Christian Standard Bible
Jeremiah 23:31
31I am against the prophets” — the Lord’s declaration — “who use their own tongues to make a declaration.
Jeremiah 23:31 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the Lord, that use their tongues, and say, He saith.
- New International Version (NIV)Yes,” declares the Lord, “I am against the prophets who wag their own tongues and yet declare, ‘The Lord declares.’
- English Standard Version (ESV)Behold, I am against the prophets, declares the Lord, who use their tongues and declare, 'declares the Lord.'
- New King James Version (NKJV)Behold, I am against the prophets,” says the Lord, “who use their tongues and say, ‘He says.’
Context of Jeremiah 23:31
29“Is not my word like fire” — this is the Lord’s declaration — “and like a hammer that pulverizes rock? 30Therefore, take note! I am against the prophets” — the Lord’s declaration — “who steal my words from each other. I am against the prophets” — the Lord’s declaration — “who use their own tongues to make a declaration. 32I am against those who prophesy false dreams” — the Lord’s declaration — “telling them and leading my people astray with their reckless lies. It was not I who sent or commanded them, and they are of no benefit at all to these people” — this is the Lord’s declaration. 33“Now when these people or a prophet or a priest asks you, ‘What is the burden of the Lord? ’ you will respond to them, ‘What is the burden? I will throw you away! This is the Lord’s declaration.’
Read all of Jeremiah 23Jeremiah 23:31 word by word
הִנְנִ֥י עַל־הַנְּבִיאִ֖ם נְאֻם־יְהוָ֑ה הַלֹּקְחִ֣ים לְשׁוֹנָ֔ם וַֽיִּנְאֲמ֖וּ נְאֻֽם׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Jeremiah 23:31
- Isaiah 30:10They say to the seers, “Do not see,” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy the truth to us. Tell us flattering things. Prophesy illusions.
- Micah 2:11If a man comes and utters empty lies — “I will preach to you about wine and beer” — he would be just the preacher for this people!
- Jeremiah 23:17They keep on saying to those who despise me, ‘The Lord has spoken: You will have peace.’ They have said to everyone who follows the stubbornness of his heart, ‘No harm will come to you.’”
- 2 Chronicles 18:5So the king of Israel gathered the prophets, four hundred men, and asked them, “Should we go to Ramoth-gilead for war or should I refrain?” They replied, “March up, and God will hand it over to the king.”
Commentaries on Jeremiah 23:31
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 31That use their tongues - literally, that take their tongues. Their second characteristic. They have no message from God, but they take their tongues, their only implement, and say, He saith, using the solemn formula by which Yahweh affirms the truth of His words. Solemn asseverations seemed to give reality to their emptiness.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 23-32Verses 23-32 Men cannot be hidden from God's all-seeing eye. Will they never see what judgments they prepare for themselves? Let them consider what a vast difference there is between these prophecies and those delivered by the true prophets of the Lord. Let them not call their foolish dreams Divine oracles. The promises of peace these prophets make are no more to be compared to God's promises than chaff to wheat. The unhumbled heart of man is like a rock…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 30-32The Lord criticized and opposed the prophets who lied in his name.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 3131. use--rather, "take" their tongue: a second class (compare Jr 23:30) require, in order to bring forth a revelation, nothing more than their tongues, wherewith they say, He (Jehovah) saith: they bungle in the very formula instead of the usual "Jehovah saith," being only able to say "(He) saith."Read the comment
Topics related to Jeremiah 23:31
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Jeremiah 23
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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