Jeremiah 23:31

31 I'm against the prophets who carelessly deliver oracles, declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 23:31 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 23:31

Behold, I [am] against the prophets, saith the Lord
Not another sort of prophets distinct from the former, or those that follow; but the same under another character, and against whom he was, and set his face on another occasion; that use their tongues;
at their pleasure, their lips being their own. So the Targum,

``who prophesy according to the will of their own hearts;''
talk in a haughty and insolent manner, speaking bold and daring things of the divine Being; or in a boasting bragging manner, extolling themselves, and speaking highly in their own commendations; or rather in a flattering way to the people: so some read it, by a transposition of a radical letter F18, "that smooth their tongues", as Kimchi; or speak smooth things with their tongues, to please the people: and say, he saith;
that is, "the Lord", as the Vulgate Latin and Syriac versions express it; that so they, night be the more easily believed by the people; but this was highly provoking to God, to father their lies and falsehoods upon him.
FOOTNOTES:

F18 (Myxqwlh) "hic pro" (Myqylxmh) "qui lenificant linguam suam", Pagninus, Gataker; "sumentes blandam linguan suam", Schmidt.

Jeremiah 23:31 In-Context

29 Isn't my word like fire and like a hammer that shatters rock? declares the LORD.
30 Therefore, I'm against the prophets who steal my words from each other, declares the LORD.
31 I'm against the prophets who carelessly deliver oracles, declares the LORD.
32 I'm against the prophets who dream up lies and then proclaim them, declares the LORD. With their reckless lies, they lead my people astray. I didn't send them; I didn't commission them. They are completely useless to these people, declares the LORD.
33 When these people or a prophet or a priest asks you, "What is the LORD's message?" say to them, "What message? I will cast you off, declares the LORD."

Footnotes 1

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