Jeremiah 5:31

KJV

The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love [to have it] so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?

KJV (with Strong's)

The prophets {H5030} prophesy {H5012} falsely {H8267}, and the priests {H3548} bear rule {H7287} by their means {H3027}; and my people {H5971} love {H157} to have it so: and what will ye do {H6213} in the end {H319} thereof?

Complete Jewish Bible

The prophets prophesy lies, the cohanim obey the prophets, and my people love it that way. But what will you do at the end of it all?

Berean Standard Bible

The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own authority. My people love it so, but what will you do in the end?

American Standard Version

the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 5:31 delivers a scathing indictment of Judah's spiritual and moral collapse on the eve of the Babylonian exile. It exposes a profound systemic corruption within the nation's spiritual leadership: the prophets deliver deliberate falsehoods, the priests exploit these deceptions to maintain their own power and influence, and, most tragically, God's own people not only tolerate but actively embrace these lies. The verse culminates in a chilling rhetorical question, forcing a confrontation with the inevitable and dire consequences of such widespread spiritual compromise and the willful rejection of divine truth.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is intricately woven into Jeremiah's broader prophetic denunciations against the kingdom of Judah and its capital, Jerusalem, particularly within chapters 5 and 6. These chapters meticulously detail the nation's pervasive sin and the impending, unavoidable divine judgment. Jeremiah's divine commission, as described earlier in the book, included a desperate search for righteousness within Jerusalem, as highlighted in [Jeremiah 5:1](/jeremiah/5-1 "Jeremiah 5:1 - Searching for Righteousness"). This search, however, yields only a society deeply entrenched in idolatry, social injustice, and outright spiritual rebellion, from the highest echelons of power to the common citizen. The preceding verses in chapter 5 lament a people who have "revolted and gone away" from their covenant God, refusing to acknowledge His sovereignty and instead pursuing their own corrupt ways. Jeremiah 5:31 specifically targets the very heart of spiritual authority—the prophets and priests—who were divinely appointed to be beacons of truth and moral guidance. Instead, they have become agents of deceit, thereby accelerating the nation's spiritual blindness and setting the stage for the severe judgment that unfolds throughout the book, culminating in the devastating [Babylonian captivity](/jeremiah/25-11 "Jeremiah 25:11 - Seventy Years of Captivity").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah's prophetic ministry unfolded during one of the most tumultuous periods in Judah's history, spanning the reigns of Kings Josiah, Jehoiakim, and Zedekiah, immediately preceding and during the Babylonian invasions. The nation found itself precariously positioned between the waning power of the Assyrian empire and the formidable rise of Babylon, facing immense political and military pressures. Spiritually, Judah was characterized by rampant syncretism, a dangerous blending of the worship of Yahweh with the idolatrous practices of surrounding pagan nations, alongside widespread social injustice and moral decay. The roles of prophets and priests were fundamentally crucial within Israelite society: prophets were intended to be God's direct spokespersons, faithfully delivering His unadulterated word, while priests were responsible for mediating between God and the people, teaching the Mosaic Law, and overseeing sacrificial rituals. However, during Jeremiah's time, many in these offices had become deeply corrupt, often aligning themselves with political powers or popular opinion rather than upholding divine truth. False prophets, in particular, frequently proclaimed messages of "peace, peace" when God had declared there was no peace, offering comforting lies that directly contradicted God's warnings of impending judgment, as vividly depicted in [Jeremiah 14:14](/jeremiah/14-14 "Jeremiah 14:14 - False Prophecies of Peace"). This pervasive cultural milieu of spiritual deception and moral compromise made the people tragically susceptible to the very falsehoods that Jeremiah so vehemently condemns.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 5:31 powerfully encapsulates several central themes that resonate throughout the entire book of Jeremiah. Firstly, it starkly highlights the theme of **Corrupt Leadership**, demonstrating how those entrusted with the most sacred spiritual authority—the prophets and priests—profoundly betrayed their divine mandate by propagating lies and exploiting the people for personal gain. This betrayal undermined the very foundation of Judah's covenant relationship with God. Secondly, the verse exposes the shocking reality of **Spiritual Apathy and Complicity**, revealing that God's own covenant people "love to have it so." This indicates not mere passive acceptance of deception but an active, affectionate embrace of comforting falsehoods over challenging truth, thereby demonstrating a profound resistance to repentance and a willful desire to persist in their sin. This deliberate spiritual blindness is a recurring motif in Scripture, mirroring the warnings found in [2 Timothy 4:3-4](/2_timothy/4-3-4 "2 Timothy 4:3-4 - People Will Not Endure Sound Doctrine") regarding those who accumulate teachers to cater to their "itching ears." Lastly, the chilling rhetorical question, "and what will ye do in the end thereof?", forcefully introduces the theme of **Inevitable Divine Judgment**. It serves as an inescapable reminder that spiritual compromise and the rejection of truth have ultimate, inescapable consequences, and a day of reckoning will assuredly come when all false foundations will crumble, leaving no refuge for those who have spurned God's truth.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **falsely (Hebrew, _sheqer'_):** This word (H8267) denotes an untruth, a lie, or deceit. It implies not merely an error or mistake, but a deliberate propagation of falsehood, often with malicious intent. When applied to the prophets, it signifies that their messages were not merely inaccurate but intentionally deceptive, designed to mislead, flatter, or pacify the people rather than to convey God's true, often challenging, word. This highlights a profound betrayal of their sacred office and a perversion of divine communication.
