Jeremiah 8:9 Meaning and Explanation
“The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the LORD; and what wisdom is in them?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The so-called wise are exposed and captured, having rejected God's word.
The Context of Jeremiah 8:9
Collapse of Jerusalem's leadership due to rejecting God's revelation.
What Does Jeremiah 8:9 Mean?
The leaders who claimed wisdom (verse 8) now stand ashamed and dismayed, captured by enemies. Their boasting is revealed as hollow; their counsel failed; their plans collapsed. True wisdom—alignment with God's purposes—escapes them entirely.
Their central failure: they rejected 'the word of the LORD,' the very source of genuine wisdom. Proverbs teaches that 'the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,' yet Judah's elite despised it. Without God's word as their foundation, nothing they consider wise has real value.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 8:9
What does Jeremiah 8:9 mean?
The so-called wise are exposed and captured, having rejected God's word.
What is the context of Jeremiah 8:9?
Collapse of Jerusalem's leadership due to rejecting God's revelation.