Jeremiah 29 23

Jeremiah 29:23 kjv

Because they have committed villany in Israel, and have committed adultery with their neighbours' wives, and have spoken lying words in my name, which I have not commanded them; even I know, and am a witness, saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 29:23 nkjv

because they have done disgraceful things in Israel, have committed adultery with their neighbors' wives, and have spoken lying words in My name, which I have not commanded them. Indeed I know, and am a witness, says the LORD.

Jeremiah 29:23 niv

For they have done outrageous things in Israel; they have committed adultery with their neighbors' wives, and in my name they have uttered lies?which I did not authorize. I know it and am a witness to it," declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 29:23 esv

because they have done an outrageous thing in Israel, they have committed adultery with their neighbors' wives, and they have spoken in my name lying words that I did not command them. I am the one who knows, and I am witness, declares the LORD.'"

Jeremiah 29:23 nlt

For these men have done terrible things among my people. They have committed adultery with their neighbors' wives and have lied in my name, saying things I did not command. I am a witness to this. I, the LORD, have spoken."

Jeremiah 29 verses

Jeremiah 29 23 meaning

Jeremiah 29:23 condemns specific false prophets (Ahab and Zedekiah in Babylon) for two grievous offenses: committing adultery with their neighbors' wives and falsely prophesying in God's name without His authorization. The verse emphasizes God's absolute knowledge and personal witnessing of these transgressions, serving as a clear basis for the subsequent divine judgment against them. It highlights that their actions constituted "outrageous folly," an act of profound moral and spiritual disgrace, which God had neither commanded nor condoned, yet was fully aware of.

Jeremiah 29 23 Context

Jeremiah 29:23 is found within Jeremiah's crucial letter sent to the exiles already in Babylon (around 594-593 BC), several years before Jerusalem's final destruction in 586 BC. This letter, conveyed by special envoys, served to counter the dangerous and deceptive messages of false prophets among the exiles who were promising a quick return to Jerusalem. Jeremiah’s authentic message from the Lord instructed the exiles to settle down, build homes, plant gardens, marry, and seek the peace and prosperity of Babylon, as their captivity would last 70 years.

Specifically, verse 23 refers to two false prophets, Ahab the son of Kolaiah and Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah (mentioned in the preceding verse, Jer 29:21). The verse directly justifies the Lord's pronouncements of severe judgment upon them by detailing their two principal offenses: profound sexual immorality (adultery) and sacrilegious abuse of God's name through false prophecy. The historical and cultural backdrop includes the pervasive challenge of distinguishing true prophecy from false, especially in a time of national crisis and spiritual disorientation among the exiles. This passage firmly distinguishes true prophetic authority (derived solely from God's command) from human presumptions driven by sin.

