Jeremiah 23:14

KJV

I 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

I have seen {H7200} also in the prophets {H5030} of Jerusalem {H3389} an horrible thing {H8186}: they commit adultery {H5003}, and walk {H1980} in lies {H8267}: they strengthen {H2388} also the hands {H3027} of evildoers {H7489}, that none {H376} doth return {H7725} from his wickedness {H7451}: they are all of them unto me as Sodom {H5467}, and the inhabitants {H3427} thereof as Gomorrah {H6017}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But in the prophets of Yerushalayim I have seen a horrible thing - they commit adultery, live in lies, so encouraging evildoers that none returns from his sin. For me they have all become like S'dom, its inhabitants like 'Amora.

Berean Standard Bible

And among the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen a horrible thing: They commit adultery and walk in lies. They strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns his back on wickedness. They are all like Sodom to Me; the people of Jerusalem are like Gomorrah.”

American Standard Version

In the prophets of Jerusalem also I have seen a horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies; and they strengthen the hands of evil-doers, so that none doth return from his wickedness: they are all of them become unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 23:14 delivers a searing divine indictment against the false prophets of Jerusalem, exposing their profound moral and spiritual corruption. The prophet Jeremiah reveals that these religious leaders are not only engaging in detestable acts of spiritual adultery and propagating deceitful messages, but their pervasive wickedness actively emboldens evildoers, preventing any genuine repentance among the people. So profound is their depravity that God declares them to be as morally bankrupt as the infamous cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, signaling the certainty of imminent and severe divine judgment upon them and, by extension, the nation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 23 stands as a pivotal chapter within the book of Jeremiah, primarily focusing on God's condemnation of the corrupt leadership of Judah, particularly the false prophets and unfaithful shepherds. This verse, detailing specific abominations, follows a series of pronouncements against those who mislead God's people, sharply contrasting their deceptive messages with the authentic word of the Lord. The preceding verses, such as [Jeremiah 23:9-13](/jeremiah/23-9-13 "Jeremiah 23:9-13 - God's Grief Over False Prophets"), express God's profound grief and anger over the prophets' profanity and their role in spreading wickedness throughout the land. Verse 14 intensifies this condemnation by detailing specific abominations, setting the stage for God's promise to raise up righteous shepherds and a righteous Branch in the latter part of the chapter, providing a stark contrast between present corruption and future hope, as seen in [Jeremiah 23:5-6](/jeremiah/23-5-6 "Jeremiah 23:5-6 - The Righteous Branch").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah prophesied during the tumultuous final decades of the Kingdom of Judah, a period marked by profound political instability, widespread spiritual apostasy, and the looming threat of Babylonian invasion. The people, including their leaders, had largely abandoned the covenant with Yahweh, embracing idolatry and social injustice. In this environment, prophets played a crucial role as God's spokespersons, but many, driven by self-interest or fear, delivered messages of false peace and prosperity, directly contradicting Jeremiah's warnings of impending judgment. These false prophets often mimicked true prophetic forms but lacked divine authority, creating a spiritual climate where sin was normalized and repentance was suppressed. The comparison to Sodom and Gomorrah, cities famously destroyed for their extreme wickedness as recounted in [Genesis 19](/genesis/19 "Genesis 19 - The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah"), would have resonated deeply with an Israelite audience, immediately conveying the utter depravity and the certainty of divine wrath.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully underscores several key themes prevalent in Jeremiah's prophecy. First, it highlights the **profound corruption of religious leadership**, specifically the prophets, who were meant to be spiritual guides but instead became agents of decay. Second, it emphasizes **spiritual adultery and unfaithfulness** to God, extending beyond mere physical infidelity to encompass idolatry, covenant-breaking, and the pursuit of worldly gain over divine truth. Third, the theme of **deception and false prophecy** is central, as these leaders "walk in lies," disseminating messages that contradict God's true word and lull the people into a false sense of security. Fourth, the verse illustrates the **enabling of wickedness**, as the prophets' actions "strengthen also the hands of evildoers," hindering repentance and accelerating societal decline. Finally, it powerfully conveys the theme of **divine judgment**, asserting God's unwavering standard of righteousness and the inevitable consequences for those who persist in profound sin, especially those entrusted with spiritual authority, drawing a parallel to the ultimate destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. This judgment is a recurring motif throughout Jeremiah, as seen in passages like [Jeremiah 25](/jeremiah/25 "Jeremiah 25 - Prophecy of Seventy Years of Exile").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Horrible thing (Hebrew, _shaʻărûwrâh'_):** This word (H8186) denotes "something fearful" or a "horrible thing." Its use here emphasizes the outrageous, appalling, and morally repugnant nature of the prophets' conduct in God's eyes, signifying a profound violation of divine order and expectation. It describes not merely a bad act, but one that evokes horror and disgust due to its extreme depravity.
* **Commit adultery (Hebrew, _nâʼaph'_):** The verb (H5003) primarily means "to commit adultery" in a physical sense. However, in prophetic literature, especially when referring to Israel's covenant relationship with God, it frequently carries the figurative meaning of spiritual unfaithfulness, idolatry, and apostasy. Here, it signifies the prophets' betrayal of their covenant relationship with Yahweh, turning to other gods or worldly pursuits, and leading the people into similar spiritual harlotry, thus "breaking wedlock" with God.
* **Strengthen (Hebrew, _châzaq'_):** This root (H2388) means "to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify)." In this context, "strengthen the hands" (with H3027, _yâd_, meaning "hand" or "power") implies empowering, emboldening, or making firm. The false prophets, through their lies, moral laxity, and refusal to confront sin, were effectively giving strength and confidence to evildoers, making them more resolute in their wickedness and less likely to repent or "turn back" (H7725, _shûwb_).

