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Jeremiah 23:18

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 23:18 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For who hath stood in the council of Jehovah, that he should perceive and hear his word? who hath marked my word, and heard it?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For who hath stood in the council of Jehovah, that he should perceive and hear his word? who hath marked my word, and heard it?
Jeremiah 23:18 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 23

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
21I sent not these prophets, yet they ran: I spake not unto them, yet they prophesied.
← Jeremiah 23:17Jeremiah 23:19 →
← Full Chapter 23 Jeremiah Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“For who hath stood in the counsel of the Lord, etc.] These are either the words of the Prophet Jeremiah; signifying that none of the false prophets were of God’s privy council, or were acquainted with his secrets, that they could tell the people they should have peace, and no evil come upon them; this they said, not from divine revelation, but from the imagination of their own hearts; for though the Lord does nothing but he reveals it to his servants, the prophets; yet not to men of such bad principles and wicked lives as they were: or rather these are the words of the false prophets; either taking this to themselves, that they were of God’s privy council, and knew his secrets, and ask who…”
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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
“A reason is given why the false prophets should not be heeded: They have not stood in the counsels of Jehovah (an image from ministers present in a standing posture at councils of Eastern kings) (compare Jer 23:22; Job 15:8). The spiritual man alone has the privilege (Gen 18:17; Psa 25:14; Amo 3:7; Joh 15:15; Co1 2:16).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The prophet now applies this test to the circumstances of the times. A whirlwind has already gone forth Jeremiah 23:19. Had these false prophets stood in God’s secret “Council” (so in Jeremiah 23:22), they like Jeremiah would have labored to avert the danger by turning men from their evil way. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“For who - Which of those prophets, that prophesy such terrible things against this city is a privy - counsellor to God? The words seem to be the words of the false prophets. Jeremiah 23:20”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“23:18-19 These prophets invented their messages (23:16); they had never been in the Lord’s presence, and none of them cared enough to listen to God’s instruction.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“who: Jer 23:22; Kg1 22:24; Job 15:8-10; Ch2 18:23; Isa 40:13, Isa 40:14; Co1 2:16 counsel: or, secret, Psa 25:14; Amo 3:7; Joh 15:15 Jeremiah 23:19”
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Related study paths

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

Sources and verification