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Jeremiah 23:30

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 23:30 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith Jehovah, that steal my words every one from his neighbor.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith Jehovah, that steal my words every one from his neighbor.
Jeremiah 23:30 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 23

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
27that think to cause my people to forget my name by their dreams which they tell every man to his neighbor, as their fathers forgat my name for Baal.
28The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the straw to the wheat? saith Jehovah.
29Is not my word like fire? saith Jehovah; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?
30Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith Jehovah, that steal my words every one from his neighbor.
31Behold, I am against the prophets, saith Jehovah, that use their tongues, and say, He saith.
32Behold, I am against them that prophesy lying dreams, saith Jehovah, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their vain boasting: yet I sent them not, nor commanded them; neither do they profit this people at all, saith Jehovah.
33And when this people, or the prophet, or a priest, shall ask thee, saying, What is the burden of Jehovah? then shalt thou say unto them, What burden! I will cast you off, saith Jehovah.
← Jeremiah 23:29Jeremiah 23:31 →
← 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
“Therefore, behold, I [am] against the prophets, saith the Lord, etc.] The false prophets, with whom the Lord was displeased; he set himself against them, and was determined to bring wrath and ruin on them. So the Targum, “therefore, behold, I send my fury against the false prophets;” that steal my word, or “words”f499, everyone from his neighbour; either from the true prophets; beginning their prophecies as they did, with a “thus saith the Lord”; and mingling some words and phrases used by them, the better to ingratiate themselves among the people, and that they might be taken for the prophets of the Lord; as Pelagius, Austin says, used the word “grace”, the better to hide his sentiments,…”
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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
“steal my words--a twofold plagiarism; one steals from the other, and all steal words from Jehovah's true prophets, but misapply them (see Jer 28:2; Joh 10:1; Rev 22:19).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Jeremiah gives in succession the main characteristics of the teaching of the false prophets. The first is that they steal God’s words from one another. Having no message from God, they try to imitate the true prophets. 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
“That steal - That conspire together what to say to deceive the people, and so steal what they say one from another. Jeremiah 23:31”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“23:30-32 The Lord rebuked and opposed the prophets who spoke lies in his name.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Jer 14:14, Jer 14:15, Jer 44:11, Jer 44:29; Lev 20:3, Lev 26:17; Deu 18:20, Deu 29:20; Psa 34:16; Eze 13:8, Eze 13:20, Eze 15:7; Pe1 3:12 Jeremiah 23:31”
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Related study paths

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

Sources and verification