Jeremiah 14:13
Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, the prophets say unto them, Ye shall not see the sword, neither shall ye have famine; but I will give you assured peace in this place.
Original Language Analysis
הַנְּבִאִ֜ים
behold the prophets
H5030
הַנְּבִאִ֜ים
behold the prophets
Strong's:
H5030
Word #:
6 of 22
a prophet or (generally) inspired man
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
9 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תִרְא֣וּ
unto them Ye shall not see
H7200
תִרְא֣וּ
unto them Ye shall not see
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
10 of 22
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
חֶ֔רֶב
the sword
H2719
חֶ֔רֶב
the sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
11 of 22
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
וְרָעָ֖ב
neither shall ye have famine
H7458
וְרָעָ֖ב
neither shall ye have famine
Strong's:
H7458
Word #:
12 of 22
hunger (more or less extensive)
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
13 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִהְיֶ֣ה
H1961
יִהְיֶ֣ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
14 of 22
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
16 of 22
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
שְׁל֤וֹם
peace
H7965
שְׁל֤וֹם
peace
Strong's:
H7965
Word #:
17 of 22
safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace
אֱמֶת֙
you assured
H571
אֱמֶת֙
you assured
Strong's:
H571
Word #:
18 of 22
stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness
אֶתֵּ֣ן
but I will give
H5414
אֶתֵּ֣ן
but I will give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
19 of 22
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
Cross References
Jeremiah 6:14They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.2 Peter 2:1But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.Jeremiah 4:10Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! surely thou hast greatly deceived this people and Jerusalem, saying, Ye shall have peace; whereas the sword reacheth unto the soul.Jeremiah 23:17They say still unto them that despise me, The LORD hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you.Micah 3:11The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us.Jeremiah 8:11For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.
Historical Context
False prophets like Hananiah (Jeremiah 28) contradicted Jeremiah's warnings, promising swift deliverance from Babylon. Their optimistic lies were more popular but proved catastrophically wrong.
Questions for Reflection
- How can believers discern true from false prophetic voices today?
- Why is the more pleasant message often false while harsh truth is rejected?
- What responsibility do false teachers bear for those they mislead?
Analysis & Commentary
Jeremiah protests: 'Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, the prophets say unto them, Ye shall not see the sword, neither shall ye have famine; but I will give you assured peace in this place.' This explains the people's complacency: false prophets contradict Jeremiah's warnings, promising 'assured peace' (Hebrew 'shalom emet'—true, reliable peace). Jeremiah appeals to God, effectively saying the people have been misled. This raises the problem of competing prophetic voices—how can people discern true from false? The false prophets' message was more pleasant but ultimately deadly, while Jeremiah's harsh message, though rejected, was true and life-saving for those who heeded.