Jeremiah 23:17 · Bible study
Jeremiah 23:17 Commentary: The False Promise of Peace
Hebrew · 8 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Jeremiah 23:17 exposes false prophets who promise peace to those who despise God. A study in discerning true prophecy from deception.
Research Summary
- Meaning: False prophets promise peace to those who despise God, exposing their lie by its contradiction to God’s moral law.
- Key words: ’amor (H0559), “continually” (bold repetition); shalom (H7965), “peace, welfare”; shrirut (H8307), “stubbornness, hardness.”
- Main debate: Whether the primary test of a prophet is the content of the message or the prophet’s standing before God; most commentators hold that false prophecy is discerned by its flattery of sin.
- Theological theme: The true word of God calls sinners to repentance; a message that comforts the unrepentant is not from God.
- Best use: A diagnostic passage for evaluating teaching: does it lead people toward God or merely soothe their conscience?
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
They keep saying to those who despise Me, ‘The LORD says that you will have peace,’ and to everyone who walks in the stubbornness of his own heart, ‘No harm will come to you.’
WEB World English Bible 2000
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.’
KJV King James Version 1769
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.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
They say continually unto them that despise me, Jehovah hath said, Ye shall have peace; and unto every one that walketh in the stubbornness of his own heart they say, No evil shall come upon you.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
Saying diligently to those despising The word of Jehovah: Peace is for you, And to every one walking in the stubbornness of his heart they have said: Evil doth not come in unto you.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
They say constantly unto them that despise me, Jehovah hath said, Ye shall have peace. And they say unto every one that walketh in the stubbornness of his heart, No evil shall come upon you.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
They say to them that blaspheme me: The Lord hath said: You shall have peace: and to every one that walketh in the perverseness of his own heart, they have said: No evil shall come upon you.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Dicen atrevidamente á los que me irritan: Jehová dijo: Paz tendréis; y á cualquiera que anda tras la imaginación de su corazón, dijeron: No vendrá mal sobre vosotros.
Dizem continuamente aos que me desprezam: O SENHOR diz: Tereis paz; E a qualquer um que segue a teimosia de seu próprio coração, dizem: Não virá mal algum sobre vós.
Ils disent à ceux qui me méprisent:
Sie sagen denen, die mich lästern: “Der HERR hat's gesagt, es wird euch wohl gehen”; und allen, die nach ihres Herzens Dünkel wandeln, sagen sie: “Es wird kein Unglück über euch kommen.”
Zij zeggen steeds tot degenen, die Mij lasteren: De HEERE heeft het gesproken, gijlieden zult vrede hebben; en tot al wie naar zijns harten goeddunken wandelt, zeggen zij: Ulieden zal geen kwaad overkomen.
Dicono del continuo a quei che mi sprezzano: “L’Eterno ha detto: Avrete pace”; e a tutti quelli che camminano seguendo la caparbietà del proprio cuore: “Nessun male v’incoglierà”;
Ustawicznie mówią tym, którzy mną gardzą: Pan mówił, pokój mieć będziecie; i każdemu chodzącemu według uporu serca swego, mówią: Nie przyjdzie na was nic złego.
Они постоянно говорят пренебрегающим Меня: "Господь сказал: мир будет у вас". И всякому, поступающему по упорству своего сердца, говорят: "не придет на вас беда".
