Jeremiah 27:14

KJV

Therefore hearken not unto the words of the prophets that speak unto you, saying, Ye shall not serve the king of Babylon: for they prophesy a lie unto you.

KJV (with Strong's)

Therefore hearken {H8085} not unto the words {H1697} of the prophets {H5030} that speak {H559} unto you, saying {H559}, Ye shall not serve {H5647} the king {H4428} of Babylon {H894}: for they prophesy {H5012} a lie {H8267} unto you.

Complete Jewish Bible

Don't listen to the words of the prophets who say to you, 'You will not serve the king of Bavel'; because they are prophesying lies to you.

Berean Standard Bible

Do not listen to the words of the prophets who say, ‘You must not serve the king of Babylon,’ for they are prophesying to you a lie.

American Standard Version

And hearken not unto the words of the prophets that speak unto you, saying, Ye shall not serve the king of Babylon; for they prophesy a lie unto you.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 27:14 delivers a profound warning from the Lord through His prophet Jeremiah, urging the people of Judah to reject the deceitful counsel of false prophets. These prophets were falsely assuring the populace that they would not be subjected to the rule of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, directly contradicting God's revealed will for their submission. The verse underscores the critical importance of discerning divine truth from human fabrication, especially when God's path involves hardship and humility.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within a significant prophetic oracle in Jeremiah 27, where the prophet is commanded by God to make and wear yokes, symbolizing the impending servitude to Babylon for Judah and surrounding nations. Jeremiah's message is consistently one of submission to Babylonian rule as God's decreed judgment, a message starkly opposed by numerous false prophets who promised peace and immediate liberation. The preceding verses (e.g., [Jeremiah 27:8](/jeremiah/27-8 "Jeremiah 27:8 - Nations must serve Babylon")) emphasize that any nation refusing to serve Nebuchadnezzar would face severe divine judgment, while the following verses (e.g., [Jeremiah 27:16](/jeremiah/27-16 "Jeremiah 27:16 - False prophets regarding temple vessels")) continue to expose the false prophecies concerning the temple vessels and the length of exile. The immediate context highlights the tension between God's difficult truth and the comforting lies of those who spoke without divine authority.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop is the late 7th and early 6th centuries BCE, a period of immense geopolitical upheaval. The Neo-Babylonian Empire, under Nebuchadnezzar II, had risen to prominence, replacing Assyria as the dominant regional power. Judah, caught between the declining power of Egypt and the rising might of Babylon, was struggling to maintain its independence. King Zedekiah's reign (597-586 BCE) was marked by political intrigue, shifting alliances, and a desperate search for a way to avoid Babylonian subjugation. Culturally, prophecy was a recognized and influential institution in ancient Israel, but distinguishing true prophets from false ones was a perennial challenge, as highlighted in [Deuteronomy 18](/deuteronomy/18 "Deuteronomy 18 - Prophets and Divination"). False prophets often gained popularity by speaking what the people wanted to hear—messages of peace, prosperity, and nationalistic pride—rather than the often-unpopular messages of repentance and judgment from God.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 27:14 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Jeremiah. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Sovereignty over Nations**, showing that God orchestrates the rise and fall of empires, using even pagan rulers like Nebuchadnezzar as instruments of His will and judgment (cf. [Jeremiah 25:9](/jeremiah/25-9 "Jeremiah 25:9 - Nebuchadnezzar as God's servant")). Secondly, it is central to the theme of **True vs. False Prophecy**, providing a stark example of the dangers of listening to those who claim to speak for God but propagate falsehoods. Jeremiah's ministry was largely defined by this conflict, as he consistently exposed the deceit of his prophetic rivals (e.g., [Jeremiah 28](/jeremiah/28 "Jeremiah 28 - Jeremiah and Hananiah")). Finally, the verse underscores the theme of **Obedience to God's Unpopular Word**, even when that word calls for submission to an enemy and contradicts human desires for freedom or comfort. This obedience, though painful, was presented as the only path to survival and eventual restoration.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **hearken (Hebrew, _shâma'_):** This word (H8085) signifies more than just hearing; it implies intelligent listening, often with the strong implication of attention and obedience. In this context, it is a command to *not* obey or give heed to the false prophets, highlighting the volitional aspect of responding to prophetic messages. To "hearken not" is to actively disregard and refuse to comply with their deceptive counsel.
