Jeremiah 23:11

KJV

For both prophet and priest are profane; yea, in my house have I found their wickedness, saith the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

For both prophet {H5030} and priest {H3548} are profane {H2610}; yea, in my house {H1004} have I found {H4672} their wickedness {H7451}, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Both prophet and cohen are godless; In my own house I find their wickedness," says ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

“For both prophet and priest are ungodly; even in My house I have found their wickedness,” declares the LORD.

American Standard Version

for both prophet and priest are profane; yea, in my house have I found their wickedness, saith Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 23:11 delivers a searing divine indictment against the spiritual leadership of Judah—specifically the prophets and priests—who had become utterly defiled and morally corrupt. This verse reveals the profound depth of their apostasy, declaring that their wickedness was not merely external but had thoroughly permeated even the sacred confines of God's own Temple in Jerusalem, making it a place of impurity rather than holiness. It stands as a stark declaration of God's perfect knowledge of their sin and His impending judgment upon those who led His people astray.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 23:11 is situated within a powerful prophetic oracle in [Jeremiah 23](/jeremiah/23 "Jeremiah 23 - Prophecy Against False Shepherds and Prophets"), where the prophet Jeremiah vehemently denounces the false shepherds and deceitful prophets who were misleading the people of Judah. The preceding verses (Jeremiah 23:1-8) introduce the theme of God's judgment against these unfaithful leaders, contrasting them with the promise of a future righteous Branch (the Messiah) who will gather and shepherd His flock. This verse, therefore, serves as a specific charge within this broader condemnation, highlighting the pervasive nature of the spiritual decay that had infected the very core of Israel's religious institutions. It sets the stage for the severe consequences outlined in subsequent verses, such as the slippery paths and impending calamity described in [Jeremiah 23:12](/jeremiah/23-12 "Jeremiah 23:12 - The Way of the False Prophets").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah prophesied during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, spanning the reigns of several kings (Josiah, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, Zedekiah) leading up to the Babylonian exile (late 7th to early 6th century BCE). This was a time of significant political instability, moral decline, and spiritual apostasy. Prophets were meant to be God's direct spokespersons, delivering His word, while priests were responsible for mediating between God and the people, offering sacrifices, and teaching the Law. However, many in both offices had become corrupted, seeking personal gain, prophesying lies for popularity, and neglecting their sacred duties. The Temple, "my house," was the spiritual heart of the nation, the place where God's presence was believed to dwell. Its defilement by the very people entrusted with its care underscored the profound spiritual sickness of the nation, a sickness that would ultimately lead to divine judgment and exile.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes prevalent in the book of Jeremiah and the broader prophetic literature. The most prominent is the **Corruption of Religious Leadership**, where those appointed to guide God's people instead lead them into sin through false teaching and immoral living. This theme is echoed throughout [Jeremiah's prophecies](/jeremiah/7 "Jeremiah 7 - The Temple Sermon") against hypocritical worship and empty rituals. Another critical theme is the **Defilement of God's Sanctuary**, emphasizing that God's holiness cannot tolerate sin, even within the most sacred spaces. The idea that God "found their wickedness" in His own house highlights His omniscience and unwavering standard of purity. This foreshadows later condemnations of the Temple's misuse, as seen in Jesus's cleansing of the Temple in [Matthew 21:12-13](/matthew/21-12 "Matthew 21:12-13 - Jesus Cleanses the Temple"). Finally, the declaration "saith the LORD" underscores the theme of **Divine Witness and Judgment**, asserting that this is not merely Jeremiah's opinion but a direct, authoritative pronouncement from the sovereign God who sees all and will hold His leaders accountable.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Prophet (Hebrew, _nâbîy'_):** This term (H5030) refers to an inspired man, one who speaks on behalf of God. In ancient Israel, prophets served as divine messengers, revealing God's will and calling the people to repentance or declaring judgment. The indictment here is particularly severe because those who claimed to speak for God were themselves deeply compromised, betraying their sacred calling and misleading the nation.
* **Profane (Hebrew, _chânêph'_):** The root (H2610) means "to soil," especially in a moral sense. It signifies being corrupt, defiled, polluted, or impious. It goes beyond mere error or mistake, indicating a deliberate turning away from sacredness and a deep moral defilement that renders them unfit for their holy office. Their actions were not just unholy but actively sacrilegious.
* **House (Hebrew, _bayith'_):** While broadly meaning "house" (H1004), in this context, it specifically refers to the Temple in Jerusalem. This was the central place of worship, where God's presence was believed to dwell among His people. The discovery of "wickedness" within this sacred space underscores the pervasive nature of the corruption and the profound offense it was to God's holiness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For both prophet and priest are profane":** This clause delivers the core accusation, identifying the two primary spiritual offices in Judah—those who delivered God's word (prophets) and those who mediated worship and taught the Law (priests)—as utterly defiled. Their profanity indicates a state of moral and spiritual impurity, a deliberate turning away from their sacred duties and an embrace of unholy practices. They had become polluted, rendering them unfit to serve a holy God.
* **"yea, in my house have I found their wickedness":** This intensifies the indictment, revealing the extent and location of their sin. "My house" unequivocally refers to the Temple in Jerusalem, the holiest site for the Israelites. The phrase "have I found" emphasizes God's direct observation and perfect knowledge; their sin was not hidden from Him. The presence of their "wickedness" (moral evil, depravity) within the Temple signifies a complete desecration of the sacred space, turning it from a sanctuary of purity into a place tainted by their ungodly actions.
* **"saith the LORD":** This concluding phrase serves as a divine authentication of the preceding declaration. It underscores that this is not merely Jeremiah's human observation or opinion, but a direct, authoritative pronouncement from YHWH (the LORD, H3068), the self-existent and eternal God. It lends ultimate weight and certainty to the judgment, emphasizing that the accusation is true and the consequences will be divinely administered.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 23:11 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. The primary device is **Divine Indictment**, where God Himself directly accuses His appointed leaders of profound sin. This is underscored by the authoritative **Divine Pronouncement**, "saith the LORD," which frames the entire verse and leaves no doubt as to the source and truth of the accusation. The phrase "in my house have I found their wickedness" utilizes potent **Symbolism**, where "my house" (the Temple) represents the very heart of Israel's spiritual life and relationship with God. Its defilement by the leaders symbolizes the complete spiritual decay of the nation, starting from its very core. There is also an element of **Irony**, as those who were meant to uphold holiness and mediate God's presence are precisely the ones defiling His sanctuary, turning it into a place of wickedness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 23:11 profoundly speaks to the enduring theological principle of divine holiness and the absolute necessity of integrity in spiritual leadership. God's unwavering standard of purity demands that those who represent Him, and the spaces dedicated to Him, remain undefiled. The failure of Judah's prophets and priests highlights a recurring biblical theme: the grave danger of religious hypocrisy and the severe consequences of spiritual authority being wielded for selfish gain rather than God's glory. This verse underscores that God sees all, even hidden wickedness, and will not tolerate the desecration of His name or His dwelling place. It serves as a timeless warning that true worship and service must stem from a heart of genuine holiness, not merely outward ritual or inherited office.

