Jeremiah 23:39-40
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God's words here are a powerful play on words: He's responding to their flippant use of "burden of the LORD" by saying He will lift them up (like a heavy burden) and then cast them off from His presence, utterly forgetting them. This isn't just punishment; it's a divine mirroring of their own disrespect for His message, turning their dismissive phrase into their ultimate doom.
therefore, behold, I will surely lift you up and cast you away from my presence, you and the city that I gave to you and your fathers. And I will bring upon you everlasting reproach and perpetual shame, which shall not be forgotten.’”
English Standard Version (ESV)
God is responding directly to false prophets who have been using the phrase "the burden of the Lord" dismissively, as if God's prophetic messages were just inconvenient pronouncements. He's declaring that because they've trivialized His words with this phrase, He will indeed cause them to be a burden, ultimately removing them and their city from His presence entirely. This verse marks the climax of God's judgment against their arrogant misuse of His message.
Why would God get so angry about a single phrase? This verse reveals the dangerous weight behind words spoken carelessly.
The people and false prophets in Jeremiah's day had a flippant way of using the phrase 'the burden of the LORD.' They used it to dismiss the serious warnings of God's true prophets, treating God's messages as just another burdensome pronouncement. But God declares here that He will make them a burden, and then cast them off. The original Hebrew shows a clever play on words: the word for 'burden' sounds very similar to the word for 'to lift up' or 'to carry away.' God is essentially saying, 'You call my word a burden? Fine. I will lift you up as a burden, and then I will cast you away.' This isn't just about a word; it's about their heart attitude – a deep disrespect and disregard for God and His prophetic word.
What's worse than judgment? Being completely cut off from the source of all life and goodness.
The climax of God's judgment in this verse is being 'cast you out of my presence.' This isn't just about physical exile to Babylon, though that was part of it. It's about a complete severance from the favor and fellowship of God. For a people chosen by God, dwelling in the land He gave them, this was the ultimate catastrophe. It meant the loss of His protection, His guidance, and any sense of His nearness. It's the opposite of what true prophets spoke of—God dwelling with His people. Here, God explicitly withdraws that divine presence, leaving them to face the consequences of their sin entirely alone.
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Understand the original words
natash · Hebrew Verb
To be cast out or removed from the proximity and favor of God; signifying judgment through separation from His presence.
cherpah · Hebrew Noun
An external state of disgrace, blame, or dishonor that reflects an internal moral failure or judgment.
klimmah · Hebrew Noun
A state of deep humiliation and dishonor; a loss of status or integrity resulting from sin or divine discipline.
This prophecy directly addresses the impending destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of its people, emphasizing that their defiance and misuse of God's prophetic word will result in a complete casting out from His presence.
c. 626 BC
Jeremiah begins prophetic ministry
God calls Jeremiah to prophesy during a time of significant political upheaval and spiritual decline in Judah, preceding the Babylonian exile.
c. 609 BC
Josiah's death
King Josiah, who had initiated religious reforms, is killed in battle, leading to instability and a return to more corrupt leadership in Judah.
605 BC
First deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar deports a group of Judean exiles, including members of the royal family and educated elite, to Babylon. Daniel is among this group.
597 BC
Second deportation to Babylon
Following a rebellion, Nebuchadnezzar deports more of Judah's leadership and skilled workers, including King Jehoiachin and the prophet Ezekiel.
586 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling the remaining population to Babylon, marking the end of the Southern Kingdom of Judah.
This passage echoes the language of abandonment, stating that God will destroy their cities and lay their land waste, directly linking sin to the desolation of both people and place.
Psalm 73:27This verse describes the dire consequence of spiritual adultery as being separated from God's presence, mirroring Jeremiah's prophecy of being cast out by the Lord.
Ezekiel 5:11Similar to Jeremiah's pronouncement, Ezekiel declares that because of the people's defilement, God will set them as a shame and a reproach, casting them out from His sight.
Matthew 21:43Jesus states that the kingdom of God will be taken away from the Jewish leaders and given to a nation that produces its fruits, showing a precedent of God removing His favor from those who reject Him and His gifts.
barnesJeremiah 23:39: "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:"
Translate, "Therefore, behold, I will even take you up (or will burden you), and I will cast you, and the city which I gave you and your fathers, out of my presence."
clarkeJeremiah 23:39: "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:"
I will utterly forget you, and I will forsake you and the city - Dr. Blayney translates: - I will both take you up altogether, and will cast you off together with the city. Ye are a burden to me: but I will take you up, and then cast you off. I will do with you as a man weary with his burden will do; cast it off his shou…
God's words here are a powerful play on words: He's responding to their flippant use of "burden of the LORD" by saying He will lift them up (like a heavy burden) and then cast them off from His presence, utterly forgetting them. This isn't just punishment; it's a divine mirroring of their own disrespect for His message, turning their dismissive phrase into their ultimate doom.
God is responding directly to false prophets who have been using the phrase "the burden of the Lord" dismissively, as if God's prophetic messages were just inconvenient pronouncements. He's declaring that because they've trivialized His words with this phrase, He will indeed cause them to be a burden, ultimately removing them and their city from His presence entirely. This verse marks the climax of God's judgment against their arrogant misuse of His message.
God is responding directly to false prophets who have been using the phrase "the burden of the Lord" dismissively, as if God's prophetic messages were just inconvenient pronouncements. He's declaring that because they've trivialized His words with this phrase, He will indeed cause them to be a burden, ultimately removing them and their city from His presence entirely. This verse marks the climax of God's judgment against their arrogant misuse of His message.
"therefore, behold, I will surely lift you up and cast you away from my presence, you and the city that I gave to you and your fathers. And I will bring upon you everlasting reproach and perpetual shame, which shall not be forgotten.’”" — God's words here are a powerful play on words: He's responding to their flippant use of "burden of the LORD" by saying He will lift them up (like a heavy burden) and then cast them off from His p…
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Last reviewed October 2026
