Question 1

What does Jeremiah 23:21 mean?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 2

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 23:21

Accepted Answer

"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.

Question 3

Why Jeremiah 23:21 matters

Accepted Answer

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.

Jeremiah 23:21 (KJV)