Jeremiah 23:32
Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the LORD, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the LORD.
Original Language Analysis
עַֽל
H5921
עַֽל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 25
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
נִבְּאֵ֞י
Behold I am against them that prophesy
H5012
נִבְּאֵ֞י
Behold I am against them that prophesy
Strong's:
H5012
Word #:
3 of 25
to prophesy, i.e., speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse)
בְּשִׁקְרֵיהֶ֖ם
by their lies
H8267
בְּשִׁקְרֵיהֶ֖ם
by their lies
Strong's:
H8267
Word #:
5 of 25
an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial)
יְהוָֽה׃
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָֽה׃
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
7 of 25
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וַֽיְסַפְּרוּם֙
and do tell
H5608
וַֽיְסַפְּרוּם֙
and do tell
Strong's:
H5608
Word #:
8 of 25
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
וַיַּתְע֣וּ
to err
H8582
וַיַּתְע֣וּ
to err
Strong's:
H8582
Word #:
9 of 25
to vacillate, i.e., reel or stray (literally or figuratively); also causative of both
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 25
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לָֽעָם
them and cause my people
H5971
לָֽעָם
them and cause my people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
11 of 25
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
בְּשִׁקְרֵיהֶ֖ם
by their lies
H8267
בְּשִׁקְרֵיהֶ֖ם
by their lies
Strong's:
H8267
Word #:
12 of 25
an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial)
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
15 of 25
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
שְׁלַחְתִּ֜ים
yet I sent
H7971
שְׁלַחְתִּ֜ים
yet I sent
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
16 of 25
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
17 of 25
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
צִוִּיתִ֗ים
them not nor commanded
H6680
צִוִּיתִ֗ים
them not nor commanded
Strong's:
H6680
Word #:
18 of 25
(intensively) to constitute, enjoin
יוֹעִ֥ילוּ
at all
H3276
יוֹעִ֥ילוּ
at all
Strong's:
H3276
Word #:
19 of 25
properly, to ascend; figuratively, to be valuable (objectively; useful, subjectively; benefited)
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
20 of 25
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יוֹעִ֥ילוּ
at all
H3276
יוֹעִ֥ילוּ
at all
Strong's:
H3276
Word #:
21 of 25
properly, to ascend; figuratively, to be valuable (objectively; useful, subjectively; benefited)
לָֽעָם
them and cause my people
H5971
לָֽעָם
them and cause my people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
22 of 25
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
הַזֶּ֖ה
H2088
Cross References
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.Zephaniah 3:4Her prophets are light and treacherous persons: her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law.Jeremiah 7:8Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit.Revelation 19:20And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.Isaiah 3:12As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.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:Jeremiah 23:16Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD.Jeremiah 23:25I have heard what the prophets said, that prophesy lies in my name, saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed.Matthew 15:14Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.Deuteronomy 18:20But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.
Historical Context
The false prophets' 'lightness' likely included entertainment, flattering rhetoric—making prophecy palatable and popular. They treated serious covenant matters casually, packaging truth-claims as performance. Contrast Jeremiah's anguish: 'My bowels!' (4:19), weeping over destruction. True prophets bore weight; false prophets treated it lightly.
Questions for Reflection
- Where do you see lightness treating sacred matters casually in contemporary Christianity?
- How might your influence be producing activity without actual profit?
- What distinguishes weight of authentic ministry from lightness of religious performance?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
I am against them that prophesy false dreams...and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness (וּבְפַחֲזוּתָם, uv'fachazvtam)—the term פַּחֲזוּת (pachazut, 'lightness/recklessness/frivolity') describes cavalier irresponsibility treating sacred matters frivolously. Yet I sent them not...therefore they shall not profit this people at all.
These prophets are theological arsonists spreading lies recklessly, causing people to err (תָּעָה, ta'ah, 'go astray'). Result? No profit (יוֹעִילוּ, yo'ilu). Despite religious activity and influence, zero spiritual value. Jesus warned against blind guides leading blind into ditches (Matthew 15:14). Ministry without divine sending produces activity without fruit.