Jeremiah 23:13

13 In the prophets of Samaria I saw something shocking: They prophesied by Baal and led astray my people Israel.

Jeremiah 23:13 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 23:13

And I have seen folly in the prophets of Samaria
The ten tribes of Israel, among whom, in Ahab's time there were many false prophets, Baal's prophets, even four hundred and fifty; whose "folly" the Lord had formerly taken notice of; even their idolatry and impiety for giving into which the ten tribes had been carried captive years ago. The word ^F18 here used signifies that which is "unsavoury": something very unsavoury in their doctrines, and in their lives; they were as salt which has lost its savour and is good for nothing; to which bad ministers are compared, ( Matthew 5:13 ) . These words are to be read in connection with the following, and may be rendered, "indeed I have seen folly in the prophets of Samaria"; of Israel in times past; "but I have seen in the prophets of Jerusalem" ^F19 that which is far worse; and therefore they must not expect to escape; or, as the Syriac version, "as I have seen in the prophets of Samaria--so have I seen in the prophets of Jerusalem" so that here is a comparison run between them; and the latter are represented as worse than the former, though they were bad enough; as follows: for they prophesied in Baal;
in the name of Baal, whose prophets they were; so the Targum,

``they prophesied in the name of idols:''

or, "they prophesied by Baal", as the Septuagint version ^F20; they pretended to be inspired by him, and to receive their prophecies from him: or, "they prophesied concerning Baal"; what he would do for them, for those that worshipped him. The Arabic version is, "they prophesied in my name to Baal"; which seems to be foreign from the sense of the place: and caused my people Israel to err;
by following their directions and instructions, and worshipping Baal.

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FOOTNOTES:

F18 (hlpt) "insulsitatem", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Schmidt; "intulsa", Pagninus; "insulsam rem", Munster, Vatablus; "insulsum", Montanus, Cocceius.
F19 So Schmidt.
F20 (lebb) , (dia ton baal) , Sept. "per Baalem", Schmidt. So Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.

Jeremiah 23:13 In-Context

11 Both prophet and priest are godless; I even find their evil in my temple, declares the LORD.

12 Therefore, they will find themselves on slippery ground and will be thrust into darkness, where they will collapse. I will bring disaster upon them, when their time comes, declares the LORD.

13 In the prophets of Samaria I saw something shocking: They prophesied by Baal and led astray my people Israel.

14 In the prophets of Jerusalem I saw something horrible: They commit adultery and tell lies. They encourage evildoers so that no one turns from their wickedness. In my eyes, they are no better than Sodom; its people are like Gomorrah.

15 Therefore, this is what the LORD of heavenly forces proclaims concerning the prophets: I'm going to feed them bitter food and give them poison to drink. Wickedness has spread from the prophets of Jerusalem throughout the land.