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Jeremiah 23:21

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 23:21 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “I sent not these prophets, yet they ran: I spake not unto them, yet they prophesied.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

I sent not these prophets, yet they ran: I spake not unto them, yet they prophesied.
Jeremiah 23:21 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 23

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
22But if they had stood in my council, then had they caused my people to hear my words, and had turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings.
23Am I a God at hand, saith Jehovah, and not a God afar off?
24Can any hide himself in secret places so that I shall not see him? saith Jehovah. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith Jehovah.
← Jeremiah 23:20Jeremiah 23:22 →
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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
“I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran, etc.] They might be sent of men, and be encouraged by them; but they were not sent of God: it is not only necessary that men employed in religious affairs should have an external call, in an orderly way, from the church of God; but also an internal call from the Lord himself; he qualifying them with gifts, putting his word into their mouths, and inclining their hearts to publish it; (see <580504> Hebrews 5:4,5); but these false prophets had no mission nor commission from the Lord, nor were they sent on any errand, or with any message from him; and yet they ran; showed great diligence and zeal, and made haste to tell the people what the Lord had…”
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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
“sent . . . spoken--sent" refers to the primary call: "spoken" to the subsequent charges given to be executed. A call is required, not only external, on the part of men, but also internal from God, that one should undertake a pastor's office [CALVIN].”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Ran - i. e., hurried to take upon them the responsibilites of the prophetic office. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“23:21-24 In this stanza, the Lord expressed his keen disappointment and disgust toward the false prophets.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Jer 23:32, Jer 14:14, Jer 27:15, Jer 28:15, Jer 29:9, Jer 29:31; Isa 6:8; Joh 20:21; Act 13:4; Rom 10:15 Jeremiah 23:22”
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Related study paths

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

Sources and verification