Jeremiah 23:13

13 In the prophets of Sama'ria I saw an unsavory thing: they prophesied by Ba'al and led my people Israel astray.

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 ungodly; even in my house I have found their wickedness, says the LORD.

12 Therefore their way shall be to them like slippery paths in the darkness, into which they shall be driven and fall; for I will bring evil upon them in the year of their punishment, says the LORD.

13 In the prophets of Sama'ria I saw an unsavory thing: they prophesied by Ba'al and led my people Israel astray.

14 But in the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen a horrible thing: they commit adultery and walk in lies; they strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns from his wickedness; all of them have become like Sodom to me, and its inhabitants like Gomor'rah.

15 Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets: "Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and give them poisoned water to drink; for from the prophets of Jerusalem ungodliness has gone forth into all the land."