Jeremiah 23:31
New International Version
Yes,” declares the LORD, “I am against the prophets who wag their own tongues and yet declare, ‘The LORD declares.’

New Living Translation
I am against these smooth-tongued prophets who say, ‘This prophecy is from the LORD!’

English Standard Version
Behold, I am against the prophets, declares the LORD, who use their tongues and declare, ‘declares the LORD.’

Berean Standard Bible
“Yes,” declares the LORD, “I am against the prophets who wag their own tongues and proclaim, ‘The LORD declares it.’”

King James Bible
Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that use their tongues, and say, He saith.

New King James Version
Behold, I am against the prophets,” says the LORD, “who use their tongues and say, ‘He says.’

New American Standard Bible
Behold, I am against the prophets,” declares the LORD, “who use their tongues and declare, ‘The Lord declares!’

NASB 1995
“Behold, I am against the prophets,” declares the LORD, “who use their tongues and declare, ‘The Lord declares.’

NASB 1977
“Behold, I am against the prophets,” declares the LORD, “who use their tongues and declare, ‘The Lord declares.’

Legacy Standard Bible
Behold, I am against the prophets,” declares Yahweh, “who take their tongues and declare, ‘Yahweh declares.’

Amplified Bible
Hear this, I am against the prophets,” says the LORD, “who use their [own deceitful] tongues and say, ‘Thus says the Lord.’

Christian Standard Bible
I am against the prophets”—the LORD’s declaration—“who use their own tongues to make a declaration.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I am against the prophets"—the LORD’s declaration—"who use their own tongues to make a declaration.

American Standard Version
Behold, I am against the prophets, saith Jehovah, that use their tongues, and say, He saith.

English Revised Version
Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that use their tongues, and say, He saith.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"I'm against the prophets who speak their own thoughts and say that they speak for me.

Good News Translation
I am also against those prophets who speak their own words and claim they came from me.

International Standard Version
Look, I'm against the prophets," declares the LORD, "who use their tongues to issue a declaration.

Majority Standard Bible
“Yes,” declares the LORD, “I am against the prophets who wag their own tongues and proclaim, ‘The LORD declares it.’”

NET Bible
I, the LORD, affirm that I am opposed to those prophets who are using their own tongues to declare, 'The LORD declares. . ..'

New Heart English Bible
Look, I am against the prophets,' says the LORD, 'who use their tongues, and say, "He says."

Webster's Bible Translation
Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that use their tongues, and say, He saith.

World English Bible
Behold, I am against the prophets,” says Yahweh, “who use their tongues, and say, ‘He says.’
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Behold, I [am] against the prophets,” "" A declaration of YHWH, "" “Who are making their tongue smooth, "" And they affirm—an affirmation.

Young's Literal Translation
Lo, I am against the prophets, An affirmation of Jehovah, Who are making smooth their tongue, And they affirm -- an affirmation.

Smith's Literal Translation
Behold me against the prophets, says Jehovah, taking their tongue, and they will mutter an oracle.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Behold I am against the prophets, saith the Lord: who use their tongues, and say: The Lord saith it.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Behold, I am against the prophets, says the Lord, who take up their tongues and say: ‘The Lord says it.’

New American Bible
Yes, I am against the prophets—oracle of the LORD—those who compose their own speeches and call them oracles.

New Revised Standard Version
See, I am against the prophets, says the LORD, who use their own tongues and say, “Says the LORD.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Behold, I am against the prophets, says the LORD, who pervert their tongues, and say, Thus says the LORD.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Behold, I am against the Prophets, says LORD JEHOVAH, who pervert their tongues and they are saying: ‘LORD JEHOVAH says so!’
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that use there tongues and say: 'He saith.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Behold, I am against the prophets that put forth prophecies of mere words, and slumber their sleep.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Lying Prophets
30“Therefore behold,” declares the LORD, “I am against the prophets who steal from one another words they attribute to Me.” 31“Yes,” declares the LORD, “I am against the prophets who wag their own tongues and proclaim, ‘The LORD declares it.’” 32“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.…

Cross References
Deuteronomy 18:20
But if any prophet dares to speak a message in My name that I have not commanded him to speak, or to speak in the name of other gods, that prophet must be put to death.”

Ezekiel 13:6-7
They see false visions and speak lying divinations. They claim, ‘Thus declares the LORD,’ when the LORD did not send them; yet they wait for the fulfillment of their message. / Haven’t you seen a false vision and spoken a lying divination when you proclaim, ‘Thus declares the LORD,’ even though I have not spoken?

Matthew 7:15
Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

2 Peter 2:1
Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.

1 John 4:1
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Isaiah 30:10
They say to the seers, “Stop seeing visions!” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us the truth! Speak to us pleasant words; prophesy illusions.

Micah 3:5
This is what the LORD says: “As for the prophets who lead My people astray, who proclaim peace while they chew with their teeth, but declare war against one who puts nothing in their mouths:

Matthew 24:11
and many false prophets will arise and deceive many.

2 Corinthians 11:13-15
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. / And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. / It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions.

Revelation 19:20
But the beast was captured along with the false prophet, who on its behalf had performed signs deceiving those who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. Both the beast and the false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.

