Jeremiah 27:15 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 27:15 mean?

Jeremiah 27:15 says that God has not sent the prophets who are claiming to speak in His name, and that their false prophecies will lead to disaster for both the people and the prophets themselves. The verse warns that these lies will result in the people being driven out and destroyed.

In this verse, Jeremiah is speaking to the people of Judah, relaying a message from the LORD (Yahweh). The situation is tense: false prophets are telling the people what they want to hear, promising safety and deliverance, but Jeremiah insists these messages are not from God. God makes it clear that these prophets are lying, and that trusting them will only bring harm.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 27:15

• "sent" (שָׁלַח, shalach): This word means to send out or commission. Here, God emphasizes that He has not commissioned these prophets, so their authority is false.
• "prophesy" (נָבָא, nava): This is the act of declaring a message from God. The verse uses it twice to highlight the contrast between true and false prophecy.
• "lie" (שֶׁקֶר, sheqer): This word means a deliberate falsehood. God is not just saying the prophets are mistaken, but that they are intentionally deceiving the people.
• "out" (נָדַח, nadach): This word means to drive away or scatter. It shows the consequence of listening to false prophets: exile and loss.

Why Jeremiah 27:15 matters

• Jeremiah 27:15 clears up the misunderstanding that every religious leader or prophet who claims to speak for God is actually sent by Him; it warns that some may speak lies in God's name.
• The verse highlights the serious consequences of trusting false messages, showing that both the deceivers and those who follow them will suffer.
• This verse connects to the wider passage, where Jeremiah repeatedly warns the people not to listen to comforting but false promises, urging them to heed God’s true message even when it is difficult.