I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied.

JEREMIAH 23:21KJV
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Jeremiah 23:21 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 23:21 mean?

Jeremiah 23:21 describes how God did not send certain prophets, yet they took it upon themselves to act as if He had, delivering messages that did not come from Him. The verse highlights that these prophets acted on their own initiative, claiming divine authority without actually receiving it.

In this verse, God is speaking through Jeremiah to the people of Judah. The situation is one where many false prophets are spreading messages that contradict what God has truly said, often giving the people false hope or misleading them. Jeremiah 23:21 makes clear that these prophets were not authorized by God, and their so-called prophecies were not genuine revelations.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 23:21

  • "sent" (שָׁלַח, shalach): This word means to send out or commission. Here, it emphasizes that God did not give these prophets any mission or authority to speak for Him.
  • "ran" (רוּץ, ruts): Often understood as hurrying or rushing, this word paints a picture of eagerness or ambition. The prophets were quick to act, even though God had not given them a message.
  • "spoken" (דָּבַר, dabar): This word refers to speaking or declaring. God is stressing that He did not communicate with these prophets, so their messages lack true authority.
  • "prophesied" (נָבָא, nava): This means to speak as a prophet or claim to deliver a divine message. The verse points out that these individuals claimed to prophesy, but their words did not come from God.

Why Jeremiah 23:21 matters

  • Jeremiah 23:21 clears up the idea that not everyone who claims to speak for God actually does; authority to speak on God's behalf must come from Him, not from personal ambition or self-appointment.
  • The verse highlights the problem of false prophets in Jeremiah’s time, showing how their unauthorized messages could mislead people and cause harm.
  • In the wider context of Jeremiah 23, this verse helps explain why God is so critical of these prophets and why He warns the people to be discerning about whom they listen to.

Where else these words appear

“ran” Hebrew H7323 · used in 92 verses

  • Genesis 18:2 And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,
  • 2 Samuel 18:22 Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok yet again to Joab, But howsoever, let me, I pray thee, also run after Cushi. And Joab said, Wherefore wilt thou run, my son, seeing that thou hast no tidings ready?
  • Esther 8:14 So the posts that rode upon mules and camels went out, being hastened and pressed on by the king's commandment. And the decree was given at Shushan the palace.

“prophesied” Hebrew H5012 · used in 102 verses

  • Numbers 11:25 And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease.
  • Jeremiah 20:1 Now Pashur the son of Immer the priest, who was also chief governor in the house of the LORD, heard that Jeremiah prophesied these things.
  • Ezekiel 13:16 To wit, the prophets of Israel which prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and which see visions of peace for her, and there is no peace, saith the Lord GOD.