King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 23:34 Mean?

Jeremiah 23:34 in the King James Version says “And as for the prophet, and the priest, and the people, that shall say, The burden of the LORD, I will even punish that ...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And as for the prophet, and the priest, and the people, that shall say, The burden of the LORD, I will even punish that man and his house. punish: Heb. visit upon”

Jeremiah 23:34 · KJV

Context

32

Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the LORD, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the LORD.

33

And when this people, or the prophet, or a priest, shall ask thee, saying, What is the burden of the LORD? thou shalt then say unto them, What burden? I will even forsake you, saith the LORD.

34

And as for the prophet, and the priest, and the people, that shall say, The burden of the LORD, I will even punish that man and his house. punish: Heb. visit upon

35

Thus shall ye say every one to his neighbour, and every one to his brother, What hath the LORD answered? and, What hath the LORD spoken?

36

And the burden of the LORD shall ye mention no more: for every man's word shall be his burden; for ye have perverted the words of the living God, of the LORD of hosts our God.

Read Jeremiah 23 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And as for the prophet, and the priest, and the people, that shall say, The burden of the LORD, I will even punish that man and his house (וְהַנָּבִיא וְהַכֹּהֵן וְהָעָם אֲשֶׁר יֹאמַר מַשָּׂא יְהוָה וּפָקַדְתִּי עַל־הָאִישׁ הַהוּא וְעַל־בֵּיתוֹ, v'hannavi v'hakohen v'ha'am asher yomar massa YHWH ufaqadti al-ha'ish hahu v'al-beito). The threefold category—prophet, priest, people—encompasses religious leaders and laypeople alike. The verb פָּקַד (paqad, 'punish/visit/attend to') carries judicial force. Using the forbidden phrase מַשָּׂא יְהוָה (massa YHWH, 'burden of the LORD') brings punishment extending to one's household (בַּיִת, bayit).

This severe prohibition addresses linguistic degradation of sacred terminology. When words lose meaning through misuse, reality itself becomes obscured. God bans the term massa because it has been corrupted beyond recovery. The punishment's extension to 'his house' reflects covenant corporate solidarity—households share responsibility for profaning God's name. Jesus similarly warned against every idle word requiring account (Matthew 12:36). Language shapes reality; corrupt language corrupts communities. The prohibition protects divine communication's integrity.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The ban on using massa attempted linguistic reform—preventing further profaning of prophetic vocabulary. Archaeological evidence shows ancient Near Eastern cultures treated divine oracles with elaborate rituals and reverence. Judah's casual treatment of massa revealed spiritual bankruptcy. The punishment 'on his house' reflects ancient Near Eastern household-based social structure where families functioned as legal and religious units.

Reflection Questions

  1. What religious vocabulary have you emptied of meaning through casual or manipulative use?
  2. How does your household/family share accountability for how you speak about sacred things?
  3. What would it mean to ban certain corrupted religious language to protect truth's integrity?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וְהַנָּבִ֤יא1 of 13

“And as for the prophet”

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

וְהַכֹּהֵן֙2 of 13

“and the priest”

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

וְהָעָ֔ם3 of 13

“and the people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

אֲשֶׁ֥ר4 of 13
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יֹאמַ֖ר5 of 13

“that shall say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

מַשָּׂ֣א6 of 13

“The burden”

H4853

a burden; figuratively, an utterance, chiefly a doom, especially singing; mental, desire

יְהוָ֑ה7 of 13

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וּפָקַדְתִּ֛י8 of 13

“I will even punish”

H6485

to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc

עַל9 of 13
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הָאִ֥ישׁ10 of 13

“that man”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

הַה֖וּא11 of 13
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

וְעַל12 of 13
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

בֵּיתֽוֹ׃13 of 13

“and his house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 23:34 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 23:34 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Zechariah 13:3Lamentations 2:14

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