King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 5:31 Mean?

Jeremiah 5:31 in the King James Version says “The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof? bear: or, take into their hands”

Jeremiah 5:31 · KJV

Love

Context

29

Shall I not visit for these things? saith the LORD: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?

30

A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land; A wonderful: or, Astonishment and filthiness

31

The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof? bear: or, take into their hands

Read Jeremiah 5 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse specifies the corruption: 'The prophets prophesy falsely' (hannĕḇîʾîm nibbĕʾû ḇaššāqer, הַנְּבִאִים נִבְּאוּ בַשָּׁקֶר)—claiming divine authority for human messages. 'And the priests bear rule by their means' (wĕhakkōhănîm yirdû ʿal-yĕḏêhem) indicates priests exercise authority through false prophets rather than God's word. 'And my people love to have it so' (wĕʿammî ʾāhĕḇû kēn) reveals voluntary deception—people prefer lies to truth. The sobering question: 'and what will ye do in the end thereof?' (ûmah-taʿăśû lĕʾaḥărîṯāh) warns of inevitable consequences. When crisis comes, false prophets' promises will fail and people will face reality. This demonstrates that truth suppression and preferring comfortable lies leads to catastrophic consequences. The New Testament warns similarly: 'the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine' but 'heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears' (2 Timothy 4:3).

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Historical & Cultural Context

False prophecy plagued Judah's final decades. Hananiah falsely prophesied Babylon's quick defeat (Jeremiah 28), Shemaiah opposed Jeremiah from exile (Jeremiah 29:24-32), and unnamed false prophets promised peace (Jeremiah 6:14, 8:11, 14:13). These messages were popular because they confirmed people's false confidence in temple presence and covenant status. True prophets like Jeremiah faced persecution, imprisonment, and death threats for declaring judgment (Jeremiah 20:1-2, 26:7-11, 37:15-16, 38:6). Within two decades, Babylon besieged Jerusalem, validating true prophets and exposing false ones. The 'end' Jeremiah warned of came literally—destruction, exile, famine. This historical vindication confirms that popularity doesn't validate teaching; conformity to God's revealed word does. Modern application emphasizes testing teaching against Scripture (Acts 17:11, 1 John 4:1) rather than accepting popular religious messages uncritically.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you evaluate whether teaching is biblically sound or merely popular and comforting?
  2. What will you 'do in the end' if you've built your faith on comfortable lies rather than biblical truth?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
הַנְּבִאִ֞ים1 of 13

“The prophets”

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

נִבְּא֣וּ2 of 13

“prophesy”

H5012

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

בַשֶּׁ֗קֶר3 of 13

“falsely”

H8267

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

וְהַכֹּהֲנִים֙4 of 13

“and the priests”

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

יִרְדּ֣וּ5 of 13

“bear rule”

H7287

to tread down, i.e., subjugate; specifically, to crumble off

עַל6 of 13
H5921

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

יְדֵיהֶ֔ם7 of 13

“by their means”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

וְעַמִּ֖י8 of 13

“and my people”

H5971

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

אָ֣הֲבוּ9 of 13

“love”

H157

to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)

כֵ֑ן10 of 13
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

וּמַֽה11 of 13
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

תַּעֲשׂ֖וּ12 of 13

“to have it so and what will ye do”

H6213

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

לְאַחֲרִיתָֽהּ׃13 of 13

“in the end”

H319

the last or end, hence, the future; also 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 5:31 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 5:31 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 13:6Jeremiah 14:14Micah 2:112 Thessalonians 2:9-112 Timothy 4:3-42 Corinthians 11:13-15

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