King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 23:16 Mean?

Jeremiah 23:16 in the King James Version says “Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: the...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD.”

Jeremiah 23:16 · KJV

Context

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

16

Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD.

17

They say still unto them that despise me, The LORD hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you. imagination: or, stubbornness

18

For who hath stood in the counsel of the LORD, and hath perceived and heard his word? who hath marked his word, and heard it? counsel: or, secret

Read Jeremiah 23 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain (מְהַבְּלִים הֵמָּה אֶתְכֶם, m'havlim hemmah etkhem)—the verb הָבַל (haval) means to make empty, futile, or worthless. False prophets manufacture illusions, they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD (חֲזוֹן לִבָּם יְדַבֵּרוּ לֹא מִפִּי יְהוָה, chazon libbam y'dabberu lo mipi YHWH). The contrast is stark: human imagination (lev, 'heart') versus divine revelation (pi YHWH, 'mouth of Yahweh').

This indictment exposes the source of theological error—substituting personal preference for God's Word. The prophets didn't invent new doctrines; they repackaged popular opinion as divine oracle. Paul later warned against those who 'tickle ears' (2 Timothy 4:3). The danger isn't merely falsehood but making people hebel—empty vapor, like the book of Ecclesiastes describes worldly pursuits. False teaching doesn't just mislead; it evacuates meaning from life itself.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Jeremiah prophesied judgment and exile (626-586 BC), while contemporary prophets like Hananiah proclaimed imminent peace and Babylonian defeat (Jeremiah 28). The false prophets spoke what kings and people wanted to hear, maintaining their positions and popularity. Their optimistic messages contradicted God's true word through Jeremiah, creating competing claims to divine authority.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you distinguish between messages from 'your own heart' and authentic divine revelation?
  2. What modern equivalents exist to prophets who 'make you vain' with comfortable illusions?
  3. In what ways might you be seeking teachers who confirm your preferences rather than God's truth?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
כֹּֽה1 of 20
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַ֞ר2 of 20

“Thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָֽה׃3 of 20

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

צְבָא֗וֹת4 of 20

“of hosts”

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

אַֽל5 of 20
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תִּשְׁמְע֞וּ6 of 20

“Hearken”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

עַל7 of 20
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

דִּבְרֵ֤י8 of 20

“not unto the words”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

הַנְּבִאִים֙9 of 20

“of the prophets”

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

הַנִּבְּאִ֣ים10 of 20

“that prophesy”

H5012

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

לָכֶ֔ם11 of 20
H0
מַהְבִּלִ֥ים12 of 20

“unto you they make you vain”

H1891

to be vain in act, word, or expectation; specifically to lead astray

הֵ֖מָּה13 of 20
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

אֶתְכֶ֑ם14 of 20
H853

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

חֲז֤וֹן15 of 20

“a vision”

H2377

a sight (mentally), i.e., a dream, revelation, or oracle

לִבָּם֙16 of 20

“of their own heart”

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

יְדַבֵּ֔רוּ17 of 20

“they speak”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

לֹ֖א18 of 20
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

מִפִּ֥י19 of 20

“and not out of the mouth”

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

יְהוָֽה׃20 of 20

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

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 23:16 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 23:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 14:14Ezekiel 13:62 Corinthians 11:13-15Matthew 7:15Ezekiel 13:3Jeremiah 27:9-10

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in Jeremiah 23 →

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