Jeremiah 29:9

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

For they prophesy {H5012} falsely {H8267} unto you in my name {H8034}: I have not sent {H7971} them, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For they are prophesying falsely in my name; I have not sent them,' says ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

For they are falsely prophesying to you in My name; I have not sent them, declares the LORD.”

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 29:9 serves as a profound divine warning against spiritual deception, unequivocally stating that those who claim to speak on God's behalf but propagate falsehoods are not divinely authorized. This verse is a crucial part of Jeremiah's letter to the Jewish exiles in Babylon, providing clarity and guidance amidst a period of profound uncertainty and the proliferation of misleading prophecies, thereby distinguishing God's authentic message from human invention.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Jeremiah's pivotal letter to the exiles in Babylon, recorded in [Jeremiah 29](/jeremiah/29 "Jeremiah 29 - Jeremiah's Letter to the Exiles"). Following the initial deportations by Nebuchadnezzar, the Jewish community in Babylon was grappling with their new reality. Jeremiah's letter, sent from Jerusalem, directly counters the false hopes being peddled by unauthorized prophets who promised a swift return to Judah. The preceding verses (e.g., [Jeremiah 29:5-7](/jeremiah/29-5 "Jeremiah 29:5-7 - Build Houses and Seek the Peace of the City")) instruct the exiles to settle down, build homes, plant gardens, and pray for the welfare of Babylon, indicating a long-term stay. Verse 9 directly addresses the deceptive voices that contradict this divine instruction, setting the stage for the famous seventy-year prophecy in [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - The Seventy-Year Prophecy").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop is the Babylonian Exile, a traumatic period for the Kingdom of Judah, beginning with the first deportation in 597 BCE and culminating in the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BCE. During this time, the Jewish people were displaced from their homeland, temple, and traditional way of life. In this climate of despair and longing for restoration, various individuals emerged, claiming prophetic authority and promising an imminent return, often to the comfort of the people but contrary to God's true message. The culture of ancient Israel placed immense importance on prophetic revelation as the direct word of God, making the discernment of true versus false prophets a matter of life and death, as outlined in laws like those found in [Deuteronomy 18:20-22](/deuteronomy/18-20 "Deuteronomy 18:20-22 - Testing a Prophet").
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 29:9 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Jeremiah and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights the crucial theme of **divine authorization and true prophecy**, emphasizing that genuine divine communication originates solely from God and carries His authority, not human desires or political expediency. Secondly, it underscores the persistent danger of **spiritual deception**, particularly from those who manipulate religious language or claim divine endorsement for their own agendas. This theme is pervasive throughout Jeremiah's ministry, as he consistently confronts false prophets and their misleading messages (e.g., [Jeremiah 14:14](/jeremiah/14-14 "Jeremiah 14:14 - False Prophecies of Peace")). Finally, the verse speaks to the theme of **discerning God's will** in challenging circumstances, teaching the exiles—and by extension, all believers—the importance of patiently seeking and adhering to God's often difficult truth rather than succumbing to comforting lies.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **prophesy (Hebrew, _nâbâʼ'_):** From H5012, this primitive root means "to prophesy, i.e. speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse)." In this context, the word is used to describe the act of speaking as if by divine inspiration, but the subsequent word "falsely" immediately negates the authenticity of the inspiration, revealing a corrupt or illegitimate claim to prophetic utterance.
* **falsely (Hebrew, _sheqer'_):** From H8267, this word denotes "an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial)." It signifies not merely an error or a mistake, but a deliberate deceit, a lie, or something that is vain and without substance. When combined with "prophesy," it powerfully conveys that the messages being delivered are not just incorrect, but are fundamentally deceptive and lacking any basis in divine truth.
* **sent (Hebrew, _shâlach'_):** From H7971, this primitive root means "to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)." In the phrase "I have not sent them," it carries the profound theological weight of divine authorization. God's declaration that He "has not sent them" is a definitive denial of any commission, endorsement, or approval for these individuals to speak on His behalf, thereby stripping their claims of all legitimacy.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** From H3068, this is the Jewish national name of God, "Jehovah," meaning "(the) self-Existent or Eternal." The use of this sacred covenant name (YHWH) at the end of the verse, "saith the LORD," serves as a powerful seal of divine authority, emphasizing that the denial of sending these prophets comes from the ultimate, eternal, and sovereign God Himself, whose word is truth and cannot be contradicted.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name":** This clause identifies the agents of deception as "they," referring to the false prophets active among the exiles. Their method is "prophesying," which implies speaking with divine authority, but the crucial adverb "falsely" immediately exposes their message as deceitful and untrue. The phrase "in my name" highlights the egregious nature of their sin: they are illicitly invoking the sacred name and authority of God to legitimize their own fabricated messages, thereby committing a grave affront against the LORD.
* **"I have not sent them, saith the LORD."**: This is God's direct, emphatic, and authoritative rebuttal to the false claims. The declaration "I have not sent them" unequivocally denies any divine commission or endorsement for these prophets. It establishes a clear boundary between God's authentic messengers and those who operate outside His will. The concluding phrase, "saith the LORD," serves as an undeniable divine signature, reinforcing that this pronouncement comes directly from the sovereign and true God, leaving no room for doubt regarding the legitimacy of the denial.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 29:9 employs several potent literary devices to convey its urgent message. **Direct Address** is evident as God speaks directly to the exiles through Jeremiah, creating an immediate and personal impact. The verse also utilizes **Contrast** or **Antithesis** by juxtaposing the false prophets' claims to speak "in my name" with God's definitive denial, "I have not sent them." This stark opposition highlights the chasm between human deception and divine truth. Furthermore, the concluding phrase, "saith the LORD," functions as a powerful **Divine Declaration** or **Authoritative Statement**, lending ultimate weight and finality to God's pronouncement. There is also an element of **Irony**, as the very name these false prophets invoke to lend credibility to their lies is the same name by which God Himself disavows them.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 29:9 profoundly underscores the biblical emphasis on the discernment of truth and the grave danger of spiritual deception. It reveals God's character as one who is utterly truthful and will not countenance falsehood spoken in His name. The theological implication is that genuine divine communication is always rooted in God's will and character, never in human invention or manipulation. This verse serves as a timeless reminder that not all who claim to speak for God are truly His messengers, necessitating careful evaluation of all teachings against the revealed Word of God and the consistent character of the Almighty. It calls believers to a posture of vigilance and spiritual sobriety, recognizing that fidelity to God requires adherence to His truth, even when it is challenging or unpopular.