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing:"** God, speaking through Jeremiah, declares His direct, personal observation of an utterly appalling and detestable reality among the very spiritual leaders in the capital city of Jerusalem (H3389, _Yᵉrûwshâlaim_). This "horrible thing" (H8186) serves as an umbrella term for the specific sins that follow, highlighting the shocking nature of their depravity.
* **"they commit adultery, and walk in lies:"** This clause specifies the nature of the "horrible thing." "Commit adultery" (H5003) refers to their spiritual unfaithfulness to God, engaging in idolatry and breaking their covenant vows. "Walk in lies" (H1980, _hâlak_, for "walk"; H8267, _sheqer_, for "lies") describes their habitual practice of deception, both in their personal conduct and in their false prophecies, which contradicted God's truth and misled the people.
* **"they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness:"** The prophets' corrupt behavior and false messages had a devastating societal impact. By their example and assurances, they emboldened (H2388, _châzaq_) those who practiced evil (H7489, _râʻaʻ_), making it easier for them to persist in sin. Consequently, genuine repentance (H7725, _shûwb_) was hindered, and the moral fabric of society continued to unravel, preventing any individual (H376, _ʼîysh_) from turning away from their evil (H7451, _raʻ_) ways.
* **"they are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah."** This powerful simile serves as the ultimate condemnation. God declares that the moral and spiritual condition of these prophets, and by extension the people they influenced (H3427, _yâshab_, for "inhabitants"), had reached the same level of extreme wickedness that characterized Sodom (H5467, _Çᵉdôm_) and Gomorrah (H6017, _ʻĂmôrâh_), cities famously destroyed by divine judgment for their pervasive sin. This comparison underscores the severity of their offense and the certainty of impending judgment.

#### Literary Devices
The most prominent literary device in [Jeremiah 23:14](/jeremiah/23-14 "Jeremiah 23:14 - Indictment of False Prophets") is **Simile**. The verse concludes with the stark declaration, "they are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah." This direct comparison uses the conjunction "as" to liken the profound moral depravity of Jerusalem's prophets and inhabitants to that of the notorious cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. This simile is incredibly potent, as these cities were synonymous in the Israelite consciousness with ultimate wickedness and catastrophic divine wrath, serving as a powerful warning and prophecy of impending judgment. Furthermore, there is a strong element of **Irony** at play. The very individuals who should be upholding God's truth, acting as His mouthpieces, and leading the people to righteousness are instead described as engaging in "horrible" acts, committing "adultery," and "walking in lies." This subversion of their sacred prophetic role makes them agents of spiritual decay rather than spiritual health, highlighting the tragic contradiction of their position. The phrase "strengthen the hands of evildoers" also functions as a **Metonymy**, where "hands" represents the power, resolve, or agency of the evildoers, indicating that the prophets' actions empower wickedness itself.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 23:14 is a profound theological statement on the nature of divine judgment and the severe consequences of spiritual corruption, especially within leadership. It underscores God's unwavering holiness and His intolerance for hypocrisy and unfaithfulness, particularly from those who claim to represent Him. The verse reveals that God not only observes sin but actively condemns it, drawing a direct parallel between the moral decay of Jerusalem's prophets and the notorious wickedness of Sodom and Gomorrah, thereby foreshadowing a similar, inevitable judgment. It highlights the interconnectedness of leadership integrity and societal righteousness, demonstrating how the spiritual health of a nation is deeply tied to the faithfulness of its guides. The text serves as a timeless warning against the dangers of false prophecy and the enabling of sin, emphasizing God's call for genuine repentance and adherence to His truth.

