Jeremiah 5:31

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?

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?

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?

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?

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 on Jeremiah 5:31 (KJV)

Jeremiah 5:31 delivers a scathing indictment of the spiritual and moral decay rampant in Judah during the prophet Jeremiah's ministry, just prior to the Babylonian exile. This verse powerfully exposes a threefold corruption: the deceit of the prophets, the complicity of the priests, and the willing acceptance of the people, culminating in a stark warning about the inevitable consequences.

Context

This verse is situated within a larger section of Jeremiah (chapters 5-6) where the prophet meticulously details the sins of Judah and Jerusalem, explaining why God's judgment is imminent. Jeremiah has been commanded to search for a righteous person in the city, but finds none. The people, from the least to the greatest, are steeped in idolatry, injustice, and spiritual rebellion. The religious leaders, who should have been guides to truth, have become part of the problem. This verse specifically highlights the tragic spiritual state where truth is scorned and falsehood embraced, setting the stage for the severe judgment described throughout the book, including the Babylonian captivity.

Key Themes

  • Corrupt Leadership: The verse first condemns the "prophets" who "prophesy falsely." These were not true messengers of God but rather those who spoke lies, offering comforting words of peace and prosperity when God was proclaiming judgment (e.g., Jeremiah 14:14). They misled the people for personal gain or popularity.
  • Priesthood's Complicity: The "priests bear rule by their means" indicates that the religious authorities, who were supposed to uphold the Law and guide the people in righteousness, had become partners in this deception. They leveraged the false prophecies to maintain their power, influence, and perhaps wealth, effectively exploiting the people's spiritual ignorance or desire for easy answers.
  • People's Apathy and Acceptance: The most shocking revelation is that "my people love [to have it] so." This isn't a case of innocent deception; the populace preferred the soothing lies of the false prophets and corrupt priests over the harsh, convicting truth of God's genuine word. They found comfort in a religion that allowed them to continue in their sins without consequence, highlighting a profound spiritual apathy and a rejection of true repentance. This mirrors the warning in 2 Timothy 4:3 about people desiring teachers who will tell them what their "itching ears" want to hear.
  • Inevitable Judgment: The rhetorical question, "and what will ye do in the end thereof?" serves as a powerful and ominous warning. It challenges the people to consider the ultimate outcome of their spiritual compromise and moral decay. When God's promised judgment inevitably falls, their false sense of security will vanish, and they will have no refuge or excuse. This points to a coming day of reckoning for those who reject truth and embrace falsehood.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "prophesy falsely" comes from the Hebrew word sheqer (שֶׁקֶר), meaning "falsehood," "lie," or "deceit." It emphasizes that these prophets were not merely mistaken, but deliberately propagating lies. The people's desire for this deceit is captured by "love [to have it] so," indicating a deep-seated preference for comfort over challenging truth, a condition of spiritual blindness where they actively chose to live in delusion.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 5:31 serves as a timeless warning for all generations. It underscores the critical importance of discernment in spiritual matters. Believers are called to test all things and hold fast to that which is good (1 Thessalonians 5:21). This verse challenges both leaders and followers:

  • For Leaders: It is a call to integrity and faithfulness in proclaiming God's uncompromised truth, regardless of popularity or personal gain. True spiritual leadership prioritizes God's word over human desires.
  • For Followers: It emphasizes the responsibility to actively seek and embrace biblical truth, even when it is uncomfortable or challenging. We must guard against the temptation to prefer comforting lies or easy religion that does not call for genuine repentance and obedience. The "end thereof" will inevitably reveal the true foundation of our faith.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.
  • 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.

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