Jeremiah 23:29
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“Is not My word like fire,” declares the LORD, “and like a hammer that smashes a rock?”
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
In this chapter the prophet, in God's name, is dealing his reproofs and threatenings, I. Among the careless princes, or pastors of the people (Jer 23:1, Jer 23:2), yet promising to take care of the flock, which they had been wanting in their duty to (Jer 23:3-8). II. Among the wicked prophets and priests, whose bad character is here given at large in divers instances, especially their imposing upon the people with their pretended inspirations, at which the prophet is astonished, and for which they must expect to be punished (v. 9-32). III. Among the profane people, who ridiculed God's prophets and bantered them (Jer 23:33-40). When all have thus corrupted their way they must all expect to be told faithfully of it.
Open source ↗23:29 The Lord’s word has power, like fire, to destroy false prophecies. It would smash the seemingly impregnable fortress of Jerusalem like a mighty hammer.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
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For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Therefore this is what the LORD God of Hosts says: “Because you have spoken this word, I will make My words a fire in your mouth and this people the wood it consumes.
They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us as He spoke with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
If I say, “I will not mention Him or speak any more in His name,” His message becomes a fire burning in my heart, shut up in my bones, and I become weary of holding it in, and I cannot prevail.
If anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouths and devours their enemies. In this way, anyone who wants to harm them must be killed.
The Spirit gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.
They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.
When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and asked Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
To the one, we are an odor of death and demise; to the other, a fragrance that brings life. And who is qualified for such a task?