Jeremiah 23:30

KJV

Therefore, behold, I [am] against the prophets, saith the LORD, that steal my words every one from his neighbour.

KJV (with Strong's)

Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets {H5030}, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}, that steal {H1589} my words {H1697} every one {H376} from his neighbour {H7453}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So, I am against the prophets," says ADONAI, "who steal my words from each other.

Berean Standard Bible

“Therefore behold,” declares the LORD, “I am against the prophets who steal from one another words they attribute to Me.”

American Standard Version

Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith Jehovah, that steal my words every one from his neighbor.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 23:30 presents a forceful divine indictment against the false prophets in Judah who claimed to speak for the LORD but merely fabricated or plagiarized their messages from one another, lacking genuine divine revelation. This verse powerfully underscores God's intense opposition to those who corrupt His sacred word and mislead His people, highlighting the severe consequences for spiritual deception and emphasizing the critical importance of authentic divine communication.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 23:30 stands as a climactic and emphatic declaration within a sustained prophetic oracle against the false prophets of Judah, which commences in [Jeremiah 23:9](/jeremiah/23-9 "Denunciation of False Prophets"). The preceding verses meticulously detail the LORD's profound anger and the dire consequences awaiting these deceivers, explicitly stating that they were neither sent by Him nor did they stand in His counsel ([Jeremiah 23:21-22](/jeremiah/23-21-22 "Prophets Not Sent By God")). The immediate context in [Jeremiah 23:29](/jeremiah/23-29 "The Power of God's Word") starkly contrasts the inert, stolen words of the false prophets with the dynamic, transformative power of God's true word, vividly described as a fire and a hammer that shatters rocks. This verse, therefore, serves as a direct divine judgment against their fraudulent practices, specifically targeting the very source and authenticity of their proclaimed messages.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah's prophetic ministry unfolded during the tumultuous final decades of the Kingdom of Judah, a period characterized by profound political instability, pervasive spiritual apostasy, and the looming, existential threat of Babylonian invasion. In this volatile environment, numerous false prophets proliferated, offering comforting, yet ultimately deceptive, messages of peace and prosperity. These messages often aligned with popular sentiment rather than divine truth, directly contradicting the unpopular warnings of impending judgment and exile delivered by true prophets like Jeremiah. These false prophets were embedded within the religious and social fabric of Judah, frequently holding positions of influence and contributing to a spiritual climate of widespread confusion and complacency. Their deceptive practices made it exceedingly difficult for the populace to discern God's true will, leading them further into sin and ultimately toward national destruction. The act of "stealing" words implies a cultural context where prophetic authority was highly revered, and the imitation or fabrication of divine messages was considered a grave offense against both God and the community.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes prevalent in the book of Jeremiah and the broader prophetic literature. Central among these is the theme of **Authenticity vs. Deception**, wherein God unequivocally distinguishes between genuine divine revelation and human fabrication. The false prophets' "stolen words" represent a profound betrayal of sacred trust and a corruption of divine truth, standing in stark contrast to the integrity and divine origin of God's authentic message. This leads directly to the theme of **Divine Judgment on Falsehood**, as the LORD declares His active and resolute opposition ("I am against") to those who dare to misrepresent Him. This judgment underscores God's holiness and His absolute intolerance for spiritual fraud, emphasizing the severe consequences for misleading His people. Implicitly, the verse also reinforces the theme of the **Source of True Prophecy**, asserting that genuine prophetic utterance originates solely from God's direct revelation and intimate counsel, not from human imagination, plagiarism, or popular consensus, as highlighted in [Jeremiah 23:18](/jeremiah/23-18 "Standing in God's Counsel").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **prophets (Hebrew, _nâbîyʼ_):** Refers to an inspired man or a prophet, one who speaks under divine inspiration. In this context, it designates those who claim this sacred office but are not genuinely sent by God, thus misusing the title and its inherent authority.
* **steal (Hebrew, _gânab_):** A primitive root meaning "to thieve" (literally or figuratively), "to deceive," or "to get by stealth." Here, it vividly portrays the illicit appropriation of divine authority and content, presenting messages as God's when they were not genuinely received. It implies a surreptitious, unlawful taking and a profound act of deception.
* **words (Hebrew, _dâbâr_):** A comprehensive term meaning "a word," "a matter (as spoken of)," or "a thing." In this context, it specifically refers to the divine utterances, revelations, or messages that God intended to communicate to His people. It encompasses the entirety of God's revealed truth and prophetic pronouncements.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore, behold, I [am] against the prophets, saith the LORD,"**: This opening clause establishes the divine speaker, the LORD (Yahweh), and His direct, confrontational stance. The introductory "Therefore" links this solemn declaration to the preceding condemnations of false prophets and their corrupt practices. "Behold" serves as an emphatic interjection, drawing immediate attention to the gravity of the LORD's pronouncement. The phrase "I am against" signifies God's active, resolute opposition and impending judgment against these individuals, clearly indicating His profound displeasure with their actions. "Saith the LORD" (or "declares Yahweh") is a common and authoritative prophetic formula, authenticating the message as a direct, undeniable divine utterance.
* **"that steal my words"**: This is the core accusation and the essence of their offense. The verb "steal" (Hebrew _gânab_) is exceptionally powerful, implying not merely borrowing or fabricating, but a deliberate, illicit, and fraudulent appropriation of something that does not belong to them—namely, God's sacred messages and divine authority. It suggests a counterfeit claim to divine inspiration without having genuinely received it, thereby deeply corrupting and misrepresenting true revelation. This act is a profound violation of God's intellectual and spiritual property.
* **"every one from his neighbour."**: This final phrase clarifies the specific nature of the "stealing" and highlights the systemic corruption among these false prophets. It indicates that they were not receiving unique, direct revelations from God, but were instead plagiarizing, echoing, or inventing messages within their own human circles. They were not tapping into the divine source but rather circulating human-derived or even demonic lies, passing them off as God's truth. This underscores their profound lack of personal communion with God and exposes the widespread, collective nature of their deception, revealing a network of spiritual fraud rather than individual divine encounters.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 23:30 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message with striking impact. **Anthropomorphism** is clearly evident in the declaration "I am against the prophets," attributing human-like opposition, anger, and active judgment to God. This makes His profound displeasure tangible and relatable to the audience. The central and most potent device is **Metaphor**, specifically in the phrase "steal my words." God's words are not physical objects that can be literally stolen, but the metaphor vividly portrays the illicit, deceptive, and unauthorized appropriation of divine authority and revelation. It implies a profound violation of sacred trust and a counterfeiting of God's truth. Furthermore, the phrase "every one from his neighbour" uses **Hyperbole** to emphasize the pervasive and systemic nature of this deception, suggesting that these false prophets were not receiving individual divine revelations but were rather engaged in a widespread practice of mutual plagiarism and fabrication. This collective fraud creates a stark **Contrast** between the true prophet, who receives directly from God and faithfully delivers His message, and the false prophet, who relies on human invention, imitation, or collusion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 23:30 profoundly illuminates God's zealous guardianship over the integrity of His word and His fierce opposition to spiritual deception. It underscores that true prophetic ministry is not a matter of human ingenuity, popular opinion, or convenient, palatable messaging, but rather a sacred trust rooted in direct, authentic communion with the Almighty. The "stealing" of God's words represents a fundamental assault on His character and authority, as it misrepresents His truth, distorts His will, and tragically leads His people astray into spiritual and moral peril. This divine condemnation serves as a timeless warning against all forms of spiritual fraud and emphasizes the critical importance of discerning the source and authenticity of any message claiming divine origin. God's judgment here reflects His unwavering commitment to truth, His unblemished holiness, and His protective love for His flock, whom these false prophets endangered through their lies.

