Jeremiah 23:33

“And when this people, or a prophet, or a priest, shall ask thee, etc.] Any of the people, who were grown very profane; or any of the false prophets, who encouraged them in their irreligion and impiety; or any of the priests, who were in combination with them against the true prophets of the Lord; when any of these, in a scoffing jeering manner, should ask the Prophet Jeremiah, saying, what [is] the burden of the Lord? or prophesy in the name of the Lord, as the Targum; and because some of the prophecies are called “burdens”, (see <231301>Isaiah 13:1); hence, by way of derision, they called every one so; and because many of these, though not all, were predictions of judgments and calamities…”

“What is the burden--play on the double sense of the Hebrew: an oracle and a burden. They scoffingly ask, Has he got any new burden (burdensome oracle: for all his prophecies are disasters) to announce (Mal 1:1)? Jeremiah indignantly repeats their own question, Do you ask, What burden? This, then, it is, "I will forsake you." My word is burdensome in your eyes, and you long to be rid if it. You shall get your wish. There will be no more prophecy: I will forsake you, and that will be a far worse "burden" to you.”

“Burden - Here a prophecy, either (1) as being something weighty: or (2) a something said aloud. Isaiah brought the word into general use: Jeremiah never used it, though his predictions were all of impending evil. The false prophets, however, applied it in derision to Jeremiah’s prophecies, playing upon its double sense, and so turning solemn realities into mockery (see Jeremiah 23:34). What burden? - Or, according to another reading, Ye are the burden. I will even forsake you - Rather, and I will cast you away. From the idea of a burden the thought naturally arises of refusing to bear it, and throwing it off. return to 'Top of Page'”

“What is - The false prophets, and corrupt priests, would ordinarily mock the true prophets; and ask them what was the burden of the Lord. Jeremiah 23:34”

“23:33-40 The Lord presented a hypothetical conversation to show Jeremiah how to handle the false prophets. 23:33 These false prophets might taunt Jeremiah by asking for the latest message the Lord had burdened him with. • You are the burden! This is a wordplay—it was common for a prophetic message to be called “a burden.” The false prophets were a heavy load that the Lord would throw off and abandon.”

“What: Jer 17:15, Jer 20:7, Jer 20:8; Isa 13:1, Isa 14:28; Nah 1:1; Hab 1:1; Mal 1:1 I: Jer 23:39, Jer 23:40, Jer 12:7; Deu 31:17, Deu 31:18, Deu 32:19, Deu 32:20; Ch2 15:2; Psa 78:59, Psa 78:60; Hos 9:12 Jeremiah 23:34”