Jeremiah 23:25

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 23:25 powerfully captures the Lord's direct and omniscient confrontation with false prophets in Judah who audaciously claimed divine inspiration through personal dreams, yet propagated outright deceit in His holy name. This declaration underscores God's perfect knowledge of all things, His profound abhorrence of falsehood, and His unwavering commitment to the integrity of His truth, thereby exposing the manipulative practices of those who sought to mislead His people with comforting but ultimately destructive lies instead of delivering His authentic, often challenging, word.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 23 stands as a severe indictment against the proliferation of false prophets who plagued Judah during Jeremiah's challenging ministry. Prior to verse 25, the chapter meticulously details God's impending judgment upon these corrupt spiritual leaders, starkly contrasting their self-serving and morally bankrupt messages with the pure, purifying, and often painful word delivered by the true Lord. Verses 9-15 vividly describe their moral depravity and the devastating spiritual and social impact of their false prophecies on the nation, while verses 16-22 explicitly warn the people against heeding their deceptive counsel and highlight the false prophets' fundamental failure to stand in God's genuine counsel. Jeremiah 23:25 specifically targets their prevalent tactic of claiming personal dreams as the ultimate source of their "revelations," a claim God unequivocally dismisses as outright lies, thereby setting the stage for further condemnation of their deceptive practices in the verses that immediately follow, particularly in [Jeremiah 23:26-32](/jeremiah/23-26-32 "Jeremiah 23:26-32 - God's Judgment on False Prophets and Their Dreams").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah prophesied during the tumultuous and final decades of the Kingdom of Judah, a period characterized by profound political instability, widespread moral decay, and the ever-present, terrifying threat of Babylonian invasion and exile. The people, including their spiritual and political leaders, had largely abandoned their covenant relationship with Yahweh, instead turning to pervasive idolatry and systemic social injustice. Within this climate of spiritual apostasy and national crisis, false prophets thrived, often delivering popular messages of peace, prosperity, and security that directly contradicted God's authentic warnings of impending judgment and exile. Dreams were universally considered a legitimate and potent means of divine communication in the ancient Near East, as evidenced by numerous biblical accounts such as [Jacob's dream at Bethel in Genesis 28:12](/genesis/28-12 "Genesis 28:12 - Jacob's Dream at Bethel") or [Nebuchadnezzar's prophetic dreams in Daniel 2](/daniel/2 "Daniel 2 - Nebuchadnezzar's Dream"). However, the profound challenge lay in discerning true, divinely inspired dreams from false ones, or from mere human imagination, self-deception, or even demonic influence. These false prophets cunningly exploited this cultural acceptance of dreams to lend an unearned credibility and divine authority to their self-generated messages, often to gain personal favor, avoid persecution, or simply to escape the unpopular and challenging truths proclaimed by genuine prophets like Jeremiah.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 23:25 profoundly contributes to several overarching and critical themes within the prophetic book of Jeremiah and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it powerfully underscores the **Sovereignty and Omniscience of God**, emphasizing that absolutely nothing, not even the most cunning and secret deceptions of false prophets, escapes His divine notice ("I have heard"). Secondly, it highlights the crucial and enduring distinction between **True and False Prophecy**, revealing that genuine divine revelation is always in perfect alignment with God's unchanging character, His holy purposes, and His revealed will, while false prophecy is inherently characterized by lies, self-deception, and often, by a pursuit of personal gain. This theme is absolutely central to understanding the nature of authentic prophetic ministry as a whole, as clearly articulated in passages like [Deuteronomy 18:20-22](/deuteronomy/18-20-22 "Deuteronomy 18:20-22 - Distinguishing True from False Prophets"). Thirdly, the verse directly addresses the egregious **Misuse of God's Name and Authority**, demonstrating God's deep offense and righteous anger when His holy name is invoked to legitimize falsehoods, thereby misleading His chosen people and grossly misrepresenting His divine character. This echoes the profound significance of the third commandment against taking the Lord's name in vain, found in [Exodus 20:7](/exodus/20-7 "Exodus 20:7 - The Third Commandment"). Finally, it speaks to the very **Nature of Divine Revelation**, asserting that true and authoritative revelation originates solely from God's counsel and is delivered faithfully and accurately, unlike the self-generated "dreams" and fabrications of the false prophets.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Heard (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** A primitive root, _shâmaʻ_ signifies to hear intelligently, often carrying the implication of active attention, obedience, or comprehensive understanding. In this divine declaration, God's "hearing" is far from passive reception of sound; it is an active, discerning, and judicial awareness that encompasses full comprehension of the false prophets' deceptive claims and their underlying intentions, signifying His perfect knowledge and His readiness to respond with judgment.
* **Lies (Hebrew, _sheqer'_):** Derived from the root _shâqar_, meaning "to be false," _sheqer_ denotes an untruth, a falsehood, or a sham. Its use here emphasizes that the content of the prophets' messages was not merely mistaken or misguided; it was fundamentally deceptive and contrary to divine truth, deliberately fabricated or presented as authentic divine revelation when it was, in fact, nothing of the sort.
* **Dreamed (Hebrew, _châlam'_):** While this primitive root can refer to genuine dreams, particularly those imbued with divine significance, in this specific context, it is employed pejoratively. The emphatic repetition ("I have dreamed, I have dreamed") highlights the false prophets' insistent reliance on their personal, subjective experiences as the sole source of their purported authority, which God immediately exposes as a fabrication—a product of their own imagination or deliberate deceit, rather than true, objective divine inspiration.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I have heard what the prophets said":** This opening clause immediately establishes the Lord's absolute omniscience and His direct, active engagement with the deceptive situation unfolding among His people. It signifies that God is fully and intimately aware of every message being proclaimed by these self-proclaimed prophets. His "hearing" is not a passive act but an active, judicial knowing, indicating His comprehensive understanding of their words, their intentions, and the full extent of their deceit.
* **"that prophesy lies in my name":** This constitutes the core and most grievous accusation. The prophets are not simply mistaken or misguided; they are actively `nâbâʼ` (prophesying) `sheqer` (lies). Crucially, they are doing so "in my name" (`shêm`), which means they are audaciously claiming divine authority, endorsement, and sanction for their falsehoods. This represents a profound violation of God's holiness, a direct affront to His character, and a treacherous act, as they are deliberately misrepresenting the Almighty to His own covenant people.
* **"saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed."**: This concluding phrase unveils the specific and fraudulent method by which these false prophets attempted to legitimize their authority and deceive the people. The emphatic and insistent repetition of "I have dreamed" (`châlam`) strongly suggests their reliance on subjective, personal experiences rather than a genuine, objective, and verifiable word from the Lord. It underscores their self-proclaimed source of revelation, which God immediately refutes as a legitimate basis for their lies. The repetition could also imply a desperate attempt to convince their audience, or perhaps even themselves, of the veracity of their fabricated visions, highlighting their self-deception or manipulative intent.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 23:25 employs several potent literary devices to convey its powerful and condemnatory message. **Repetition** is prominently featured in the phrase "I have dreamed, I have dreamed," which serves to emphasize the false prophets' insistent, perhaps even desperate, claim to personal, subjective revelation. This repetition ironically highlights the ultimate emptiness and falsehood of their claims, as God immediately dismisses them as lies. **Irony** is also powerfully at play, as those who boldly claim to speak "in my name" are simultaneously, and paradoxically, speaking "lies," creating a stark, jarring contrast between their professed divine commission and their actual, deceitful practice. Furthermore, the opening phrase "I have heard" employs **Anthropomorphism**, attributing a human sense (hearing) to God. This device effectively conveys His active awareness, perfect attentiveness, and impending righteous judgment regarding the deceptive activities of these false prophets, making God's pervasive presence and comprehensive knowledge more relatable and impactful for the human audience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 23:25 stands as a profound theological statement concerning the inherent nature of divine truth and the grave sin of spiritual deception. It underscores God's unwavering commitment to the absolute integrity of His word and His fierce, righteous opposition to any who would corrupt it for personal gain or to deliberately mislead His people. The Lord's "hearing" signifies not only His absolute omniscience but also His active involvement in discerning truth from falsehood, reminding all believers that no deception, however cleverly disguised or persuasively presented, can ever escape His divine notice. This verse serves as a timeless and essential warning against prioritizing comforting falsehoods over challenging truths and highlights the immense, sacred responsibility of all who claim to speak on God's behalf.