* [Deuteronomy 18:20-22](/deuteronomy/18-20-22 "Testing a Prophet")
* [Ezekiel 13:1-9](/ezekiel/13-1-9 "Prophecy Against False Prophets")
* [2 Peter 2:1-3](/2_peter/2-1-3 "False Teachers Among You")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 23:30 serves as a timeless beacon for believers across all generations, urging profound discernment in an age saturated with diverse voices and competing spiritual claims. It calls us to cultivate a deep reverence for God's authentic word and to vigilantly test every teaching and spiritual message against the unchanging, authoritative standard of Scripture. We are challenged to prayerfully ask: Is this message truly from God, or is it merely a human construct, perhaps borrowed, fabricated, or subtly twisted, designed to appeal to our desires rather than to confront us with divine truth and call us to repentance? This verse compels us to prioritize genuine spiritual encounter and faithful transmission of God's counsel over convenient narratives or popular opinions. It demands that we reject any teaching that distorts God's character, diminishes the authority of His revealed will, or leads us away from true devotion. Our spiritual nourishment, our walk of faith, and indeed our eternal well-being depend on our unwavering commitment to truth and our resolute rejection of all forms of spiritual theft and deception.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of "stealing God's words" challenge my own approach to spiritual truth, teaching, and the messages I consume?**
* **What specific practices can I implement in my daily life to better discern between authentic, God-breathed messages and those that are humanly derived, deceptive, or self-serving?**
* **In what ways might I, perhaps unintentionally or subtly, be tempted to "steal" or misrepresent God's word in my own communication, interpretation, or application?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean for prophets to 'steal' God's words?**

Answer: For prophets to "steal" God's words, as described in [Jeremiah 23:30](/jeremiah/23-30 "God Against False Prophets"), signifies that they were claiming to speak on behalf of the LORD when they had not received any genuine, direct revelation from Him. This "stealing" implies a deceptive and illicit appropriation of divine authority and content. They were not receiving fresh, authentic messages from God but were instead inventing their own comforting narratives, plagiarizing messages from other false prophets, or simply echoing popular sentiments, all while deceitfully presenting these as divine truth. It represents a profound act of spiritual fraud, counterfeiting God's sacred communication for their own purposes, whether for popularity, personal gain, or to avoid delivering an unpopular message of judgment.

