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 14:14KJV
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Jeremiah 14:14 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 14:14 mean?

Jeremiah 14:14 says that God is telling Jeremiah the prophets in Judah are lying when they claim to speak for Him; God did not send them, command them, or speak to them, and their messages are false, made up from their own minds. These so-called prophets are misleading people with fake visions, empty predictions, and their own deceitful ideas.

In this verse, the LORD (God) is speaking directly to Jeremiah, explaining why the people are hearing messages that do not come from Him. The situation is that Judah is suffering, and many prophets are claiming to have God's word about what will happen, but God makes it clear to Jeremiah that these prophets are not genuine. The verse emphasizes that their messages are not just mistaken but deliberately false, coming from their own hearts rather than from God.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 14:14

  • "Lies" (שֶׁקֶר, sheqer): This word means deliberate falsehood or deception. God is not accusing the prophets of being simply mistaken; He says they are knowingly spreading untruths.
  • "Divination" (קֶסֶם, qesem): This term refers to practices of trying to predict the future or gain secret knowledge through forbidden spiritual means. God is pointing out that these prophets are not just wrong, but are using methods He does not approve of.
  • "A thing of nought" (אֶלִיל, elil): This phrase means something worthless or empty, highlighting that what the prophets are offering has no real value or substance.
  • "Deceit of their heart" (תַּרְמִית לִבָּם, tarmit libbam): This phrase shows that the source of these prophecies is the prophets' own self-deception or trickery, not any message from God.

Why Jeremiah 14:14 matters

  • Jeremiah 14:14 clears up that not everyone who claims to speak for God actually does; even religious leaders can be self-serving or deceptive.
  • The verse highlights God's concern for truth and the seriousness of claiming divine authority without it, which is a major theme in Jeremiah.
  • This verse helps explain why the people of Judah are confused and misled, setting up the need for real prophets like Jeremiah who actually speak God's words.

Where else these words appear

“deceit” Hebrew H8649 · used in 6 verses

  • Judges 9:31 And he sent messengers unto Abimelech privily, saying, Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his brethren be come to Shechem; and, behold, they fortify the city against thee.
  • Psalms 119:118 Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood.
  • Jeremiah 23:26 How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies? yea, they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart;

“divination” Hebrew H7081 · used in 11 verses

  • Numbers 22:7 And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came unto Balaam, and spake unto him the words of Balak.
  • 1 Samuel 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
  • 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.

“nought” Hebrew H457 · used in 18 verses

  • Leviticus 19:4 Turn ye not unto idols, nor make to yourselves molten gods: I am the LORD your God.
  • Psalms 97:7 Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods.
  • Isaiah 19:1 The burden of Egypt. Behold, the LORD rideth upon a swift cloud, and shall come into Egypt: and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at his presence, and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst of it.

“vision” Hebrew H2377 · used in 34 verses

  • 1 Samuel 3:1 And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.
  • Ezekiel 12:22 Son of man, what is that proverb that ye have in the land of Israel, saying, The days are prolonged, and every vision faileth?
  • Daniel 8:26 And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days.