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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Jeremiah 23:38 But if you claim, 'This is the burden of the LORD,' then this is what the LORD says: Because you have said, 'This is the burden of the LORD,' and I specifically told you not to make this claim,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/jeremiah/23-38.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/24_Jer_23_38.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Jeremiah 23:38 - False Oracles" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But if you claim, 'This is the burden of the LORD,' then this is what the LORD says: Because you have said, 'This is the burden of the LORD,' and I specifically told you not to make this claim," /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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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;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/jeremiah/23.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />But since you say, ‘The oracle of the LORD!’ therefore thus says the LORD: ‘Because you say this word, “The oracle of the LORD!” and I have sent to you, saying, “Do not say, ‘The oracle of the LORD!’ ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/jeremiah/23.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And if you say, ‘The pronouncement of the LORD!’ for that reason the LORD says this: ‘Because you said this word, “The pronouncement of the LORD!” I have also sent <i>word</i> to you, saying, “You shall not say, ‘The pronouncement of the LORD!’”’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/jeremiah/23.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220For if you say, &#8216The oracle of the LORD!&#8217 surely thus says the LORD, &#8216Because you said this word, &#8220The oracle of the LORD!&#8221 I have also sent to you, saying, &#8220You shall not say, &#8216The oracle of the LORD!&#8217"&#8217<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/jeremiah/23.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“For if you say, ‘The oracle of the LORD!’ surely thus says the LORD, ‘Because you said this word, “The oracle of the LORD!” I have also sent to you, saying, “You shall not say, ‘The oracle of the LORD!’”’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/jeremiah/23.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />For if you <i>all</i> say, ‘The oracle of Yahweh!’ surely thus says Yahweh, ‘Because you said this word, “The oracle of Yahweh!” I have also sent to you, saying, “You shall not say, ‘The oracle of Yahweh!’”’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/jeremiah/23.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />For if you say, ‘The oracle of the LORD!’ surely thus says the LORD, ‘Because you said this word, “The oracle of the LORD!” when I have also sent to you, saying, “You shall not say, ‘The oracle of the LORD!’”’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/jeremiah/23.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But if you say, ‘The burden of the LORD,’ then this is what the LORD says: Because you have said, ‘The burden of the LORD,’ and I specifically told you not to say, ‘The burden of the LORD,’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/jeremiah/23.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But if you say, &#8216The burden of the LORD,&#8217 then this is what the LORD says: Because you have said, &#8216The burden of the LORD,&#8217 and I specifically told you not to say, &#8216The burden of the LORD,&#8217<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/jeremiah/23.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />But if ye say, The burden of Jehovah; therefore thus saith Jehovah: Because ye say this word, The burden of Jehovah, and I have sent unto you, saying, Ye shall not say, The burden of Jehovah;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/jeremiah/23.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />But if you disobey me and say, "Here is news from the LORD," <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/jeremiah/23.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />But if 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;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/jeremiah/23.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Suppose they say, 'This is the LORD's revelation!' Then say, 'This is what the LORD says: Because you have said, "This is the LORD's revelation!" even though I commanded you not to repeat this saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/jeremiah/23.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />And if they disobey my command and use the words 'the LORD's burden,' then tell them that <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/jeremiah/23.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Since you're saying, 'We have an oracle of the LORD,' therefore this is what the LORD says: He will answer your message with this message, 'Burden of the LORD,' and I'll send you away with these words: 'Don't say, "Oracle of the LORD."' <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/jeremiah/23.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />But just suppose you continue to say, 'The message of the LORD is burdensome.' Here is what the LORD says will happen: 'I sent word to you that you must not say, "The LORD's message is burdensome." But you used the words "The LORD's message is burdensome" anyway.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/jeremiah/23.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />But if you say, "The burden of the LORD"; therefore thus says the LORD: Because you say this word, "The burden of the LORD," and I have sent to you, saying, "You shall not say, 'The burden of the LORD'";<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/jeremiah/23.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />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 to you, saying, Ye shall not say, The burden of the LORD;<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/jeremiah/23.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />But if you claim, ‘This is the burden of the LORD,’ then this is what the LORD says: Because you have said, ‘This is the burden of the LORD,’ and I specifically told you not to make this claim,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/jeremiah/23.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Although you say, ‘The message from Yahweh,’ therefore Yahweh says: ‘Because you say this word, “The message from Yahweh,” and I have sent to you, telling you not to say, “The message from Yahweh,” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/jeremiah/23.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And if you say, The burden of YHWH, "" Therefore, thus said YHWH: Because of your saying this word, "" The burden of YHWH, "" And I send to you, saying, "" You do not say, The burden of YHWH.