* **means (Hebrew, _yâd'_):** While primarily meaning "hand" (H3027), in this context, _yâd_ is used idiomatically to signify "power," "authority," "influence," or "instrumentality." The phrase "bear rule by their means" suggests that the priests were exercising their dominion or influence not according to divine law or righteous principles, but through the corrupt methods and deceptive messages of the false prophets. They leveraged the false prophecies as a tool or justification to maintain their own control, status, or financial gain, effectively using the prophets' lies as a means to solidify their unrighteous dominion over the people.
* **love (Hebrew, _ʼâhab'_):** This primitive root (H157) signifies to have affection for, to like, or to desire deeply. The startling revelation that "my people love [to have it] so" indicates a deep-seated preference and active embrace. It is not a passive acceptance of deception but an affectionate, willing embrace of it. The people preferred the soothing, undemanding messages of the false prophets and the corrupt leadership of the priests because it allowed them to continue in their sinful ways without conviction, repentance, or the discomfort of confronting God's truth. This reveals a profound spiritual depravity and a willful rejection of truth for the sake of comfort and self-indulgence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The prophets prophesy falsely,"**: This opening clause immediately identifies the primary source of spiritual corruption: those who claim to speak on behalf of God are, in fact, uttering lies. These are not genuine prophets delivering divine revelation but individuals whose messages are characterized by _sheqer_ (falsehood). Their words are not sourced from God but from their own imaginations, self-interest, or a desire to please the people, directly contradicting God's actual warnings and promises. This signifies a profound perversion of the prophetic office.
* **"and the priests bear rule by their means;"**: This part exposes the complicity and active participation of another critical spiritual office. The priests, who were divinely appointed to uphold the Law, teach righteousness, and mediate between God and the people, are instead collaborating with and benefiting from the false prophets. They are not governing or guiding righteously according to God's commands, but are exercising their authority and influence ("bear rule by their means") through the very falsehoods propagated by the prophets. This suggests a symbiotic relationship of corruption, where the lies of the prophets provide the justification, cover, or means for the priests' unrighteous dominion and self-serving actions.
* **"and my people love [to have it] so:"**: This is arguably the most shocking and tragic indictment in the verse. The people are not depicted as innocent victims of deception but as active, willing participants in their own spiritual downfall. They do not merely tolerate the lies and corrupt leadership; they _love_ it. This reveals a profound spiritual blindness, a deep-seated preference for a religion that affirms their sinful desires and offers false security, rather than challenging them to repentance, obedience, and genuine relationship with God. Their affection for falsehood underscores a willful rebellion against divine truth.
* **"and what will ye do in the end thereof?"**: This rhetorical question serves as a powerful, ominous, and inescapable warning. It forces the audience—both Jeremiah's contemporaries and readers throughout history—to confront the inevitable, dire consequences of their chosen path of spiritual compromise and willful deception. When God's promised judgment (the "end thereof") finally arrives, their false prophets, corrupt priests, and comforting lies will offer absolutely no refuge or escape. The question underscores their utter lack of preparation and the ultimate futility of their chosen delusion in the face of divine reckoning.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 5:31 employs several potent **Literary Devices** to convey its scathing message of spiritual decay and impending judgment. The most striking is the **Rhetorical Question**, "and what will ye do in the end thereof?" This question is not posed to elicit an answer, but rather to provoke profound introspection and highlight the utter hopelessness and lack of escape for a people who have so thoroughly embraced deception. It underscores the inevitability of divine judgment and the absence of any viable refuge. There is also profound **Irony** woven throughout the verse: those divinely appointed to speak God's truth (the prophets) speak falsehoods, and those meant to guide the people in righteousness (the priests) rule by corrupt means. The ultimate irony lies in the people's "love" for this very corruption, actively preferring comfortable lies to the challenging, life-giving truth. This paints a vivid picture of a society where spiritual values are completely inverted. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **Juxtaposition** to starkly contrast what should be (truthful prophecy, righteous leadership, and a people who love God's law) with what is (false prophecy, corrupt rule, and a people who embrace spiritual deception). This sharp contrast powerfully emphasizes the depth of Judah's apostasy and the severity of their spiritual condition.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 5:31 profoundly addresses the fundamental nature of truth, authority, and accountability within a covenant relationship with God. It reveals that spiritual corruption is not merely an external force imposed upon a people, but can be eagerly embraced by a populace that prefers self-deception and comforting narratives to divine confrontation and the demands of righteousness. The verse underscores God's unwavering commitment to absolute truth and His ultimate, just judgment against those who pervert it, as well as against those who willfully reject it. It highlights the perilous consequences of a spiritual leadership that prioritizes self-interest, popularity, or political expediency over their sacred divine mandate, and a populace that cultivates a deep-seated spiritual apathy, consistently choosing comfort over conviction. This pervasive spiritual blindness and complicity inevitably lead to a devastating "end," a day of reckoning where all false foundations are exposed and crumble, leaving no refuge.

