Jeremiah 23:31 kjv
Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that use their tongues, and say, He saith.
Jeremiah 23:31 nkjv
Behold, I am against the prophets," says the LORD, "who use their tongues and say, 'He says.'
Jeremiah 23:31 niv
Yes," declares the LORD, "I am against the prophets who wag their own tongues and yet declare, 'The LORD declares.'
Jeremiah 23:31 esv
Behold, I am against the prophets, declares the LORD, who use their tongues and declare, 'declares the LORD.'
Jeremiah 23:31 nlt
I am against these smooth-tongued prophets who say, 'This prophecy is from the LORD!'
Jeremiah 23 31 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jer 23:32 | And when they prophesy falsehoods and lying visions, and divine arts | Direct continuation |
| Jer 14:14 | saying, 'Peace shall be upon you,' when there is no peace. | False prophets |
| Jer 27:9-10 | “But as for you, listen not to your prophets, nor to your diviners... | Warning against false prophets |
| Jer 28:15 | And Jeremiah said to Hananiah, “Go in, and tell that to Pharaoh’s men who | Hananiah's false prophecy |
| Deut 18:20-22 | “But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name that I have not commanded | The test of prophecy |
| Ezek 13:6 | They see false visions and divine lying divinations. They say, “‘Says the | False prophets in Ezekiel |
| Ezek 22:28 | Her prophets smear her with whitewash, seeing false visions and divine | False prophets in Ezekiel |
| Micah 3:5 | Thus says the Lord concerning the prophets who lead my people astray, | Condemnation of false prophets |
| Matt 7:15 | “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. | New Testament warning |
| 2 Cor 11:13-15 | For such persons are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising | Deception in ministry |
| 2 Thess 2:9-11 | the coming of the lawless one by the activity of Satan with all power | Deception by Satan |
| 1 John 4:1 | Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, | Testing the spirits |
| Rev 18:23 | because your merchants were the greatest in the world, and all nations | Deception in final times |
| Isa 44:25 | who frustrates the signs of liars and makes fools of diviners... | God's sovereignty over falsehood |
| Prov 26:28 | A lying tongue hates those whom it pierces, and a flattering mouth works ruin. | Nature of lies |
| Ps 5:6 | You destroy those who speak lies; the Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man. | God's hatred for liars |
| Jer 6:14 | They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace. | Superficial healing |
| Jer 8:11 | They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace. | Superficial healing |
| Matt 23:31 | Thus you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. | Hypocrisy in religious leaders |
| Acts 20:30 | and from among yourselves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw the disciples after themselves. | False teachers from within |
| Rev 1:3 | Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart | Blessing of hearing prophecy |
Jeremiah 23 verses
Jeremiah 23 31 Meaning
The Lord declares that His message is not a mere fable or idle tale but a powerful, divine truth. Those who claim to speak messages from God but are not genuinely sent by Him are spreading falsehoods and misleading the people with their deceptive prophecies.
Jeremiah 23 31 Context
Jeremiah 23 addresses the dire spiritual condition of Judah during a tumultuous period. The chapter focuses on the failure of Judah's leaders, particularly the prophets and priests, who have misled the people with false assurances and ungodly practices. Jeremiah is sent by God to pronounce judgment on these false prophets who claim to speak for the Lord but do not. This verse directly follows prophecies of doom for those who speak falsehoods and immediately precedes further condemnation. The primary concern is the integrity of prophetic utterances and the loyalty owed to God alone, directly contrasting with the pronouncements of deceptive prophets.
Jeremiah 23 31 Word Analysis
- Kōh-omer (כֹּה־אָמַר): "Thus says." This is a standard prophetic formula used to introduce a divine oracle, emphasizing divine authority. It’s a declaration of God’s direct speech through the prophet.
- Adonay (אֲדֹנָי): "LORD." The covenant name for God, El Shaddai, indicating His sovereign lordship and personal relationship with His people.
- Yĕhovah (יְהוָה): LORD. Also, the LORD. Used in conjunction with Adonai to powerfully affirm God’s eternal existence and His position as covenant Lord.
- Lēmōr (לֵאמֹר): "To say." This word signifies the act of speaking, introducing the specific message that follows.
- Han-nĕviʾīm (הַנְּבִאִים): "The prophets." Refers to those who claimed to speak under divine inspiration. The definite article emphasizes "these specific prophets" currently in view.
- Ahădīm (אַחֲדִים): "Are these." A demonstrative phrase pointing to specific individuals or groups.
- Mesapĕrîm (מְסַפְּרִים): "Telling." Present participle from "to tell" or "narrate." Implies recounting a story or declaration.
- Ḥăzōōn (חָזוֹן): "Vision." Often refers to a prophetic revelation received through a vision. Here, it can imply visions they claim to have had.
- Lĕbēhem (לִבָּם): "Of their heart" or "from their heart." Signifies that the source of their "visions" is their own internal imagination or desires, not God's revelation.
- Lo (לֹא): "Not." A strong negation.
- Mēʾōtāy (מֵאִתִּי): "From Me." Directly states that the origin of these "visions" is not from God.
- Mĕdabbĕrîm (מְדַבְּרִים): "Speaking." Present participle from "to speak." It means they are actively proclaiming these messages.
Word Group Analysis:
- "The prophets who are prophets of themselves": This phrase (implicitly) captures the essence of "The prophets who are having visions from their heart, not from Me." It’s a core concept indicating self-appointed, self-inspired, and therefore false prophecy.
- "Speaking visions from their heart": This highlights the internal, subjective, and imaginative nature of their pronouncements, devoid of divine origin or validation.
Jeremiah 23 31 Bonus Section
The concept of "visions from their heart" reflects a deep-seated issue of spiritual rebellion and self-deception. It is akin to the idol worship denounced throughout the Old Testament, where people create their own gods and religious systems according to their own designs, rather than seeking the true God. The sincerity of the false prophet's belief in their own message does not validate the message itself; divine truth is confirmed by its divine source and its alignment with God’s revealed will. This verse serves as a perpetual reminder for believers to critically examine the source and message of all spiritual claims, ensuring they are anchored in God’s revealed Word and the power of the Holy Spirit, not in human fancy or desire.
Jeremiah 23 31 Commentary
This verse is a stark pronouncement against the false prophets of Jeremiah’s time. God’s word is not trivial; it carries divine weight and authority. The prophets Jeremiah condemns are characterized by their self-derived messages, fabricating "visions" originating from their own hearts, their own desires, and their own imaginations. They speak with confidence, as if they possess divine insight, but their source is exclusively internal and human. This directly contrasts with true prophets, whose messages are confirmed to be from God through obedience to His commands and the fulfillment of His word (Deuteronomy 18:22). Their pronouncements are empty claims, lacking divine power or truth.