Jeremiah 14:15
Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that prophesy in my name, and I sent them not, yet they say, Sword and famine shall not be in this land; By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed.
Original Language Analysis
לָכֵ֞ן
H3651
לָכֵ֞ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
1 of 24
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
כֹּֽה
H3541
כֹּֽה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
2 of 24
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יְהוָ֗ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֗ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 24
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
עַֽל
H5921
עַֽל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
5 of 24
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַנְּבִאִ֖ים
concerning the prophets
H5030
הַנְּבִאִ֖ים
concerning the prophets
Strong's:
H5030
Word #:
6 of 24
a prophet or (generally) inspired man
הַנִּבְּאִ֣ים
that prophesy
H5012
הַנִּבְּאִ֣ים
that prophesy
Strong's:
H5012
Word #:
7 of 24
to prophesy, i.e., speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse)
בִּשְׁמִי֮
in my name
H8034
בִּשְׁמִי֮
in my name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
8 of 24
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
10 of 24
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
שְׁלַחְתִּים֒
and I sent
H7971
שְׁלַחְתִּים֒
and I sent
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
11 of 24
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
בַּחֶ֤רֶב
By sword
H2719
בַּחֶ֤רֶב
By sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
14 of 24
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
לֹ֥א
H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
16 of 24
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִהְיֶ֖ה
H1961
יִהְיֶ֖ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
17 of 24
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בָּאָ֣רֶץ
shall not be in this land
H776
בָּאָ֣רֶץ
shall not be in this land
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
18 of 24
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
בַּחֶ֤רֶב
By sword
H2719
בַּחֶ֤רֶב
By sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
20 of 24
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
יִתַּ֔מּוּ
be consumed
H8552
יִתַּ֔מּוּ
be consumed
Strong's:
H8552
Word #:
22 of 24
to complete, in a good or a bad sense, literal, or figurative, transitive or intransitive
Historical Context
The false prophets who promised peace perished when Babylon conquered Jerusalem. Their deaths validated Jeremiah's contested prophecies and exposed their lies, though this vindication came too late to save those they'd misled.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's judgment on false teachers vindicate His true word and servants?
- What is the relationship between the content of false teaching and the nature of judgment that follows?
- Why does God particularly judge those who mislead others while claiming His authority?
Analysis & Commentary
The judgment on false prophets: 'Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that prophesy in my name, and I sent them not, yet they say, Sword and famine shall not be in this land; By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed.' This is poetic justice: what they denied would come, claiming divine authority, will destroy them. Their confident assertion 'shall not be' becomes their means of destruction. This demonstrates God's hatred of false teaching that misleads people under claim of divine authority. The false prophets' fate serves as vindication of God's true word through Jeremiah.