Jeremiah 5 13

Jeremiah 5:13 kjv

And the prophets shall become wind, and the word is not in them: thus shall it be done unto them.

Jeremiah 5:13 nkjv

And the prophets become wind, For the word is not in them. Thus shall it be done to them."

Jeremiah 5:13 niv

The prophets are but wind and the word is not in them; so let what they say be done to them."

Jeremiah 5:13 esv

The prophets will become wind; the word is not in them. Thus shall it be done to them!'"

Jeremiah 5:13 nlt

God's prophets are all windbags
who don't really speak for him.
Let their predictions of disaster fall on themselves!'"

Jeremiah 5 verses

Jeremiah 5 13 Meaning

Jeremiah 5:13 pronounces a stark judgment against the false prophets in Judah. These individuals claim to speak for God, yet their words are nothing more than "wind" – empty, baseless, and devoid of divine truth or authority. They deny that God's true word, brought by prophets like Jeremiah, will come to pass as judgment. Consequently, God declares that the very judgment and disaster they dismissed will be inflicted upon them directly.

Jeremiah 5 13 Context

Jeremiah chapter 5 vividly depicts the pervasive moral and spiritual corruption within Judah, the northern kingdom having already fallen. Jeremiah reveals the depth of their rebellion, from the common people to the highest officials and religious leaders. Despite widespread iniquity—lying, idolatry, injustice, and sexual immorality—the people remain unrepentant. They scoff at the idea of divine judgment, claiming it will not befall them. Against this backdrop of stubborn disbelief and spiritual apathy, verse 13 specifically targets the false prophets who actively contribute to the deception, soothing the people with false assurances of peace and prosperity. These "wind" prophecies directly contradict Jeremiah's consistent message of impending invasion and devastation as God's righteous judgment for their sins.

Jeremiah 5 13 Word analysis

• The prophets (Hebrew: נְבִיאִים, nᵉvi'im): This term generally refers to those called to speak God's word. In this context, however, it specifically designates those who claim the title but act as false messengers, not representing the Lord's true message. Their identification as "the prophets" shows their established, albeit corrupted, role within society.
• speak wind (Hebrew: רוּחַ הֵ֣מָּה מְדַבְּרִ֑ים, ruaḥ hemmāh mədabbərîm):
  • רוּחַ (ruaḥ): Literally means "wind," "spirit," or "breath." Here, it signifies emptiness, hollowness, and lack of substance or divine origin. Their words are as fleeting and unsubstantial as a puff of air, contrasting sharply with the solid, eternal nature of God's true davar (word).
  • This phrase acts as a metaphor. Their prophecies lack any true power, substance, or divine backing.
• the word (Hebrew: וְהַדָּבָ֖ר, wəhaddābār): This refers to God's authentic divine revelation, His authoritative message. It is the antithesis of the "wind" spoken by the false prophets. Davar carries weight, power, and ultimate fulfillment.
• is not in them (Hebrew: אֵ֥ין בָּהֶֽם, ʾên bāhem): A definitive statement affirming that these prophets operate without divine inspiration. Their words originate from themselves, their own imaginations, or perhaps even deceptive spirits, but not from God.
• thus it shall be done to them! (Hebrew: כֵּ֤ן יֵֽעָשֶׂה֙ לָהֶֽם, kēn yē‘āśeh lāhem): This is a prophetic pronouncement of judgment, a lex talionis of sorts. The "done to them" is the divine reversal of their false message. The very calamity they dismissed, or prophesied would not happen, will happen to them. It is an act of divine justice against those who pervert sacred office.

Jeremiah 5 13 Bonus section

• Polemics: This verse contains a clear polemic against the prevailing understanding of prophecy in Judah. It challenges the authority and claims of many self-proclaimed prophets, explicitly stating that their message does not originate from God. This also indirectly challenges the people's gullibility for believing such convenient but empty words over the uncomfortable truths of Jeremiah.
• Role Reversal: The judgment "thus it shall be done to them!" implies a powerful reversal of roles and fortunes. The false prophets, who should have been mediating God's blessing, will instead receive His curse (judgment). The consequences they denied would befall the people are now explicitly directed at them, emphasizing divine justice.
• Wisdom vs. Folly: The passage draws a contrast between the empty, foolish words of the false prophets and the true wisdom embedded in God's divine word. Following the "wind" leads to destruction, while adhering to the davar brings life and true understanding.

Jeremiah 5 13 Commentary

Jeremiah 5:13 succinctly captures the essence of false prophecy and its impending judgment. False prophets offered Judah comfortable delusions, assuring them of peace despite their unrepentant sin, directly countering Jeremiah's messages of impending doom. Their proclamations, described as "wind" (ruaḥ), were devoid of God's authentic "word" (davar), springing instead from human invention or presumption. This verse highlights the fundamental distinction between human opinion and divine truth. God's word is never empty; it always accomplishes His purpose (Isa 55:11). Therefore, those who substitute empty pronouncements for divine truth will suffer the very fate they denied would come, bearing the judgment intended for those they misled. This principle underscores God's commitment to holding religious leaders accountable for their stewardship of His message and serves as a timeless warning against any spiritual leadership that prefers pleasant falsehoods over difficult truths.