* [Deuteronomy 18:20-22](/deuteronomy/18-20 "Deuteronomy 18:20-22 - How to Test a Prophet")
* [Matthew 7:15-20](/matthew/7-15 "Matthew 7:15-20 - Beware of False Prophets")
* [1 John 4:1](/1_john/4-1 "1 John 4:1 - Test the Spirits")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 29:9 carries immense contemporary relevance, serving as a vital call to spiritual discernment in an age saturated with diverse voices and claims of spiritual authority. In a world where information—and misinformation—is abundant, this verse challenges believers to critically evaluate all teachings, prophecies, and spiritual guidance, ensuring they align with the unchanging truth of God's Word. It encourages a deep engagement with Scripture, cultivating a biblical worldview that can distinguish between genuine divine revelation and human-generated falsehoods, however comforting or appealing the latter may seem. This verse reminds us that true guidance often requires patience, faith, and a willingness to embrace God's long-term plan, even when it differs from our immediate desires. It calls us to seek the Holy Spirit's wisdom to discern the spirits and to anchor our hope not in fleeting promises, but in the steadfast character and authentic word of the LORD.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I discern between true and false spiritual messages in my own life and in the broader Christian community?**
* **Am I more inclined to listen to messages that align with my desires, or those that faithfully represent God's truth, even if challenging?**
* **What steps can I take to deepen my understanding of God's Word, so I am better equipped to identify teachings that God "has not sent"?**

