Jeremiah 5:31 kjv
The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?
Jeremiah 5:31 nkjv
The prophets prophesy falsely, And the priests rule by their own power; And My people love to have it so. But what will you do in the end?
Jeremiah 5:31 niv
The prophets prophesy lies, the priests rule by their own authority, and my people love it this way. But what will you do in the end?
Jeremiah 5:31 esv
the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule at their direction; my people love to have it so, but what will you do when the end comes?
Jeremiah 5:31 nlt
the prophets give false prophecies,
and the priests rule with an iron hand.
Worse yet, my people like it that way!
But what will you do when the end comes?
Jeremiah 5 31 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jer 5:30-31 | “A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land; The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: but what will ye do in the end thereof?” | Jer 6:13; Jer 14:14; Jer 23:1, 14, 17, 21, 25, 26, 32; Ezek 22:28; Micah 3:11; Acts 20:30; 2 Thess 2:10-11; 2 Tim 4:3; 1 John 4:1 |
| Deut 18:20,22 | But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. | Jer 23:13; Jer 29:8-9, 31-32 |
| Jer 6:13-14 | For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest they deal falsely. They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, by saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace. | Jer 8:10-11; Ezek 13:10 |
| Jer 23:16-17 | Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD. They say still unto them that despise me, The LORD hath said ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you. | Jer 27:9-10; Jer 29:8-9; Ezek 13:10 |
| Ezek 22:28 | And her prophets have daubed them with untempered morter, seeing vanity, and divining lies unto them, saying, Thus saith the Lord GOD, when the LORD hath not spoken. | Jer 23:14; Ezek 13:10 |
| Micah 3:11 | The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us. | Isa 56:11; Ezek 34:18; Micah 3:5 |
| 2 Tim 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; | 2 Tim 3:1-5; 2 Pet 2:1-3 |
| 2 Thess 2:9-10 | Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. | Matt 24:24; 2 Thess 2:11 |
| 1 John 4:1 | Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. | 1 John 4:4-6; 2 John 7 |
| Ps 50:16-17 | But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth? Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee. | Rom 2:21-22 |
| Ezek 13:6 | They have seen vanity and false divination, saying, the LORD saith: and they have spoken it: he hath sent them. | Jer 14:14-15; Jer 23:21 |
| Jer 18:18 | Then said they, Come, and let us devise devices against Jeremiah; for this shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. | Jer 11:18-19; Jer 20:1 |
Jeremiah 5 verses
Jeremiah 5 31 Meaning
Jeremiah 5:31 states that the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own authority. This situation results in the people loving this state of affairs, highlighting a spiritual and moral corruption where truth and proper governance are abandoned, and the populace embraces falsehood and misrule.
Jeremiah 5 31 Context
Jeremiah 5:31 is situated within a broader prophecy of judgment against Judah. The preceding verses detail the corruption of the city and its leaders. Jeremiah has been consistently warning the people of impending doom due to their sin and disobedience to God. This verse specifically addresses the breakdown of spiritual and moral leadership. The prophets are offering false comfort and ignoring God's commands, while the priests are ruling unjustly, likely through corruption and self-interest. This has led to a situation where the people, rather than repenting, embrace this false peace and misrule, leading to their ultimate downfall. The historical context is one of impending Babylonian invasion, a consequence of Judah's persistent apostasy.
Jeremiah 5 31 Word Analysis
- The prophets: (Hebrew: נְבִיאִים, nevï'ïm) Refers to individuals claiming to speak for God. In this context, they are described as false.
- prophesy falsely: (Hebrew: נִבְּאוּ־שֶׁקֶר, niv'û-sheqer) "They prophesied lies" or "spoke falsehoods." This indicates their messages did not originate from God but were inventions of their own or influenced by demonic sources, offering deceitful comfort or misleading guidance.
- And the priests: (Hebrew: וְהַכֹּהֲנִים, wəha kkôhănîm) The religious leaders responsible for mediating between God and the people and upholding God's law.
- rule by their own authority: (Hebrew: וּבַעֲלֵי־שָׁלִט בְּיָדָם, ūḇa ălê-shalit bəyadām) This phrase is challenging and can be interpreted in a few ways. It could mean "lords rule with their hands," implying they oppress or control through their own power and manipulation. Another understanding is "they dominate through their authority" or "they are masters by their own power," signifying that they usurped proper authority and operated without divine mandate or accountability, serving their own interests. The Septuagint suggests "lords ruled by their means," implying financial gain or corrupt means.
- and my people: (Hebrew: וְעַמִּי, wə ammî) God refers to them as His people, highlighting the grievous sin of their defection.
- love to have it so: (Hebrew: אָהֲבוּ כֵּן, 'āhavû kēn) They preferred these false prophets and corrupt priests, showing a willing embrace of sin and delusion over truth and righteousness. This denotes an active desire for spiritual deception.
Words-Group Analysis
The grouping of "The prophets prophesy falsely" and "the priests rule by their own authority" highlights a systemic breakdown. It's not just individual sin but the leadership in both religious and prophetic spheres being corrupt. The phrase "and my people love to have it so" links this leadership corruption directly to the people's willing participation and satisfaction with the status quo, a deep spiritual compromise.
Jeremiah 5 31 Bonus Section
The phrase "rule by their own authority" can also carry the connotation of control or influence achieved through the power of their hands, suggesting forceful or oppressive methods, or perhaps manipulation and corruption. The Septuagint's rendering hinting at ruling "by their means" suggests that wealth or resources acquired through improper means gave them leverage and power. This echoes warnings elsewhere in scripture against leaders who covet, deal falsely, and teach for hire (Micah 3:11), prioritizing personal gain over spiritual integrity. The people's love for this situation, "love to have it so," indicates a profound spiritual inertia and willingness to be deceived, making repentance and restoration incredibly difficult. It reflects a collective preference for self-deception over facing uncomfortable truths, a theme recurring throughout Jeremiah's ministry.
Jeremiah 5 31 Commentary
This verse is a stark indictment of spiritual and moral decadence. The spiritual leadership of Judah—prophets and priests—had become corrupted, abandoning God's word for self-interest and popular appeal. The prophets spoke messages they manufactured or that served their own agendas, offering superficial peace. The priests exercised illegitimate authority, likely driven by personal gain or power. Tragically, the people not only tolerated but embraced this falsehood and misrule. Their affection for deception over truth sealed their fate. This prophetic declaration serves as a severe warning against embracing comfortable lies and neglecting genuine divine instruction, pointing towards the devastating consequences of spiritual and moral decay. It underscores the critical importance of sound doctrine and righteous leadership, and the spiritual danger of the populace approving of false teachers and ungodly rule.