King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 23:36 Mean?

Jeremiah 23:36 in the King James Version says “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... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Jeremiah 23:36 · KJV


Context

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.

37

Thus shalt thou say to the prophet, What hath the LORD answered thee? and, What hath the LORD spoken?

38

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 unto you, saying, Ye shall not say, The burden of the LORD;


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the burden of the LORD shall ye mention no more: for every man's word shall be his burden (וּמַשָּׂא יְהוָה לֹא תִזְכְּרוּ־עוֹד כִּי הַמַּשָּׂא יִהְיֶה לְאִישׁ דְּבָרוֹ, umassa YHWH lo tizkeru-od ki hammassa yihyeh l'ish d'varo). The prohibition continues: stop mentioning מַשָּׂא יְהוָה (massa YHWH). Why? For every man's word shall be his burden—the wordplay becomes judgment. Those who frivolously spoke of God's 'burden' will discover their own words become their burden, bringing condemnation. For ye have perverted the words of the living God, of the LORD of hosts our God (וַהֲפַכְתֶּם אֶת־דִּבְרֵי אֱלֹהִים חַיִּים יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת אֱלֹהֵינוּ, vahafakhtem et-divrei elohim chayyim YHWH tseva'ot eloheinu).

The verb הָפַךְ (hafakh, 'overturn/pervert/twist') describes deliberate distortion. They've corrupted the words of אֱלֹהִים חַיִּים (elohim chayyim, 'the living God')—not dead idols but the active, speaking God. The full divine title 'LORD of hosts our God' (יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת אֱלֹהֵינוּ) emphasizes both transcendent power (Yahweh of armies) and covenantal intimacy (our God). Perverting such a God's words invites catastrophe. Jesus condemned Pharisees for making God's word void through tradition (Mark 7:13). When human words replace divine words, claiming divine authority, those words become a burden of judgment their speakers cannot bear.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The charge of 'perverting' God's words indicts the systematic theological corruption pervading Judah's religious establishment. This wasn't isolated error but institutionalized distortion—schools, guilds, and courts all participating in twisting divine revelation to serve human agendas. The phrase 'living God' contrasts Yahweh with Babylon's dead idols, emphasizing the tragedy: they perverted words from the only God who actually speaks.

Reflection Questions

  1. How have you 'perverted' God's words by selective reading, manipulation, or distortion to suit preferences?
  2. In what ways do your words become your 'burden,' bringing judgment rather than life?
  3. What does it mean that you answer to 'the living God' rather than dead, silent ideologies?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
הַמַּשָּׂ֗א1 of 18

And the burden

H4853

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

יְהוָ֥ה2 of 18

of the LORD

H3068

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

לֹ֣א3 of 18
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תִזְכְּרוּ4 of 18

shall ye mention

H2142

properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male

ע֑וֹד5 of 18
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

כִּ֣י6 of 18
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

הַמַּשָּׂ֗א7 of 18

And the burden

H4853

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

יִֽהְיֶה֙8 of 18
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לְאִ֣ישׁ9 of 18

no more for every man's

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)

דִּבְרֵי֙10 of 18

the words

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

וַהֲפַכְתֶּ֗ם11 of 18

for ye have perverted

H2015

to turn about or over; by implication, to change, overturn, return, pervert

אֶת12 of 18
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

דִּבְרֵי֙13 of 18

the words

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ׃14 of 18

God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

חַיִּ֔ים15 of 18

of the living

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

יְהוָ֥ה16 of 18

of the LORD

H3068

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

צְבָא֖וֹת17 of 18

of hosts

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ׃18 of 18

God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of


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 23:36 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 23:36 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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