### FAQ
**Question?**
Who were the "false prophets" mentioned in Jeremiah 29:9, and what was their primary message?

Answer: The "false prophets" mentioned in Jeremiah 29:9 were individuals, both in Jerusalem and among the exiles in Babylon, who claimed to speak God's word but whose messages contradicted the true prophecy delivered by Jeremiah. A prominent example is Hananiah, who prophesied in Jerusalem that the Babylonian yoke would be broken within two years ([Jeremiah 28:1-4](/jeremiah/28-1 "Jeremiah 28:1-4 - Hananiah's False Prophecy")). In Babylon, there were also prophets like Ahab, son of Kolaiah, and Zedekiah, son of Maaseiah, whom Jeremiah condemns for their immoral conduct and false prophecies ([Jeremiah 29:21-23](/jeremiah/29-21 "Jeremiah 29:21-23 - Condemnation of False Prophets in Babylon")). Their primary message was one of immediate peace and a swift return from exile, offering a comforting but ultimately deceptive alternative to Jeremiah's divinely ordained message of a seventy-year captivity ([Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - The Seventy-Year Exile Prophecy")).

**Question?**
Why was God's explicit statement, "I have not sent them," so crucial for the exiles?

Answer: God's explicit statement, "I have not sent them," was absolutely crucial for the exiles because it provided a clear, divine demarcation between truth and falsehood at a time of profound confusion and vulnerability. The exiles were desperate for hope and guidance, making them susceptible to any message that promised relief. Without this definitive word from God through Jeremiah, they might have followed the false prophets, leading to further disappointment, rebellion against God's plan, and potentially disastrous consequences. This divine declaration empowered them to reject the comforting lies and instead embrace God's true, albeit challenging, instructions to settle in Babylon, seek its peace, and wait patiently for His appointed time of restoration ([Jeremiah 29:5-7](/jeremiah/29-5 "Jeremiah 29:5-7 - Instructions for the Exiles") and [Jeremiah 29:11](/jeremiah/29-11 "Jeremiah 29:11 - God's Plans for Hope and a Future")). It affirmed the authority of Jeremiah as God's true messenger and protected the exiles from spiritual and practical ruin.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 29:9, with its stark warning against false prophets and its emphasis on divine authorization, finds its ultimate fulfillment and clarification in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the quintessential true Prophet, the one whom God truly "sent" to speak His word, as foreshadowed in [Deuteronomy 18:15](/deuteronomy/18-15 "The Prophet Like Moses") and affirmed in [Acts 3:22](/acts/3-22 "Peter's Sermon on the Prophet Like Moses"). Unlike the false prophets who spoke "in my name" without divine sanction, Jesus declared, "I have come in my Father's name" ([John 5:43](/john/5-43 "Jesus' Authority")), and His words were always in perfect alignment with the Father's will and truth. He Himself warned His disciples to "beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves" ([Matthew 7:15](/matthew/7-15 "Warning Against False Prophets")), echoing the very discernment called for in Jeremiah's day. The ultimate test of a prophet, as implied in Jeremiah 29:9, is whether their message aligns with God's revealed truth and character; Jesus, as the embodiment of truth, declared, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "Jesus is the Way, Truth, Life")). Furthermore, the Holy Spirit, whom Christ sent, guides believers "into all the truth" ([John 16:13](/john/16-13 "The Spirit of Truth")), empowering them to discern the true voice of God from any unauthorized, deceptive claims, thereby fulfilling the prophetic need for divine authentication.

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 27:15

For I have not sent them, saith the LORD, yet they prophesy a lie in my name; that I might drive you out, and that ye might perish, ye, and the prophets that prophesy unto you.

Jeremiah 29:31

Send to all them of the captivity, saying, Thus saith the LORD concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite; Because that Shemaiah hath prophesied unto you, and I sent him not, and he caused you to trust in a lie:

Jeremiah 29:23

Because they have committed villany in Israel, and have committed adultery with their neighbours' wives, and have spoken lying words in my name, which I have not commanded them; even I know, and [am] a witness, saith the LORD.