* [Deuteronomy 13:1-5](/deuteronomy/13-1-5 "Deuteronomy 13:1-5 - Warning Against False Prophets and Dreamers")
* [Ezekiel 13:6-7](/ezekiel/13-6-7 "Ezekiel 13:6-7 - False Prophets and Their Empty Visions")
* [Matthew 7:15](/matthew/7-15 "Matthew 7:15 - Beware of False Prophets in Sheep's Clothing")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 23:25 serves as a timeless and urgent call to spiritual discernment in an age saturated with countless voices claiming divine authority and insight. It challenges us, as believers, to critically and prayerfully examine the source, content, and fruit of every message, especially those presented as "revelation" or "prophecy." We are profoundly reminded that true divine communication will always align perfectly with the established character of God, as revealed in Scripture, and the unchanging truth of His written Word, never contradicting it or leading people away from righteousness, holiness, or love. This verse compels us to cultivate a deep, abiding familiarity with the inspired Scriptures, allowing God's Word to be the ultimate and authoritative standard by which we test all claims of truth and spiritual authority. It also encourages profound humility, integrity, and transparency in our own communication, ensuring that our words, particularly those we share about God or on His behalf, are deeply rooted in divine truth and not in self-serving narratives, personal imaginings, or a desire for human approval.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I actively discern between true and false spiritual messages in my own life and within the broader Christian community and media landscape?**
* **What is my primary, ultimate source of spiritual truth, and how consistently and diligently do I refer back to it for guidance and correction?**
* **In what specific ways might I be tempted to prioritize comforting messages or popular opinions over challenging, yet necessary, truths, even if the latter are clearly from God?**
* **How does God's absolute omniscience, powerfully highlighted in "I have heard," impact my understanding of personal accountability for my words, my intentions, and my actions?**

### FAQ
**What was the primary characteristic of the false prophets mentioned in Jeremiah 23:25, and why was it so dangerous?**

Answer: The primary characteristic highlighted in [Jeremiah 23:25](/jeremiah/23-25 "Jeremiah 23:25 - God's Condemnation of False Prophets") is that these prophets "prophesy lies in my name, saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed." This indicates that they were not merely mistaken or misguided but were deliberately propagating falsehoods under the guise of divine authority. Their reliance on self-proclaimed dreams, rather than genuine, objective divine inspiration, was a key method for legitimizing their deceitful messages. This was dangerous because their lies often contradicted God's true warnings of impending judgment and offered false hope of peace and prosperity, thereby lulling the people into a false sense of security and preventing them from repenting and turning back to the Lord. This behavior is condemned throughout [Jeremiah 23](/jeremiah/23 "Jeremiah 23 - God's Indictment of False Prophets") as a profound betrayal of God and His people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 23:25, with its stark condemnation of false prophets who audaciously speak lies in God's name, finds its ultimate fulfillment, resolution, and antithesis in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament prophets, both true and false, pointed to a future truth or its perversion, Jesus is the very embodiment and living reality of truth itself (cf. [John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). He is the true and final Prophet, the one to whom all genuine prophecy ultimately points, and through whom God speaks His final, complete, and perfect word to humanity (cf. [Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1-2 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God's Final Word in His Son")). Unlike the false prophets who relied on their own dreams, imaginations, or deceitful fabrications, Jesus' words were always, unequivocally, "not from myself but from the Father who sent me" ([John 14:24](/john/14-24 "John 14:24 - Jesus' Words are from the Father")). He perfectly represented the Father's character, will, and truth, never speaking a lie, never misleading His people, and never seeking His own glory. The ancient warning against those who prophesy lies in God's name is a profound foreshadowing of the New Testament's warnings against false teachers and false Christs (cf. [Matthew 24:24](/matthew/24-24 "Matthew 24:24 - False Christs and False Prophets")), all of whom stand in stark and irreconcilable contrast to the singular, unwavering, and saving truth found exclusively in Christ, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") and perfectly reveals the Father, for "no one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known" ([John 1:18](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - No One Has Seen God Except the Son")).

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

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.