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Jeremiah 9:24 but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD.”
What do the words boasts & knows mean ? And also what message is this scripture trying to convey to us?
According to my Mantis Bible, the English word "boasts" is the Hebrew word "halal"; a prim. root; to be boastful, to praise: - It is most often translated praised or praise. It is also found in Gen. 12:15; Judges 16:24; I Sam. 21:13; 2 Sam. 14:25; 22:4; I Ki. 20:11; I Chr. 16:4, 10; 16:25, 36; 23:5, 30; 25:3; 29:13; 2 Chr. 5:13; 7:6; 8:14; 20:19, 21; 23:12, 13; 29:30; 30:21; 31:2; Ezra 3:10-11; New. 5:13; 12:24; Job 12:17; Ps. 5:5; 10:3; 18:3; 22:22-23, 26; 34:2; 35:18; 44:8; 48:1; 49:6; 52:1; 56:4, 10; 63:5, 11; 64:10; 69:30, 34; 73:3; 74:21; 75:4; 78:63; 84:4; 96:4; 97:7; 102:8, 18; 104:35; 105:3, 45; 106:1, 5, 48; 107:32; 109:30; 111:1; 112:1; 113:1, 3, 9; 115:17, 18; 116:19, 117:1, 2; 119:164, 175; 135:1, 3, 21; 145:2, 3; 146:1, 2, 10; 147:1, 12, 20; 148:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 13, 14; 149:1, 3, 9; 150:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6; Prog. 12:8; 20:14; 25:14; 27:1, 2; 28:4; 31:28, 30, 31; Ecc. 2:2; 7:7; Song 6:9; Isa 38:18; 41:16; 44:25; 45:25; 62:9; 64:11; Jer. 4:2; 9:23, 24; 20:13; 25:16; 31:7, 46:9, 49:4; 50:38; 51:7; Exek. 26:17; Joel 2:26; and Nah. 2:4.
The English word translated "knows" is the Hebrew word "yada" a prim. root; to know. It refers to ability, acknowledge, acquaintances, acquainted, aware, becomes known, bring forth, cared, chosen, clearly understand, cohabit, comprehend, concern, concerned, consider...It is most often translated know (542 times) Known (65 times)...other less common translations are raped, satisfied, understand, provided. There are too many places this word is found in the Bible to identify each.
Jer. 9:23-24 is quoted in I Cor. 1:31 regarding boasting in the LORD. We also see this concept in Ps. 20:7; 44:8; 2 Cor. 10:17; Gal. 6:14. Instead of boasting in what we have or have done, our boast need be in Christ who gave us the strength and power to achieve what we have achieved.
Regarding "know", there is a huge difference between knowing about someone and truly "knowing" them. God wants us to truly "know" Him.
I hope this is helpful.
Gloria
The original Ivri / Hebrew of Jeremiah 9:23 [MT] states : "23 But let (him that) boasts exult in this, that he understands and knows Me, for I am YHVH Who practices kindness, justice and righteousness on the earth; for in these things I delight, says YHVH." (כִּ֣י אִם־בְּזֹ֞את יִתְהַלֵּ֣ל הַמִּתְהַלֵּ֗ל הַשְׂכֵּל֘ וְיָדֹ֣עַ אוֹתִי֒ כִּי אֲנִ֣י יְהֹוָ֔ה עֹ֥שֶׂה חֶ֛סֶד מִשְׁפָּ֥ט וּצְדָקָ֖ה בָּאָ֑רֶץ כִּֽי־בְאֵ֥לֶּה חָפַ֖צְתִּי נְאֻם־יְהֹוָֽה)
What do the words "let-boasts" and "and-knows" mean in Jeremiah 9:23 [MT]?
The English bible translates YHVH as "the Lord" & changes the verse order of Jeremiah 9:23, placing it at verse 24 in the KJV.
Jeremiah 9:24 [KJV]
" But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth Me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord."
What does Jeremiah 9:23 [MT] and Jeremiah 3:24 [KJV] mean? - Testify about God by celebrating in His praise (if you understand, know YHVH is the source of Kindness, Justice & Righteousness on Earth)!
