Jeremiah 23:21 Meaning and Explanation
“I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The false prophets run and prophecy without any commission from God.
The Context of Jeremiah 23:21
God directly repudiates the false prophets' authority.
What Does Jeremiah 23:21 Mean?
'I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran' captures the self-directed nature of false prophecy. 'Ran' suggests urgency and eagerness—they are motivated to prophesy but lack authorization. 'I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied' completes the picture: they invented words and presented them as if from God.
This is the fundamental disqualification. A prophet is by definition one God has sent and to whom God has spoken. These prophets are imposters—they have the position and the claim but lack the calling and the message.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 23:21
What does Jeremiah 23:21 mean?
The false prophets run and prophecy without any commission from God.
What is the context of Jeremiah 23:21?
God directly repudiates the false prophets' authority.