* [Deuteronomy 18:20-22](/deuteronomy/18-20-22 "Deuteronomy 18:20-22 - Testing a Prophet and False Prophecy")
* [Isaiah 30:9-10](/isaiah/30-9-10 "Isaiah 30:9-10 - Rebellious People Rejecting God's Word")
* [Hosea 4:6](/hosea/4-6 "Hosea 4:6 - Destruction for Lack of Knowledge")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 5:31 stands as a timeless and urgent warning, compelling us to cultivate profound spiritual discernment and unwavering integrity in all matters of faith. It challenges believers to critically examine the messages they receive, the doctrines they embrace, and the leaders they follow, ensuring that all align unequivocally with God's uncompromised Word. For those in positions of spiritual leadership—pastors, teachers, elders—it serves as a sobering reminder of the immense, sacred responsibility to faithfully proclaim truth, even when it is unpopular, challenging, or demands personal sacrifice. True leadership is characterized by selfless devotion to God's will and the genuine spiritual well-being of the flock, never by leveraging influence for personal gain, popularity, or convenience. For every believer, the verse calls for an honest and searching self-assessment: Do we genuinely love God's truth, even when it convicts us, exposes our sin, and calls for radical change, or do we subtly gravitate towards comforting narratives that allow us to remain in spiritual complacency and avoid true repentance? The "end thereof" will inevitably reveal the true foundation upon which our faith is built and the authenticity of our walk with God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Am I actively seeking God's unvarnished truth from His Word, or do I unconsciously gravitate towards messages that confirm my existing biases or merely make me feel comfortable?**
* **How do I discern between genuine spiritual guidance that aligns with Scripture and messages that might be "prophesying falsely" or subtly leading astray?**
* **In what specific ways might I, or the Christian community I am a part of, be "loving to have it so" in areas of spiritual compromise, unaddressed sin, or doctrinal error?**
* **Considering the "end thereof," what are the potential long-term consequences of embracing spiritual falsehood or apathy in my own life, my family, or the church today?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean that "the prophets prophesy falsely"?**

