Jeremiah 23:13

“And I have seen folly in the prophets of Samaria, etc.] The ten tribes of Israel, among whom, in Ahab’s time there were many false prophets, Baal’s prophets, even four hundred and fifty; whose “folly” the Lord had formerly taken notice of; even their idolatry and impiety for giving into which the ten tribes had been carried captive years ago. The wordf476 here used signifies that which is “unsavoury”: something very unsavoury in their doctrines, and in their lives; they were as salt which has lost its savour and is good for nothing; to which bad ministers are compared, (<400513>Matthew 5:13). These words are to be read in connection with the following, and may be rendered, “indeed I have…”

“folly--literally, "insipidity," "unsavouriness" (Job 6:6), not having the salt of godliness (Col 4:6). in Baal--in the name of Baal; in connection with his worship (see Jer 2:8). caused . . . to err-- (Isa 9:16).”

“And I have seen folly ... - Rather, “Also I have seen.” The prophet contrasts the prophets of Samaria with those of Jerusalem. In the conduct of the former God saw folly (literally that which is insipid, as being unsalted). It was stupidity to prophesy by Baal, an idol. In Baal - i. e., in the name of Baal. return to 'Top of Page'”

“They prophesied - Pretending they had their instructions from Baal, and so caused the ten tribes to err, which then were called Israel in contradistinction to Judah. Jeremiah 23:16”

“23:13-14 Samaria, the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel, had been dominated by Baal worship supported by the government prophets (1 Kgs 18:19; see also Jer 16:12). The religious leaders of Judah were even worse. • Sodom and Gomorrah represented the worst of this kind of wickedness (Gen 18:20).”

“folly: or, an absurd thing, Heb. unsavoury prophets: Hos 9:7, Hos 9:8 prophesied: Jer 2:8; Kg1 18:18-21, Kg1 18:25-28, Kg1 18:40 and: Ch2 33:9; Isa 9:16 Jeremiah 23:14”