* [Malachi 2:8-9](/malachi/2-8 "Malachi 2:8-9 - Priests Corrupt the Covenant")
* [Ezekiel 22:26](/ezekiel/22-26 "Ezekiel 22:26 - Priests Violate God's Law")
* [Isaiah 56:7](/isaiah/56-7 "Isaiah 56:7 - God's House a House of Prayer")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 23:11 stands as a sobering mirror for all who claim to serve God, whether in formal leadership or as individual believers. It compels us to examine our own hearts and practices, asking if our lives genuinely reflect the holiness of the God we profess to worship. For those in positions of spiritual authority, it is a stark reminder of the immense responsibility and the heightened accountability before God. The defilement of "my house" by the very leaders meant to protect it serves as a powerful warning against the spiritual complacency and moral compromise that can creep into even the most sacred institutions. This verse calls us to cultivate genuine integrity, to discern truth from falsehood, and to uphold the sanctity of God's presence in our lives and in our corporate worship. It challenges us to ensure that our "house"—our lives, our churches, our ministries—remains a place where God's holiness is honored and His truth is faithfully proclaimed, rather than being tainted by personal ambition, false teaching, or unconfessed sin.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might spiritual leadership today be susceptible to the "profanity" and "wickedness" that Jeremiah condemned?**
* **How can individual believers actively discern between true and false spiritual guidance in their own lives and communities?**
* **What does it mean for our personal lives, as temples of the Holy Spirit, to be free from "wickedness" and truly consecrated to God?**
* **How does the concept of God "finding their wickedness in my house" challenge our understanding of God's omniscience and His standards for corporate worship?**