Answer: This phrase means that the prophets in Judah were not delivering genuine messages from God but were instead speaking lies or deceptions. The Hebrew word for "falsely" (_sheqer_) implies deliberate untruth and deceit, often with a manipulative intent. These false prophets frequently proclaimed messages of peace and prosperity, directly contradicting God's true warnings of impending judgment, as seen in [Jeremiah 14:14](/jeremiah/14-14 "Jeremiah 14:14 - False Prophecies of Peace"). They were motivated by self-interest, a desire for popularity, or political alignment rather than by divine inspiration, leading the people further away from God.

**How did the priests "bear rule by their means"?**

Answer: The priests, who were divinely appointed to uphold God's Law and guide the people righteously, were instead exercising their authority and influence through the corrupt methods and false messages of the prophets. The phrase "by their means" (from the Hebrew _yâd_, meaning "hand" or "power") suggests they leveraged the prophets' lies as a tool or justification to maintain their own power, status, or wealth. They were complicit in the deception, using the false prophecies to justify their unrighteous rule and avoid challenging the people's sinful ways, effectively becoming partners in the spiritual corruption of the nation. Their rule was not by God's truth but by human deceit.

**Why did "my people love [to have it] so"?**

Answer: This is a shocking and tragic indictment, revealing the people's active complicity in their own spiritual downfall. They "loved" (from the Hebrew _ʼâhab_, to have affection for) the false messages and corrupt leadership because these provided comfort and allowed them to continue in their sins without conviction or the need for repentance. They preferred a religion that affirmed their desires and offered false security over the challenging, convicting truth of God's genuine word. This profound spiritual apathy and willful blindness prevented them from seeking true repentance and obedience, mirroring the desire for "itching ears" described in [2 Timothy 4:3](/2_timothy/4-3 "2 Timothy 4:3 - People Wanting Teachers to Tell Them What They Want to Hear").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 5:31, with its stark portrayal of corrupt spiritual leadership and a people who "love to have it so," finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound contrast in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the prophets of Jeremiah's day prophesied falsely, Jesus is the [Truth incarnate](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life"), the [Word made flesh](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"), who spoke only what He heard directly from the Father ([John 12:49-50](/john/12-49-50 "John 12:49-50 - Jesus Speaks the Father's Commands")). Unlike the priests who "bore rule by their means" through deception and self-interest, Jesus is our [Great High Priest](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14 - Our Great High Priest") who rules not by manipulation but by perfect righteousness, self-sacrifice, and divine authority, offering Himself as the [ultimate and perfect atonement for sin](/hebrews/9-28 "Hebrews 9:28 - Christ's Sacrifice for Sins"). The people of Judah loved their comfortable lies and preferred darkness, but Jesus came as the [true light](/john/3-19 "John 3:19 - Men Loved Darkness Rather Than Light") to expose darkness and call humanity to radical repentance and saving faith. His earthly ministry continually confronted the religious leaders of His day—the scribes and Pharisees—who were like the false prophets and corrupt priests of old, exposing their hypocrisy and their rejection of God's true message ([Matthew 23:13-36](/matthew/23-13-36 "Matthew 23:13-36 - Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees")). The "end thereof" for those who reject Christ is eternal separation from God and judgment, but for those who embrace Him, the "end" is eternal life, reconciliation, and salvation ([John 3:16-18](/john/3-16-18 "John 3:16-18 - God So Loved the World")). Jesus is the true Prophet, Priest, and King, who offers the unadulterated truth, righteous rule, and the only path to genuine peace and reconciliation with God.

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

Ezekiel 13:6

They have seen vanity and lying divination, saying, The LORD saith: and the LORD hath not sent them: and they have made [others] to hope that they would confirm the word.

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.

Micah 2:11

If a man walking in the spirit and falsehood do lie, [saying], I will prophesy unto thee of wine and of strong drink; he shall even be the prophet of this people.

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 Timothy 4:3

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

2 Timothy 4:4

And they shall turn away [their] ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.