他們常 對藐視我的人 說：『耶和華 說：你們 必 享平安』；又對一切 按自己頑梗 之心 而行的人 說：『必沒有 災禍 臨 到你們。』」
They keep on saying to those who have no respect for the word of the Lord, You will have peace; and to everyone who goes on his way in the pride of his heart, they say, No evil will come to you.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · Jeremiah 23:17
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree that this verse reveals the defining mark of false prophecy: flattering the wicked with empty assurances. Calvin notes that the false prophets “strengthened the hands of the ungodly, so that they became hardened in their impiety”, promising peace precisely where God had promised judgment. Gill observes that they did not merely lie but claimed Yahweh had spoken, turning deception into blasphemy. Barnes calls this “the chief test” of a false prophet: a message that violates God’s moral law. Lange adds that these prophets spoke “their own heart’s vision, not from the mouth of Jehovah.” All these sources converge: false prophecy is not simply error in prediction; it is the act of telling rebels what their itching ears want to hear.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: The verse plainly teaches that false prophets deceive by promising peace and safety to those who persist in rebellion, directly contradicting God’s revealed word.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Nature of false prophecy | False prophets speak from their own hearts, not from God's council, and they flatter sinners with promises of peace. | Some commentators (e.g., Calvin) see deliberate deceit and pride; others (e.g., the Cambridge editors) allow that the prophets may have been self-deceived, not purely malicious. |
| The test of true prophecy | A true word from God aligns with his moral character and calls for repentance. | Protestant interpreters emphasize content (does it contradict God's revealed law?), while a few stress the need for a prophet's personal commission from God as the prior test. |
| Meaning of 'peace' (shalom) | Shalom includes safety, prosperity, and well-being, a comprehensive blessing. | Some restrict shalom to material peace (no exile, no military defeat); others broaden it to include spiritual peace with God. |
| Who are 'those who despise me'? | They are individuals who reject God’s word and live in rebellion. | Whether this group includes only outright pagans or also covenant members who have turned away (as in the surrounding context of Judah’s prophets and priests). |
Historical & Cultural Context
Jeremiah ministers during the final decades of Judah, when Babylonian power threatens the nation’s existence. The people desperately want reassurance that they will survive. Into this anxiety step the false prophets of Jeremiah 23, figures who claim to speak for Yahweh but deliver only comfort. The Cambridge Bible notes that this section likely belongs to Zedekiah’s reign (597, 586 BC), a time when political pressure made the distinction between true and false prophecy a matter of life and death.
The Hebrew text sharpens the charge. The repeated expression ‘omrim ’amor (“saying they say”) signals persistence and audacity. Calvin reads it as “they boldly say”, an effrontery born of pride, not humility. The verb na’ats (“despise,” H5006) is a strong word for spurning or contempt, while shrirut (“stubbornness,” H8307) means a firm, inflexible hardness of heart. These are not casual sins; they are deliberate rebellion. Yet the false prophets promise shalom, welfare, safety, peace, to everyone who walks in this rebellion.
The test of true prophecy becomes moral: a trustworthy word from God will not coddle sin. The surrounding passage (v.16, 22) contrasts the false prophets with those who “stood in the council of Yahweh” and then spoke judgment that called for repentance. Cross-references underline the point. Deuteronomy 29:19 warns against the self-blessing of those who “walk in the stubbornness of my heart.” Isaiah 57:21 declares, “There is no peace… for the wicked.” Jeremiah 23:17 thus sits at the heart of a biblical theme: the peace that comes from God is inseparable from righteousness.
Textual Notes
The supplied commentaries note one minor textual uncertainty: the Hebrew phrase ’omrim ’amor (“saying they say”) appears redundant, and some early versions (Septuagint, Syriac) connect the participle to the preceding verse. Calvin and the Geneva Bible treat it as an emphatic idiom for bold, continuous speech. Overall, the verse’s meaning is secure across the manuscript tradition; no variant changes the sense that false prophets promise peace to the wicked.
Reception History
Throughout church history, this verse has been a touchstone for discerning true preaching from flattery. Early Christian writers cited it to warn against teachers who softened God’s demand for holiness. During the Reformation, it was a key text for exposing indulgences and assurances of salvation without repentance. In modern contexts, it is frequently invoked to critique prosperity gospel messages that promise health and wealth while ignoring sin. Across traditions, Jeremiah 23:17 has served as a reminder that God’s word comforts the humble but confronts the proud.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- The source of false prophecy: a vision from the prophet’s own heart. Verse 16 says these prophets speak “a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of Yahweh.” In verse 17 they claim “Yahweh has said” while actually giving voice to human wishful thinking. The test begins with origin: does this message come from God’s council or from human desire?
- The content of false prophecy: peace for the rebellious. The false prophets promise shalom to those who despise God and “no evil” to those walking in the stubbornness of their hearts. This directly contradicts God’s word through Jeremiah, who announces disaster. The message flatters sin rather than calling for repentance, a sure symptom of deception.
- The exposure of false prophecy: God’s coming storm. Verses 19, 20 describe Yahweh’s anger as a whirling storm that will burst on the heads of the wicked. The false prophets cannot outrun the judgment they denied. Their false peace is exposed when history confirms the true prophetic word.
Five-point outline
- The false prophets speak from their own imagination, not from God’s mouth (v.16).
- They promise peace and safety to those who persist in rebellion (v.17).
- They use the Lord’s name to authorize their lies, making the deception doubly evil (v.17, “Yahweh has said”).
- The true prophetic word calls for repentance and moral transformation (v.22: they would have turned people from their wicked way).
- God’s judgment is certain, regardless of the false prophets’ assurances (vv.19, 20).
