Jeremiah 23:18
For who hath stood in the counsel of the LORD, and hath perceived and heard his word? who hath marked his word, and heard it?
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 13
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מִ֤י
H4310
מִ֤י
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
2 of 13
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
עָמַד֙
For who hath stood
H5975
עָמַד֙
For who hath stood
Strong's:
H5975
Word #:
3 of 13
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
בְּס֣וֹד
in the counsel
H5475
בְּס֣וֹד
in the counsel
Strong's:
H5475
Word #:
4 of 13
a session, i.e., company of persons (in close deliberation); by implication, intimacy, consultation, a secret
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
5 of 13
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְיֵ֖רֶא
and hath perceived
H7200
וְיֵ֖רֶא
and hath perceived
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
6 of 13
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
וַיִּשְׁמָֽע׃
and heard
H8085
וַיִּשְׁמָֽע׃
and heard
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
7 of 13
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 13
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
דְּבָר֖יֹ
his word
H1697
דְּבָר֖יֹ
his word
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
9 of 13
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
מִֽי
H4310
מִֽי
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
10 of 13
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
Cross References
Jeremiah 23:22But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings.1 Corinthians 2:16For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.Psalms 25:14The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.John 15:15Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.Amos 3:7Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.1 Kings 22:24But Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah went near, and smote Micaiah on the cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit of the LORD from me to speak unto thee?2 Chronicles 18:23Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near, and smote Micaiah upon the cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit of the LORD from me to speak unto thee?
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern prophets claimed various sources for oracles—divination, dreams, ecstatic experiences, political intuition. Biblical prophets claimed unique access to Yahweh's throne room counsel. Jeremiah himself received direct commissioning (Jeremiah 1:4-10). The question challenges contemporaries: Can you demonstrate similar divine encounter? The false prophets could not, revealing their fraudulent claims.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you verify that your theological convictions originate from God's counsel, not your assumptions?
- What distinguishes authentic spiritual insight from religious imagination in your experience?
- Have you 'stood in God's counsel' through Scripture and prayer, or merely adopted second-hand opinions?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
For who hath stood in the counsel of the LORD, and hath perceived and heard his word? (כִּי מִי עָמַד בְּסוֹד יְהוָה וַיֵּרֶא וַיִּשְׁמַע אֶת־דְּבָרוֹ, ki mi amad b'sod YHWH vayyere vayyishma et-d'varo). The noun סוֹד (sod, 'counsel/intimate circle/secret assembly') describes Yahweh's heavenly court where true prophets receive revelation—compare 1 Kings 22:19-22 where Micaiah sees God's throne room. The verbs רָאָה (ra'ah, 'perceived/saw') and שָׁמַע (shama, 'heard') indicate direct divine encounter. Who hath marked his word, and heard it? repeats the challenge with קָשַׁב (qashav, 'attended carefully/marked').
The rhetorical question demands: Where is your authority? True prophets accessed God's throne room (compare Isaiah 6, Ezekiel 1). False prophets manufactured messages from imagination. This establishes the test: Has the prophet stood in God's counsel? Amos 3:7 states, 'Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.' The divine sod is where authentic revelation originates—not human cleverness or political calculation.