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Home › Berean Standard Bible  › Jeremiah 3  › Jeremiah 3:23

Jeremiah 3:23

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Jeremiah 3:23 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

Surely deception comes from the hills, and commotion from the mountains. Surely the salvation of Israel is in the LORD our God.

King James Version KJV

Truly in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, and from the multitude of mountains: truly in the LORD our God is the salvation of Israel.

American Standard Version ASV

Truly in vain is the help that is looked for from the hills, the tumult on the mountains: truly in Jehovah our God is the salvation of Israel.

Bible in Basic English BBE

Truly, the hills, and the noise of an army on the mountains, are a false hope: truly, in the Lord our God is the salvation of Israel.

Free Bible Version FBV

There's no doubt that pagan worship from the hills is pure lies; the idolatry that comes from the mountains is just noise. Israel's salvation is in the Lord our God alone.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Truely the hope of the hilles is but vaine, nor the multitude of mountaines: but in the Lord our God is the health of Israel.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

Surely in vain from the heights, The multitude of mountains — Surely in Jehovah our God [is] the salvation of Israel.

World English Bible WEB

Truly help from the hills, the tumult on the mountains, is in vain. Truly the salvation of Israel is in the LORD our God.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

Truly in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, and from the multitude of mountains: truly in the LORD our God is the salvation of Israel.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

In very deed the hills were liars. and the multitude of the mountains: truly in the Lord our God is the salvation of Israel.

Translation for Translators T4T

We did not get any help from the idols that we worshiped on the hilltops; we did not get any help from making all that noise up there.

Study Highlights

Key words in the translations above are automatically highlighted. Names of God and Jesus are marked in purple, the Holy Spirit in orange, divine action verbs are underlined, and repeated key words are highlighted in yellow.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Jeremiah 3:23

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Jeremiah 3:23 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB אָכֵ֥ן לַ/שֶּׁ֛קֶר מִ/גְּבָע֖וֹת הָמ֣וֹן הָרִ֑ים אָכֵן֙ בַּ/יהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵ֔י/נוּ תְּשׁוּעַ֖ת יִשְׂרָאֵֽל
אָכֵ֥ן ʼâkên H403 surely Adv
לַ/שֶּׁ֛קֶר sheqer H8267 deception Prep | N-ms
מִ/גְּבָע֖וֹת gibʻâh H1389 Gibeat Prep | N-fp
הָמ֣וֹן hâmôwn H1995 crowd N-ms
הָרִ֑ים har H2022 mountain N-mp
אָכֵן֙ ʼâkên H403 surely Adv
בַּ/יהֹוָ֣ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 The Lord Prep | N-proper
אֱלֹהֵ֔י/נוּ ʼĕlôhîym H430 God N-mp | Suff
תְּשׁוּעַ֖ת tᵉshûwʻâh H8668 deliverance N-fs
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל Yisrâʼêl H3478 Israel N-proper
Hebrew Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.

