Jeremiah 23:9-40 - Exposition

These verses form a complete prophecy, the title of which Jeremiah himself supplies in the words, "Concerning the (false) prophets" (see below); comp. Jeremiah 46:2 ; Jeremiah 48:1 ; Jeremiah 49:1 , Jeremiah 49:7 , Jeremiah 49:23 , Jeremiah 49:28 . It is true the rendering of the Authorized Version ( Jeremiah 49:9 ), Mine heart within me is broken because of the prophets , is not purely arbitrary; it is favored by the exegetical tradition represented by the Hebrew accents. But it is not probable that two entirely different causes should be given for the prophet's deep emotion (see the latter part of the verse). Besides, "breaking of the heart" is nowhere a sign of anger (as Authorized Version would suggest), but either of grief (see on Jeremiah 8:20 , or, as the context implies here, physical disturbance at the solemn message of Jehovah (comp. Jeremiah 6:11 ; Jeremiah 20:9 ). All my bones shake . It is a very uncommon verb, occurring only twice elsewhere ( Genesis 1:2 ; Deuteronomy 32:11 , in Piel). The words of his holiness ; co, his words of holiness ; i.e. his holy words, the words of the Holy One on the unholy doings of the false prophets.