King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 29:23 Mean?

Jeremiah 29:23 in the King James Version says “Because they have committed villany in Israel, and have committed adultery with their neighbours' wives, and have spoken...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 29 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Because they have committed villany in Israel, and have committed adultery with their neighbours' wives, and have spoken lying words in my name, which I have not commanded them; even I know, and am a witness, saith the LORD.”

Jeremiah 29:23 · KJV

Context

21

Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, of Ahab the son of Kolaiah, and of Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah, which prophesy a lie unto you in my name; Behold, I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon; and he shall slay them before your eyes;

22

And of them shall be taken up a curse by all the captivity of Judah which are in Babylon, saying, The LORD make thee like Zedekiah and like Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire;

23

Because they have committed villany in Israel, and have committed adultery with their neighbours' wives, and have spoken lying words in my name, which I have not commanded them; even I know, and am a witness, saith the LORD.

24

Thus shalt thou also speak to Shemaiah the Nehelamite, saying, Nehelamite: or, dreamer

25

Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, Because thou hast sent letters in thy name unto all the people that are at Jerusalem, and to Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, and to all the priests, saying,

Read Jeremiah 29 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Because they have committed villany in Israel—The Hebrew נְבָלָה (nevalah, villany) is a strong term denoting disgraceful, senseless evil—the same word for Shechem's rape of Dinah (Gen 34:7) and Achan's theft (Josh 7:15). It implies covenant-breaking that defiles the entire community.

And have committed adultery with their neighbours' wives, and have spoken lying words in my name—Sexual immorality and false prophecy are paired, revealing the connection between personal sin and public deception. The Hebrew נָאַף (na'af, adultery) and דָּבַר שֶׁקֶר (davar sheqer, lying words) form a double indictment. Men who violate covenant in private (marriage) will violate covenant in public (prophecy). Jeremiah exposes what the community might not have known: even I know, and am a witness, saith the LORD—God sees both bedroom and pulpit, and judges hypocrisy in both.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

False prophets in Jeremiah's era often lived immorally (23:14), unlike true prophets who stood in God's counsel (23:18, 22). The connection between sexual sin and false teaching appears throughout Scripture (2 Pet 2:14, Jude 4, Rev 2:20). Character and doctrine cannot be separated; corruption in one area breeds corruption in the other.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why are sexual immorality and false teaching so often linked in Scripture? What's the common root?
  2. How does private sin disqualify public ministry? What does 'even I know' reveal about God's standards?
  3. What safeguards protect leaders from the dual snares of sexual sin and doctrinal compromise?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
יַ֡עַן1 of 21
H3282

properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause

אֲשֶׁר֩2 of 21
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עָשׂ֨וּ3 of 21

“Because they have committed”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

נְבָלָ֜ה4 of 21

“villany”

H5039

foolishness, i.e., (morally) wickedness; concretely, a crime; by extension, punishment

בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל5 of 21

“in Israel”

H3478

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

וַיְנַֽאֲפוּ֙6 of 21

“adultery”

H5003

to commit adultery; figuratively, to apostatize

אֶת7 of 21
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

נְשֵׁ֣י8 of 21

“wives”

H802

a woman

רֵֽעֵיהֶ֔ם9 of 21

“with their neighbours”

H7453

an associate (more or less close)

וַיְדַבְּר֨וּ10 of 21

“and have spoken”

H1696

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

דָבָ֤ר11 of 21

“words”

H1697

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

בִּשְׁמִי֙12 of 21

“in my name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

שֶׁ֔קֶר13 of 21

“lying”

H8267

an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial)

אֲשֶׁ֖ר14 of 21
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

ל֣וֹא15 of 21
H3808

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

צִוִּיתִ֑ם16 of 21

“which I have not commanded”

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

וְאָנֹכִ֛י17 of 21
H595

i

הַוּיֹדֵ֥עַ18 of 21

“them even I know”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

וָעֵ֖ד19 of 21

“and am a witness”

H5707

concretely, a witness; abstractly, testimony; specifically, a recorder, i.e., prince

נְאֻם20 of 21

“saith”

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָֽה׃21 of 21

“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 29:23 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 29:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 23:14Malachi 3:5Hebrews 4:13Proverbs 5:21Jeremiah 16:17Jeremiah 29:8-9

Test Your Knowledge

Jeremiah 29 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterJeremiah Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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