Jeremiah 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:”
King James Version (KJV)
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This warning comes amid Jeremiah's laments over Judah's coming devastation, contrasting false confidence with the one thing worth knowing -- God Himself, declared in the next verse.
What Does Jeremiah 9:23 Mean?
God forbids anyone from boasting in wisdom, strength, or wealth. The verse names the three things people most often rely on for security and status: intellect, power, and money. Each is a genuine good, yet each becomes a trap when it becomes the basis of a person's glorying -- the place where they locate their confidence and identity. The repetition of "let not" hammers the point three times, sweeping away every self-made foundation. In a society about to lose its city, its temple, and its freedom, these supports were exposed as unable to save.
The verse is incomplete on its own; it clears the ground so verse 24 can plant the true object of boasting. By stripping away wisdom, might, and riches, God is not condemning them but dethroning them. The deepest danger is not having gifts but trusting them as ultimate. This is a mercy, because all three can fail in a single day, while the One who made them remains. The verse calls the reader to examine where their heart quietly says, "This is what keeps me safe."
In the Original Language
The repeated verb "glory" is halal, to boast, praise, or shine. It is the same root behind "hallelujah," so the issue is what your praise points to -- yourself or God.
Cross References
“That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.”
- 1 Corinthians 1:31
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”
- Proverbs 3:5
“Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.”
- Psalms 20:7
Application
Identify which you most quietly trust -- your cleverness, your capability, or your bank account -- and refuse to make it the ground of your security or pride.