Jeremiah 9:23-24
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Jeremiah isn't just saying not to be proud of worldly achievements. He's highlighting that these things—wisdom, might, riches—are ultimately ineffectual and temporary, especially when facing God's judgment. The deeper point is that true value and lasting security can only be found in something eternal, not in the fleeting possessions of this world.
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, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Following a series of pronouncements about impending judgment and the resulting desolation, Jeremiah delivers a sobering message from the Lord. He declares that any boasting in human wisdom, might, or riches is utterly misplaced, especially in light of the coming destruction that will render these things useless. The prophet aims to shatter the people's misplaced confidence in their own capabilities and resources.
What do you put your confidence in? Jeremiah speaks to a time of impending judgment, revealing that the things people usually boast about are ultimately useless.
Jeremiah 9:23 drops a bombshell on human pride. It shatters the illusion that wisdom, strength, or wealth can save us.
The Vanity of Human Assets
These things are temporary and ultimately powerless when facing the Creator. They are like smoke, here one moment and gone the next.
If boasting in ourselves is futile, where does true confidence lie? Jeremiah points to a radical alternative that reorients our entire lives.
The Lord doesn't just tell us what not to boast in; He tells us what we should boast in. The passage continues, 'but let him who boasts, boast of this, that he understands me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness on the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD' (Jeremiah 9:24).
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The Object of True Glory
This kind of boasting isn't arrogant self-promotion; it's a humble celebration of who God is and what He does, finding our security and identity in Him alone.
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.
chesed · Hebrew Noun
The covenant love of God, referring to His faithful, loyal, and merciful commitment to His people, rooted in His promise and character.
mishpat · Hebrew Noun
God's objective standard of right and wrong, referring to His moral administration and His faithfulness to His covenant obligations.
tsedaqah · Hebrew Noun
A state of being in accordance with God's standards; it implies conformity to His moral law and ethical integrity in one's life.
Jeremiah speaks this word as Jerusalem faces imminent destruction and exile. The people had put their trust in their own wisdom, military might, and wealth, but these were proving utterly useless against the Babylonian Empire, highlighting the vanity of all human boasting when set against God's sovereign judgment.
Late 8th century BC
Assyrian Dominance
The Assyrian Empire exerted significant military and political pressure on the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, leading to a climate of fear and the need for political maneuvering.
605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, begins deporting Jewish elites to Babylon, including prominent figures like Daniel, signaling the coming destruction of Jerusalem.
597 BC
Second Babylonian Deportation
After a rebellion, Jerusalem is besieged, and King Jehoiachin and more citizens are exiled to Babylon, further diminishing Judah's strength and self-sufficiency.
c. 587-586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple Destruction
Nebuchadnezzar's forces completely destroy Jerusalem and its Temple, ending Judah as an independent kingdom and scattering its people.
Early 6th century BC
Exile in Babylon
The majority of the remaining Jewish population is in exile in Babylon, facing a loss of national identity, political power, and earthly security.
This passage echoes Jeremiah's sentiment, stating that boasting should not occur before God, and that human wisdom, might, and status are ultimately rendered insignificant in His sight.
1 Corinthians 1:31Continuing the theme, this verse directly instructs believers to boast only in the Lord, aligning perfectly with Jeremiah's message that true glory is found not in self-achieved qualities but in God Himself.
Galatians 6:14Paul declares he will boast only in the cross of Christ, a profound parallel to Jeremiah's prohibition against boasting in worldly wisdom, might, or riches, as the cross represents God's ultimate power and wisdom that transcends human understanding.
James 1:9-11This passage highlights the fleeting nature of both a believer's humble status and a rich person's wealth, reinforcing Jeremiah's caution against boasting in riches and suggesting that true contentment is not found in material possessions.
Psalm 37:30-31The Psalmist speaks of the righteous person's delight in God's law and instruction, contrasting with boasting in worldly advantages, and promises that such a focus will lead to lasting security, echoing Jeremiah's call to find true security in God alone.
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 isn't just saying not to be proud of worldly achievements. He's highlighting that these things—wisdom, might, riches—are ultimately ineffectual and temporary, especially when facing God's judgment. The deeper point is that true value and lasting security can only be found in something eternal, not in the fleeting possessions of this world.
Following a series of pronouncements about impending judgment and the resulting desolation, Jeremiah delivers a sobering message from the Lord. He declares that any boasting in human wisdom, might, or riches is utterly misplaced, especially in light of the coming destruction that will render these things useless. The prophet aims to shatter the people's misplaced confidence in their own capabilities and resources.
Following a series of pronouncements about impending judgment and the resulting desolation, Jeremiah delivers a sobering message from the Lord. He declares that any boasting in human wisdom, might, or riches is utterly misplaced, especially in light of the coming destruction that will render these things useless. The prophet aims to shatter the people's misplaced confidence in their own capabilities and resources.
"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, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD…" — Jeremiah isn't just saying not to be proud of worldly achievements. He's highlighting that these things—wisdom, might, riches—are ultimately ineffectual and temporary, especially when facing God's ju…
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Last reviewed October 2026