Zechariah 13:3
And if anyone still prophesies, his father and mother who bore him will say to him, ‘You shall not remain alive, because you have spoken falsely in the name of the LORD.’ When he prophesies, his father and mother who bore him will pierce him through.

Acts 20:29-30
I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. / Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them.

1 Timothy 4:1-2
Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons, / influenced by the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences are seared with a hot iron.

Romans 16:17-18
Now I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Turn away from them. / For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

2 Timothy 4:3-4
For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. / So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.


Treasury of Scripture

Behold, I am against the prophets, said the LORD, that use their tongues, and say, He said.

use.

Isaiah 30:10
Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:

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.

he.

Jeremiah 23:17
They say still unto them that despise me, The LORD hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you.

2 Chronicles 18:5,10-12,19-21
Therefore the king of Israel gathered together of prophets four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall we go to Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for God will deliver it into the king's hand…

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Jeremiah 23
1. He prophesies a restoration of the scattered flock.
5. Christ shall rule and save them.
9. Against false prophets;
33. and mockers of the true prophets.














Yes
This word serves as a divine affirmation, emphasizing the certainty and seriousness of the message that follows. In Hebrew, the word often translated as "yes" is "הִנֵּה" (hinneh), which can also mean "behold" or "lo." It is a call to attention, urging the listener to focus on the gravity of God's forthcoming declaration. This sets the tone for the divine judgment that is about to be pronounced.

declares the LORD
The phrase "declares the LORD" is a common prophetic formula in the Hebrew Bible, often rendered from the Hebrew "נְאֻם־יְהוָה" (ne'um-YHWH). It signifies that the message is not of human origin but is a direct communication from God Himself. This underscores the authority and authenticity of the prophecy, reminding the audience that the words carry the weight of divine truth and are not to be taken lightly.

I am against the prophets
Here, God expresses His opposition to certain prophets. The Hebrew word for "against" is "אֶל" (el), which conveys a sense of confrontation or opposition. This is a strong statement indicating that these prophets are not merely misguided but are actively working against God's purposes. Historically, false prophets were a significant problem in ancient Israel, leading people astray with messages that contradicted God's true word.

who wag their own tongues
The imagery of "wagging tongues" suggests deceit and manipulation. The Hebrew root "נָעַר" (na'ar) can mean to shake or move, implying that these prophets are speaking of their own volition, without divine inspiration. This phrase highlights the self-serving nature of their messages, as they speak not from God but from their own desires and imaginations.

and declare
The act of declaring in this context is a false proclamation. The Hebrew word "אָמַר" (amar) is used, which means to say or speak. However, in this context, it is used ironically, as these prophets claim to speak for God but are actually spreading falsehoods. This serves as a warning against the dangers of presuming to speak on behalf of God without His true guidance.

'The LORD declares it.'
This phrase is the false claim made by the deceitful prophets. They misuse the divine formula "נְאֻם־יְהוָה" (ne'um-YHWH) to lend credibility to their own words. This is a grave offense, as it involves taking the Lord's name in vain and misleading the people. In a conservative Christian perspective, this serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of discernment and the need to test all teachings against the truth of Scripture. It underscores the responsibility of those who claim to speak for God to ensure that their messages align with His revealed word.

(31) That use their tongues, and say, He saith.--Literally, that take their tongues. There is no adequate evidence for the marginal rendering "that smooth their tongues." The scornful phrase indicates the absence of a true inspiration. These false prophets plan their schemes, and take their tongue as an instrument for carrying them into effect. The formula which they used, "He saith," was not the word for common speaking, but that which indicated that the speaker was delivering an oracle from God. (See Note on Jeremiah 23:17.) Elsewhere the word is only used of God, but the prophet, in his stern irony, uses it of the false prophets, they say oracularly. This is an oracle.

Verse 31. - That use their tongues; literally, that take their tongue, like a workman's tool - as if prophecy could be turned out to order. And say, He saith. The word rendered "he saith" is one which the prophets habitually used to affirm the revealed character of their teaching. It is the participle of the verb rendered "say." Adopting a Miltonic verb, we might render, and oracle oracles." The "false prophets" adopt the same forms as the true; but they are to them only forms.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“Yes,”
הִנְנִ֥י (hin·nî)
Interjection | first person common singular
Strong's 2005: Lo! behold!

declares
נְאֻם־ (nə·’um-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5002: An oracle

the LORD,
יְהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

“I am against
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the prophets
הַנְּבִיאִ֖ם (han·nə·ḇî·’im)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5030: A spokesman, speaker, prophet

who wag
הַלֹּקְחִ֣ים (hal·lō·qə·ḥîm)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 3947: To take

their own tongues
לְשׁוֹנָ֔ם (lə·šō·w·nām)
Noun - common singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 3956: The tongue

and proclaim,
וַֽיִּנְאֲמ֖וּ (way·yin·’ă·mū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5001: To utter a prophecy, speak as a prophet

‘[The Lord] declares [it].’”
נְאֻֽם׃ (nə·’um)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5002: An oracle


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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 23:31 Behold I am against the prophets says (Jer.)
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