For I have not sent them, saith the LORD, yet they prophesy a lie in my name; that I might drive you out, and that ye might perish, ye, and the prophets that prophesy unto you.

JEREMIAH 27:15KJV
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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.

Where else these words appear

“out” Hebrew H5080 · used in 51 verses

  • Deuteronomy 4:19 And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven.
  • Nehemiah 1:9 But if ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments, and do them; though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set my name there.
  • Jeremiah 29:14 And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.

“prophesy” 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.

“lie” Hebrew H8267 · used in 109 verses

  • Exodus 5:9 Let there more work be laid upon the men, that they may labour therein; and let them not regard vain words.
  • Psalms 144:8 Whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood.
  • Jeremiah 7:9 Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not;