Jeremiah 23:32

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Behold, I am against them that prophesy {H5012} false {H8267} dreams {H2472}, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}, and do tell {H5608} them, and cause my people {H5971} to err {H8582} by their lies {H8267}, and by their lightness {H6350}; yet I sent {H7971} them not, nor commanded {H6680} them: therefore they shall not profit {H3276} this people {H5971} at all {H3276}, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"I am against those who concoct prophecies out of fake dreams," says ADONAI. "They tell them, and by their lies and arrogance they lead my people astray. I didn't send them, I didn't commission them, and they don't do this people any good at all," says ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

“Indeed,” declares the LORD, “I am against those who prophesy false dreams and retell them to lead My people astray with their reckless lies. It was not I who sent them or commanded them, and they are of no benefit at all to these people,” declares the LORD.

American Standard Version

Behold, I am against them that prophesy lying dreams, saith Jehovah, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their vain boasting: yet I sent them not, nor commanded them; neither do they profit this people at all, saith Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 23:32 presents a forceful divine indictment against false prophets who propagate deceitful messages, particularly those rooted in their own fabricated dreams. The Lord declares His direct opposition to these individuals, emphasizing that they were neither sent nor commanded by Him. Their lies and irresponsible pronouncements lead God's people astray, ultimately offering no genuine spiritual benefit or lasting good, thus highlighting the severe consequences of prophetic fraud and the critical distinction between divine truth and human fabrication.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 23 is a pivotal and scathing denunciation of the corrupt leadership of Judah, particularly the false prophets and unfaithful shepherds. The chapter opens with the Lord pronouncing woe upon the shepherds who scatter His flock, promising to gather them and raise up new, faithful shepherds ([Jeremiah 23:1-4](/jeremiah/23-1-4 "Jeremiah 23:1-4 - Woe to the Shepherds")). This is followed by a messianic promise of a "Righteous Branch" who will execute justice and righteousness on earth, bringing salvation to Judah and Israel ([Jeremiah 23:5-8](/jeremiah/23-5-8 "The Righteous Branch")). From [Jeremiah 23:9](/jeremiah/23-9 "Jeremiah's Anguish Over False Prophets") onward, the focus shifts intensely to the false prophets, exposing their immorality, their theft of God's words, and their deceptive claims of peace when judgment is imminent. Verse 32 specifically targets their use of "false dreams" as a vehicle for their lies, culminating the Lord's comprehensive condemnation of their destructive influence and setting a clear boundary between divine truth and human deceit.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah ministered during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, spanning the reigns of several kings (Josiah, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, Zedekiah), leading up to and during the Babylonian exile. This was a time of profound political instability, spiritual apostasy, and moral decay. In this environment, many self-proclaimed prophets emerged, often contradicting Jeremiah's unpopular messages of impending judgment and repentance. These false prophets frequently appealed to popular sentiment, promising peace and prosperity, often claiming divine visions or dreams as their source. This practice mimicked the legitimate role of true prophets, who indeed received divine revelation through dreams and visions (e.g., God speaking to Moses in a dream in [Numbers 12:6](/numbers/12-6 "God Speaks Through Dreams")). However, the false prophets' messages were not from God but from their own imaginations, driven by a desire for popularity, personal gain, or a misguided sense of nationalistic optimism, leading the people further into delusion and away from genuine repentance and the path of obedience.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 23:32 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Jeremiah and the broader prophetic tradition. A primary theme is **Divine Sovereignty and Authority**, as the Lord asserts His absolute control over who speaks in His name, explicitly stating, "yet I sent them not, nor commanded them." This contrasts sharply with the **Deception and Lies** propagated by the false prophets, who use "false dreams" and "lies" to mislead. Another crucial theme is the **Consequences of Unfaithfulness**, both for the false prophets who face God's direct opposition ("Behold, I am against them") and for the people who are led "to err" and receive "no profit" from these deceptive messages. This highlights the vital importance of **Spiritual Discernment** for God's people, urging them to distinguish between genuine divine revelation and human fabrication, a recurring warning throughout the prophetic books, particularly emphasized in passages like [Deuteronomy 13:1-5](/deuteronomy/13-1-5 "Testing a Prophet") regarding the testing of prophets.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **prophesy (Hebrew, _nâbâʼ'_):** This primitive root signifies "to prophesy, i.e. speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse)." In this context, it highlights the false prophets' mimicry of genuine prophetic activity. They engage in the *act* of prophesying, but the source of their inspiration is not divine, rendering their "prophecy" a deceptive performance rather than a true utterance from God. The Lord's opposition is precisely because they claim this sacred role without His commission or true anointing.
* **dreams (Hebrew, _chălôwm'_):** From the root meaning "to dream," this word refers to a dream, which was often a legitimate vehicle for divine communication in the biblical narrative (e.g., Joseph's dreams in [Genesis 37](/genesis/37 "Joseph's Dreams") or Daniel's interpretations in [Daniel 2](/daniel/2 "Nebuchadnezzar's Dream")). Here, however, the dreams are explicitly "false" (H8267, _sheqer_), indicating they are either entirely fabricated by the prophets, products of their own imagination, or misinterpreted/misappropriated to serve their own agenda, rather than being genuine revelations from God. This perversion of a legitimate prophetic medium is a key aspect of their deception.