Hebrew Word Reference — Jeremiah 3:23

אָכֵ֥ן ʼâkên H403 "surely" Adv
The Hebrew word ʼâkên means surely or truly, often used for strong emphasis. It is used in the Bible to express certainty or contrast, like in Genesis 28:16 where Jacob says 'Surely the Lord is in this place'.
Definition: 1) surely, truly, indeed 1a) truly, indeed (strong assertive force) 1b) but indeed, but in fact (emphasizing a contrast)
Usage: Occurs in 17 OT verses. KJV: but, certainly, nevertheless, surely, truly, verily. See also: Genesis 28:16; Isaiah 40:7; Psalms 31:23.
לַ/שֶּׁ֛קֶר sheqer H8267 "deception" Prep | N-ms
This word refers to deception or falsehood, often implying a sense of betrayal or disappointment. It's used in the Bible to describe lies, false testimony, or deceitful behavior, like in Psalm 116:11, where the psalmist says all men are liars.
Definition: 1) lie, deception, disappointment, falsehood 1a) deception (what deceives or disappoints or betrays one) 1b) deceit, fraud, wrong 1b1) fraudulently, wrongfully (as adverb) 1c) falsehood (injurious in testimony) 1c1) testify falsehood, false oath, swear falsely 1d) falsity (of false or self-deceived prophets) 1e) lie, falsehood (in general) 1e1) false tongue 1f) in vain
Usage: Occurs in 109 OT verses. KJV: without a cause, deceit(-ful), false(-hood, -ly), feignedly, liar, [phrase] lie, lying, vain (thing), wrongfully. See also: Exodus 5:9; Proverbs 25:18; Psalms 7:15.
מִ/גְּבָע֖וֹת gibʻâh H1389 "Gibeat" Prep | N-fp
Gibeat refers to a small hill, with the name meaning hill, and is another spelling of Gibeah. It appears in various KJV translations as hill or little hill.
Definition: This name means hill Another spelling of giv.ah (גִּבְעָה "Gibeah" H1390H)
Usage: Occurs in 71 OT verses. KJV: hill, little hill. See also: Genesis 49:26; Isaiah 30:17; Psalms 65:13.
הָמ֣וֹן hâmôwn H1995 "crowd" N-ms
Being in a state of turmoil or having a lot of noise is what this Hebrew word means. It can also refer to a large crowd or abundance of something, like in the book of Proverbs where it describes a multitude of people.
Definition: 1) murmur, roar, crowd, abundance, tumult, sound 1a) sound, murmur, rush, roar 1b) tumult, confusion 1c) crowd, multitude 1d) great number, abundance 1e) abundance, wealth
Usage: Occurs in 78 OT verses. KJV: abundance, company, many, multitude, multiply, noise, riches, rumbling, sounding, store, tumult. See also: Genesis 17:4; Isaiah 33:3; Psalms 37:16.
הָרִ֑ים har H2022 "mountain" N-mp
A mountain or hill, sometimes used to describe a spiritual high point. In the Bible, it can refer to a real mountain or a figurative one. The word is often translated as hill or mount.
Definition: : mount/hill hill, mountain, hill country, mount
Usage: Occurs in 486 OT verses. KJV: hill (country), mount(-ain), [idiom] promotion. See also: Genesis 7:19; Deuteronomy 3:12; Judges 18:13.
אָכֵן֙ ʼâkên H403 "surely" Adv
The Hebrew word ʼâkên means surely or truly, often used for strong emphasis. It is used in the Bible to express certainty or contrast, like in Genesis 28:16 where Jacob says 'Surely the Lord is in this place'.
Definition: 1) surely, truly, indeed 1a) truly, indeed (strong assertive force) 1b) but indeed, but in fact (emphasizing a contrast)
Usage: Occurs in 17 OT verses. KJV: but, certainly, nevertheless, surely, truly, verily. See also: Genesis 28:16; Isaiah 40:7; Psalms 31:23.
בַּ/יהֹוָ֣ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 "The Lord" Prep | N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
אֱלֹהֵ֔י/נוּ ʼĕlôhîym H430 "God" N-mp | Suff
The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.
Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.
תְּשׁוּעַ֖ת tᵉshûwʻâh H8668 "deliverance" N-fs
In the Bible, this word means salvation or deliverance, often describing God's rescue of his people. It appears in books like Psalms and Isaiah, where God promises to save and deliver his people.
Definition: : salvation 1) salvation, deliverance 1a) deliverance (usually by God through human agency) 1b) salvation (spiritual in sense) Also means: te.shu.ah (תְּשׁוּעָה ": victory" H8668H)
Usage: Occurs in 32 OT verses. KJV: deliverance, help, safety, salvation, victory. See also: Judges 15:18; Psalms 40:17; Psalms 33:17.
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל Yisrâʼêl H3478 "Israel" N-proper
Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile
Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.