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/jeremiah/23.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And if the burden of Jehovah ye say, Therefore thus said Jehovah: Because of your saying this word, The burden of Jehovah, And I do send unto you, saying, Ye do not say, The burden of Jehovah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/jeremiah/23.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And if ye shall say, The burden of Jehovah; for this, thus said Jehovah, Because ye said this word, The burden of Jehovah, and I shall send to you, saying, Ye shall not say, The burden of Jehovah:<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/jeremiah/23.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But if you shall say: The burden of the Lord: therefore thus saith the Lord: Because you have said this word: The burden of the Lord: and I have sent to you saying: Say not, Tne burden of the Lord: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/jeremiah/23.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But if you say, ‘The burden of the Lord!’ then because of this, thus says the Lord: Since you have spoken this word, ‘The burden of the Lord!’ though I sent to you telling you not to say: ‘The burden of the Lord,’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/jeremiah/23.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />But if you ask about “the burden of the LORD,” then thus says the LORD: Because you use this phrase, “the burden of the LORD,” though I forbade you to use it,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/jeremiah/23.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />But if you say, “the burden of the LORD,” thus says the LORD: Because you have said these words, “the burden of the LORD,” when I sent to you, saying, You shall not say, “the burden of the LORD,”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/jeremiah/23.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />But if you speak the word of the LORD, therefore, thus says the LORD: Because you have said this word, The words of the LORD, and I have sent you, saying, You shall not say, The words of the LORD;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/jeremiah/23.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And if you will speak the word of LORD JEHOVAH, thus says LORD JEHOVAH: ‘Because you have spoken this word and I have sent to you that you shall not speak<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/jeremiah/23.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />But if 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';<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/jeremiah/23.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Therefore thus saith the Lord our God; Because ye have spoken this word, The burden of the Lord, and I sent to you, saying, ye shall not say, The burden of the Lord;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/jeremiah/23-38.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=7063" 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">False Oracles</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">37</span>Thus you are to say to the prophet: ‘What has the LORD answered you?’ and ‘What has the LORD spoken?’ <span class="reftext">38</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: wə·’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">But if</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: tō·mê·rū (V-Qal-Imperf-2mp) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">you claim,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4853.htm" title="4853: maś·śā (N-msc) -- From nasa'; a burden; specifically, tribute, or porterage; figuratively, an utterance, chiefly a doom, especially singing; mental, desire.">‘This is the burden</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.">of the LORD,’</a> <a href="/hebrew/3651.htm" title="3651: lā·ḵên (Adv) -- So, thus. From kuwn; properly, set upright; hence just; but usually rightly or so.">then</a> <a href="/hebrew/3541.htm" title="3541: kōh (Adv) -- Thus, here. From the prefix k and huw'; properly, like this, i.e. By implication, thus; also here; or now.">this is what</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/559.htm" title="559: ’ā·mar (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">says:</a> <a href="/hebrew/3282.htm" title="3282: ya·‘an (Adv) -- From an unused root meaning to pay attention; properly, heed; by implication, purpose; used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause.">Because</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: ’ă·mā·rə·ḵem (V-Qal-Inf:: 2mp) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">you have said,</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: had·dā·ḇār (Art:: N-ms) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: haz·zeh (Art:: Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4853.htm" title="4853: maś·śā (N-msc) -- From nasa'; a burden; specifically, tribute, or porterage; figuratively, an utterance, chiefly a doom, especially singing; mental, desire.">‘This is the burden</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.">of the LORD,’</a> <a href="/hebrew/7971.htm" title="7971: wā·’eš·laḥ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs) -- To send. A primitive root; to send away, for, or out.">and I specifically told</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ă·lê·ḵem (Prep:: 2mp) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: lê·mōr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">you not</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: ṯō·mə·rū (V-Qal-Imperf-2mp) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">to make this claim,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4853.htm" title="4853: maś·śā (N-msc) -- From nasa'; a burden; specifically, tribute, or porterage; figuratively, an utterance, chiefly a doom, especially singing; mental, desire."></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."></a> </span><span class="reftext">39</span>therefore I will surely forget you and will cast you out of My presence, both you and the city that I gave to you and your fathers.…<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="/deuteronomy/18-20.htm">Deuteronomy 18:20</a></span><br />But if any prophet dares to speak a message in My name that I have not commanded him to speak, or to speak in the name of other gods, that prophet must be put to death.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/13-6.htm">Ezekiel 13:6-7</a></span><br />They see false visions and speak lying divinations. They claim, ‘Thus declares the LORD,’ when the LORD did not send them; yet they wait for the fulfillment of their message. / Haven’t you seen a false vision and spoken a lying divination when you proclaim, ‘Thus declares the LORD,’ even though I have not spoken?