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 14:14KJVWhat 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.