Jeremiah 23:35

Thus shall ye say every one to his neighbour, and every one to his brother, What hath the Lord answered? and, What hath the Lord spoken?

Jeremiah 23:35 (KJV)

Context

In Jeremiah’s day, the people of Judah had turned from God to idolatry and wickedness. The prophets and religious leaders were not faithfully delivering God’s message; instead, they were leading the people astray with dreams and claims that the Lord had not given them. In the preceding verses, God declares His displeasure with these false prophets and warns that He will judge those who twist His words and speak in His name without a true revelation.

Meaning

Verse 35 instructs the people how to speak when they confer about the Lord’s word. Instead of mocking the prophetic message by asking, “What is the burden of the LORD?“—a phrase they had turned into a taunt—they are to ask respectfully, “What hath the LORD answered? and, What hath the LORD spoken?” This proper form of inquiry shows reverence for God and for the truth He reveals. The repetition of this instruction in Jeremiah 23:37, where the same question is directed to the prophet, underscores how much the Lord values this humble, earnest approach to His word.

Biblical connections

The verse calls God’s people to discern true prophecy from false. Rather than blindly accepting every claim, they are to seek the truth and verify the authenticity of the message. This principle echoes the broader biblical call to test what is taught against God’s revealed Word, and it warns against treating divine revelation with contempt or twisting it for personal ends.

Application

Today, believers face many voices claiming to speak for God. This verse encourages us to engage actively with Scripture, to meditate on it, and to rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. It also highlights the value of community: we are to ask one another what the Lord has answered and spoken, discussing together what we believe God has revealed and helping each other grow in understanding. Such conversations should be marked by reverence and a genuine desire for truth, not by mockery or careless handling of God’s word.

Reflection

How do we speak about the Lord’s word? Do we approach it with the same respectful inquiry that God prescribes here, or do we treat it casually? This verse invites us to examine our attitudes toward Scripture and toward those who faithfully proclaim it, and to commit ourselves to seeking and honoring the true word of the Lord.