Illustration hooks
- A doctor who tells a patient with clear symptoms of a serious disease, “You’re fine, don’t worry,” instead of recommending treatment. The patient leaves relieved, but the disease remains.
- A financial adviser who promises guaranteed returns on a risky investment, ignoring the fine print. The client invests eagerly, only to lose everything.
- A friend who always says “You do you” when confronted with a friend’s harmful behavior, never speaking a hard truth that could protect them.
Questions your congregation is asking
- How can I tell if a preacher is speaking from God’s word or from his own opinion?
- Why does God allow false prophets to exist if they lead people astray?
- What should I do when God’s word feels harsh and I would rather hear a message of comfort?
Leading a Discussion
This verse forces us to ask a hard question: do we want God’s truth or just God’s blessing? The false prophets gave the people what they wanted, reassurance without repentance. As you study this passage, let it search your own heart and your community’s appetite for a comfortable message.
Discussion questions
- Observation: What do the false prophets say in verse 17, and to whom do they say it? How often do they say it (note the Hebrew repetition “saying they say”)?
- Interpretation: What does it mean to “despise” the Lord (the Hebrew verb na’ats implies active contempt)? How does this differ from weakness or doubt?
- Interpretation: The word “stubbornness” (shrirut) appears also in Deuteronomy 29:19. What does that cross-reference add to your understanding of the sin described here?
- Application: Why is it more dangerous to claim “Yahweh has said” while lying than to lie without invoking God? How does this apply to modern preaching or teaching?
- Application: In what areas of life, personal, church, society, are you tempted to accept a message of “peace” that downplays the need for repentance?
- Connection to Faith: How does knowing that God judges sin actually make his grace more meaningful? How does it help you trust him when he does bring correction?
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)
| Numbers 11:20 | but a whole month, until it comes out at your nostrils, and it is loathsome to you; because you have rejected Yahweh who is among you, and have wept before him, saying, “Why did we come out of Egypt?”’” |
| Deuteronomy 29:19 | and it happen, when he hears the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, “I shall have peace, though I walk in the stubbornness of my heart,” to destroy the moist with the dry. |
| I Samuel 2:30 | “Therefore Yahweh, the God of Israel, says, ‘I said indeed that your house and the house of your father should walk before me forever.’ But now Yahweh says, ‘Far be it from me; for those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me will be cursed. |
| II Samuel 12:10 | Now therefore the sword will never depart from your house, because you have despised me and have taken Uriah the Hittite’s wife to be your wife.’ |
| Isaiah 3:10 | Tell the righteous that it will be well with them, for they will eat the fruit of their deeds. |
| Isaiah 3:11 | Woe to the wicked! Disaster is upon them, for the deeds of their hands will be paid back to them. |
| Isaiah 57:21 | “There is no peace”, says my God, “for the wicked.” |
| Jeremiah 3:17 | At that time they will call Jerusalem ‘Yahweh’s Throne;’ and all the nations will be gathered to it, to Yahweh’s name, to Jerusalem. They will no longer walk after the stubbornness of their evil heart. |
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
6 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes draws attention to the word "still" or "continually" and argues that the primary way to identify a false prophet is not failed predictions but whether the prophecy undermines moral law. For Barnes, a prophecy that contradicts God's moral commands proves the speaker is false, regardless of any apparent fulfillment.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin stresses that false prophets are known by their bold, arrogant confidence in promising peace to those who reject God. They flatter the wicked with such assurance that it strengthens them in impenitence. This counterfeit certainty, delivered as if from heaven itself, is their distinguishing mark.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva Notes emphasize that false prophets claim divine authority to promise peace to those who openly despise God. They tell people walking in stubborn rebellion that no harm will come, directly contradicting God’s true warnings. This misuse of the Lord’s name gives false security to the wicked.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill highlights the sin of false prophets who, in God's name, promise peace to those who despise Him and follow their own evil hearts. They directly contradict the Lord's true prophets, who warn of punishment for sin. This is an aggravated lie: claiming God's authority for a message He never gave.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB draws attention to the Hebrew behind "say still," noting it means saying incessantly, not just occasionally. He also points out that "imagination" in their hearts is literally "obstinacy," revealing that the false prophets' error lies in stubbornness, not mere misguided thinking.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange argues that the false prophets betray themselves by promising peace to those who despise the Lord. Anyone who has truly stood in God's counsel knows His genuine word never offers impunity to the wicked. This false peace proves they speak