Jeremiah 23:25

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

I have heard what the prophets said, that prophesy lies in my name, saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed.

Complete Jewish Bible:

"I have heard what these prophets prophesying lies in my name are saying: 'I've had a dream! I've had a dream!'

Berean Standard Bible:

“I have heard the sayings of the prophets who prophesy lies in My name: ‘I had a dream! I had a dream!’

American Standard Version:

I have heard what the prophets have said, that prophesy lies in my name, saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

I have heard{H8085} what the prophets{H5030} said{H559}, that prophesy{H5012} lies{H8267} in my name{H8034}, saying{H559}, I have dreamed{H2492}, I have dreamed{H2492}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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.

Jeremiah 23:28

  • The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What [is] the chaff to the wheat? saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 29:8

  • ¶ For 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.

Joel 2:28

  • ¶ And it shall come to pass afterward, [that] I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:

Numbers 12:6

  • And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, [I] the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, [and] will speak unto him in a dream.

Jeremiah 8:6

  • I hearkened and heard, [but] they spake not aright: no man repented him of his wickedness, saying, What have I done? every one turned to his course, as the horse rusheth into the battle.

1 Corinthians 4:5

  • Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:


Commentary for Jeremiah 23:25



Jeremiah 23:25 is set within the broader context of the prophetic career of Jeremiah, who lived during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, around the 7th to 6th centuries BCE. This was a time when the kingdom was facing threats from the rising power of Babylon, and there was significant political and religious upheaval. In this verse, Jeremiah is addressing a prevalent issue in Judahite society: the proliferation of false prophets who were prophesying in the name of the Lord without having been called or authorized by God.

The verse specifically highlights the deceptive practices of these prophets, who claimed to have received divine messages through dreams. The phrase "I have dreamed, I have dreamed" suggests a repeated and perhaps formulaic assertion of divine authority for their messages. These false prophets were likely promising peace and prosperity to the people and leaders of Judah, which was contrary to Jeremiah's own message of impending judgment and the need for repentance.

The themes of Jeremiah 23:25 include the authenticity of divine revelation, the critique of religious leaders who abuse their authority, and the importance of discerning true prophecy from falsehood. Jeremiah warns that these false prophets are leading the people astray with their lies, and he emphasizes the need for a true prophetic voice that speaks the word of God faithfully, even when it is difficult to hear. The historical context underscores the political and religious stakes of the time, as the fate of the nation hung in the balance, with the people in dire need of genuine guidance from the Lord. Jeremiah's condemnation of false prophets serves as a cautionary reminder about the gravity of speaking on behalf of God and the necessity of speaking truth to power, regardless of the consequences.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

  1. Strong's Number: H8085
    There are 1072 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שָׁמַע
    Transliteration: shâmaʻ
    Pronunciation: shaw-mah'
    Description: a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.); [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness.
  2. Strong's Number: H5030
    There are 288 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: נָבִיא
    Transliteration: nâbîyʼ
    Pronunciation: naw-bee'
    Description: from נָבָא; a prophet or (generally) inspired man; prophecy, that prophesy, prophet.
  3. Strong's Number: H559
    There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אָמַר
    Transliteration: ʼâmar
    Pronunciation: aw-mar'
    Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
  4. Strong's Number: H5012
    There are 102 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: נָבָא
    Transliteration: nâbâʼ
    Pronunciation: naw-baw'
    Description: a primitive root; to prophesy, i.e. speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse); prophesy(-ing), make self a prophet.
  5. Strong's Number: H8267
    There are 109 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שֶׁקֶר
    Transliteration: sheqer
    Pronunciation: sheh'-ker
    Description: from שָׁקַר; an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial); without a cause, deceit(-ful), false(-hood, -ly), feignedly, liar, [phrase] lie, lying, vain (thing), wrongfully.
  6. Strong's Number: H8034
    There are 771 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שֵׁם
    Transliteration: shêm
    Pronunciation: shame
    Description: a primitive word (perhaps rather from through the idea of definite and conspicuous position; compare שָׁמַיִם); an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character; [phrase] base, (in-) fame(-ous), named(-d), renown, report.
  7. Strong's Number: H2492
    There are 25 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: חָלַם
    Transliteration: châlam
    Pronunciation: khaw-lam'
    Description: a primitive root; properly, to bind firmly, i.e. (by implication) to be (causatively to make) plump; also (through the figurative sense of dumbness) to dream; (cause to) dream(-er), be in good liking, recover.