Jeremiah 23:33 Meaning and Explanation
“And when this people, or the prophet, or a priest, shall ask thee, saying, What is the burden of the LORD? thou shalt then say unto them, What burden? I will even forsake you, saith the LORD.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The burden the people will bear is God's own judgment and abandonment.
The Context of Jeremiah 23:33
A play on words: the 'burden' they asked about becomes the burden they receive.
What Does Jeremiah 23:33 Mean?
The phrase 'burden of the LORD' (maśśāʾ) was used by prophets to introduce an oracle of judgment (Isaiah 13:1; Nahum 1:1). But here there is wordplay: when people ask about the 'burden,' God's answer is that the burden is themselves—they have become a weight and nuisance to God. 'What burden? I will even forsake you, saith the LORD.'
Forsaking is the opposite of the covenant promise of presence. It is the withdrawal of God's protection and guidance. The people sought prophecy as comfort but will receive instead the terrible answer: you are no longer My concern. The punishment fits the crime—they abandoned God; now He abandons them.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 23:33
What does Jeremiah 23:33 mean?
The burden the people will bear is God's own judgment and abandonment.
What is the context of Jeremiah 23:33?
A play on words: the 'burden' they asked about becomes the burden they receive.