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;

JEREMIAH 23:26KJV
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Jeremiah 23:26 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 23:26 mean?

Jeremiah 23:26 asks how long false prophets will continue to keep lies in their hearts, accusing them of speaking not from God but from their own self-deception. The verse highlights that these prophets are driven by the deceit within themselves rather than by any true message from God.

In this verse, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking God’s words to the people of Judah, specifically confronting those who claim to speak for God but actually spread falsehoods. The situation is one of spiritual crisis, where many leaders are misleading the people. Jeremiah points out that the root problem is internal: these prophets are not just mistaken, but are intentionally holding onto deceitful thoughts and motivations.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 23:26

  • לֵב (lev; heart): This word refers to the inner self or mind, not just emotions but the whole inner life. Here, it emphasizes that the source of the lies is deep within the prophets themselves.
  • נָבִיא (navi; prophet): Used twice, this word stresses that those being addressed are recognized religious leaders, making their deception especially serious.
  • שֶׁקֶר (sheqer; lies): This word means falsehood or deception. Its use makes clear that these are not innocent mistakes, but deliberate untruths.
  • תַּרְמִית (tarmit; deceit): This word carries the sense of trickery or fraud. The verse singles out the prophets’ own deceitful intentions as the source of their false prophecies.

Why Jeremiah 23:26 matters

  • Jeremiah 23:26 clarifies that the problem with these prophets is not just error, but willful self-deception and dishonesty rooted in their own hearts.
  • The verse highlights the seriousness of spiritual leaders misusing their position, showing that their lies are not accidental but come from deliberate deceit.
  • In the wider context of Jeremiah 23, this verse helps explain why God is so strongly condemning the prophets: their false messages are not just wrong, but are intentionally misleading the people away from God’s truth.