King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 23:13 Mean?

Jeremiah 23:13 in the King James Version says “And I have seen folly in the prophets of Samaria; they prophesied in Baal, and caused my people Israel to err. folly: or...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And I have seen folly in the prophets of Samaria; they prophesied in Baal, and caused my people Israel to err. folly: or, an absurd thing: Heb. unsavoury”

Jeremiah 23:13 · KJV

Context

11

For both prophet and priest are profane; yea, in my house have I found their wickedness, saith the LORD.

12

Wherefore their way shall be unto them as slippery ways in the darkness: they shall be driven on, and fall therein: for I will bring evil upon them, even the year of their visitation, saith the LORD.

13

And I have seen folly in the prophets of Samaria; they prophesied in Baal, and caused my people Israel to err. folly: or, an absurd thing: Heb. unsavoury

14

I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness: they are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah. an: or, filthiness

15

Therefore thus saith the LORD 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 profaneness gone forth into all the land. profaneness: or, hypocrisy

Read Jeremiah 23 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
I have seen folly in the prophets of Samaria—tiphlah (תִּפְלָה) means unsavoriness, tastelessness, or moral insipidity. God uses deliberately mild language for Samaria's prophets compared to what follows for Jerusalem's. They prophesied in Baal (ba-Ba'al, בַּבַּעַל)—literally 'by Baal' or 'in the name of Baal,' meaning they claimed divine authority for the Canaanite storm god. And caused my people Israel to err—ta'ah (תָּעָה) means to wander, go astray, or be deceived. The prophets didn't merely sin privately but led the entire nation into idolatry.

This verse establishes a comparison: if Samaria's prophets who openly served Baal merited only the label 'folly,' what does Jerusalem deserve? The Northern Kingdom fell to Assyria in 722 BC for precisely this sin—Baal worship promoted by prophets and kings. Jeremiah warns that Judah is following the same path despite having witnessed Samaria's destruction. The comparison implies: 'You saw what happened to the North when prophets led them to Baal—why are you repeating their error?' This rhetorical strategy makes Jerusalem's sin worse than Samaria's because they sinned with full knowledge of the consequences.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Samaria, capital of the Northern Kingdom (Israel), fell to Assyria in 722 BC after decades of Baal worship institutionalized by the Omride dynasty (particularly Ahab and Jezebel, 1 Kings 16-22). Prophets like those of Baal whom Elijah confronted on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18) claimed divine authority while leading Israel into covenant violation. Their prophecies 'in Baal' meant attributing their messages to the Canaanite deity rather than Yahweh. By Jeremiah's time (627-586 BC), Samaria's prophetic corruption and resulting destruction were historical fact. Josiah had even extended his reforms into the ruined northern territory, destroying high places and executing idolatrous priests (2 Kings 23:15-20). Yet Jerusalem's prophets were repeating Samaria's error—not by openly serving Baal but through syncretism, moral corruption, and false promises of peace.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's relatively mild description of Samaria's 'folly' function rhetorically to condemn Jerusalem's greater guilt?
  2. What does the phrase 'caused my people to err' teach about prophets' accountability for those they mislead?
  3. In what ways might religious leaders today cause people to 'err' while claiming divine authority?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
וּבִנְבִיאֵ֥י1 of 11

“in the prophets”

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

שֹׁמְר֖וֹן2 of 11

“of Samaria”

H8111

shomeron, a place in palestine

רָאִ֣יתִי3 of 11

“And I have seen”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

תִפְלָ֑ה4 of 11

“folly”

H8604

frivolity

הִנַּבְּא֣וּ5 of 11

“they prophesied”

H5012

to prophesy, i.e., speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse)

בַבַּ֔עַל6 of 11

“in Baal”

H1168

baal, a phoenician deity

וַיַּתְע֥וּ7 of 11

“to err”

H8582

to vacillate, i.e., reel or stray (literally or figuratively); also causative of both

אֶת8 of 11
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

עַמִּ֖י9 of 11

“and caused my people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

אֶת10 of 11
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃11 of 11

“Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 23:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 23:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 2:8Isaiah 9:16Hosea 9:7-81 Kings 18:18-212 Chronicles 33:91 Kings 18:25-28

Places in This Verse

Samaria 1Settlement · Modern: Samaria · 32.28°N, 35.20°E113 verses across 12 books
View all places in Jeremiah 23 →

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