* [Isaiah 1:10](/isaiah/1-10 "Isaiah 1:10 - Rulers of Sodom, People of Gomorrah")
* [Ezekiel 22:25-28](/ezekiel/22-25-28 "Ezekiel 22:25-28 - Corruption of Prophets and Priests")
* [Matthew 7:15-20](/matthew/7-15-20 "Matthew 7:15-20 - False Prophets and Their Fruits")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 23:14 stands as a chilling reminder of the profound responsibility that comes with spiritual leadership and the devastating consequences when that trust is betrayed. For believers today, this verse calls for a vigilant discernment of truth, urging us to test all teachings against the unchanging standard of God's Word, rather than passively accepting messages that cater to our desires or promise false comfort. It compels us to examine our own lives for any trace of spiritual adultery—any compromise with the world, any idolatry of comfort or success, any embrace of lies—that might inadvertently strengthen the hands of wickedness in our own spheres of influence. Furthermore, it challenges us to be agents of true repentance, speaking truth in love and confronting sin, rather than enabling it through silence or complicity. Ultimately, this passage reminds us that God's justice is sure, and His call to holiness applies to all, especially those who bear His name and are called to lead others.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might modern spiritual leaders inadvertently "strengthen the hands of evildoers" through their actions, omissions, or teachings?**
* **How can individual believers cultivate discernment to recognize and reject "lies" in a world saturated with competing narratives and spiritual claims?**
* **What does it mean for us, as God's people, to avoid becoming "as Sodom" in our personal and communal lives, reflecting God's holiness?**
* **What specific steps can I take to promote genuine repentance and turn away from "wickedness" in my own life and community, rather than enabling it?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of comparing the prophets of Jerusalem to Sodom and Gomorrah?**

Answer: The comparison of the prophets of Jerusalem to Sodom and Gomorrah is highly significant because these cities, as described in [Genesis 19](/genesis/19 "Genesis 19 - Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah"), were universally understood in ancient Israel as epitomes of extreme moral depravity and objects of catastrophic divine judgment. By drawing this parallel, God, through Jeremiah, is conveying several critical messages. First, it underscores the **utter depth of the prophets' wickedness**; their spiritual adultery and propagation of lies were not minor infractions but sins of such magnitude that they mirrored the most infamous examples of human evil. Second, it signals the **certainty and severity of God's impending judgment** upon Jerusalem and its corrupt leaders. Just as Sodom and Gomorrah faced complete destruction, so too would Judah face severe consequences for its unrepentant sin, largely facilitated by these false prophets. Third, it highlights the **reversal of expectation**: those who should have been most holy and exemplary were instead leading the nation into a state of moral decay comparable to the most ungodly societies. This comparison serves as a stark warning that even those in positions of religious authority are not exempt from God's righteous judgment when they abandon His truth.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 23:14, with its scathing indictment of false shepherds and their devastating impact, finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The corrupt prophets of Jeremiah's day, who committed spiritual adultery and strengthened the hands of evildoers, stand in stark contrast to Jesus, the **True Shepherd** who lays down His life for His sheep, as beautifully articulated in [John 10:11](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - The Good Shepherd"). While the false prophets led the people into lies and away from repentance, Jesus consistently spoke the truth, even when it was unpopular, calling all to repentance and offering forgiveness, as seen in [Mark 1:15](/mark/1-15 "Mark 1:15 - Repent and Believe the Gospel"). He did not strengthen the hands of evildoers but confronted sin and wickedness head-on, famously driving out those who defiled the temple in [Matthew 21:12-13](/matthew/21-12-13 "Matthew 21:12-13 - Jesus Cleanses the Temple"). The judgment threatened against Jerusalem, likened to Sodom and Gomorrah, ultimately fell upon the nation in 70 AD, but Jesus offers a way of escape from ultimate spiritual judgment through faith in Him. He is the **righteous Branch** promised in [Jeremiah 23:5-6](/jeremiah/23-5-6 "Jeremiah 23:5-6 - The Righteous Branch"), the one true King who reigns in righteousness and brings salvation, ensuring that those who follow Him will never walk in lies but in the light of life, as He declared in [John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World"). Through His perfect life, atoning death, and resurrection, Christ provides the only means for humanity to return from wickedness and be reconciled to a holy God, fulfilling the very repentance that the false prophets prevented.

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

Isaiah 1:9

Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, [and] we should have been like unto Gomorrah.

Isaiah 1:10

¶ Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah.

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.

Ezekiel 22:25

[There is] a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey; they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure and precious things; they have made her many widows in the midst thereof.

Deuteronomy 32:32

For their vine [is] of the vine of Sodom, and of the fields of Gomorrah: their grapes [are] grapes of gall, their clusters [are] bitter:

Genesis 18:20

And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;

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.