The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?

JEREMIAH 5:31KJV
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Jeremiah 5:31 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 5:31 mean?

Jeremiah 5:31 describes a situation where the prophets are giving false messages, the priests are ruling in their own way, and the people actually prefer it that way; the verse ends with a warning question about what will happen to them in the end. This verse highlights a complete breakdown of spiritual leadership and the people's willingness to accept it.

In this verse, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking to the people of Judah during a time of widespread corruption. He points out that both the prophets (who should speak for God) and the priests (who should guide worship and law) are acting unfaithfully, and the people are not only tolerating it but actually loving it. The final question challenges the people to consider the consequences of this situation.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 5:31

  • "Prophesy" (נָבָא, nava): This word means to speak as a prophet, usually with the sense of delivering a message from God. Here, it is paired with "falsely" to show that the messages are not truly from God.
  • "Falsely" (שֶׁקֶר, sheqer): This word means a lie or deception. Jeremiah uses it to make clear that the prophets' messages are not just mistaken, but deliberately untrue.
  • "Rule" (רָדָה, radah): This word means to have dominion or to rule over. The verse says the priests "bear rule by their means," suggesting they are using their own authority or power, not God's.
  • "Means" (יָד, yad): Literally "hand," this word often means power or ability. The priests are ruling by their own strength or influence, not by God's guidance.
  • "Love" (אָהַב, ahav): This word means to love or have affection for. The people are not just passively accepting the false leadership—they actually desire it.

Why Jeremiah 5:31 matters

  • Jeremiah 5:31 clears up the idea that the people were simply victims; it shows they were willingly participating in the corruption by loving the false leadership.
  • The verse emphasizes that the problem was not just with the leaders but with the entire community, making the coming judgment a response to everyone's choices.
  • This verse connects to the wider passage by showing how deep the unfaithfulness ran in Judah, setting up the seriousness of the warning that follows.

Where else these words appear

“rule” Hebrew H7287 · used in 25 verses

  • Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
  • Judges 14:9 And he took thereof in his hands, and went on eating, and came to his father and mother, and he gave them, and they did eat: but he told not them that he had taken the honey out of the carcase of the lion.
  • Psalms 72:8 He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.

“end” Hebrew H319 · used in 60 verses

  • Genesis 49:1 And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days.
  • Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
  • Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

“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 20:6 And thou, Pashur, and all that dwell in thine house shall go into captivity: and thou shalt come to Babylon, and there thou shalt die, and shalt be buried there, thou, and all thy friends, to whom thou hast prophesied lies.
  • 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.

“falsely” 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 8:8 How do ye say, We are wise, and the law of the LORD is with us? Lo, certainly in vain made he it; the pen of the scribes is in vain.