Jeremiah 29:23
Because they have committed villany in Israel, and have committed adultery with their neighbours' wives, and have spoken lying words in my name, which I have not commanded them; even I know, and am a witness, saith the LORD.
Original Language Analysis
יַ֡עַן
H3282
יַ֡עַן
Strong's:
H3282
Word #:
1 of 21
properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause
אֲשֶׁר֩
H834
אֲשֶׁר֩
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
2 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עָשׂ֨וּ
Because they have committed
H6213
עָשׂ֨וּ
Because they have committed
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
3 of 21
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
נְבָלָ֜ה
villany
H5039
נְבָלָ֜ה
villany
Strong's:
H5039
Word #:
4 of 21
foolishness, i.e., (morally) wickedness; concretely, a crime; by extension, punishment
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
in Israel
H3478
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
in Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
5 of 21
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וַיְנַֽאֲפוּ֙
adultery
H5003
וַיְנַֽאֲפוּ֙
adultery
Strong's:
H5003
Word #:
6 of 21
to commit adultery; figuratively, to apostatize
אֶת
H854
אֶת
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
7 of 21
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
וַיְדַבְּר֨וּ
and have spoken
H1696
וַיְדַבְּר֨וּ
and have spoken
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
10 of 21
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
דָבָ֤ר
words
H1697
דָבָ֤ר
words
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
11 of 21
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
בִּשְׁמִי֙
in my name
H8034
בִּשְׁמִי֙
in my name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
12 of 21
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
אֲשֶׁ֖ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֖ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
14 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
ל֣וֹא
H3808
ל֣וֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
15 of 21
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
צִוִּיתִ֑ם
which I have not commanded
H6680
צִוִּיתִ֑ם
which I have not commanded
Strong's:
H6680
Word #:
16 of 21
(intensively) to constitute, enjoin
הַוּיֹדֵ֥עַ
them even I know
H3045
הַוּיֹדֵ֥עַ
them even I know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
18 of 21
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
Cross References
Jeremiah 23:14I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness: they are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah.Malachi 3:5And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.Hebrews 4:13Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.Proverbs 5:21For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.Jeremiah 16:17For mine eyes are upon all their ways: they are not hid from my face, neither is their iniquity hid from mine eyes.Jeremiah 29:21Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, of Ahab the son of Kolaiah, and of Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah, which prophesy a lie unto you in my name; Behold, I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon; and he shall slay them before your eyes;
Historical Context
False prophets in Jeremiah's era often lived immorally (23:14), unlike true prophets who stood in God's counsel (23:18, 22). The connection between sexual sin and false teaching appears throughout Scripture (2 Pet 2:14, Jude 4, Rev 2:20). Character and doctrine cannot be separated; corruption in one area breeds corruption in the other.
Questions for Reflection
- Why are sexual immorality and false teaching so often linked in Scripture? What's the common root?
- How does private sin disqualify public ministry? What does 'even I know' reveal about God's standards?
- What safeguards protect leaders from the dual snares of sexual sin and doctrinal compromise?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Because they have committed villany in Israel—The Hebrew נְבָלָה (nevalah, villany) is a strong term denoting disgraceful, senseless evil—the same word for Shechem's rape of Dinah (Gen 34:7) and Achan's theft (Josh 7:15). It implies covenant-breaking that defiles the entire community.
And have committed adultery with their neighbours' wives, and have spoken lying words in my name—Sexual immorality and false prophecy are paired, revealing the connection between personal sin and public deception. The Hebrew נָאַף (na'af, adultery) and דָּבַר שֶׁקֶר (davar sheqer, lying words) form a double indictment. Men who violate covenant in private (marriage) will violate covenant in public (prophecy). Jeremiah exposes what the community might not have known: even I know, and am a witness, saith the LORD—God sees both bedroom and pulpit, and judges hypocrisy in both.