Jeremiah 14:13 · Bible study
Jeremiah 14:13 Commentary: Why Jeremiah Cites False Peace in Prayer
Hebrew · 10 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Jeremiah intercedes for Judah by pointing to false prophets' promises. Explore the Hebrew phrase 'peace of truth' and its meaning.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Jeremiah intercedes for Judah by pointing out that false prophets promise “assured peace,” but God will bring judgment anyway.
- Key words: אֱמֶת (emet, truth/reliability) with שָׁלוֹם (shalom, peace), “peace of truth,” a phrase the false prophets used to sound certain.
- Main debate: Whether Jeremiah’s plea was meant to excuse the people or to show pastoral love. Most agree it was a genuine intercession based on their deception.
- Theological theme: The danger of false assurance and the responsibility to test prophecy against God’s revealed word.
- Best use: A caution against listening to voices that promise safety without requiring obedience, and a model of compassionate intercession.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
“Ah, Lord GOD!” I replied, “Look, the prophets are telling them, ‘You will not see the sword or suffer famine, but I will give you lasting peace in this place.’”
WEB World English Bible 2000
Then I said, “Ah, Lord Yahweh! Behold, the prophets tell them, ‘You will not see the sword, neither will you have famine; but I will give you assured peace in this place.’”
KJV King James Version 1769
Then said I, Ah, Lord God! behold, the prophets say unto them, Ye shall not see the sword, neither shall ye have famine; but I will give you assured peace in this place.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
Then said I, Ah, Lord Jehovah! behold, the prophets say unto them, Ye shall not see the sword, neither shall ye have famine; but I will give you assured peace in this place.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
And I say, `Ah, Lord Jehovah, Lo, the prophets are saying to them: Ye do not see a sword, yea, famine is not to you, For true peace I give to you in this place.'
Darby Darby Bible 1890
And I said, Alas, Lord Jehovah! Behold, the prophets say unto them, Ye shall not see the sword, neither shall ye have famine; for I will give you assured peace in this place.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
And I said: Ah, ah, ah, O Lord God, the prophets say to them: You shall not see the sword, and there shall be no famine among you, but he will give you true peace in this place.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Y yo dije: ¡ Ah! ah! Señor Jehová! he aquí que los profetas les dicen: No veréis cuchillo, ni habrá hambre en vosotros, sino que en este lugar os daré paz verdadera.
Então eu disse: Ah, Senhor DEUS! Eis que os profetas lhes dizem: Não vereis espada, nem tereis fome; eu, porém, vos darei uma paz verdadeira neste lugar.
Je répondis: Ah! Seigneur Éternel!
Da sprach ich: Ach Herr HERR, siehe, die Propheten sagen ihnen: Ihr werdet kein Schwert sehen und keine Teuerung bei euch haben; sondern ich will euch guten Frieden geben an diesem Ort.
Toen zeide ik: Ach, Heere HEERE! zie, die profeten zeggen hun: Gij zult geen zwaard zien, en gij zult geen honger hebben; maar Ik zal u een gewissen vrede geven in deze plaats.
Allora io dissi: “Ah, Signore, Eterno! ecco, i profeti dicon loro: Voi non vedrete la spada, né avrete mai la fame; ma io vi darò una pace sicura in questo luogo”.
I rzekłem: Ach, panujący Panie! oto im ci prorocy mówią: Nie oglądacie miecza, a głód nie przyjdzie na was, ale pokój pewny dam wam na tem miejscu.
Тогда сказал я: Господи Боже! вот, пророки говорят им: "не увидите меча, и голода не будет у вас, но постоянный мир дам вам на сем месте".