* **profit (Hebrew, _yaʻal'_):** This primitive root properly means "to ascend," but figuratively, "to be valuable (objectively; useful, subjectively; benefited)." The double negative "shall not profit this people at all" (using the infinitive absolute for emphatic negation) underscores the utter futility and worthlessness of the false prophets' messages. Despite their claims of bringing good news or comfort, their words ultimately yield no spiritual benefit, no true guidance, no genuine repentance, and no lasting salvation for the people; they are spiritually bankrupt and lead only to destruction.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Behold, I [am] against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the LORD,"**: This opening declaration is a powerful statement of divine opposition. "Behold" (הִנֵּה, _hinneh_) draws immediate attention to the Lord's direct confrontation. The phrase "I am against them" signifies God's active, righteous judgment and antagonism toward those who misuse the sacred office of prophecy. The specific target is those who "prophesy false dreams," indicating that their claims of divine revelation through dreams are not only untrue but are deliberate fabrications or distortions. The repeated "saith the LORD" (נְאֻם יְהוָה, _nᵉʼum Yᵉhôvâh_) emphasizes the divine origin and authoritative nature of this condemnation, contrasting sharply with the false prophets' uncommissioned words.
* **"and do tell them,"**: This clause highlights the active dissemination of these false dreams. It's not merely that they *have* false dreams, but that they *proclaim* them to the people, presenting them as genuine divine messages. This act of "telling" or "recounting" (H5608, _çâphar_) amplifies their culpability, as they actively spread the deception, giving it an air of authority it does not possess.
* **"and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness;"**: Here, the devastating impact of the false prophecy is revealed. They "cause my people to err" (H8582, _tâʻâh_), meaning they lead them astray, cause them to wander from the truth, or deceive them. This spiritual disorientation is achieved through "their lies" (H8267, _sheqer_), which are untruths, falsehoods, and deceptions, and "by their lightness" (H6350, _pachăzûwth_). "Lightness" here implies frivolity, recklessness, irresponsibility, and a lack of spiritual gravity or seriousness in their approach to divine truth. It suggests a careless disregard for the profound implications of speaking in God's name, leading to devastating consequences for the flock.
* **"yet I sent them not, nor commanded them:"**: This is the core theological justification for God's opposition. It is the definitive mark of a false prophet: the absence of divine commission. Unlike true prophets who are called, empowered, and given specific messages by God (e.g., Jeremiah's own calling in [Jeremiah 1:4-10](/jeremiah/1-4-10 "Jeremiah 1:4-10 - Jeremiah's Call and Commission")), these individuals act entirely on their own initiative. Their words lack divine authority and therefore carry no genuine spiritual weight or truth.
* **"therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the LORD."**: This concluding statement reiterates the ultimate futility of their ministry. Because they were not sent by God and their messages are rooted in lies, their efforts will yield absolutely no positive spiritual outcome for the people. The repetition of "saith the LORD" bookends the verse, powerfully affirming that this judgment is from the highest authority, underscoring the absolute barrenness and spiritual danger of false prophecy.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 23:32 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message with divine authority and impact. **Repetition** is powerfully evident in the phrase "saith the LORD," which frames the entire declaration, appearing at the beginning and end of the verse. This serves as an emphatic assertion of divine authority and the undeniable truth of the Lord's condemnation, creating a solemn, binding pronouncement that contrasts sharply with the false prophets' uncommissioned words. **Antithesis** or **Contrast** is central to the verse, highlighting the stark difference between true and false prophecy: God's direct opposition versus the prophets' self-proclaimed authority, divine sending versus human initiative ("I sent them not, nor commanded them"), and genuine spiritual benefit versus utter lack of profit ("they shall not profit this people at all"). The "false dreams" themselves can be seen as a form of **Irony**, as dreams were a legitimate channel for divine revelation, yet these prophets pervert this sacred medium for their own deceptive ends. Finally, the "lightness" (frivolity/recklessness) of the false prophets' words, leading the people "to err," uses **Metonymy** or **Synecdoche** to represent their overall lack of spiritual integrity and the destructive consequences of their unholy ministry, where a characteristic (lightness) stands for the entire corrupt nature of their message and ministry.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 23:32 stands as a timeless theological warning against spiritual deception, affirming God's unwavering commitment to truth and His fierce opposition to those who corrupt it. It underscores the profound responsibility of those who claim to speak for God, emphasizing that genuine spiritual authority flows solely from divine commission and faithfulness to God's revealed word. The verse highlights that true prophecy is not merely about predicting the future but about faithfully communicating God's character, will, and redemptive purposes, even when uncomfortable. It also reveals God's deep concern for His people, whom He protects from those who would lead them astray, demonstrating that spiritual profit comes only from authentic encounters with His truth, not from comforting lies or human invention.