### FAQ

**Why is God so harsh on the prophets and priests in Jeremiah 23:11?**

Answer: God's harshness stems from the profound betrayal of trust and the severe consequences of their actions. Prophets and priests were divinely appointed to be spiritual guides, teaching God's law, mediating His presence, and speaking His truth. When they became "profane" (corrupt and defiled) and practiced "wickedness," they not only sinned personally but actively led the entire nation astray, causing them to stumble and incur divine judgment. Their corruption was particularly egregious because it occurred "in my house," the Temple, which was meant to be a sanctuary of holiness. God's judgment reflects His absolute holiness and His unwavering commitment to justice, especially when His own representatives defile His name and His people. This is a consistent theme in the Old Testament, where leaders are held to a higher standard (e.g., [Ezekiel 34:1-10](/ezekiel/34-1 "Ezekiel 34:1-10 - Prophecy Against the Shepherds of Israel")).

**What does "profane" mean in the context of Jeremiah 23:11?**

Answer: In Jeremiah 23:11, "profane" (Hebrew: *chânêph*) signifies a deep moral and spiritual defilement. It means to be polluted, corrupt, or impious. It's not merely about making a mistake or being ritually unclean; it points to a deliberate turning away from sacredness and a profound lack of reverence for God and His holy standards. For prophets and priests, this meant they had abandoned their covenant responsibilities, engaged in ungodly practices, and perhaps even promoted idolatry or injustice, thereby desecrating their holy office and the sacred space they served. Their profanity was an active state of unholiness that rendered them spiritually bankrupt and dangerous to the people they were meant to serve.

**How could "wickedness" be found in God's own house, the Temple?**

Answer: The presence of "wickedness" in God's house (the Temple) signifies the pervasive nature of the corruption among the spiritual leaders. While the Temple itself was holy, the actions and attitudes of those who ministered within it could defile it. This wickedness could manifest in various ways: priests offering improper sacrifices, prophets delivering false messages in God's name, leaders engaging in idolatry within the Temple precincts, or using the Temple for personal gain and unjust practices (e.g., [Jeremiah 7:9-11](/jeremiah/7-9 "Jeremiah 7:9-11 - Robbing God in His House")). God "finding" their wickedness indicates His perfect knowledge and judgment of their heart attitudes and actions, even those performed under the guise of religious service. It underscores that outward religious observance without inner purity and integrity is an abomination to God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 23:11, with its stark indictment of corrupt prophets and priests, finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament leadership failed to shepherd God's flock, leading them into profanity and wickedness, even defiling the very house of God. In stark contrast, Jesus embodies the perfect Prophet, Priest, and Temple, fulfilling what the Old Covenant institutions could not. As the **perfect Prophet**, Jesus did not speak His own words but perfectly declared the will of the Father, speaking truth without deviation or compromise, unlike the false prophets condemned by Jeremiah (see [Deuteronomy 18:15](/deuteronomy/18-15 "Deuteronomy 18:15 - A Prophet Like Moses") and [John 12:49-50](/john/12-49 "John 12:49-50 - Jesus Speaks the Father's Words")). As the **perfect High Priest**, Jesus offered Himself as the spotless sacrifice, not an animal offering corrupted by human sin, thereby truly mediating between God and humanity and cleansing us from all profanity (as seen in [Hebrews 4:14-16](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14-16 - Jesus Our Great High Priest") and [Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). Furthermore, Jesus declared Himself to be the true **Temple**, the ultimate dwelling place of God among humanity, whose body would be destroyed and raised in three days (see [John 2:19-21](/john/2-19 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Predicts His Resurrection")). Unlike the physical Temple that could be defiled by wicked leaders, Jesus's presence is inherently holy and undefilable. He is the one in whom God truly dwells, and through Him, believers become living stones in a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God (as in [1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones in a Spiritual House")). Thus, Jeremiah's lament over corrupt leadership points forward to Christ, the one who perfectly fulfills all righteous leadership and purifies God's dwelling place once and for all.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Zephaniah 3:4

Her prophets [are] light [and] treacherous persons: her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law.

Jeremiah 6:13

For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one [is] given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.

Jeremiah 32:34

But they set their abominations in the house, which is called by my name, to defile it.

Matthew 21:12

¶ And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,

Matthew 21:13

And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.

Ezekiel 23:39

For when they had slain their children to their idols, then they came the same day into my sanctuary to profane it; and, lo, thus have they done in the midst of mine house.

Jeremiah 7:30

For the children of Judah have done evil in my sight, saith the LORD: they have set their abominations in the house which is called by my name, to pollute it.