* **prophets (Hebrew, _nâbîy'_):** This term (H5030) refers to an inspired person, one who speaks or sings by divine inspiration, either in prediction or simple discourse. The irony here is that these individuals are called "prophets," indicating their recognized role in society, yet they are speaking a "lie." This emphasizes the challenge of discernment when those in positions of spiritual authority misuse their platform.
* **lie (Hebrew, _sheqer'_):** This word (H8267) denotes an untruth, falsehood, deceit, or sham. When applied to prophecy, it means a message that is fundamentally untrue and misleading, often designed to deceive or based on self-deception rather than genuine divine revelation. The phrase "prophesy a lie" (using H5012, _nâbâ'_, to prophesy) underscores that their messages were not merely mistaken but actively contrary to God's truth, carrying a strong connotation of deliberate deception or profound error.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore hearken not unto the words of the prophets that speak unto you, saying,"**: This opening clause serves as a direct, imperative command from God through Jeremiah. The "therefore" connects it to the preceding divine decree of Babylonian servitude. The people are explicitly warned against giving ear or obedience to a specific group—"the prophets"—who are actively communicating a message. The use of "words" (H1697, _dâbâr_) emphasizes that it is their spoken message that is to be rejected.
* **"Ye shall not serve the king of Babylon:"**: This is the core content of the false prophecy. It directly contradicts God's command for Judah to submit to Nebuchadnezzar. The false prophets were promising freedom from the very servitude that God had ordained as a judgment and a path to survival. "Serve" (H5647, _ʻâbad_) here means to be in bondage, to be a servant, or to render service, precisely what God was requiring.
* **"for they prophesy a lie unto you."**: This concluding clause provides the divine justification for the warning. The reason the people must not listen is because the message being delivered is fundamentally false ("a lie," H8267, _sheqer'_). It is not just an error, but a prophetic message that is untruthful and deceptive, lacking divine origin and ultimately leading to destruction for those who believe it.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 27:14 employs several potent literary devices. The most prominent is **Direct Address**, as God, through Jeremiah, speaks directly to the people ("hearken not unto the words of the prophets that speak unto *you*"). This creates an immediate, urgent, and personal appeal, demanding a response. There is also significant **Irony** in the phrase "prophets that speak... a lie." Prophets were supposed to be God's truth-tellers, yet these individuals, holding that very title, are revealed as purveyors of falsehood. This highlights the tragic inversion of their sacred role. Finally, the verse functions as a **Warning**, a common prophetic genre. Its purpose is to avert disaster by clearly stating the consequences of following deceptive counsel, contrasting the path of destruction with the difficult but true path of divine obedience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 27:14 is a powerful testament to God's absolute sovereignty, not only over His covenant people but over all nations, using even pagan empires as instruments of His divine purpose. It underscores the critical theological principle that God's word, though sometimes unpopular or challenging, is always true and must be obeyed, while human-derived messages, however comforting, are ultimately deceptive if they contradict divine revelation. The tension between true and false prophecy is a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament, serving as a constant reminder of the need for discernment and reliance on God's authoritative word, rather than human wisdom or desire.

