Jeremiah 23:13
And I have seen folly in the prophets of Samaria; they prophesied in Baal, and caused my people Israel to err.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
Samaria, capital of the Northern Kingdom (Israel), fell to Assyria in 722 BC after decades of Baal worship institutionalized by the Omride dynasty (particularly Ahab and Jezebel, 1 Kings 16-22). Prophets like those of Baal whom Elijah confronted on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18) claimed divine authority while leading Israel into covenant violation. Their prophecies 'in Baal' meant attributing their messages to the Canaanite deity rather than Yahweh. By Jeremiah's time (627-586 BC), Samaria's prophetic corruption and resulting destruction were historical fact. Josiah had even extended his reforms into the ruined northern territory, destroying high places and executing idolatrous priests (2 Kings 23:15-20). Yet Jerusalem's prophets were repeating Samaria's error—not by openly serving Baal but through syncretism, moral corruption, and false promises of peace.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's relatively mild description of Samaria's 'folly' function rhetorically to condemn Jerusalem's greater guilt?
- What does the phrase 'caused my people to err' teach about prophets' accountability for those they mislead?
- In what ways might religious leaders today cause people to 'err' while claiming divine authority?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
I have seen folly in the prophets of Samaria—tiphlah (תִּפְלָה) means unsavoriness, tastelessness, or moral insipidity. God uses deliberately mild language for Samaria's prophets compared to what follows for Jerusalem's. They prophesied in Baal (ba-Ba'al, בַּבַּעַל)—literally 'by Baal' or 'in the name of Baal,' meaning they claimed divine authority for the Canaanite storm god. And caused my people Israel to err—ta'ah (תָּעָה) means to wander, go astray, or be deceived. The prophets didn't merely sin privately but led the entire nation into idolatry.
This verse establishes a comparison: if Samaria's prophets who openly served Baal merited only the label 'folly,' what does Jerusalem deserve? The Northern Kingdom fell to Assyria in 722 BC for precisely this sin—Baal worship promoted by prophets and kings. Jeremiah warns that Judah is following the same path despite having witnessed Samaria's destruction. The comparison implies: 'You saw what happened to the North when prophets led them to Baal—why are you repeating their error?' This rhetorical strategy makes Jerusalem's sin worse than Samaria's because they sinned with full knowledge of the consequences.