Jeremiah 14:14
Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.
Original Language Analysis
יְהוָ֜ה
Then the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֜ה
Then the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 23
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
הַנְּבִאִים֙
unto me The prophets
H5030
הַנְּבִאִים֙
unto me The prophets
Strong's:
H5030
Word #:
5 of 23
a prophet or (generally) inspired man
מִֽתְנַבְּאִ֥ים
prophesy
H5012
מִֽתְנַבְּאִ֥ים
prophesy
Strong's:
H5012
Word #:
6 of 23
to prophesy, i.e., speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse)
בִּשְׁמִ֔י
in my name
H8034
בִּשְׁמִ֔י
in my name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
7 of 23
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
לֹ֤א
H3808
לֹ֤א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
8 of 23
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
שְׁלַחְתִּים֙
I sent
H7971
שְׁלַחְתִּים֙
I sent
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
9 of 23
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
10 of 23
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
צִוִּיתִ֔ים
them not neither have I commanded
H6680
צִוִּיתִ֔ים
them not neither have I commanded
Strong's:
H6680
Word #:
11 of 23
(intensively) to constitute, enjoin
וְלֹ֥א
H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
12 of 23
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
דִבַּ֖רְתִּי
them neither spake
H1696
דִבַּ֖רְתִּי
them neither spake
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
13 of 23
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
חֲז֨וֹן
vision
H2377
חֲז֨וֹן
vision
Strong's:
H2377
Word #:
15 of 23
a sight (mentally), i.e., a dream, revelation, or oracle
וְקֶ֤סֶם
and divination
H7081
וְקֶ֤סֶם
and divination
Strong's:
H7081
Word #:
17 of 23
a lot; also divination (including its fee), oracle
וֶֽאֱלִול֙
and a thing of nought
H457
וֶֽאֱלִול֙
and a thing of nought
Strong's:
H457
Word #:
18 of 23
good for nothing, by analogy vain or vanity; specifically an idol
לִבָּ֔ם
of their heart
H3820
לִבָּ֔ם
of their heart
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
20 of 23
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
Cross References
Jeremiah 29:31Send to all them of the captivity, saying, Thus saith the LORD concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite; Because that Shemaiah hath prophesied unto you, and I sent him not, and he caused you to trust in a lie:Ezekiel 12:24For there shall be no more any vain vision nor flattering divination within the house of Israel.Lamentations 2:14Thy prophets have seen vain and foolish things for thee: and they have not discovered thine iniquity, to turn away thy captivity; but have seen for thee false burdens and causes of banishment.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 5:31The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?Ezekiel 21:29Whiles they see vanity unto thee, whiles they divine a lie unto thee, to bring thee upon the necks of them that are slain, of the wicked, whose day is come, when their iniquity shall have an end.
Historical Context
Throughout redemptive history, false prophets arose claiming divine authority for messages originating in human desire or demonic influence (Deuteronomy 13:1-5; 18:20-22; 1 Kings 22:1-28).
Questions for Reflection
- What are the marks of false prophecy that help believers identify it?
- How do false teachers claim divine authority for messages originating in human or demonic sources?
- What accountability do those who prophesy falsely 'in God's name' bear?
Analysis & Commentary
God responds to Jeremiah's concern about false prophets: 'Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them.' The threefold denial ('sent not,' 'commanded not,' 'spake not') emphasizes their illegitimacy. Their message's source is revealed: 'they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.' Four descriptors: false vision, divination (occult practices), worthlessness ('thing of nought'), and heart-deceit. This shows false prophecy's origins: not divine revelation but human imagination or demonic deception. God disowns these prophets completely.