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_peter/2-1.htm">2 Peter 2:1</a></span><br />Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-15.htm">Matthew 7:15</a></span><br />Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/4-1.htm">1 John 4:1</a></span><br />Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/30-10.htm">Isaiah 30:10</a></span><br />They say to the seers, “Stop seeing visions!” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us the truth! Speak to us pleasant words; prophesy illusions.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/3-5.htm">Micah 3:5</a></span><br />This is what the LORD says: “As for the prophets who lead My people astray, who proclaim peace while they chew with their teeth, but declare war against one who puts nothing in their mouths:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/4-3.htm">2 Timothy 4:3-4</a></span><br />For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. / So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/20-29.htm">Acts 20:29-30</a></span><br />I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. / Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/4-1.htm">1 Timothy 4:1-2</a></span><br />Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons, / influenced by the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences are seared with a hot iron.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/13-3.htm">Zechariah 13:3</a></span><br />And if anyone still prophesies, his father and mother who bore him will say to him, ‘You shall not remain alive, because you have spoken falsely in the name of the LORD.’ When he prophesies, his father and mother who bore him will pierce him through.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/24-11.htm">Matthew 24:11</a></span><br />and many false prophets will arise and deceive many.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/11-13.htm">2 Corinthians 11:13-15</a></span><br />For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. / And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. / It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/4-6.htm">Hosea 4:6</a></span><br />My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you as My priests. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/16-17.htm">Romans 16:17-18</a></span><br />Now I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Turn away from them. / For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">But since you say, The burden of the LORD; therefore thus said the LORD; Because you say this word, The burden of the LORD, and I have sent to you, saying, You shall not say, The burden of the LORD;</p><p class="hdg">no reference </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/jeremiah/14-15.htm">Although</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-36.htm">Burden</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-6.htm">Claim</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-36.htm">Oracle</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-8.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-24.htm">Used</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-34.htm">Weight</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-36.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/jeremiah/25-4.htm">Although</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-14.htm">Burden</a> <a href="/luke/11-18.htm">Claim</a> <a href="/jeremiah/50-36.htm">Oracle</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-39.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/jeremiah/29-22.htm">Used</a> <a href="/jeremiah/52-20.htm">Weight</a> <a href="/jeremiah/24-4.htm">Word</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>But if you claim, ‘This is the burden of the LORD,’</b><br>In the context of <a href="/jeremiah/23.htm">Jeremiah 23</a>, the term "burden" refers to a prophetic message, often one of judgment. The false prophets in Jeremiah's time were misusing this term to lend authority to their own words, which were not from God. This misuse reflects a broader theme in Jeremiah of false prophecy and the danger it poses to the people of Israel. The phrase highlights the seriousness of claiming divine authority falsely, a theme echoed in <a href="/deuteronomy/18-20.htm">Deuteronomy 18:20-22</a>, where false prophecy is condemned.<p><b>then this is what the LORD says:</b><br>This phrase introduces a direct message from God, emphasizing His authority and the seriousness of the situation. In the prophetic tradition, the phrase "thus says the LORD" is a formal introduction to divine speech, underscoring that the message is not from the prophet's own imagination but from God Himself. This is a common formula in prophetic literature, seen throughout the books of the prophets, such as Isaiah and Ezekiel.<p><b>Because you have said, ‘This is the burden of the LORD,’</b><br>The repetition of the phrase underscores the people's persistent disobedience and the false prophets' audacity in claiming divine sanction for their messages. This reflects a broader cultural context where prophetic messages were common, and discerning true from false prophecy was crucial. The repetition also serves as a rhetorical device to emphasize the gravity of their actions, similar to the warnings found in <a href="/jeremiah/14-14.htm">Jeremiah 14:14-15</a>, where God condemns the false prophets for speaking lies in His name.<p><b>and I specifically told you not to make this claim,</b><br>This phrase highlights the direct disobedience to God's command, emphasizing the willful nature of the false prophets' actions. It reflects the covenantal relationship between God and Israel, where obedience to God's word is paramount. The specific prohibition against claiming false messages from God is a reminder of the importance of truthfulness and integrity in conveying God's word, a theme that resonates with the warnings against false teachers in the New Testament, such as in <a href="/2_peter/2.htm">2 Peter 2:1-3</a>.<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, called by God to deliver messages of warning and hope to the people of Judah.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The covenant name of God, who is addressing the false prophets through Jeremiah.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/f/false_prophets.htm">False Prophets</a></b><br>Individuals in Judah who falsely claimed to speak on behalf of God, misleading the people.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/j/judah.htm">Judah</a></b><br>The southern kingdom of Israel, where Jeremiah ministered and where the false prophets were active.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/o/oracle_of_the_lord.htm">Oracle of the LORD</a></b><br>A term used to describe a message or prophecy claimed to be from God, which was being misused by false prophets.