Jeremiah 9:23-24
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)
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Jeremiah isn't just saying these things are unreliable; he's highlighting how they're ultimately useless when measured against God's justice. The verse is a stark reminder that boasting in human wisdom, might, or riches is foolish because these are the very things that will fail to save anyone when facing God's judgment.
Jeremiah has just delivered a powerful prophecy of judgment against Judah. He's exposed their deep-seated corruption, their unfaithfulness to God, and their misplaced confidence in earthly things rather than divine protection. In response, God declares that no human achievement—not wisdom, might, nor wealth—will save them from the coming destruction. True boasting belongs only to those who know God.
We all have things we're proud of – our intelligence, our abilities, our possessions. But Jeremiah delivers a stark warning: where should we not place our ultimate trust?
Jeremiah confronts the people of Judah with a devastating truth: their confidence in human achievements is misplaced.
Wisdom, Might, and Riches: Empty Shields
These things, on which people build their pride and security, are ultimately temporary and insufficient when facing divine reckoning.
If we're not supposed to boast in our wisdom, might, or riches, then where should we find our confidence and joy? The very next verse holds the answer.
While Jeremiah forbids boasting in human attributes, the passage doesn't leave us empty-handed. It directs us to the only legitimate object of glory: God Himself.
Knowing the LORD: The Ultimate Boast
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.
Jeremiah's words were delivered against the backdrop of Judah's impending and ongoing destruction by Babylon. The people wrongly trusted in their own wisdom, military strength, and wealth, believing these would protect them from God's judgment, a confidence that proved disastrously misplaced.
Late 8th century BC
Assyrian military campaigns
The Neo-Assyrian Empire, a dominant superpower, conducted frequent and brutal military campaigns throughout the Levant. These campaigns often led to the subjugation of nations, destruction of cities, and deportation of populations, creating widespread fear and instability.
c. 701 BC
Sennacherib's invasion of Judah
The Assyrian king Sennacherib invaded Judah, conquering many fortified cities and besieging Jerusalem. While Jerusalem was miraculously spared direct conquest, the surrounding region was devastated, highlighting the vulnerability of Judah.
605 BC
First Babylonian deportation
Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon defeated the Egyptian-Assyrian forces at Carchemish. He then marched into Judah, exiling a portion of the population, including Daniel, and seizing temple treasures. This marked the beginning of Babylonian dominance over Judah.
597 BC
Second Babylonian deportation
Following a Judean revolt, Nebuchadnezzar again besieged Jerusalem. King Jehoiachin and a significant portion of the elite, including the prophet Ezekiel, were exiled to Babylon. This event severely weakened the kingdom and its leadership.
This passage echoes Jeremiah's sentiment by stating that boasting is excluded by the law of faith, emphasizing that no one should boast in themselves, but rather in Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:31Directly quoting Jeremiah 9:23, Paul reinforces that anyone who boasts should do so in the Lord, aligning with Jeremiah's call to find ultimate value and security in God alone.
Galatians 6:14Paul's declaration that he will not boast except in the cross of Christ beautifully illustrates Jeremiah's point, showing that true boasting is found not in human achievements but in God's redemptive work.
Psalm 39:7This Psalm also directs hope and trust away from worldly possessions and achievements towards God, stating 'And now, Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you,' which mirrors Jeremiah's rejection of boasting in earthly 'wisdom, might, or riches.'
Proverbs 3:5-6These verses encourage trusting in the LORD with all one's heart and not leaning on one's own understanding, directly contrasting the human wisdom, might, and riches that Jeremiah warns against boasting in.
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 these things are unreliable; he's highlighting how they're ultimately useless when measured against God's justice. The verse is a stark reminder that boasting in human wisdom, might, or riches is foolish because these are the very things that will fail to save anyone when facing God's judgment.
Jeremiah has just delivered a powerful prophecy of judgment against Judah. He's exposed their deep-seated corruption, their unfaithfulness to God, and their misplaced confidence in earthly things rather than divine protection. In response, God declares that no human achievement—not wisdom, might, nor wealth—will save them from the coming destruction. True boasting belongs only to those who know God.
Jeremiah has just delivered a powerful prophecy of judgment against Judah. He's exposed their deep-seated corruption, their unfaithfulness to God, and their misplaced confidence in earthly things rather than divine protection. In response, God declares that no human achievement—not wisdom, might, nor wealth—will save them from the coming destruction. True boasting belongs only to those who know God.
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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.
586 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
After further rebellion, Nebuchadnezzar's forces finally destroyed Jerusalem and its magnificent Temple, the center of Israel's religious life. The remaining population was largely exiled to Babylon, ending Judah as an independent kingdom.
c. 586 BC - 538 BC
Babylonian Exile
The Jewish people lived in exile in Babylon, stripped of their homeland and their central institutions. This period was a profound crisis, forcing a re-evaluation of their identity and their relationship with God.
"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 these things are unreliable; he's highlighting how they're ultimately useless when measured against God's justice. The verse is a stark reminder that boasting in human wisd…
