Jeremias 14:14

14 Then the Lord said to me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, and I commanded them not, and I spoke not to them: for they prophesy to you false visions, and divinations, and auguries, and devices of their own heart.

Jeremias 14:14 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 14:14

Then said the Lord unto me
In reply to the above excuse, in favour of the people: the prophets prophesy lies in my name;
it is a wicked thing to tell lies; it is more so to foretell them, and that in the name of the Lord; pretending they have his authority, and are under the influence and guidance of his Spirit; and it was sinful in the people to give credit to them, and the more so in that they were forewarned of these prophets and their lies, and had the reverse told them by a true prophet of the Lord, and therefore were inexcusable. I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spoke unto
them;
all which are requisite to a prophet, or to a man's prophesying in the name of the Lord; he ought to have his mission from him, and his commission from him; his orders and credentials from him, and the things themselves which he delivers; neither of which those prophets had; nor were they able to make out those things to the people, of which they should have had satisfaction before they believed them, and therefore were highly to blame in giving heed unto them. They prophecy unto you a false vision;
or, "a vision of falsehood" ^F13; pretending they had a vision from the Lord, when they had none: and divination;
soothsaying or astrology, as some interpret it, as Kimchi observes; foretelling things by the stars: and a thing of nought;
which is good for nothing, and comes to nothing: and the deceit of their hearts;
which flows from their deceitful hearts and vain imaginations, and by no means to be depended upon.

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FOOTNOTES:

F13 (rqv Nwzx) "visionem mendacii", Schmidt; "visionem falsitatis", Montanus.

Jeremias 14:14 In-Context

12 for though they fast, I will not hear their supplication; and though they offer whole-burnt-offerings and sacrifices, I will take no pleasure in them: for I will consume them with sword, and with famine, and with pestilence.

13 And I said, O living Lord! behold, their prophets prophesy, and say, Ye shall not see a sword, nor shall famine be among you; for I will give truth and peace on the land, and in this place.

14 Then the Lord said to me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, and I commanded them not, and I spoke not to them: for they prophesy to you false visions, and divinations, and auguries, and devices of their own heart.

15 Therefore thus saith the Lord concerning the prophets that prophesy lies in my name, and I sent them not, who say, Sword and famine shall not be upon this land; they shall die by a grievous death, and the prophets shall be consumed by famine.

16 And the people to whom they prophesy, they also shall be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem, because of the sword and famine; and there shall be none to bury them: their wives also, and their sons, and their daughters ; and I will pour out their wickedness upon them.