Jeremias 23:13

13 And in the prophets of Samaria I have seen lawless deeds; they prophesied by Baal, and led my people Israel astray.

Jeremias 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.

Jeremias 23:13 In-Context

11 For priest and prophet are defiled; and I have seen their iniquities in my house.

12 Therefore let their way be to them slippery and dark: and they shall be tripped up and fall in it: for I will bring evils upon them, in the year of their visitation.

13 And in the prophets of Samaria I have seen lawless deeds; they prophesied by Baal, and led my people Israel astray.

14 Also in the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen horrible things: as they committed adultery, and walked in lies, and strengthened the hands of many, that they should not return each from his evil way: they are all become to me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrha.

15 Therefore thus saith the Lord; Behold, I will feed them with pain, and give them bitter water to drink: for from the prophets of Jerusalem has defilement gone forth all the land.