我就說：「唉！主 耶和華啊， 那些先知 常對他們 說：『你們 必不 看見 刀劍，也不 遭遇 饑荒； 耶和華要在這 地方 賜 你們 長久的 平安。』」
Then I said, Ah, Lord God! see, the prophets say to them, You will not see the sword or be short of food; but I will give you certain peace in this place.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · Jeremiah 14:13
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that Jeremiah uses the false prophets' promise as a mitigating factor in his intercession. Calvin notes that Jeremiah made his secret prayers public “for the sake of doing good to the Jews,” showing his pastoral concern. Gill says Jeremiah tries to excuse the people because they were deceived. Matthew Henry compares the scene to the parable of the barren fig tree, the prophet pleads for one more chance. The word “prophets” is emphatic, Calvin explains; they claimed God's name while promising safety. The Hebrew phrase “assured peace” (שְׁלוֹם אֱמֶת, sh'lom emet) means “peace of truth” or “reliable peace.” The false prophets claimed to give stability and safety, but they spoke from their own hearts, not from God. All sources agree that Jeremiah's plea highlights the tragedy of a deceived people and the danger of false prophecy.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: Jeremiah pleads with God by pointing out that false prophets are promising peace, thereby misleading the people.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose of Jeremiah’s plea | Jeremiah cites the false prophets to show that the people were deceived, as a mitigating factor in their guilt. | Some emphasize that Jeremiah is offering a pastoral excuse (Gill), while others (Calvin) see it as a public prayer intended to shock the people into reality. |
| Nature of the false prophets' message | They promised 'peace of truth' (assured peace) contrary to God's word, speaking in His name without being sent. | Were they deliberately lying or self-deceived? Scripture says they prophesied 'the deceit of their own heart' (v.14), implying they had convinced themselves. |
| People's responsibility | The people were deceived by false prophecy, but they also loved to have it so (Jer 5:31). | How much guilt lies with the hearers? Clarke says they believed without proof; Calvin notes they should have tested the prophets. The text holds both prophets and people accountable. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Jeremiah writes during the final years of Judah, likely before the fourth year of Jehoiakim (Lange). A severe drought has struck the land (Jer 14:1, 6), and the people wander, not restraining their feet (v.10). God declares that He will not accept them, but will consume them by sword, famine, and pestilence (v.11, 12). Before this verse, God commands Jeremiah not to pray for this people (v.11). Yet Jeremiah dares to speak: “Ah, Lord Yahweh!” (אֲהָהּ אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה, ahah Adonai Yahweh), a cry of grief and astonishment (Calvin).
False prophets were plentiful and influential (Barnes). They contradicted Jeremiah’s warnings, saying, “You shall not see the sword, neither shall you have famine; but I will give you assured peace in this place.” The people loved to have it so (Jer 5:31). Jeremiah’s own earlier lament echoes this: “Ah, Lord Yahweh! Surely you have greatly deceived this people… saying, ‘You will have peace’” (Jer 4:10). The phrase “assured peace” was likely a slogan used by false prophets, perhaps referencing Isaiah’s promise of peace to Hezekiah (Isa 39:8), but twisting it for a rebellious generation (Cambridge). God’s response in v.14, 16 makes clear: these prophets speak lies, a “vision of their own heart.” They will die by the same sword and famine they denied.
Textual Notes
Consulted sources note no significant textual variants for Jeremiah 14:13. The Hebrew text is stable across manuscripts, and the Masoretic reading is consistent with the versions (LXX, Vulgate).
Reception History
Early church writers used this verse to warn against false teachers who promise peace without repentance. In the Reformation, Calvin and Matthew Henry saw it as a model of faithful intercession that does not deny God’s justice. The phrase “peace of truth” was cited by 19th-century commentators (Gill, JFB) to highlight the subtlety of false assurance. Across traditions, the verse has served as both a caution about lying spirits and an encouragement to plead God’s mercy even when judgment seems inevitable.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- A prophet’s grief. Jeremiah cries “Ah!”, more than a sigh, it is a groan for a people rushing toward judgment, misled by leaders who should have guided them.
- A false peace exposed. The false prophets promise “peace of truth,” but it is a lie. Real peace comes only from walking in God’s ways; any other peace is a deception.
- God’s final answer. He does not accept the excuse. The people bear responsibility for believing lies without testing them. Judgment stands.
Five-point outline
- Jeremiah’s intercessory plea (v.13a)
- The false prophets’ message: no sword, no famine, “assured peace” (v.13b)
- The seduction of a smooth promise (they spoke in God’s name)
- God’s refusal: the prophets will be consumed (v.15)
- The people share the consequences (v.16)
Illustration hooks
- A company’s leadership ignores safety warnings because the CEO promises prosperity. Workers are lulled into complacency until a disaster occurs. The false peace costs lives.
- A doctor tells a patient a reassuring lie about a terminal diagnosis to avoid an uncomfortable conversation. The patient’s family later discovers the truth too late to prepare. The “peace” wasn’t real.
- In a neighborhood where crime is rising, community leaders insist everything is fine, discouraging anyone from speaking up. Those who warn are labeled alarmists. Then a break-in happens.
Questions your congregation is asking
- How can we tell the difference between real peace and a false sense of security?
- Does God still punish people who were deceived by false teachers?
