Jeremiah 9:23
Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches,
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jeremiah is cutting through the false confidence people place in their own achievements. It's not just about boasting in general, but specifically about these three things – wisdom, might, and riches – being presented as ultimate sources of security, when they are ultimately fleeting and insufficient in God's eyes.
Jeremiah has been detailing the coming destruction upon Judah due to their unfaithfulness, but the people remain stubbornly proud and self-reliant. In response, God declares that all human boasts – in wisdom, might, or riches – are ultimately futile because these things cannot save them from the judgment He is bringing. Instead, true glory is found only in understanding and fearing the Lord.
We often lean on our strengths, our smarts, or our possessions. But Jeremiah delivers a sobering truth: these things are not ultimate security.
Jeremiah's message cuts through our natural tendency to trust in ourselves. The 'wise man' might be a scribe or a political advisor, relying on intellect. The 'mighty man' could be a soldier or a ruler, depending on physical power. The 'rich man' trusts in his material wealth.
However, the prophet, speaking for God, declares these sources of pride ultimately vain. Why? Because they are temporary, unreliable, and cannot save us from God's judgment or the finality of death. They are fleeting and, in the face of God's power and sovereignty, utterly insufficient.
If we can't boast in wisdom, might, or riches, then where should our confidence be placed? Jeremiah points us to the only secure foundation.
The immediate follow-up to forbidding boasting in human attributes is a call to boast in the Lord. The true wisdom, the only 'might' that truly matters, and the only 'riches' that endure are found in knowing God.
This isn't just intellectual knowledge. It's about understanding God's character – His mercy, His justice, His righteousness. It's recognizing Him as the source of all good and the One who orchestrates events. Boasting in God means finding our identity, security, and ultimate value in Him, not in what we possess or can achieve.
Understand the original words
chakam · Hebrew Adjective/Noun
A person who possesses practical skill or spiritual insight, often associated with the ability to discern the ways of God and live accordingly, though distinct from true, God-fearing knowledge.
halal · Hebrew Verb
The outward expression of confidence or self-glorification, which, when directed toward human achievements rather than God, is viewed as arrogance and folly.
Jeremiah delivered this message during a period of escalating national crises, with the threat of Babylonian conquest and exile looming large. The people were tempted to rely on their own perceived strengths—wisdom, might, and wealth—rather than on God, especially as these resources failed to prevent disaster.
Late 8th century BC
Assyrian Captivity of Northern Kingdom
The Northern Kingdom of Israel (ten tribes) was conquered and exiled by the Assyrian Empire, a devastating event that shattered their national identity and sovereignty. This served as a stark warning of God's judgment for unfaithfulness.
c. 701 BC
Sennacherib's Invasion of Judah
The Assyrian king Sennacherib invaded Judah, conquering many cities and besieging Jerusalem. Though Jerusalem was miraculously spared, the threat and the reality of Assyrian power loomed large.
605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon defeated the Egyptians and Babylon began its rise as a world power. This marked the first major deportation of Judean nobility and skilled workers, including the prophet Daniel, to Babylon.
c. 597 BC
Second Babylonian Deportation
Following a revolt, Nebuchadnezzar deported more Judeans, including King Jehoiachin and the prophet Ezekiel, to Babylon. This further weakened Judah and intensified the sense of impending doom.
This passage echoes Jeremiah's sentiment by stating that boasting should not occur in human wisdom, might, or riches, but that all boasting should be in the Lord, aligning perfectly with the prophet's message.
1 Samuel 2:3Hannah's prayer directly mirrors the theme, emphasizing that people should not speak with arrogant speech, nor let boastful talk come from their mouths, because the Lord is a God of knowledge and by him actions are weighed. This highlights the folly of human pride when contrasted with divine omniscience.
Proverbs 3:5-7This proverb urges trust in the Lord rather than relying on one's own understanding, wisdom, or strength, reinforcing Jeremiah's warning against self-reliance and misplaced pride in these areas.
Galatians 6:14Paul declares that he will never boast except in the cross of Christ, showing a powerful shift from boasting in worldly accomplishments or status to boasting in the redemptive work of God, which is the ultimate fulfillment of Jeremiah's counsel.
barnesJeremiah 9:23: "Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:"
To the end of Jeremiah 10 the prophet urges upon the people the practical conclusion to be drawn from God's righteous dealings with them. The three things on which men most pride themselves are shown in this verse to have proved vain.
clarkeJeremiah 9:23: "Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:"
Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom - Because God is the Fountain of all good, neither wisdom, nor might, nor riches, nor prosperity can come but from or through him. Nothing can be more rational than that the Source of all our blessings should be acknowledged. Riches cannot deliver in the day of death; strength cannot avai…
Jeremiah is cutting through the false confidence people place in their own achievements. It's not just about boasting in general, but specifically about these three things – wisdom, might, and riches – being presented as ultimate sources of security, when they are ultimately fleeting and insufficient in God's eyes.
Jeremiah has been detailing the coming destruction upon Judah due to their unfaithfulness, but the people remain stubbornly proud and self-reliant. In response, God declares that all human boasts – in wisdom, might, or riches – are ultimately futile because these things cannot save them from the judgment He is bringing. Instead, true glory is found only in understanding and fearing the Lord.
Jeremiah has been detailing the coming destruction upon Judah due to their unfaithfulness, but the people remain stubbornly proud and self-reliant. In response, God declares that all human boasts – in wisdom, might, or riches – are ultimately futile because these things cannot save them from the judgment He is bringing. Instead, true glory is found only in understanding and fearing the Lord.
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586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple Destruction
The Babylonians finally conquered Jerusalem, destroyed the city and Solomon's Temple, and exiled the majority of the remaining population. This was the catastrophic climax of God's judgment against Judah for persistent sin and idolatry.
c. 586 BC - 538 BC
Babylonian Exile
The period of the Jewish people's exile in Babylon, during which they lived as captives, reflecting on their history and seeking God's restoration. Jeremiah's prophecies, including this one, were deeply relevant during this time of national crisis and reevaluation.
"Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches," — Jeremiah is cutting through the false confidence people place in their own achievements. It's not just about boasting in general, but specifically about these three things – wisdom, might, and riches…
