Jeremiah 14:14

Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.

Then the LORD {H3068} said {H559} unto me, The prophets {H5030} prophesy {H5012} lies {H8267} in my name {H8034}: I sent {H7971} them not, neither have I commanded {H6680} them, neither spake {H1696} unto them: they prophesy {H5012} unto you a false {H8267} vision {H2377} and divination {H7081}, and a thing of nought {H457}{H434}, and the deceit {H8649} of their heart {H3820}.

ADONAI replied, "The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I didn't send them, order them or speak to them. They are prophesying false visions to you, worthless divinations, the delusions of their own minds.

“The prophets are prophesying lies in My name,” replied the LORD. “I did not send them or appoint them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a false vision, a worthless divination, the futility and delusion of their own minds.

Then Jehovah said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name; I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake I unto them: they prophesy unto you a lying vision, and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their own heart.

Context of Jeremiah 14:14

Jeremiah 14:14 is situated within a series of prophecies concerning a severe drought afflicting Judah, highlighting the people's suffering and, more importantly, their spiritual state. Despite the physical hardship, the nation had not turned back to the LORD. This verse reveals a crucial problem: the presence of false prophets who contradicted Jeremiah's message of impending judgment and the necessity of repentance. These prophets offered comforting but ultimately deceptive words, promising "peace and security" when God was calling for humility and a return to His ways. This clash between true and false prophecy was a recurring theme in Jeremiah's ministry, reflecting the deep spiritual corruption in Judah before the Babylonian exile.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Authority and Authentication: The LORD emphatically states, "I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them." This underscores that true prophecy originates solely from God's direct communication and authority. Any message claiming divine origin without such backing is inherently false.
  • The Nature of False Prophecy: The verse describes the false messages as "a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart." This highlights that such prophecies are not merely mistaken but are deliberate fabrications, often rooted in human ambition, desire for popularity, or self-deception rather than divine truth. They are worthless and baseless.
  • The Danger of Deception: False prophets lead people astray by offering counterfeit hope, preventing them from acknowledging their sin and seeking true repentance. This deception can have devastating consequences, as it hardens hearts against God's genuine call to a right relationship with Him. The Old Testament consistently warns against those who speak in God's name without His commission (Deuteronomy 18:20).

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew word for "divination" (qesem) often refers to practices associated with paganism or sorcery, emphasizing that these false prophecies were not divine revelation but originated from human or even demonic sources, akin to occult practices, rather than from the God of Israel.
  • The phrase "a thing of nought" translates the Hebrew ephés, which means "nothing," "non-existent," or "worthless." It powerfully conveys the utter emptiness and futility of the messages delivered by these false prophets; they had no substance or truth.
  • "The deceit of their heart" points to the internal origin of these lies. The problem wasn't merely a misunderstanding but a deep-seated dishonesty and self-serving motive within the prophets themselves. This resonates with other warnings about the deceitfulness of the human heart in Jeremiah.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 14:14 serves as a timeless warning and a call for spiritual discernment for believers today.

  • Discernment is Crucial: In a world filled with many voices claiming spiritual authority, it is vital to test every message against the unchanging Word of God (1 John 4:1). True spiritual messages will always align with biblical truth and encourage genuine repentance and obedience to God.
  • Beware of Comforting Lies: We must be cautious of messages that promise only prosperity, ease, or peace without challenging sin or calling for genuine transformation. God's truth often involves conviction and a call to sacrifice, leading to true peace and blessing.
  • Source Matters: The authority of a spiritual message is not found in the charisma of the speaker but in its alignment with God's revealed character and Word. We should always ask: "Does this message truly come from God, or is it merely the 'deceit of their heart'?"
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Ezekiel 13:6

    They have seen vanity and lying divination, saying, The LORD saith: and the LORD hath not sent them: and they have made [others] to hope that they would confirm the word.

  • Ezekiel 13:7

    Have ye not seen a vain vision, and have ye not spoken a lying divination, whereas ye say, The LORD saith [it]; albeit I have not spoken?

  • 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.

  • Jeremiah 29:9

    For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them, saith the LORD.

  • Ezekiel 12:24

    For there shall be no more any vain vision nor flattering divination within the house of Israel.

  • Jeremiah 29:31

    Send 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:

  • Isaiah 30:10

    Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back