Study Notes — Jeremiah 3:23

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Psalms 121:1–2 I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
2 Psalms 3:8 Salvation belongs to the LORD; may Your blessing be on Your people. Selah
3 Isaiah 12:2 Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. For the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and He also has become my salvation.”
4 Isaiah 63:1 Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah with crimson-stained garments? Who is this robed in splendor, marching in the greatness of His strength? “It is I, proclaiming vindication, mighty to save.”
5 Psalms 37:39–40 The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; He is their stronghold in time of trouble. The LORD helps and delivers them; He rescues and saves them from the wicked, because they take refuge in Him.
6 Jeremiah 14:8 O Hope of Israel, its Savior in times of distress, why are You like a stranger in the land, like a traveler who stays but a night?
7 Isaiah 45:20 Come, gather together, and draw near, you fugitives from the nations. Ignorant are those who carry idols of wood and pray to a god that cannot save.
8 Isaiah 45:15 Truly You are a God who hides Himself, O God of Israel, the Savior.
9 Hosea 1:7 Yet I will have compassion on the house of Judah, and I will save them—not by bow or sword or war, not by horses and cavalry, but by the LORD their God.”
10 Jeremiah 10:14–16 Every man is senseless and devoid of knowledge; every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols. For his molten images are a fraud, and there is no breath in them. They are worthless, a work to be mocked. In the time of their punishment they will perish. The Portion of Jacob is not like these, for He is the Maker of all things, and Israel is the tribe of His inheritance— the LORD of Hosts is His name.

Jeremiah 3:23 Summary

Jeremiah 3:23 reminds us that trusting in things like wealth, power, or fame can lead to deception and turmoil, but trusting in the LORD our God brings salvation and peace. This verse encourages us to look to God as our true source of security and comfort, rather than relying on worldly things (as seen in Psalms 20:7-8). By trusting in the LORD, we can experience healing and restoration, as promised in Jeremiah 3:22. As we reflect on this verse, let's ask ourselves where we are placing our trust and whether we are seeking salvation in the right place (see Proverbs 3:5-6).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is meant by 'deception comes from the hills' in Jeremiah 3:23?

This phrase refers to the false sense of security and idolatrous practices that the Israelites had adopted from the surrounding nations, as seen in Jeremiah 2:20 and Deuteronomy 12:2-3.

Why does the verse contrast 'deception from the hills' with 'salvation from the LORD our God'?

This contrast highlights the difference between trusting in idols and trusting in the one true God, as emphasized in Isaiah 45:5 and Psalms 96:5.

How does this verse relate to the idea of 'commotion from the mountains'?

The 'commotion from the mountains' likely refers to the turmoil and chaos that results from trusting in false idols, whereas trusting in the LORD brings peace and salvation, as seen in Jeremiah 17:7-8 and Matthew 11:28-30.

What is the main message of Jeremiah 3:23 for believers today?

The main message is that true salvation and security come from trusting in the LORD our God, rather than in worldly or idolatrous sources, as emphasized in Proverbs 3:5-6 and Hebrews 13:5-6.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some 'hills' or 'mountains' in my life where I may be tempted to trust in false securities or idols?
  2. How can I practically apply the truth of Jeremiah 3:23 to my daily life and trust more fully in the LORD my God?
  3. What are some areas where I have experienced 'commotion' or turmoil, and how can I find peace and salvation in the LORD?
  4. In what ways can I 'return' to the LORD, as invited in Jeremiah 3:22, and experience healing and restoration?

Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 3:23

Truly in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, and from the multitude of mountains,.... From any natural defence, by hills and mountains encompassing; or from idols worshipped on hills and mountains.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 3:23

Truly in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, and from the multitude of mountains: truly in the LORD our God is the salvation of Israel. Multitude of mountains - i:e., the multitude of gods worshipped on them, (cf.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 3:23

From the hills, i.e. either from their idols, which were worshipped upon hills, a metonymy of the subject, , idols of the hills; or from any other external power whatsoever, either of persons or things, as the strength of hills, or forts, high places, and strong places, and assistance from kings, . The multitude of mountains, viz, the abundance of them that they have in their mountains, or the multitude of sacrifices which they offer in the mountains, or to multiply sacrifices. Quest. But doth not the psalmist hope for salvation from the hills? . Answ. Yes, the hills of the Land of Promise, which were a pledge of God’ s favour to his people, especially those two of Zion and Moriah, where God did peculiarly manifest his presence, Psalms 87. In the Lord our God is the salvation of Israel; or, our salvation which we do now acknowledge is only in our God, and not in idols, of which we have had ample experience, 130:7,8. See ,11 Ho 13:4,9.

Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 3:23

Jeremiah 3:23 Truly in vain [is salvation hoped for] from the hills, [and from] the multitude of mountains: truly in the LORD our God [is] the salvation of Israel.Ver. 23. Truly in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills.] Heb., Truly in vain from the hills, the multitude, the mountains: it is like to that in Hosea 14:3, "Asshur shall not save us; neither will we say any more to the works of our hands, Ye are our gods." Truly in the Lord our God.] They trust not God at all that trust not God alone.

Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 3:23

(23) Truly in vain . . .—The italics show the difficulty of the verse, and represent an attempt to get over it. According to the senses given to the word translated “multitude” we get, in vain (literally, as a lie) from the hills is the revelry (as in Amos 5:23), or the wealth, or the multitude, of the mountains. The first gives the best meaning, and expresses the confession of the repentant Israelites that their wild ritual on the high places had brought them loss and not gain.

Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 3:23

23. Truly in vain is the help that is looked for from the hills, the tumult on the mountains] The Hebrew construction is difficult. MT. reads, Truly in vain from the hills the tumult the mountains. Probably a word such as sound should be restored in the first clause, while the change of a Hebrew vowel point enables us to insert on in the second. So Dr. The tumult (mg. noisy throng) denotes the orgies that attended on idol worship. Cp. Hosea 4:13.

Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 3:23

Rather, Surely “in vain from the hills” is the revelry of the mountains. The penitents contrast in it the uselessness of idol-worship with the salvation which Yahweh gives to His people.

Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 3:23

23. In vain… from the hills — Various translations of this text have been made: “Surely in vain from the hills is the revelry of the mountains.” — Dean Smith. “As certainly as hills are false, mountains are empty sound,” etc.

Sermons on Jeremiah 3:23

SermonDescription
Jonathan Edwards That Comforts and Joys Seem to Follow Awakenings and Convictions of Conscience, in a Certain Order, Is No Sign by Jonathan Edwards Jonathan Edwards preaches about the process of salvation, emphasizing that before God delivers individuals from sin, they must first have a deep sense of the evil they are being sa
Robert Wurtz II The Next Great Awakening (Part 1) by Robert Wurtz II Robert Wurtz II preaches about the urgent need for Christians to awaken from their spiritual slumber and confess their sins, emphasizing the importance of personal revival before e
David Wilkerson The Secret of Spiritual Strength by David Wilkerson In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of seeking God's guidance and counsel in times of crisis. He highlights the story of King David, who sought God's direction b
David Wilkerson Preserved for a Purpose by David Wilkerson In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of unity and love among believers. He encourages the congregation to interact with one another and not just rush out after th
David Wilkerson Do You Really Believe in Miracles by David Wilkerson In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 or 4,000 people with just a few loaves of bread and fish. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing a
David Wilkerson Hatching Snake Eggs by David Wilkerson In this sermon, the preacher addresses the issue of putting off seeking deliverance from sin and turning back to God. He calls on those who have been injured or run away from God t
C.H. Spurgeon Everybody's Sermon by C.H. Spurgeon In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that even those who are not able to spend much time in nature can still learn from God's creation. He gives examples such as a baker who see
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