* [Deuteronomy 18:20-22](/deuteronomy/18-20-22 "Distinguishing True from False Prophets")
* [Matthew 7:15-20](/matthew/7-15-20 "False Prophets and Their Fruit")
* [1 John 4:1](/1_john/4-1 "Test the Spirits")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 23:32 remains profoundly relevant for believers today, serving as a vital call to spiritual discernment in an age saturated with diverse voices claiming spiritual authority. It challenges us to critically evaluate all teachings and prophecies, not by their popularity, emotional appeal, or the charisma of the speaker, but by their alignment with the unchanging truth of God's revealed Word. We are reminded that genuine spiritual benefit and growth come from diligent engagement with biblical truth, which convicts, corrects, and guides, rather than from messages that merely soothe or affirm without challenging sin. This verse compels us to cultivate a deep personal knowledge of Scripture, enabling us to recognize the "lies" and "lightness" of deceptive teachings and to cling to the authentic voice of our Shepherd, ensuring our spiritual foundation is built on the solid rock of God's truth.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jeremiah 23:32 challenge my approach to discerning spiritual truth in today's world, particularly regarding claims of new revelation or prophecy?**
* **In what ways might "false dreams" or "lightness" manifest in contemporary spiritual teachings or movements, and how can I guard against them in my own life and community?**
* **What steps can I take to ensure that my own spiritual growth is rooted in God's authentic Word, rather than being led astray by deceptive messages or superficial promises?**

### FAQ
**What is the difference between a true prophet and a false prophet according to Jeremiah 23:32?**

Answer: According to Jeremiah 23:32, the fundamental difference between a true prophet and a false prophet lies in divine commission and the source of their message. True prophets are explicitly "sent" and "commanded" by the Lord; their messages originate from Him, bearing His authority and truth, and they consistently align with His character and previous revelations. Their words, even if challenging or unpopular, ultimately lead to genuine spiritual profit and guidance for God's people. False prophets, on the other hand, are *not* sent or commanded by God; their messages, often presented as "false dreams" or "lies," stem from their own imaginations, desires, or a spirit of deception. Their words lead God's people astray and ultimately "shall not profit this people at all," offering no genuine spiritual benefit or true guidance. This distinction is crucial for discernment, as highlighted elsewhere in Scripture, such as in [Deuteronomy 18:20-22](/deuteronomy/18-20-22 "How to Discern a True Prophet").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 23:32, with its condemnation of false prophets, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus as the **True Prophet** and the **Word Incarnate**. While the false prophets spoke "false dreams" and "lies" that did not profit God's people, Jesus is the embodiment of divine truth, the one through whom God has truly spoken to us in these last days ([Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1-2 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Has Spoken Through His Son")). He is the ultimate fulfillment of the promise of a prophet like Moses ([Deuteronomy 18:15](/deuteronomy/18-15 "Deuteronomy 18:15 - A Prophet Like Moses")), whom all must hear. Unlike those who were "not sent" by God, Jesus was explicitly sent by the Father to declare His will and accomplish His redemptive plan ([John 3:17](/john/3-17 "John 3:17 - Jesus Sent to Save")). His teaching was not from "lightness" but carried unparalleled authority and power, causing people to marvel at His words ([Mark 1:22](/mark/1-22 "Mark 1:22 - Jesus Teaches with Authority")). Furthermore, Jesus Himself warned His disciples to "beware of false prophets" who come in sheep's clothing but are inwardly ravenous wolves ([Matthew 7:15](/matthew/7-15 "Matthew 7:15 - Beware of False Prophets")), thereby continuing the prophetic tradition of discernment. The "profit" that the false prophets could not offer is abundantly found in Christ, who gives eternal life and true spiritual nourishment to all who believe in Him ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")). He is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep, leading them to life-giving truth, unlike the false shepherds who scatter and mislead.

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.

Lamentations 2:14

Thy prophets have seen vain and foolish things for thee: and they have not discovered thine iniquity, to turn away thy captivity; but have seen for thee false burdens and causes of banishment.

Jeremiah 7:8

Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit.

Ezekiel 13:7

Have ye not seen a vain vision, and have ye not spoken a lying divination, whereas ye say, The LORD saith [it]; albeit I have not spoken?

Ezekiel 13:18

And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe to the [women] that sew pillows to all armholes, and make kerchiefs upon the head of every stature to hunt souls! Will ye hunt the souls of my people, and will ye save the souls alive [that come] unto you?

Matthew 15:14

Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

Jeremiah 23:21

I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied.