Attributed commentary excerpt
John Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 23:13
A historical reference excerpt for this verse. Read it alongside the biblical text and other available sources.
Exposition of the Old and New Testament
John Gill (1697–1771) · 18th-century historical commentary
Source: BibleWord.ai's local reference edition of this named work.
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 seen folly in the prophets of Samaria”; of Israel in times past; “but I have seen in the prophets of Jerusalem”f477 that which is far worse; and therefore they must not expect to escape; or, as the Syriac version, “as I have seen in the prophets of Samaria--so have I seen in the prophets of Jerusalem”, etc. so that here is a comparison run between them; and the latter are represented as worse than the former, though they were bad enough; as follows: for they prophesied in Baal; in the name of Baal, whose prophets they were; so the Targum, “they prophesied in the name of idols:” or, “they prophesied by Baal”, as the Septuagint versionf478; they pretended to be inspired by him, and to receive their prophecies from him: or, “they prophesied concerning Baal”; what he would do for them, for those that worshipped him. The Arabic version is, “they prophesied in my name to Baal”; which seems to be foreign from the sense of the place: and caused my people Israel to err; by following their directions and instructions, and worshipping Baal.
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