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_true_prophecy.htm">The Importance of True Prophecy</a></b><br>God takes the misuse of His name seriously. Claiming divine authority falsely is a grave sin.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/discernment_in_spiritual_matters.htm">Discernment in Spiritual Matters</a></b><br>Believers must exercise discernment and test the spirits to ensure that teachings align with Scripture.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_responsibility_of_leaders.htm">The Responsibility of Leaders</a></b><br>Spiritual leaders have a responsibility to speak truthfully and accurately, representing God's word faithfully.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_falsehood.htm">The Consequences of Falsehood</a></b><br>False teachings can lead people astray, causing spiritual harm and distancing them from God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_scripture_as_a_standard.htm">The Role of Scripture as a Standard</a></b><br>Scripture serves as the ultimate standard for truth, and all teachings should be measured against it.<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/what_is_spiritual_manipulation.htm">What is spiritual manipulation?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_reconcile_bible_edits_with_jer._23_36.htm">Jeremiah 23:36: How can the warning against perverting 'the words of the living God' be reconciled with claims that the Bible has been edited or redacted over time?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_god's_demand_for_repentance_contradictory.htm">(Jeremiah 13:16-17) Isn't it contradictory for God to demand repentance while also foretelling inevitable punishment?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_jeremiah_21_2_contradict_divine_protection.htm">How can Jeremiah 21:2 claim the Lord would not rescue Jerusalem when other passages promise divine protection for the city?</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>(38) <span class= "bld">But since ye say.</span>--Better, <span class= "ital">if ye say.</span><p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/jeremiah/23.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 38.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">But since ye say</span>, etc.; rather, <span class="accented">But if ye say</span>, <span class="accented">etc</span>. <span class="accented">In</span> case the false prophets disobey, and persist in using the old expression, the threatening already uttered shall come into operation. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/jeremiah/23-38.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">But if</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאִם־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’im-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_518.htm">Strong's 518: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you claim,</span><br /><span class="heb">תֹּאמֵרוּ֒</span> <span class="translit">(tō·mê·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">‘This is the oracle</span><br /><span class="heb">מַשָּׂ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(maś·śā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4853.htm">Strong's 4853: </a> </span><span class="str2">A burden, tribute, porterage, an utterance, chiefly a, doom, singing, mental, desire</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the LORD,’</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָה֮</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">then</span><br /><span class="heb">לָכֵ֗ן</span> <span class="translit">(lā·ḵên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3651.htm">Strong's 3651: </a> </span><span class="str2">So -- thus</span><br /><br /><span class="word">this is what</span><br /><span class="heb">כֹּ֚ה</span> <span class="translit">(kōh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3541.htm">Strong's 3541: </a> </span><span class="str2">Like this, thus, here, now</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֔ה</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">says:</span><br /><span class="heb">אָמַ֣ר</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·mar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Because</span><br /><span class="heb">יַ֧עַן</span> <span class="translit">(ya·‘an)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3282.htm">Strong's 3282: </a> </span><span class="str2">Heed, purpose, to indicate the reason, cause</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you have said,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲמָרְכֶ֛ם</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·mā·rə·ḵem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">‘This is the oracle</span><br /><span class="heb">מַשָּׂ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(maś·śā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4853.htm">Strong's 4853: </a> </span><span class="str2">A burden, tribute, porterage, an utterance, chiefly a, doom, singing, mental, desire</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of 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 I specifically told</span><br /><span class="heb">וָאֶשְׁלַ֤ח</span> <span class="translit">(wā·’eš·laḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7971.htm">Strong's 7971: </a> </span><span class="str2">To send away, for, out</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">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">to make this claim,</span><br /><span class="heb">תֹאמְר֖וּ</span> <span class="translit">(ṯō·mə·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/jeremiah/23-38.htm">Jeremiah 23:38 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/jeremiah/23-38.htm">Jeremiah 23:38 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/jeremiah/23-38.htm">Jeremiah 23:38 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/jeremiah/23-38.htm">Jeremiah 23:38 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/jeremiah/23-38.htm">Jeremiah 23:38 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/jeremiah/23-38.htm">Jeremiah 23:38 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/jeremiah/23-38.htm">Jeremiah 23:38 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/jeremiah/23-38.htm">Jeremiah 23:38 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/jeremiah/23-38.htm">Jeremiah 23:38 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/jeremiah/23-38.htm">Jeremiah 23:38 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/jeremiah/23-38.htm">OT Prophets: Jeremiah 23:38 But if you say The burden (Jer.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/jeremiah/23-37.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Jeremiah 23:37"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 23:37" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/jeremiah/23-39.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Jeremiah 23:39"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 23:39" /></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>