* [Deuteronomy 18:20-22](/deuteronomy/18-20 "How to identify a false prophet")
* [Ezekiel 13:6-9](/ezekiel/13-6 "Prophecies of false prophets")
* [2 Peter 2:1-3](/2_peter/2-1 "Warnings against false teachers")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 27:14 serves as an enduring call for spiritual discernment in every age. In a world saturated with competing voices, ideologies, and self-proclaimed authorities, the believer is constantly challenged to distinguish between truth and falsehood. This verse reminds us that God's truth may not always align with our comfort zones, our nationalistic pride, or our immediate desires. True obedience often requires embracing difficult realities and submitting to God's sovereign plan, even when it involves hardship or humiliation. We are called to be vigilant, testing every message against the unchanging standard of God's revealed Word, rather than succumbing to narratives that promise an easy path or contradict the clear principles of Scripture. Our spiritual well-being and flourishing depend on our willingness to "hearken" to God's truth, no matter how challenging, and to reject every "lie," no matter how appealing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "comforting lies" or popular narratives in our current cultural or spiritual landscape might be distracting us from God's harder truths?**
* **How do we practically "hearken not" to deceptive voices while actively seeking and submitting to God's authoritative word in our daily lives?**
* **What are the spiritual consequences, both individually and corporately, of failing to discern between true and false prophetic messages today?**

### FAQ

**What was the "lie" the prophets were speaking in Jeremiah 27:14?**

Answer: The lie was the false assurance that the people of Judah would *not* have to serve the king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar. These prophets were promising peace and freedom from Babylonian subjugation, directly contradicting God's revealed will that Judah was to submit to Babylon as a divine judgment for their sins. Jeremiah, on the other hand, was delivering God's true message that submission was the only path to survival, as seen in [Jeremiah 27:12](/jeremiah/27-12 "Jeremiah's call to submit to Babylon").

**How can we distinguish between true and false prophets or teachers today, based on this verse?**

Answer: Jeremiah 27:14 highlights that false prophets speak a "lie"—a message that contradicts God's revealed will. Today, we discern true from false by comparing messages to the authoritative and complete Word of God, the Bible. Any teaching that contradicts the clear truths of Scripture, promises an easy path without repentance, or appeals primarily to human desires for comfort and prosperity without addressing sin or God's sovereignty, should be viewed with suspicion. [Deuteronomy 18:22](/deuteronomy/18-22 "The test of a prophet") also provides a test: if what a prophet says does not come to pass, then the Lord has not spoken it.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 27:14, with its stark warning against false prophets and its call to embrace God's difficult truth, finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound significance in Christ. The "lie" spoken by the false prophets in Jeremiah's day was a rejection of God's sovereign plan for His people, a refusal to accept the path of humility and judgment that God had ordained. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is presented as the ultimate and true Prophet, the very embodiment of God's truth (cf. [John 14:6](/john/14-6 "Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). He did not come to speak comforting lies but to declare the full, often challenging, truth of God's kingdom, calling people to repentance and submission to His Lordship (cf. [Mark 1:15](/mark/1-15 "Jesus preaches the gospel of God")). The "serving" of Babylon foreshadows the greater call to "serve" Christ, which involves taking up one's cross and following Him, a path that often includes suffering and self-denial, but ultimately leads to true freedom and life (cf. [Matthew 16:24-25](/matthew/16-24 "Take up your cross and follow me")). The rejection of false prophecy in Jeremiah points forward to the New Testament's constant exhortation to test the spirits and beware of false teachers who preach "another gospel" (cf. [Galatians 1:6-9](/galatians/1-6 "Warning against false gospel") and [1 John 4:1](/1_john/4-1 "Test the spirits")). Christ Himself warns against wolves in sheep's clothing (cf. [Matthew 7:15](/matthew/7-15 "Beware of false prophets")), emphasizing that true discipleship is built on His unvarnished truth, not on humanly appealing deceptions.

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 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 23:21

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

2 Corinthians 11:13

For such [are] false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

2 Corinthians 11:15

Therefore [it is] no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

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.

Jeremiah 29:9

For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them, saith the LORD.

1 Kings 22:22

And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade [him], and prevail also: go forth, and do so.