**Why is God so strongly 'against' these prophets?**

Answer: God declares Himself "against" these false prophets because their actions directly undermine His holy character, His revealed truth, and His covenant relationship with His people. By "stealing" His words and speaking lies in His name, they were committing several grave offenses:
* **Misrepresenting God:** They presented a false image of God, suggesting He approved of their sin, would not bring judgment, or was indifferent to their unfaithfulness.
* **Leading His People Astray:** Their deceptive messages gave the people false hope and prevented them from repenting and turning back to God, ultimately contributing to their spiritual and national downfall, as warned in [Jeremiah 23:22](/jeremiah/23-22 "If They Had Stood in My Counsel").
* **Usurping Divine Authority:** They claimed an authority that was not theirs, profaning the sacred office of a prophet and bringing disrepute upon God's name. God's strong opposition reflects His absolute holiness, His unwavering justice, and His protective love for His flock, whom these prophets were endangering through their lies and false assurances.

**How can we discern true prophecy or teaching today, given the warning in Jeremiah 23:30?**

Answer: Discerning true prophecy or teaching today requires vigilance, spiritual maturity, and consistent adherence to biblical principles.
* First, **test everything against Scripture** ([Acts 17:11](/acts/17-11 "Bereans Examined the Scriptures")). God's revealed Word, the Bible, is the ultimate and infallible standard for truth. Any teaching that contradicts or misrepresents biblical truth is inherently suspect and must be rejected.
* Second, **examine the fruit of the teacher** ([Matthew 7:15-20](/matthew/7-15-20 "You Will Know Them by Their Fruits")). Do their lives align with the character of Christ? Do their teachings consistently lead to godliness, spiritual growth, and genuine repentance?
* Third, **consider the message's source and intent**. Is the message self-serving, designed to promote the speaker, or does it genuinely glorify God and build up the Body of Christ? Does it challenge sin and call for repentance, or does it offer only comfort without conviction, or worse, promote unbiblical practices?
* Finally, **pray for spiritual discernment** ([1 John 4:1](/1_john/4-1 "Test the Spirits")), trusting the Holy Spirit to guide you into all truth and protect you from error ([John 16:13](/john/16-13 "The Spirit of Truth Guides")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 23:30, with its fierce condemnation of those who "steal" God's words, finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound resolution in the person of Jesus Christ, who is the very embodiment of God's authentic and unadulterated Word. Unlike the false prophets who spoke from their own imaginations, plagiarized from one another, or sought personal gain, Jesus declared with absolute authority, "My teaching is not my own. It comes from the one who sent me" ([John 7:16](/john/7-16 "Jesus' Teaching is From God")). He is the true and faithful Prophet, promised in [Deuteronomy 18:15](/deuteronomy/18-15 "A Prophet Like Moses"), who speaks only what the Father commands and reveals ([John 12:49-50](/john/12-49-50 "Jesus Speaks What the Father Commands")). As the Incarnate Word ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "The Word Was God"), [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "The Word Became Flesh")), Jesus perfectly reveals the Father and His will, eliminating any need for stolen, fabricated, or distorted messages. His entire life and ministry were characterized by absolute truth, divine authority, and unparalleled integrity, standing in stark contrast to the deceptive practices of the false prophets. He fearlessly exposed the hypocrisy and false teachings of the religious leaders of His day, who, in a profound sense, also "stole" God's word by burdening the people with human traditions while neglecting the weightier matters of the law ([Matthew 23:1-36](/matthew/23 "Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees")). Through Christ, God's word is no longer subject to human distortion or theft; it is fully, finally, and perfectly revealed, providing the true path to life, freedom from deception, and an authentic relationship with God ([John 8:31-32](/john/8-31-32 "Truth Will Set You Free")).

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

Deuteronomy 18:20

But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.

Ezekiel 13:8

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye have spoken vanity, and seen lies, therefore, behold, I [am] against you, saith the Lord GOD.

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.

Jeremiah 14:15

Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that prophesy in my name, and I sent them not, yet they say, Sword and famine shall not be in this land; By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed.

Psalms 34:16

The face of the LORD [is] against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

Ezekiel 13:20

Wherefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I [am] against your pillows, wherewith ye there hunt the souls to make [them] fly, and I will tear them from your arms, and will let the souls go, [even] the souls that ye hunt to make [them] fly.

Ezekiel 15:7

And I will set my face against them; they shall go out from [one] fire, and [another] fire shall devour them; and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD, when I set my face against them.