Jeremiah 23:11-12
“Both prophet and priest are ungodly; even in my house I have found their evil, declares the LORD. Therefore their way shall be to them like slippery paths in the darkness, into which they shall be driven and fall, for I will bring disaster upon them in the year of their punishment, declares the LORD.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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What’s striking here is the shocking juxtaposition of the divine realm and utter corruption. God reveals that the leaders meant to guide His people – both prophets and priests – weren’t just flawed, they were "ungodly" and had brought their wickedness into His very house, the temple. This wasn't just a private failing; it was an invasion of sacred space with sacrilegious acts, a profound betrayal right at the heart of worship.
Jeremiah is denouncing the spiritual leaders of Judah, both the prophets who claim to speak for God and the priests who lead worship. These individuals, far from being righteous, have corrupted God's covenant and led the people astray with their lies and evil practices. Their wickedness has even infiltrated the Temple itself, the very place meant for God's holy presence.
Jeremiah calls out two specific groups: prophets and priests. These weren't just any people; they were spiritual leaders. What does it mean when those meant to lead us closer to God actually push us away?
The verse opens with a stark declaration: 'Both prophet and priest are ungodly.' This isn't a light accusation. The prophet was meant to speak God's truth, and the priest was meant to mediate God's presence and guide worship. Yet, Jeremiah says they are 'profane' – set apart for God's service but acting in ways that make them common, unholy, and disobedient to God's commands. Their very office is corrupted by their actions and false teachings.
The leaders' corruption wasn't hidden away; it invaded the very place set aside for God's worship. What does this reveal about the depth of their rebellion and the seriousness of defiling sacred spaces?
The accusation escalates with 'even in my house I have found their wickedness.' This refers to the Temple, the physical dwelling place of God's presence in Jerusalem. The commentaries suggest this could mean introducing idolatrous rites, practicing immorality like the sons of Eli, or simply engaging in greed and hypocrisy within the sacred precincts. It's a profound betrayal: the leaders, who should be protecting and honoring God's holiness, are actively corrupting it from the inside.
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Understand the original words
nabiy' · Hebrew Noun
A title for a person who acts as a spokesperson for God, receiving and communicating divine messages to the people. In a negative context, it refers to those who claim to speak for God but do not.
kohen · Hebrew Noun
A spiritual leader tasked with serving God in the temple, offering sacrifices, and teaching the law to the people. Corruption in this office involves violating covenant obligations.
chaneph · Hebrew Adjective
Characterized by a lack of holiness, piety, or reverence for God. It denotes moral depravity and a life lived in rebellion against God's standards.
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The covenant name of the God of Israel, YHWH. He is the self-existent, eternal, and personal God who reveals Himself and keeps His promises.
ra'ah · Hebrew Noun
A general term for wickedness, malice, or moral corruption. It represents anything that is contrary to the will, character, or commandments of God.
ra'ah · Hebrew Noun
A generic term for God's judgment, calamity, or misfortune brought upon people or nations due to their sin and persistent rebellion.
pequddah · Hebrew Noun
The time appointed by God for retribution or the execution of justice for persistent disobedience and covenant breaking.
This verse cuts to the heart of Judah's spiritual crisis. The prophets and priests, who should have been God's voice and guides, had become corrupt, even introducing idolatrous worship into the very Temple. Jeremiah's message is a desperate cry against this deep-seated corruption that paved the way for national disaster.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Israel
The Northern Kingdom of Israel falls to the Assyrian Empire, leading to the exile of many Israelites and the imposition of foreign religious practices. This event casts a long shadow, serving as a warning to the Southern Kingdom of Judah.
622 BC
Josiah's Reforms
King Josiah discovers the "book of the law" in the Temple and initiates a sweeping religious reform, purging idolatrous practices. This period represents a brief resurgence of true worship, but the underlying corruption soon returns.
c. 609 BC
Death of Josiah
King Josiah is killed in battle at Megiddo, a devastating loss for Judah. His death marks a turning point, and the kingdom quickly deteriorates politically and spiritually under his successors.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquers Judah and deports a number of its citizens, including members of the royal family and educated elite, to Babylon. This is the beginning of the Babylonian exile.
c. 597 BC— this verse
Second Deportation to Babylon
Following a rebellion, Nebuchadnezzar deports more people from Judah, including the prophet Ezekiel and King Jehoiachin. The corruption Jeremiah denounces is still rampant.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Destruction of Temple
Babylonian forces destroy Jerusalem and its Temple, ending the Southern Kingdom of Judah and exiling most of its remaining population. This is the culmination of the judgment Jeremiah warned about.
This passage describes the corrupt sons of Eli, priests who 'did not know the LORD,' highlighting a historical precedent of religious leaders profaning God's house and service with their wickedness, mirroring the situation in Jeremiah's time.
Ezekiel 8:5-18Ezekiel's vision reveals shocking idolatry and detestable practices occurring within the very temple, illustrating the depth of religious corruption and the desecration of sacred space that Jeremiah was lamenting.
Matthew 21:12-13Jesus cleansing the temple shows a righteous anger against those who have turned God's house into a marketplace, echoing God's disgust with the spiritual and moral corruption found within the sanctuary described in Jeremiah.
2 Kings 23:4-7This passage details King Josiah's purge of idolatrous objects and practices from the temple, including the removal of items dedicated to foreign gods and the suppression of pagan worship, demonstrating the pervasive sin that had infiltrated the sanctuary.
barnesJeremiah 23:11: "For both prophet and priest are profane; yea, in my house have I found their wickedness, saith the LORD."
For both prophet and priest are profane - While by their office they are consecrated to God, they have made themselves common and unholy by their sins. See Jeremiah 3:9 note. Yea, in my house - This may refer to sins such as those of the sons of Eli 1 Samuel 2:22, or that they had defiled the temple by idolatrous rites.
pulpitJeremiah 23:11: "For both prophet and priest are profane; yea, in my house have I found their wickedness, saith the LORD."
Verse 11. - Both prophet and priest are profane; i.e. are unholy, disobeying the Divine commands (see on Jeremiah 5:7). The same two important classes specified as in Jeremiah 6:13. Yea, in my house, etc. Evidently some sin specially incongruous with its locality is referred to, either idolatry (comp. Jeremiah 7:30) or the totemistic worship of figures of animals (Ezekiel 8…
What’s striking here is the shocking juxtaposition of the divine realm and utter corruption. God reveals that the leaders meant to guide His people – both prophets and priests – weren’t just flawed, they were "ungodly" and had brought their wickedness into His very house, the temple. This wasn't just a private failing; it was an invasion of sacred space with sacrilegious acts, a profound betrayal right at the heart of worship.
Jeremiah is denouncing the spiritual leaders of Judah, both the prophets who claim to speak for God and the priests who lead worship. These individuals, far from being righteous, have corrupted God's covenant and led the people astray with their lies and evil practices. Their wickedness has even infiltrated the Temple itself, the very place meant for God's holy presence.
Jeremiah is denouncing the spiritual leaders of Judah, both the prophets who claim to speak for God and the priests who lead worship. These individuals, far from being righteous, have corrupted God's covenant and led the people astray with their lies and evil practices. Their wickedness has even infiltrated the Temple itself, the very place meant for God's holy presence.
"“Both prophet and priest are ungodly; even in my house I have found their evil, declares the LORD. Therefore their way shall be to them like slippery paths in the darkness,…" — What’s striking here is the shocking juxtaposition of the divine realm and utter corruption. God reveals that the leaders meant to guide His people – both prophets and priests – weren’t just flawed,…
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