Jeremiah 23:9 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jeremiah is devastated by the presence of false prophets corrupting God's people.
The Context of Jeremiah 23:9
The focus shifts to a second problem alongside bad shepherds: false prophets.
What Does Jeremiah 23:9 Mean?
Jeremiah moves from God's accusation to his own emotional and spiritual response. 'Mine heart within me is broken because of the prophets' is not mere sadness but profound distress. The physical symptoms—'all my bones shake,' 'like a drunken man'—suggest the weight of witnessing apostasy among those who claim to speak for God.
This visceral response shows what false prophecy costs: not just deception but the shattering of spiritual coherence. Jeremiah's drunkenness is not from wine but from the 'words of his holiness'—words of God that should bring life but instead, when twisted by false prophets, bring only anguish.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 23:9
What does Jeremiah 23:9 mean?
Jeremiah is devastated by the presence of false prophets corrupting God's people.
What is the context of Jeremiah 23:9?
The focus shifts to a second problem alongside bad shepherds: false prophets.