Jeremiah 23:31

31 Behold, I am against the prophets," saith the LORD, "that use their tongues and say, `He saith.'

Jeremiah 23:31 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 23:31

Behold, I [am] against the prophets, saith the Lord
Not another sort of prophets distinct from the former, or those that follow; but the same under another character, and against whom he was, and set his face on another occasion; that use their tongues;
at their pleasure, their lips being their own. So the Targum,

``who prophesy according to the will of their own hearts;''
talk in a haughty and insolent manner, speaking bold and daring things of the divine Being; or in a boasting bragging manner, extolling themselves, and speaking highly in their own commendations; or rather in a flattering way to the people: so some read it, by a transposition of a radical letter F18, "that smooth their tongues", as Kimchi; or speak smooth things with their tongues, to please the people: and say, he saith;
that is, "the Lord", as the Vulgate Latin and Syriac versions express it; that so they, night be the more easily believed by the people; but this was highly provoking to God, to father their lies and falsehoods upon him.
FOOTNOTES:

F18 (Myxqwlh) "hic pro" (Myqylxmh) "qui lenificant linguam suam", Pagninus, Gataker; "sumentes blandam linguan suam", Schmidt.

Jeremiah 23:31 In-Context

29 "Is not My word like as a fire?" saith the LORD, "and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?
30 "Therefore behold, I am against the prophets," saith the LORD, "that steal My words every one from his neighbor.
31 Behold, I am against the prophets," saith the LORD, "that use their tongues and say, `He saith.'
32 Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams," saith the LORD, "and do tell them, and cause My people to err by their lies and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them. Therefore they shall not profit this people at all," saith the LORD.
33 "And when this people or the prophet or a priest shall ask thee, saying, `What is the burden of the LORD?' thou shalt then say unto them, `What burden? I will even forsake you, saith the LORD.'
Third Millennium Bible (TMB), New Authorized Version, Copyright 1998 by Deuel Enterprises, Inc., Gary, SD 57237. All rights reserved.