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Jeremiah 23:17

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 23:17 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “They say continually unto them that despise me, Jehovah hath said, Ye shall have peace; and unto every one that walketh in the stubbornness of his own heart they say, No evil shall come upon you.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

They say continually unto them that despise me, Jehovah hath said, Ye shall have peace; and unto every one that walketh in the stubbornness of his own heart they say, No evil shall come upon you.
Jeremiah 23:17 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 23

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
14In the prophets of Jerusalem also I have seen a horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies; and they strengthen the hands of evil-doers, so that none doth return from his wickedness: they are all of them become unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah.
15Therefore thus saith Jehovah 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 ungodliness gone forth into all the land.
16Thus saith Jehovah of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they teach you vanity; they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of Jehovah.
17They say continually unto them that despise me, Jehovah hath said, Ye shall have peace; and unto every one that walketh in the stubbornness of his own heart they say, No evil shall come upon you.
18For who hath stood in the council of Jehovah, that he should perceive and hear his word? who hath marked my word, and heard it?
19Behold, the tempest of Jehovah, [even his] wrath, is gone forth, yea, a whirling tempest: it shall burst upon the head of the wicked.
20The anger of Jehovah shall not return, until he have executed, and till he have performed the intents of his heart: in the latter days ye shall understand it perfectly.
← Jeremiah 23:16Jeremiah 23:18 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“They say still unto them that despise me, etc.] That despised the word, worship, and ordinances of the Lord; with such mockers and scoffers at religion, such abandoned creatures, they associated themselves; finding that their prophecies and doctrines met with approbation and success among them. The Septuagint version is, “they say to them that put away the word of the Lord”; reject it, and cast it behind their backs; (see <441346> Acts 13:46); the Lord hath said, ye shall have peace; all manner of prosperity; that they should dwell in their own land, and not go into captivity, and enjoy the good things of it in peace and prosperity; this they pretended they had from the Lord; which was an…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“say still--Hebrew, "say in saying," that is, say incessantly. peace-- (Jer 6:14; Eze 13:10; Zac 10:2). imagination--Hebrew, "obstinacy." no evil-- (Mic 3:11).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Still - “Continually.” This verse gives the chief test by which the false prophet is to be detected, namely, that his predictions violate the laws of morality. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“23:17 These prophets lied to the people, assuring them that peace would soon come, even though they despise the Lord’s word. However, the Lord had already decreed destruction.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“that despise: Num 11:20; Sa1 2:30; Sa2 12:10; Mal 1:6; Luk 10:16; Th1 4:8 Ye: Jer 4:10, Jer 6:14, Jer 8:11, Jer 14:13, Jer 14:14, Jer 28:3-9; Isa 3:10, Isa 3:11, Isa 57:21; Lam 2:14; Eze 13:10, Eze 13:15, Eze 13:16, Eze 13:22; Mic 3:5, Mic 3:11; Zac 10:2 imagination: or, stubbornness, Jer 3:17, Jer 7:24, Jer 9:14, Jer 13:10; Deu 29:19 No: Jer 18:18; Amo 9:10; Mic 3:11; Zep 1:12 Jeremiah 23:18”
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Related study paths

Read Jeremiah 23 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification