Jeremiah 23 37

Jeremiah 23:37 kjv

Thus shalt thou say to the prophet, What hath the LORD answered thee? and, What hath the LORD spoken?

Jeremiah 23:37 nkjv

Thus you shall say to the prophet, 'What has the LORD answered you?' and, 'What has the LORD spoken?'

Jeremiah 23:37 niv

This is what you keep saying to a prophet: 'What is the LORD's answer to you?' or 'What has the LORD spoken?'

Jeremiah 23:37 esv

Thus you shall say to the prophet, 'What has the LORD answered you?' or 'What has the LORD spoken?'

Jeremiah 23:37 nlt

"This is what you should say to the prophets: 'What is the LORD's answer?' or 'What is the LORD saying?'

Jeremiah 23 verses

Jeremiah 23 37 Meaning

The verse signifies God's disassociation from and repudiation of any prophecy that deviates from His intended message. It declares that any pronouncement claiming to originate from God but which is not genuinely from Him, or is a distortion of His truth, is effectively a lie and an abandonment of God's own word by the prophet. It asserts that such prophets bear responsibility for their false pronouncements.

Jeremiah 23 37 Context

Jeremiah 23:37 is part of a broader prophetic oracle in Jeremiah chapter 23 where Jeremiah condemns the false prophets of his day. These prophets were misleading the people of Judah, assuring them of peace and prosperity even as Babylonian invasion loomed. They did this by prophesying "peace" when there was no peace (Jer 6:14). This verse directly addresses the unfaithfulness of these prophets who attribute their own messages, which are contrary to God's word, to God Himself. The historical context is the dire period leading up to and during the Babylonian exile, a time of intense spiritual and national crisis for Judah.

Jeremiah 23 37 Word Analysis

• "You must not name yourselves with my name"

  • "You": Plural, referring to the false prophets addressed.
  • "must not": Strong prohibition, indicating a divine command.
  • "name yourselves": To claim a designation or identity. In this context, it means to claim the authority and endorsement of God.
  • "my name": Refers to God's personal name (YHWH) and by extension, His authority, character, and message. To speak in God's name meant to speak with His delegated authority.

• "or say,"

  • Connects the first prohibition to the second action.

• "‘The LORD declares,’"

  • "The LORD": Refers to YHWH, the covenant God of Israel.
  • "declares" (Hebrew: נאֻם, neum): A common formula used by prophets to introduce a message directly from God. This is the very attribution the false prophets wrongly employ.

• "when you have not prophesied"

  • "you have not prophesied": This clearly distinguishes true prophecy (speaking God's word) from the false pronouncements made by these individuals. It highlights the absence of divine inspiration or commission for their words.

• "or have not received it from the LORD"

  • This further clarifies the origin of their message. They are not conveying what they have truly received from divine revelation or instruction.

• "I will bring your judgment upon you."

  • "I will bring": Indicates God's direct and active intervention.
  • "your judgment": The consequence for their deception and misuse of God's name.

• "for each prophet turns his tongue to lies."

  • "each prophet": Emphasizes the widespread nature of the deceit among this group.
  • "turns his tongue": Metaphor for speaking deliberately.
  • "to lies": The essence of their communication is falsehood. They have perverted their speech.

• Words/Group Analysis:

  • "You must not name yourselves with my name, or say, ‘The LORD declares,’ when you have not prophesied": This group of phrases forms a direct charge and prohibition against claiming divine authority and utterance when there is no true prophetic source. It addresses both the assumption of a divine identity ("name yourselves") and the false declaration of divine origin ("The LORD declares").
  • "you have not prophesied or have not received it from the LORD": This clause provides the condition or the reason why such claims are illegitimate. It underlines that true prophecy is contingent upon receiving God's word.
  • "for each prophet turns his tongue to lies": This concluding part explains the fundamental nature of their transgression. They are engaging in habitual deception through their speech.

Jeremiah 23 37 Bonus Section

The concept of bearing God's name signifies identity and association with Him. To falsely claim His name or His message is to distort who He is and what He stands for. This resonates with the prohibition against taking the Lord's name in vain (Exodus 20:7), though this context specifically addresses prophetic misuse. The consequences faced by these false prophets serve as a sober warning throughout scripture about the responsibility that comes with proclaiming God's word, especially for those in positions of spiritual leadership. It emphasizes the inherent connection between God's speech and His nature—His words are true, reflecting His character. When men counterfeit His speech, they also counterfeit Him, incurring divine displeasure.

Jeremiah 23 37 Commentary

This verse is a strong condemnation of religious leaders who pervert the truth and speak what is pleasing to people rather than what God has revealed. God declares that to claim His authority or speak His word falsely is an act of rebellion and carries a grave consequence: judgment. The prohibition is against a deliberate act of misrepresentation, using God's name and prophetic formula without divine warrant. It underscores the critical importance of authenticity and faithfulness in delivering God's message. The penalty highlights that this is not a minor offense but a serious matter of integrity concerning God's truth and authority. True prophecy flows from genuine encounter with God, not from human invention or personal desire.