Jeremiah 23:27
Which think to cause my people to forget my name by their dreams which they tell every man to his neighbour, as their fathers have forgotten my name for Baal.
Original Language Analysis
הַחֹשְׁבִ֗ים
Which think
H2803
הַחֹשְׁבִ֗ים
Which think
Strong's:
H2803
Word #:
1 of 16
properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e., (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a maliciou
שָׁכְח֧וּ
have forgotten
H7911
שָׁכְח֧וּ
have forgotten
Strong's:
H7911
Word #:
2 of 16
to mislay, i.e., to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עַמִּי֙
to cause my people
H5971
עַמִּי֙
to cause my people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
4 of 16
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
שְׁמִ֖י
my name
H8034
שְׁמִ֖י
my name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
5 of 16
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
7 of 16
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְסַפְּר֖וּ
which they tell
H5608
יְסַפְּר֖וּ
which they tell
Strong's:
H5608
Word #:
8 of 16
properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e., (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e., celebra
אִ֣ישׁ
every man
H376
אִ֣ישׁ
every man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
9 of 16
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
11 of 16
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
שָׁכְח֧וּ
have forgotten
H7911
שָׁכְח֧וּ
have forgotten
Strong's:
H7911
Word #:
12 of 16
to mislay, i.e., to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention
אֲבוֹתָ֛ם
as their fathers
H1
אֲבוֹתָ֛ם
as their fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
13 of 16
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
14 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
Judges 3:7And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and forgat the LORD their God, and served Baalim and the groves.Acts 13:8But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.Jeremiah 29:8For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed.2 Kings 21:3For he built up again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he reared up altars for Baal, and made a grove, as did Ahab king of Israel; and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.Judges 10:6And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim, and Ashtaroth, and the gods of Syria, and the gods of Zidon, and the gods of Moab, and the gods of the children of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines, and forsook the LORD, and served not him.
Historical Context
Israel's history featured repeated Baal syncretism—worshiping Yahweh while adopting Canaanite practices. Elijah confronted this (1 Kings 18). By Jeremiah's day, official Baal worship had diminished after Josiah's reforms, but theological corruption continued. False prophets redefined Yahweh to match what Baal offered—prosperity without righteousness.
Questions for Reflection
- How might you be forgetting God's name while using Christian vocabulary?
- What modern equivalents exist to making people forget God through peer influence?
- Does your vision of God resemble Baal (prosperity) more than Yahweh (holiness)?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Which think to cause my people to forget my name by their dreams—the verb שָׁכַח (shakach, 'forget') appears twice. Current false prophets function like previous Baal-worshipers in erasing Yahweh's name (שֵׁם, shem—character, reputation, covenant identity). The mechanism differs but the result is identical: God's people forget Him.
The phrase 'which they tell every man to his neighbour' describes grassroots dissemination—viral spread through personal testimony. Friendly neighbors sharing 'what God showed me' creates peer pressure more effective than formal teaching. The Baal comparison isn't hyperbolic—syncretism replacing God's true character with comfortable fictions is functional idolatry.