Jeremiah 23:32 Meaning and Explanation
“Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the LORD, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the LORD.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The false prophets harm rather than help; they profit themselves while the people gain nothing.
The Context of Jeremiah 23:32
God summarizes the entire problem of false prophecy and its consequence.
What Does Jeremiah 23:32 Mean?
'Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the LORD, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness'—'lightness' suggests both frivolity and instability, unreliability. These prophets are not authorized by God ('Yet I sent them not, nor commanded them') but they act as if they are.
'Therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the LORD.' This is the final word: false prophecy yields no real benefit. It may feel comforting in the moment (peace, false security) but when judgment comes and truth emerges, it will have delivered nothing. The people will suffer the consequences of having believed lies.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 23:32
What does Jeremiah 23:32 mean?
The false prophets harm rather than help; they profit themselves while the people gain nothing.
What is the context of Jeremiah 23:32?
God summarizes the entire problem of false prophecy and its consequence.