false prophets acted as if God were far away out of their sight (<a href="/psalms/10-11.htm" title="He has said in his heart, God has forgotten: he hides his face; he will never see it.">Psalm 10:11</a>; <a href="/psalms/73-11.htm" title="And they say, How does God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?">Psalm 73:11</a>; <a href="/psalms/94-7.htm" title="Yet they say, The LORD shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it.">Psalm 94:7</a>), not knowing or caring what men did, as if their affairs, as it has been epigrammatically said, came under a "colonial department." The true prophet feels that He is equally near, equally God, in all places alike. Familiar as the word omnipresence is to us--so familiar as almost to have lost its power--the fact, when we realise it, is as awful now as it was when it presented itself to the souls of Patriarch, Psalmist, or Prophet. (<a href="/genesis/16-13.htm" title="And she called the name of the LORD that spoke to her, You God see me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that sees me?">Genesis 16:13</a>; <a href="/context/psalms/32-6.htm" title="For this shall every one that is godly pray to you in a time when you may be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come near to him.">Psalm 32:6-7</a>; <a href="/context/psalms/73-23.htm" title="Nevertheless I am continually with you: you have held me by my right hand.">Psalm 73:23-26</a>; <a href="/context/psalms/139-7.htm" title="Where shall I go from your spirit? or where shall I flee from your presence?">Psalm 139:7-12</a>; <a href="/context/amos/9-2.htm" title="Though they dig into hell, there shall my hand take them; though they climb up to heaven, there will I bring them down:">Amos 9:2-4</a>; <a href="/context/job/11-8.htm" title="It is as high as heaven; what can you do? deeper than hell; what can you know?">Job 11:8-9</a>. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/jeremiah/23.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 23-32.</span> - Jehovah has observed and will punish the false pretensions of the prophets. <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 23, 24.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Am I a God at hand</span>, etc.? ("At hand" equivalent to "near.") Eliphaz may again assist us with an illustration. "And thou sayest " - he is expostulating with Job - "What doth God know? can he judge through the dark cloud? thick clouds are a covering to him, that he seeth not; yea, he walketh upon the vault of heaven" (<a href="/job/22-13.htm">Job 22:13, 14</a>). It might seem, from the preponderance of the false prophets ever the true, as if Jehovah were unaware of the mischief. Not so; Jehovah is omnipresent. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/jeremiah/23-23.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">“Am I [only]</span><br /><span class="heb">אָ֖נִי</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_589.htm">Strong's 589: </a> </span><span class="str2">I</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a God</span><br /><span class="heb">הַאֱלֹהֵ֧י</span> <span class="translit">(ha·’ĕ·lō·hê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><br /><span class="word">nearby,”</span><br /><span class="heb">מִקָּרֹ֛ב</span> <span class="translit">(miq·qā·rōḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7138.htm">Strong's 7138: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near</span><br /><br /><span class="word">declares</span><br /><span class="heb">נְאֻם־</span> <span class="translit">(nə·’um-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5002.htm">Strong's 5002: </a> </span><span class="str2">An oracle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the LORD,</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“and not</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלֹ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a God</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱלֹהֵ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lō·hê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><br /><span class="word">far away?”</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵרָחֹֽק׃</span> <span class="translit">(mê·rā·ḥōq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7350.htm">Strong's 7350: </a> </span><span class="str2">Remote, of place, time, precious</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/jeremiah/23-23.htm">Jeremiah 23:23 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/jeremiah/23-23.htm">Jeremiah 23:23 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/jeremiah/23-23.htm">Jeremiah 23:23 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/jeremiah/23-23.htm">Jeremiah 23:23 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/jeremiah/23-23.htm">Jeremiah 23:23 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/jeremiah/23-23.htm">Jeremiah 23:23 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/jeremiah/23-23.htm">Jeremiah 23:23 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/jeremiah/23-23.htm">Jeremiah 23:23 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/jeremiah/23-23.htm">Jeremiah 23:23 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/jeremiah/23-23.htm">Jeremiah 23:23 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/jeremiah/23-23.htm">OT Prophets: Jeremiah 23:23 Am I a God at hand says (Jer.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/jeremiah/23-22.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Jeremiah 23:22"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 23:22" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/jeremiah/23-24.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Jeremiah 23:24"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 23:24" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>