King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 23:38 Mean?

Jeremiah 23:38 in the King James Version says “But since ye say, The burden of the LORD; therefore thus saith the LORD; Because ye say this word, The burden of the LOR...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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;”

Jeremiah 23:38 · KJV

Context

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;

39

Therefore, behold, I, even I, will utterly forget you, and I will forsake you, and the city that I gave you and your fathers, and cast you out of my presence:

40

And I will bring an everlasting reproach upon you, and a perpetual shame, which shall not be forgotten.

Read Jeremiah 23 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. The conditional 'since' (וְאִם, v'im, 'but if') introduces judgment based on continued disobedience. Despite explicit prohibition (verse 34), they persist in saying מַשָּׂא יְהוָה (massa YHWH, 'the burden of the LORD'). The phrase and I have sent unto you, saying (וָאֶשְׁלַח אֲלֵיכֶם לֵאמֹר, va'eshlach aleikhem lemor) emphasizes active divine communication—God sent messengers forbidding this language.

The verse structure emphasizes willful rebellion: (1) God sends prohibition, (2) people ignore it, (3) judgment follows. This isn't innocent error but defiant disobedience to explicit command. The repetition of 'the burden of the LORD' (three times in one verse!) dramatizes their obstinate clinging to forbidden terminology. It's like children taunting a parent by repeating prohibited words. Such defiance transforms linguistic corruption into direct rebellion against divine authority. When God says 'Don't speak this way' and people insist on doing so, language becomes battleground for sovereignty.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This verse implies a historical sequence: Jeremiah delivered God's prohibition, yet people—especially prophets and priests—continued using the banned phrase. Their persistence despite warning reveals entrenched rebellion. The religious establishment's investment in existing theological language made reform impossible without catastrophic judgment. Sometimes linguistic habits become so ingrained that only exile and starting over can break them.

Reflection Questions

  1. What prohibited patterns of speech or thought do you cling to despite divine correction?
  2. How does persistence in 'small' disobediences (forbidden words) reveal deeper rebellion?
  3. What linguistic or theological habits in your faith community resist reform despite biblical challenge?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וְאִם1 of 22

“But”

H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

מַשָּׂ֥א2 of 22

“The burden”

H4853

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

יְהוָֽה׃3 of 22

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

תֹאמְר֖וּ4 of 22

“Because ye say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לָכֵ֗ן5 of 22
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

כֹּ֚ה6 of 22
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

תֹאמְר֖וּ7 of 22

“Because ye say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָֽה׃8 of 22

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

יַ֧עַן9 of 22
H3282

properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause

תֹאמְר֖וּ10 of 22

“Because ye say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֶת11 of 22
H853

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

הַדָּבָ֥ר12 of 22

“this word”

H1697

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

הַזֶּ֖ה13 of 22