Jeremiah 23:39-40
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)
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The word translated "forget" is a clever play on words with the preceding term "burden." It suggests not just being forgotten, but God actively "lifting you up" like a heavy, unwanted burden and then casting you away. This highlights how their rebellious words have made them a burden to God, leading to a forceful rejection from His presence.
God is confronting prophets who have been presumptuously claiming that His messages are just a "burden" and not to be taken seriously. He declares that because they've treated His words with such disdain, He will now utterly cast them and the very city He gave them away from His presence. This judgment signifies a complete removal, a turning away from them and their precious Jerusalem, effectively severing their relationship with Him.
Why would God, who is love, speak such harsh words of judgment? It comes down to how His people treated His message.
Jeremiah's prophecy here is a powerful response to people who were treating God's prophetic word, called a 'burden,' as a trivial thing. They were so accustomed to hearing about 'the burden of the LORD' that they used it carelessly, perhaps even mockingly.
God Takes His Word Seriously
God's message wasn't just words; it was a weighty revelation of His will and truth. When people dismissed it, they weren't just disrespecting the messenger (Jeremiah) but God Himself.
A Play on Words
Scholars notice a clever, intentional wordplay in the original language. The word for 'burden' is very similar to the word for 'to lift up' or 'to take away.' God is saying, 'You call my word a burden? Fine. I will lift YOU up as a burden, and then I will cast you away!' It’s a divine reversal, turning their dismissive phrase back on them with devastating effect.
Imagine being cast out of the very place where God’s presence uniquely dwelled. This verse describes that ultimate rejection.
The core of this judgment is not just physical exile, but the removal from God's favor and presence.
The Ultimate Loss
God gave Jerusalem and the Temple to His people as a sign of His dwelling among them. To be cast out of His presence meant losing that covenant relationship, that unique access, and that divine protection. It’s the opposite of dwelling in God’s house.
A Finality in Judgment
The language is stark: 'utterly forget you,' 'forsake you,' 'cast you out.' This isn't a temporary discipline but a profound and complete rejection, signifying the end of their special covenant relationship based on their unfaithfulness. The scholars note that some translations suggest God will 'lift you up as a burden and cast you away,' emphasizing the complete removal and burden He found them to be.
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.
The prophecy in Jeremiah 23:39 is a direct response to false prophets who were mocking God's message and assuring people that the 'burden' of prophecy was nothing to fear. God declares that the true burden will be His judgment, which involves utterly forgetting, forsaking, and casting out both the people and Jerusalem itself, signifying total exile and loss of His presence.
Late 8th century BC
Assyrian Deportations Begin
The Assyrian Empire starts systematically deporting populations from conquered territories, scattering them to break their national identity and resistance. This practice sets a precedent for later exiles.
c. 701 BC
Sennacherib's Siege of Jerusalem
The Assyrian king Sennacherib attacks Judah, capturing many cities. Jerusalem is besieged but miraculously spared, leading to a false sense of security among the people.
609 BC
Josiah's Death at Megiddo
King Josiah, a righteous ruler, is killed in battle against Pharaoh Neco of Egypt. This event marks a turning point, leading to instability and increased foreign influence in Judah.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon defeats the Egyptians and begins deporting Judaeans, including members of the royal family and educated elite, to Babylon. This marks the start of the Babylonian Captivity.
This passage describes God casting Israel away from His presence and destroying their cities as a consequence of their disobedience, mirroring the judgment pronounced in Jeremiah.
Ezekiel 37:11-14Ezekiel speaks of the people of Israel being scattered and given up to destruction, but God promises to bring them back and restore them, highlighting the depth of their exile before restoration.
Luke 19:41-44Jesus weeps over Jerusalem, foretelling its destruction and that enemies will cast it down, echoing the devastation of the city that God gave to His people.
Psalm 106:40-41This psalm recounts God's anger against His people, how He gave them into the hands of nations, and how their enemies oppressed them, directly paralleling the theme of being forsaken and cast out.
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…
The word translated "forget" is a clever play on words with the preceding term "burden." It suggests not just being forgotten, but God actively "lifting you up" like a heavy, unwanted burden and then casting you away. This highlights how their rebellious words have made them a burden to God, leading to a forceful rejection from His presence.
God is confronting prophets who have been presumptuously claiming that His messages are just a "burden" and not to be taken seriously. He declares that because they've treated His words with such disdain, He will now utterly cast them and the very city He gave them away from His presence. This judgment signifies a complete removal, a turning away from them and their precious Jerusalem, effectively severing their relationship with Him.
God is confronting prophets who have been presumptuously claiming that His messages are just a "burden" and not to be taken seriously. He declares that because they've treated His words with such disdain, He will now utterly cast them and the very city He gave them away from His presence. This judgment signifies a complete removal, a turning away from them and their precious Jerusalem, effectively severing their relationship with Him.
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597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
Following a rebellion, Nebuchadnezzar deports more people from Jerusalem, including King Jehoiachin and the prophet Ezekiel. The Temple in Jerusalem is despoiled.
587/586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Third Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, ending the Davidic monarchy. Most remaining inhabitants are deported to Babylon, fulfilling Jeremiah's prophecies of judgment.
"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.’”" — The word translated "forget" is a clever play on words with the preceding term "burden." It suggests not just being forgotten, but God actively "lifting you up" like a heavy, unwanted burden and then…
