Jeremiah 23:10

For the land is full of adulterers; for because of swearing the land mourneth; the pleasant places of the wilderness are dried up, and their course is evil, and their force [is] not right.

For the land {H776} is full {H4390} of adulterers {H5003}; for because {H6440} of swearing {H423} the land {H776} mourneth {H56}; the pleasant places {H4999} of the wilderness {H4057} are dried up {H3001}, and their course {H4794} is evil {H7451}, and their force {H1369} is not right.

For the land is full of adulterers; because of a curse the land is in mourning - the desert pastures have dried up. Their course is evil, their power misused.

For the land is full of adulterers— because of the curse, the land mourns and the pastures of the wilderness have dried up— their course is evil and their power is misused.

For the land is full of adulterers; for because of swearing the land mourneth; the pastures of the wilderness are dried up. And their course is evil, and their might is not right;

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Commentary

Jeremiah 23:10 vividly portrays the moral and spiritual decay within the land of Judah, directly linking the people's sin to the desolation of their environment. This verse is part of Jeremiah's broader indictment against the false prophets and corrupt leaders who misled the nation.

Context

This verse falls within a section (Jeremiah 23:9-40) where the prophet Jeremiah laments and condemns the false prophets who prophesy lies in the Lord's name. These prophets, driven by their own desires rather than divine revelation, encourage the people in their wickedness, promising peace when there is no peace. Jeremiah's anguish over their deceit and the resulting moral corruption of the nation is palpable. The land's suffering is presented as a direct consequence of this widespread ungodliness, particularly the sins perpetrated by those in leadership.

Key Themes

  • Widespread Corruption: The phrase "the land is full of adulterers" signifies not only sexual immorality but, more profoundly, the nation's spiritual unfaithfulness and idolatry against God. This spiritual adultery involves breaking the covenant with the Lord by worshipping other gods and adopting pagan practices.
  • Consequences of Sin: "Because of swearing the land mourneth" refers to the breaking of oaths, false vows, or perhaps widespread blasphemy, leading to divine judgment expressed as environmental devastation. The "pleasant places of the wilderness are dried up" illustrates the tangible, dire impact of sin on the natural world, symbolizing a loss of vitality and blessing.
  • Corrupt Leadership: The latter part of the verse, "their course is evil, and their force is not right," specifically points to the false prophets and their destructive influence. Their power (koach) and their direction (course) are not aligned with God's righteousness, leading the people further astray. This stands in stark contrast to God's promise of a righteous Branch who would rule justly.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "adulterers," no'afim (נֹאפִים), often carries the metaphorical sense of covenant unfaithfulness, depicting Israel's relationship with God as a marriage. The term "swearing" ('alah, אָלָה) can refer to an oath or a curse, implying that false oaths or the breaking of solemn vows invoked a curse upon the land. The land itself is personified as "mourning" ('aval, אָבַל), emphasizing the depth of its suffering due to human sin.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 23:10 serves as a powerful reminder that moral and spiritual decay within a society has profound consequences, not only for individuals but also for the collective well-being and even the environment. It challenges us to examine our own faithfulness to God and to uphold truth and righteousness. The verse also underscores the critical importance of discerning true spiritual leadership from false, reminding us that genuine leaders will guide people toward God's ways, leading to life and blessing, not desolation.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Hosea 4:2

    By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood.

  • Hosea 4:3

    Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away.

  • Psalms 107:34

    A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein.

  • Jeremiah 9:10

    For the mountains will I take up a weeping and wailing, and for the habitations of the wilderness a lamentation, because they are burned up, so that none can pass through [them]; neither can [men] hear the voice of the cattle; both the fowl of the heavens and the beast are fled; they are gone.

  • Jeremiah 5:7

    How shall I pardon thee for this? thy children have forsaken me, and sworn by [them that are] no gods: when I had fed them to the full, they then committed adultery, and assembled themselves by troops in the harlots' houses.

  • Jeremiah 5:8

    They were [as] fed horses in the morning: every one neighed after his neighbour's wife.

  • Jeremiah 9:2

    Oh that I had in the wilderness a lodging place of wayfaring men; that I might leave my people, and go from them! for they [be] all adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men.
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