Jeremiah 29 23 Word analysis

• for they have committed (כִּֽי־עָשׂוּ - kî-ʿāśû): The conjunction "kî" here acts as a strong causal indicator, explaining why the impending judgment (mentioned in Jer 29:22) is deserved. "ʿĀśû" (they did/made) signifies their deliberate and active perpetration of these deeds.
• an outrageous folly (נְבָלָ֥ה - nəḇālāh): A severe Hebrew term. It implies an act that is vile, senseless, morally reprehensible, and contemptuous towards God and others. It describes conduct utterly contrary to accepted ethical or covenant standards, often specifically referring to sexual offenses (e.g., Deut 22:21; Judg 19:23). Its use here signals a profound moral and spiritual transgression.
• in Israel (בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל - bəYiśrāʾēl): This clarifies that their "folly" was not a private matter but an offense within and against the covenant community of Israel, publicly defiling its sanctity and undermining its moral fabric, even in exile.
• by committing adultery (וַֽיְנָאֲפ֖וּ - waynāʾăpū): From "na'aph," this is the clear, explicit term for adultery – illicit sexual intercourse involving at least one married person with someone other than their spouse. A direct and egregious violation of the Seventh Commandment (Ex 20:14). The 'waw consecutive' emphasizes it as a direct and ongoing action.
• with their neighbors’ wives (אֶת־נְשֵׁ֣י רֵֽעֵיהֶ֑ם - ʾeṯ-nəšê rēʿêhem): Specifies the heinous nature of their adultery. It was a betrayal of trust, devastating families and social bonds within the close-knit exiled community, adding an element of severe interpersonal harm and social corruption.
• and speaking lies (וַיְדַבְּר֥וּ שֶׁ֖קֶר - wāyəḏabberû šeqer): From "dābar" (to speak) and "šeqer" (falsehood, deception). This is the second core accusation: active, deliberate deceit. In the context of prophets, it explicitly means propagating false messages.
• in my name (בִּשְׁמִ֗י - bišmî): This critical phrase highlights the blasphemous nature of their deception. They presumptuously claimed divine authority for their own fabricated messages, desecrating the holy name of Yahweh and misleading His people.
• which I did not command them (אֲשֶׁ֤ר לֹא־צִוִּיתִֽים - ʾăšer lōʾ ṣiwwîtîm): This is the divine criterion for true prophecy: the message must originate directly from God's command. This phrase unequivocally refutes the legitimacy of their prophetic claims and underscores their usurpation of God’s authority.
• I know it (אָנֹכִ֣י יוֹדֵ֔עַ - ʾānōkî yōḏēaʿ): "ʾĀnōkî" (I, myself) provides a strong, emphatic declaration by God. "Yōḏēaʿ" (knowing) affirms His absolute omniscience. No secret is hidden from God; He is fully aware of their actions and deceptive intentions.
• and am a witness to it (וְעֵ֖ד - wəʿēḏ): God moves beyond mere knowledge to active testimony. As "ʿĒḏ" (a witness), God Himself is the ultimate and undeniable evidence-provider for their guilt, guaranteeing that their transgressions will be brought to light and judged. This establishes His judicial standing.
• declares the Lord (נְאֻם־יְהוָֽה - nəʾum-YHWH): The standard prophetic formula, signifying that this entire message is a direct, authoritative word from Yahweh, the covenant God, reinforcing its unchallengeable truth and gravity.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "an outrageous folly in Israel by committing adultery with their neighbors’ wives": This cluster vividly describes the scandalous and publicly disruptive nature of their sexual sin, highlighting its direct impact on the fabric of the community and its violation of sacred covenant law. It combines moral failing with public dishonor.
• "and speaking lies in my name, which I did not command them": This phrase directly confronts the heart of false prophecy. It details the fraudulent act of claiming divine endorsement ("in my name") for human deception ("speaking lies") and utterly denies any legitimate spiritual source ("which I did not command them").
• "I know it and am a witness to it": These phrases encapsulate God’s justice and omniscience. They are a definitive declaration of God's awareness of every detail and His readiness to present the undeniable truth, serving as a forewarning of the certain and righteous judgment.

Jeremiah 29 23 Bonus section

The close association between "outrageous folly" and sexual immorality, particularly adultery, reflects a consistent theme throughout the Old Testament. Such actions are not merely private sins but profoundly violate the communal covenant and public order, earning the descriptor "folly" or "disgrace" (Hebrew: nebalah). This highlights the expectation of moral uprightness for those who would lead or speak for God in Israel.

Furthermore, the emphasis on God "knowing" and being "a witness" implies a divine legal proceeding. God acts as both the all-knowing accuser and the irrefutable witness, thereby leaving no room for doubt regarding the guilt of the condemned. This underscores the theological concept of God's ultimate sovereignty and just governance over all human affairs, particularly concerning the integrity of His Word and the conduct of His people. The connection between immoral conduct and false teaching is often stressed in Scripture, serving as a warning for discerning true from false spiritual leaders in any generation.

Jeremiah 29 23 Commentary

Jeremiah 29:23 provides a profound insight into the character of God and the nature of false prophecy. It reveals that spiritual deception often stems from and is intertwined with personal moral corruption. The false prophets, Ahab and Zedekiah, were not only spreading untrue messages of immediate return but were also actively engaging in serious societal sins, specifically adultery, thereby committing an "outrageous folly" both in their private lives and public ministry. Their presumptuous use of God’s name for messages He did not command highlights a fundamental disrespect for His authority and holiness. The Lord's emphatic declaration, "I know it and am a witness to it," serves as a powerful reminder of His omniscience and immutable justice. It ensures that no deception, whether moral or spiritual, can be hidden from His sight, and that every transgression against His will and against others will be fully acknowledged and met with righteous judgment. The verse warns against the devastating consequences of those who compromise moral integrity while claiming divine inspiration, confirming that genuine divine calling is reflected in both truthfulness of message and holiness of conduct.