Jeremiah 23:14

14 But now I see that the prophets of Jerusalem are even worse! They commit adultery and love dishonesty. They encourage those who are doing evil so that no one turns away from their sins. These prophets are as wicked as the people of Sodom and Gomorrah once were.”

Jeremiah 23:14 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 23:14

I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible
thing
Or "but", or "so have I seen", &c. as before observed; even in the prophets of Jerusalem, where the temple was, and where the pure worship of God was professed to be observed, and that now, at the present time; as he had formerly seen and observed what was foolish, ridiculous, and impious, in the prophets of the ten tribes, and had punished them for it; so now at this instant he sees that in the prophets of Judea which was enough to make a man's hair stand an end, as the word ^F21 signifies; or, as it may be derived from another root, what was "filthy" ^F23 and obscene; as follows: they commit adultery;
or, "in committing adultery" ^F24; with their neighbours' wives; for this rather than idolatry or spiritual adultery seems to be meant: and walk in lies;
or, "walking in lies" ^F25; constantly speaking lies in their common talk and conversation; so that they were not to be believed in anything they said; which was monstrous; and delivering out false doctrines in the name of the Lord, pretending they received them from him; which was worse than prophesying in the name of Baal: they strengthen also the hands of evil doers, that none doth return
from his wickedness;
they hardened them in sin; partly by their false doctrines, extenuating their sins, putting a false gloss upon them, and promising them peace, though they lived in sin; and partly by their own wicked examples; the people concluding that what the prophets did they might do also; so that they never thought of repentance for their sins, or amendment of their lives; but went on in sin without remorse or reformation; not thinking anything about it, and not seeing any need of it; see ( Ezekiel 13:22 ) ; they are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as
Gomorrah;
the prophets were all of them in God's account as the men of Sodom; who were exceeding great sinners before the Lord, daring and impudent in sinning; and the people, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, that were led by them into the same wicked sentiments and practices, were like unto Gomorrah; and as they were like to them in sinning, So they would be in punishment; or a like punishment would be inflicted upon the prophets and people of Jerusalem as were upon Sodom and Gomorrah; see ( Isaiah 1:9 Isaiah 1:10 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F21 (hrwrev) a (rev) , "pilus".
F23 "Turpitudinem", Munster, Montanus.
F24 (Pwan) "adulterando", Junius & Tremellius, Schmidt.
F25 (rqvb Klhw) "et eundo in mendacio", Schmidt; "et ambulando in falsitate", Junius & Tremellius.

Jeremiah 23:14 In-Context

12 “Therefore, the paths they take will become slippery. They will be chased through the dark, and there they will fall. For I will bring disaster upon them at the time fixed for their punishment. I, the LORD, have spoken!

13 “I saw that the prophets of Samaria were terribly evil, for they prophesied in the name of Baal and led my people of Israel into sin.

14 But now I see that the prophets of Jerusalem are even worse! They commit adultery and love dishonesty. They encourage those who are doing evil so that no one turns away from their sins. These prophets are as wicked as the people of Sodom and Gomorrah once were.”

15 Therefore, this is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says concerning the prophets: “I will feed them with bitterness and give them poison to drink. For it is because of Jerusalem’s prophets that wickedness has filled this land.”

16 This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says to his people: “Do not listen to these prophets when they prophesy to you, filling you with futile hopes. They are making up everything they say. They do not speak for the LORD !