King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 23:18 Mean?

Jeremiah 23:18 in the King James Version says “For who hath stood in the counsel of the LORD, and hath perceived and heard his word? who hath marked his word, and hear...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Jeremiah 23:18 · KJV

Context

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

19

Behold, a whirlwind of the LORD is gone forth in fury, even a grievous whirlwind: it shall fall grievously upon the head of the wicked.

20

The anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have executed, and till he have performed the thoughts of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it perfectly.

Read Jeremiah 23 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For who hath stood in the counsel of the LORD, and hath perceived and heard his word? (כִּי מִי עָמַד בְּסוֹד יְהוָה וַיֵּרֶא וַיִּשְׁמַע אֶת־דְּבָרוֹ, ki mi amad b'sod YHWH vayyere vayyishma et-d'varo). The noun סוֹד (sod, 'counsel/intimate circle/secret assembly') describes Yahweh's heavenly court where true prophets receive revelation—compare 1 Kings 22:19-22 where Micaiah sees God's throne room. The verbs רָאָה (ra'ah, 'perceived/saw') and שָׁמַע (shama, 'heard') indicate direct divine encounter. Who hath marked his word, and heard it? repeats the challenge with קָשַׁב (qashav, 'attended carefully/marked').

The rhetorical question demands: Where is your authority? True prophets accessed God's throne room (compare Isaiah 6, Ezekiel 1). False prophets manufactured messages from imagination. This establishes the test: Has the prophet stood in God's counsel? Amos 3:7 states, 'Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.' The divine sod is where authentic revelation originates—not human cleverness or political calculation.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern prophets claimed various sources for oracles—divination, dreams, ecstatic experiences, political intuition. Biblical prophets claimed unique access to Yahweh's throne room counsel. Jeremiah himself received direct commissioning (Jeremiah 1:4-10). The question challenges contemporaries: Can you demonstrate similar divine encounter? The false prophets could not, revealing their fraudulent claims.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you verify that your theological convictions originate from God's counsel, not your assumptions?
  2. What distinguishes authentic spiritual insight from religious imagination in your experience?
  3. Have you 'stood in God's counsel' through Scripture and prayer, or merely adopted second-hand opinions?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
כִּ֣י1 of 13
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

מִ֤י2 of 13
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

עָמַד֙3 of 13

“For who hath stood”

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

בְּס֣וֹד4 of 13

“in the counsel”

H5475

a session, i.e., company of persons (in close deliberation); by implication, intimacy, consultation, a secret

יְהוָ֔ה5 of 13

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

וְיֵ֖רֶא6 of 13

“and hath perceived”

H7200

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

וַיִּשְׁמָֽע׃7 of 13

“and heard”

H8085

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

אֶת8 of 13
H853

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

דְּבָר֖יֹ9 of 13

“his word”

H1697

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

מִֽי10 of 13
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

הִקְשִׁ֥יב11 of 13

“who hath marked”

H7181

to prick up the ears, i.e., hearken

דְּבָר֖יֹ12 of 13

“his word”

H1697

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

וַיִּשְׁמָֽע׃13 of 13

“and heard”

H8085

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

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 23:18 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 23:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 23:22Isaiah 40:13-14Amos 3:71 Corinthians 2:16Psalms 25:142 Chronicles 18:23

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