What Does Jeremiah 9:23 Mean in the King James?
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:
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The same verb appears three times: the verse exposes the moment you turn what you have into what you praise.
THE MEANING
Your wisdom, strength, and wealth are real capacities, yet none can carry your worth. The verse exposes the turn where what you possess becomes the source of your praise.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The lie that wisdom, power, or wealth can make a person worthy of praise.
THE ROOT
יִתְהַלֵּל
yithallel
GROWS FROM
הלל
Praise or celebrate; in this verb form, boast or glory.
The verb translated as glory comes from the root for praise, the same root used to praise Yah. The verse reveals self-boasting as praise turned inward: wisdom, might, and wealth can be present without becoming the source of a person’s praise.
ALSO GROWS
hallel: praise
הַלֵּל
It shows the shared root between the verse’s glory and the language of praise.
tehillah: praise; a song of praise
תְּהִלָּה
It carries the same praise-root into a word for praise itself.
hallelu-yah: Praise Yah
הַלְלוּ־יָהּ
The root used for boasting here also forms a familiar call to praise Yah.
הַגִּבּוֹר
haggibbor
GROWS FROM
גבר
Be strong or prevail.
“mighty man / might” in this verse is haggibbor. The same consonants form both the mighty man and his might, binding the person’s identity to the power he possesses. The verse removes that whole bundle from the place of self-praise.
ALSO GROWS
gibbor: mighty one; hero
גִּבּוֹר
This is the word for the mighty man in the verse, formed from the same root as might.
gevurah: might; strength
גְּבוּרָה
This is the word for might in the verse, the power attached to the gibbor.
gever: man; male
גֶּבֶר
This related form carries the root into a word for a man, echoing the verse’s link between identity and strength.
THE PATTERN
Boasting is relocated from what a person possesses to knowing the LORD.
But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah.That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.THE THREAD
But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.The next verse names what can receive the praise withheld from wisdom, might, and wealth: understanding and knowing the LORD. It shifts the ground of boasting from a capacity the self possesses to the LORD’s nature, faithful love, judgment, and alignment.
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