King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 8:9 Mean?

Jeremiah 8:9 in the King James Version says “The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the LORD; and what wisdom is i...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the LORD; and what wisdom is in them? The wise: or, Have they been ashamed, etc what: Heb. the wisdom of what thing”

Jeremiah 8:9 · KJV

Wisdom

Context

7

Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the LORD.

8

How do ye say, We are wise, and the law of the LORD is with us? Lo, certainly in vain made he it; the pen of the scribes is in vain. in vain made: or, the false pen of the scribes worketh for falsehood

9

The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the LORD; and what wisdom is in them? The wise: or, Have they been ashamed, etc what: Heb. the wisdom of what thing

10

Therefore will I give their wives unto others, and their fields to them that shall inherit them: for every one from the least even unto the greatest is given to covetousness, from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.

11

For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.

Read Jeremiah 8 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse pronounces judgment on the self-proclaimed wise: 'The wise men are ashamed' (boshu chakamim, בֹּשׁוּ חֲכָמִים). The Hebrew bosh (בּוֹשׁ) denotes public humiliation, disappointed expectation, and covenant curse. 'They are dismayed and taken' adds chatat (חָתַת, shattered, terrified) and lakad (לָכַד, captured, snared)—the wise are caught in their own trap. 'Lo, they have rejected the word of the LORD' uses ma'as (מָאַס, to despise, reject with contempt) with debar-YHWH (דְּבַר־יְהוָה). This rejection isn't ignorance but deliberate contempt. 'And what wisdom is in them?' The rhetorical question exposes false wisdom: rejecting divine revelation leaves only human folly disguised as sophistication. True wisdom begins with fearing God (Proverbs 1:7); rejecting His word destroys wisdom's foundation.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This indictment targeted Judah's intellectual and religious elite—scribes, priests, prophets, and counselors who should have guided the nation in covenant faithfulness. Instead, they rejected Jeremiah's warnings and embraced false prophets promising peace (Jeremiah 6:14, 8:11). Their 'wisdom' led directly to national catastrophe in 586 BC. Archaeological discoveries of seals from Jeremiah's era confirm the existence of these official scribal classes.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does rejecting God's word expose the folly of all human wisdom, however sophisticated?
  2. What modern forms of 'wise' rejection of Scripture do we encounter today?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
הֹבִ֣ישׁוּ1 of 11
H954

properly, to pale, i.e., by implication to be ashamed; also (by implication) to be disappointed or delayed

חֲכָמִ֔ים2 of 11

“The wise”

H2450

wise, (i.e., intelligent, skilful or artful)

חַ֖תּוּ3 of 11

“they are dismayed”

H2865

properly, to prostrate; hence, to break down, either (literally) by violence, or (figuratively) by confusion and fear

וַיִּלָּכֵ֑דוּ4 of 11

“and taken”

H3920

to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by lot); figuratively, to cohere

הִנֵּ֤ה5 of 11
H2009

lo!

בִדְבַר6 of 11

“the word”

H1697

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

יְהוָה֙7 of 11

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

מָאָ֔סוּ8 of 11

“lo they have rejected”

H3988

to spurn; also (intransitively) to disappear

וְחָכְמַ֥ת9 of 11

“and what wisdom”

H2451

wisdom (in a good sense)

מֶ֖ה10 of 11
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

לָהֶֽם׃11 of 11
H0

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 8:9 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 8:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 6:15Psalms 119:98-100Job 5:12Isaiah 19:11Deuteronomy 4:6Jeremiah 6:19

Test Your Knowledge

Jeremiah 8 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterJeremiah Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Jeremiah 8 with CommentaryAll Jeremiah ChaptersComplete Jeremiah QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes