Jeremiah 23:34

34 "As for the prophet, priest, or people who say: The burden of the Lord, I will punish that man and his household.

Jeremiah 23:34 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 23:34

And [as for] the prophet, and the priest, and the people
Be they one or the other, or all of them; no regard will be had to their character and office, rank and dignity: that shall say, the burden of the Lord;
using that phrase in a bantering and ludicrous manner: I will even punish that man and his house;
not only he, but his family, shall suffer for it. This shows how much it is resented by the Lord, and what a dangerous thing it is to lampoon the word of God, to make a jest of Scripture phrases, or to joke with them; this is foolish jesting, which is not convenient, yea, impious and abominable. It is also hard jesting with edge tools.

Jeremiah 23:34 In-Context

32 I am against those who prophesy false dreams"-the Lord's declaration-"telling them and leading My people astray with their falsehoods and their boasting. It was not I who sent or commanded them, and they are of no benefit at all to these people"-[this is] the Lord's declaration.

33 "Now when these people or a prophet or a priest asks you: What is the burden of the Lord? you will respond to them: What is the burden? I will throw you away"-[this is] the Lord's declaration.

34 "As for the prophet, priest, or people who say: The burden of the Lord, I will punish that man and his household.

35 This is what each man is to say to his friend and to his brother: What has the Lord answered? or What has the Lord spoken?

36 But no longer refer to the burden of the Lord, for each man's word becomes his burden and you pervert the words of the living God, the Lord of Hosts, our God