Jeremiah 23:26

How long shall [this] be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies? yea, [they are] prophets of the deceit of their own heart;

How long shall this be {H3426} in the heart {H3820} of the prophets {H5030} that prophesy {H5012} lies {H8267}? yea, they are prophets {H5030} of the deceit {H8649} of their own heart {H3820};

How long will this go on? Is [my word] in the hearts of prophets who are prophesying lies, who are prophesying the deceit of their own minds?

How long will this continue in the hearts of these prophets who prophesy falsehood, these prophets of the delusion of their own minds?

How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies, even the prophets of the deceit of their own heart?

Commentary

Jeremiah 23:26 presents a powerful indictment from God against the false prophets active in Judah during Jeremiah's ministry. This verse captures divine exasperation and sorrow over those who claimed to speak for God but instead propagated their own delusions and lies, leading the people astray.

Historical and Cultural Context

The Book of Jeremiah chronicles the final decades of the Kingdom of Judah before its destruction and exile to Babylon. During this tumultuous period, the true prophet Jeremiah delivered unpopular messages of impending judgment due to the nation's idolatry and moral corruption. He faced constant opposition from a multitude of self-proclaimed prophets who offered comforting, yet false, assurances of peace and prosperity. These false prophets were highly influential, often preferred by the people and even the kings, because their messages aligned with popular desire rather than divine truth. This verse is part of a larger discourse in Jeremiah 23 where God directly confronts these deceivers, contrasting their empty words with His potent, life-changing word.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Nature of False Prophecy: The verse explicitly calls out "prophets that prophesy lies." Their messages were not merely mistaken but deliberately untrue, or at least self-deceptive. This highlights the severe danger of spiritual deception, especially when it comes from within religious leadership.
  • The Source of Deceit: God pinpoints the origin of these lies: "the deceit of their own heart." This is a crucial distinction. Their prophecies did not come from a divine revelation or even a misunderstanding of God's will, but from their own internal corruption, desires, or perhaps a craving for popularity and gain. This resonates with the broader biblical theme of the deceitfulness of the human heart (Jeremiah 17:9).
  • Divine Impatience and Judgment: The rhetorical question "How long shall [this] be?" conveys God's profound frustration and impending judgment. It implies that this pervasive deceit has gone on too long and will not be tolerated indefinitely. God's patience has limits when His name is profaned and His people are endangered by lies.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "deceit" used here is mirmah (ΧžΦ΄Χ¨Φ°ΧžΦΈΧ”), which signifies treachery, fraud, or guile. It implies not just error, but a deliberate intent to mislead or a profound self-deception that results in misleading others. The phrase "deceit of their own heart" emphasizes that the source of their false prophecies was internal, stemming from their own fallen nature and desires, rather than any external divine influence.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 23:26 offers timeless warnings for believers today:

  • Discernment is Crucial: We must constantly exercise discernment, testing what we hear against the unchanging truth of God's Word (1 John 4:1). Not every claim of divine revelation is genuine.
  • Beware of Self-Deception: The verse warns that even religious leaders can be victims of "the deceit of their own heart." This underscores the importance of humility, accountability, and a consistent turning to God's truth rather than personal desires or popular opinion.
  • Value God's True Word: This passage implicitly elevates the authentic word of God, which may be challenging but always leads to truth and life, over comforting falsehoods that lead to destruction.
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 β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Timothy 4:1

    ΒΆ Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

  • 1 Timothy 4:2

    Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

  • 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.

  • 2 Thessalonians 2:9

    [Even him], whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

  • 2 Thessalonians 2:11

    And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

  • 2 Peter 2:13

    And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, [as] they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots [they are] and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;

  • 2 Peter 2:16

    But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet.
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