Jeremiah 23:12 kjv
Wherefore their way shall be unto them as slippery ways in the darkness: they shall be driven on, and fall therein: for I will bring evil upon them, even the year of their visitation, saith the LORD.
Jeremiah 23:12 nkjv
"Therefore their way shall be to them Like slippery ways; In the darkness they shall be driven on And fall in them; For I will bring disaster on them, The year of their punishment," says the LORD.
Jeremiah 23:12 niv
"Therefore their path will become slippery; they will be banished to darkness and there they will fall. I will bring disaster on them in the year they are punished," declares the LORD.
Jeremiah 23:12 esv
Therefore their way shall be to them like slippery paths in the darkness, into which they shall be driven and fall, for I will bring disaster upon them in the year of their punishment, declares the LORD.
Jeremiah 23:12 nlt
"Therefore, the paths they take
will become slippery.
They will be chased through the dark,
and there they will fall.
For I will bring disaster upon them
at the time fixed for their punishment.
I, the LORD, have spoken!
Jeremiah 23 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremiah 23:12 | their way shall be unto them as ways that cause them to slip | (Theological justice) |
| Jeremiah 23:13 | I saw folly in the prophets of Samaria | (Example of false prophecy) |
| Jeremiah 23:14 | but with adultery I saw it, and with lies | (Nature of their sin) |
| Jeremiah 23:15 | from the prophets of Jerusalem profaneness is gone forth into all the land | (Widespread corruption) |
| Jeremiah 6:13 | for from the least of them even unto the greatest of them is given to covetousness | (Similar greed) |
| Jeremiah 8:10 | Therefore will I give their houses unto others, and fields unto them that shall inherit them | (Dispossession) |
| Ezekiel 13:10 | Because, because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and there was no peace | (False assurance) |
| Ezekiel 13:22 | With falsehood ye have vexed the heart of the righteous, whom I have not vexed | (Deceiving the righteous) |
| Hosea 4:10 | For they have sown wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind | (Consequence of actions) |
| Micah 3:5 | Thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; | (Biting their flock) |
| Micah 3:11 | The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire | (Corrupt leadership) |
| Matthew 7:15 | Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves | (False appearance) |
| Matthew 15:14 | Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch | (Consequences of blind leadership) |
| 2 Corinthians 11:14 | And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. | (Satanic deception) |
| 2 Timothy 4:3 | For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears | (Appealing to sinful desires) |
| 2 Peter 2:1-3 | But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you | (Presence of false teachers) |
| Revelation 18:4 | And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. | (Call to separate from sin) |
| Psalm 23:4 | Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me | (God's presence provides safety) |
| Proverbs 10:3 | The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked. | (God's justice) |
| Isaiah 5:20 | Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! | (Perversion of truth) |
Jeremiah 23 verses
Jeremiah 23 12 Meaning
This verse describes a severe judgment on false prophets. They are likened to a disease that spreads, and the consequence is that they will be punished for their sin and for their lies. Their punishment is guaranteed, as God Himself has declared it. This imagery emphasizes the corrupting and destructive nature of their false prophecies and the certainty of their divine retribution.
Jeremiah 23 12 Context
Jeremiah chapter 23 primarily deals with God's judgment against the unfaithful shepherds (kings and prophets) of Israel and Judah. The chapter opens with a strong condemnation of these leaders for scattering God's sheep and failing to care for them. Jeremiah proclaims a future restoration under a righteous king (the Davidic Messiah) and truthful prophets. Verse 12, specifically, addresses the fate of the false prophets who have led the people astray. It fits within the broader theme of divine judgment on sin and the ultimate vindication of God's truth through the promised Messiah. Historically, this message would have resonated during a time of increasing political instability and spiritual decline in Judah, preceding the Babylonian exile.
Jeremiah 23 12 Word Analysis
- "Yet": Indicates a continuation of God's assessment, often contrasting with previous statements or expectations. Here, it signals a focus on the consequence for specific individuals.
- "I have seen" (Hebrew: ra'iti - רָאִיתִי): The prophet, acting as God's messenger, has observed the actions and motivations of these false prophets. This signifies divine awareness and the basis for judgment.
- "folly" (Hebrew: hebel - הֶבֶל): Carries the meaning of vanity, emptiness, futility, or worthlessness. It points to the senseless and baseless nature of their prophetic claims and practices.
- "in the prophets of Samaria": Samaria was the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, which had a history of syncretism and false worship, particularly following the Assyrian exile of the ten tribes. This reference implies a continuation of such spiritual corruption in Judah through their prophets.
- "I saw" (Hebrew: ra'iti - רָאִיתִי): Repeated for emphasis, reinforcing God's complete awareness of their actions.
- "and they thereof" (Hebrew: vetzelohem - וַחֲצִיסָלָם): A poetic way of saying "their offspring" or "their descendants," or possibly referring to the prophetic company itself, highlighting generational or corporate guilt and transmission of error.
- "It is an abomination" (Hebrew: to'evah - תּוֹעֵבָה): A strong term denoting something detestable or abhorrent, particularly in God's sight, often associated with idolatry and moral uncleanness.
- "that I abhor" (Hebrew: sana'ti - שָׂנֵאתִי): Expresses God's intense hatred and rejection of their conduct.
- "I will make void their ways": The figurative language suggests their actions and teachings will be nullified, rendered ineffective, and lead to their downfall. Their paths will lead to destruction.
- "the ways thereof" (Hebrew: darkehem - דַּרְכֵּיהֶם): Refers to their methods, teachings, and general manner of life and prophecy.
- "as ways that cause them to slip" (Hebrew: kim'arocheb yitrommum - כִּמְעָרָב יִתְרֹמָמוּ): This challenging phrase can be interpreted in a few ways: "as roads slippery," suggesting their paths lead to stumbling and falling, or "as unstable/treacherous pathways." Another rendering points to their boastful and presumptuous manner leading to their downfall. The overall sense is that their courses of action are precarious and will result in their ruin.
Jeremiah 23 12 Bonus Section
The reference to "Samaria" is significant, evoking the northern kingdom's historical descent into idolatry and false worship, a stark warning to Judah. The use of "abomination" is consistent with Old Testament terminology for sins that deeply offend God, particularly those associated with paganism and perversion of the covenant. The concept of "ways that cause them to slip" emphasizes that their judgment is not arbitrary but a direct consequence of their own destructive choices and corrupt practices. This verse underscores the ultimate accountability for those who claim to speak for God but instead lead His people astray. The utter condemnation and pronouncement of their ruin reflect God's commitment to preserving truth and protecting His flock from deceptive influences.
Jeremiah 23 12 Commentary
This verse serves as a powerful pronouncement of divine judgment upon false prophets. Their "folly," originating from a history of spiritual compromise symbolized by Samaria, is not merely misguided action but a profound offense—an "abomination" that God "abhors." The prophecy highlights the personal and systemic corruption, indicating that not only individuals but their very way of proceeding will be rendered futile and disastrous. The phrase "ways that cause them to slip" vividly portrays the inherent instability and inevitable ruin their deceptive practices will bring upon them, mirroring the common biblical theme of wicked paths leading to destruction.