Old Testament

Jeremiah 23:9

The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English

At a Glance

In this verse, the prophet Jeremiah expresses deep emotional turmoil due to the false prophets in Israel.

Author
Jeremiah the prophet, with Baruch
Written
Around 600 BC
Genre
Prophecy
Original Audience
Judah before and during the Babylonian exile
CBTClear Bible Translation

About the prophets — my heart is shattered inside me. Every bone in my body trembles. I stagger like a drunk, like someone overpowered by wine, because of the LORD and because of his holy words.

KJVKing James Version

Mine heart within me is broken because of the prophets; all my bones shake; I am like a drunken man, and like a man whom wine hath overcome, because of the LORD, and because of the words of his holiness.

Verse Analysis

Plain-English insight for readers

In this verse, the prophet Jeremiah expresses deep emotional turmoil due to the false prophets in Israel. His heart is broken, and he feels physically weak, as if he were drunk. This overwhelming feeling comes from his awareness of God's holiness and the seriousness of the messages being distorted by these prophets. Jeremiah's reaction highlights the weight of God's words and the responsibility of those who speak on His behalf. The imagery of trembling bones and staggering like a drunkard illustrates the intensity of his grief and the urgency of the situation. He is not just upset about the false prophecies; he is profoundly affected by the dishonor they bring to God and His truth. This verse serves as a reminder of the importance of integrity in spiritual leadership and the impact of false teachings on the community. Explore related despair.

How to apply Jeremiah 23:9 to your life

This verse encourages us to be discerning about the teachings we follow and to seek truth rooted in God's word. It reminds us of the importance of integrity in spiritual leadership and the need to hold leaders accountable for their messages. We should also be sensitive to the weight of God's words in our lives.

Curated for this public verse page. Jeremiah Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick, clear answers about this verse

What does Jeremiah 23:9 mean?

Jeremiah 23:9 expresses the deep emotional pain of the prophet due to the presence of false prophets in Israel. He feels broken-hearted and physically weak, overwhelmed by the seriousness of God's words and the dishonor caused by these misleading leaders.

What is the significance of the imagery in Jeremiah 23:9?

The imagery of trembling bones and staggering like a drunkard in Jeremiah 23:9 illustrates the intensity of Jeremiah's grief and urgency regarding the false teachings. It emphasizes how deeply God's holiness affects him and highlights the weight of responsibility for those who speak on God's behalf.

How does Jeremiah 23:9 relate to spiritual leadership?

Jeremiah 23:9 underscores the importance of integrity in spiritual leadership. It serves as a reminder that leaders must communicate God's truth faithfully, as false teachings can have serious consequences for the community.

What can we learn from Jeremiah 23:9 about accountability?

Jeremiah 23:9 highlights the need for accountability in spiritual leadership. It encourages individuals to discern the teachings they follow and to ensure that their leaders uphold the truth of God's word.

The Book of Jeremiah
Book Summary

The Book of Jeremiah

Jeremiah 1: The Call of Jeremiah

The words of Jeremiah, son of Hilkiah, a priest from Anathoth in the land of Benjamin, are recorded. The word of the LORD comes to him in the thirteenth year of King Josiah's reign over Judah. It continues to come to him through the reign of King Jehoiakim and until the eleventh year of King Zedekiah, when Jerusalem is carried into captivity. The LORD states that before He formed Jeremiah in the womb, He knew him and ordained him as a prophet to the nations. Jeremiah responds that he cannot speak because he is a child. The LORD commands him not to say he is a child, for he will go where the LORD sends him and speak what the LORD commands.

Premium

Unlock the full Jeremiah summary

Continue reading every chapter — themes, structure, and turning points.

The complete summary of Jeremiah — a chapter-by-chapter breakdown covering all 52 chapters.

What you get

Every chapter of Jeremiah summarized in clear, modern English

How each section connects — narrative flow, key themes, and turning points

Permanent access — read anytime, on any device

Best Value

Best value • Save over 90%

or

One-time purchase • Access anytime

ClearBible summaries are proprietary content and may not be copied, republished, or resold.

Checkout works as a guest. After payment, you create an account to claim your unlock.