- If I am praying for someone who is clearly heading toward a crisis, should I stop praying when it seems God has given up on them?
Leading a Discussion
Jeremiah stands between a holy God and a stubborn people. He knows judgment is coming, but he can’t stop loving them. In this verse he points to the false prophets who have led the people astray. How do we intercede for those who are being deceived by smooth promises? And where do we place our own trust for peace?
Discussion questions
- Why does Jeremiah begin with “Ah, Lord Yahweh”? What does his grief reveal about his heart?
- The false prophets promise “You will not see the sword” and “assured peace.” On what basis could they make those claims? (See Jer 23:17, Jer 5:12)
- How does God respond to Jeremiah’s plea in v.14, 16? Why did He reject the excuse?
- What does the phrase “peace of truth” (שְׁלוֹם אֱמֶת) suggest about what false peace looks like? (Hint: it sounds solid but is not from God.)
- In what ways do Christians today hear “peace, peace” from sources that do not align with God’s word?
- Jeremiah was commanded not to pray for the people (v.11). Yet he prays anyway. Does this verse encourage us to persist in prayer even when we sense God’s judgment? Why or why not?
- What safeguards can our church put in place to avoid being led astray by voices that promise comfort without calling for repentance?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Jeremiah 1:6 | Then I said, “Ah, Lord Yahweh! Behold, I don’t know how to speak; for I am a child.” |
| Jeremiah 4:10 | Then I said, “Ah, Lord Yahweh! Surely you have greatly deceived this people and Jerusalem, saying, ‘You will have peace;’ whereas the sword reaches to the heart.” |
| Jeremiah 5:12 | They have denied Yahweh, and said, “It is not he. Evil won’t come on us. We won’t see sword or famine. |
| Jeremiah 5:31 | The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own authority; and my people love to have it so. What will you do in the end of it? |
| Jeremiah 6:14 | They have healed also the hurt of my people superficially, saying, ‘Peace, peace!’ when there is no peace. |
| Jeremiah 8:11 | They have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, “Peace, peace,” when there is no peace. |
| Jeremiah 23:17 | They say continually to those who despise me, ‘Yahweh has said, “You will have peace;”’ and to everyone who walks in the stubbornness of his own heart they say, ‘No evil will come on you.’ |
| Jeremiah 28:2 | “Yahweh of Armies, the God of Israel, says, ‘I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
9 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke notes that the people's excuse for their wickedness—that false prophets had deceived them—is rejected by God. Their plea fails because they believed these prophets without demanding any evidence that their message truly came from God.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes draws attention to a historical progression: the false prophets who overwhelmed Jeremiah's ministry had been gaining influence since the time of Isaiah, who first observed decay within the prophetic order. Micah's fierce condemnation confirms that this corrupt internal threat was already well established.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin emphasizes that Jeremiah publicly reported his private prayer not for self-display but to benefit the people. By expressing grief with the cry "Ah," Jeremiah aimed to shock the Jews out of their false security, which the prophets themselves had caused by promising peace without sword or famine.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentator draws a sharp distinction between the peace promised by true prophets and the assurances offered by false ones. The margin note "peace of truth" indicates a stability that false prophets lacked, even when they borrowed earlier genuine prophecies to support their claims.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva note highlights how false prophets contradict God's message by promising peace and safety when judgment has been declared. Jeremiah's protest shows that such flattering assurances, however welcome, carry no divine authority and lead people into a false sense of security.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill highlights Jeremiah's deep grief and pity for the people, noting that the prophet tries to excuse them by laying the blame on the false prophets. He observes that Jeremiah avoids calling them false directly, instead simply saying "the prophets" to put the best face on it. Gill also notes the Hebrew phrase "peace of truth," meaning genuine, lasting peace.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB notes that Jeremiah blames the false prophets for leading the people astray with promises of a secure peace. The phrase "assured peace" literally means "peace of truth," pointing to the contrast between the deceptive peace they offered and the genuine peace that comes from God's truth.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil-Delitzsch stresses that God rejects Jeremiah's prayer because the people "loved to wander" after other gods, a persistent idolatry that hollows out their fasting and sacrifices. The false prophets' lies do not excuse the people, since they willingly believed flattering deceptions that matched their own sinful passions.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry draws a parallel between this passage and the parable of the barren fig tree: God's justice condemns a fruitless people to judgment, while the prophet Jeremiah intercedes for mercy. But here God overrules the intercession, showing that the people's persistent love of wandering has made further pleading pointless.