Jeremiah 23:15 Meaning and Explanation
“Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets; Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink the water of gall: for from the prophets of Jerusalem is profaneness gone forth into all the land.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God will punish the false prophets with bitter consequences.
The Context of Jeremiah 23:15
God's response to the corruption of verse 14.
What Does Jeremiah 23:15 Mean?
'Wormwood' and 'gall' are bitter substances used metaphorically for severe hardship. God will make the prophets experience the fruit of their own deception—not literally poison but the bitterness of judgment. This reverses their comfort: they promised ease and received ruin.
'Profaneness gone forth into all the land' from Jerusalem shows how false prophecy spreads from the center outward, corrupting the whole. The responsibility for this corruption traces back to the false prophets themselves, and that is what God addresses.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 23:15
What does Jeremiah 23:15 mean?
God will punish the false prophets with bitter consequences.
What is the context of Jeremiah 23:15?
God's response to the corruption of verse 14.