Jeremiah 23:14 Meaning and Explanation
“I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness: they are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jerusalem's false prophets are morally corrupt and enable evil by their deception.
The Context of Jeremiah 23:14
Jeremiah now addresses his own time and place: the spiritual failure is present.
What Does Jeremiah 23:14 Mean?
The charge 'they commit adultery, and walk in lies' combines personal moral failure with professional deception. These are not confused prophets but corrupt ones—they break covenant (adultery) and speak untruth (lies) as their standard practice. Worse, 'they strengthen also the hands of evildoers'—their lies give confidence to the wicked.
'That none doth return from his wickedness' shows the damage: by affirming evildoers and offering false hope, they prevent repentance. This is not benign falsehood but active corruption. The final comparison—'unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah'—is extreme: Jerusalem's spiritual state mirrors that of the most famously wicked cities in Israel's memory.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 23:14
What does Jeremiah 23:14 mean?
Jerusalem's false prophets are morally corrupt and enable evil by their deception.
What is the context of Jeremiah 23:14?
Jeremiah now addresses his own time and place: the spiritual failure is present.