Jeremiah 23:11-12
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The shocking part of this verse isn't just that religious leaders are evil, but that their evil is so blatant it's happening inside God's own house. It's a profound betrayal, not just of the people, but of the sacred space God calls His own.
“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)
Jeremiah is reeling from the sickening corruption he sees around him, contrasting it with the pure word of God he faithfully delivers. In this passage, he laments that the very people who should be leading Judah in righteousness – the prophets and priests – have become deeply wicked. Their sin isn't just personal; it has defiled God's own house, the Temple, through idolatry and immoral practices, making their spiritual corruption all the more offensive.
Imagine the shock and hurt of discovering that the very people meant to guide you are leading you astray. Jeremiah's prophecy speaks to this deep betrayal.
Jeremiah calls out two key spiritual roles: the prophet and the priest.
Prophets:
These were meant to be God's mouthpiece, delivering His truth and warnings. But these prophets were 'ungodly,' speaking lies and false comfort instead of God's Word.
Priests:
Their job was to mediate between God and the people, leading worship and upholding God's law in the Temple. Instead, they became 'ungodly,' corrupting worship and leading people away from God.
Both groups, by their office, were supposed to be set apart for God. Yet, they had become 'profane' – common, unholy, and defiled by their own sin.
God’s people gathered in His house – the Temple – for worship. But what happens when 'evil' contaminates this sacred space?
The most shocking part of Jeremiah's message is where God found this wickedness: 'even in my house.'
Sacred Space Defiled:
This wasn't just general sinfulness; it was sin happening within the very place dedicated to God's presence and worship. Think of it like finding trash and destruction inside a church or sanctuary.
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Types of Evil:
Commentaries suggest this could refer to:
God sees the evil, even when it’s hidden behind religious practices or within holy places.
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 speaks to the profound betrayal of God's people by their spiritual leaders, occurring at a time when Judah was deeply entrenched in syncretistic worship and political turmoil, ultimately leading to the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the Northern Kingdom of Israel, scattering its people and leading to a syncretistic worship among those who remained. This event served as a stark warning to the Southern Kingdom of Judah.
627 BC
Death of King Josiah's Predecessor
The death of King Manasseh and his successor Amon paved the way for the reformist reign of Josiah, who discovered the Book of the Law and initiated a religious purge.
c. 622 BC
Josiah's Religious Reforms
During repairs in the Temple, the Book of the Law is discovered, sparking a sweeping reform by King Josiah to eradicate idolatry and centralize worship in Jerusalem. This context highlights the deep-seated corruption the prophets had to contend with.
609 BC
Death of King Josiah
Josiah is killed in battle at Megiddo while opposing Egyptian forces. His death plunged Judah back into political instability and spiritual decline, creating fertile ground for the false prophets Jeremiah condemns.
605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquers Judah, exiling a portion of the nobility and skilled workers to Babylon. Jeremiah's ministry continues during this increasingly dire period.
597 BC
Second Babylonian Deportation
Babylon deports more of Judah's elite, including King Jehoiachin, and Ezekiel the prophet. The spiritual and political situation in Jerusalem becomes even more desperate.
586 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
Nebuchadnezzar utterly destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, ending the Davidic monarchy and exiling the remaining population. The 'wickedness' found in God's house, as described by Jeremiah, culminates in this catastrophic judgment.
This passage describes the sons of Eli, priests who were also deeply wicked and desecrated God's house and offerings, mirroring the ungodliness found in Jerusalem's priests and prophets.
Ezekiel 8:7-12This vision shows Ezekiel hidden in the wall, witnessing secret idolatrous abominations being performed by elders, priests, and prophets within the very temple courts, highlighting the depth of corruption within religious leadership.
Malachi 2:7-9This prophecy denounces priests for failing to honor God, despising His name, and leading others astray, echoing Jeremiah's condemnation of ungodly priests who profaned God's covenant.
Matthew 21:13Jesus denounces the corruption in the temple, calling it a 'den of robbers,' which reflects the spiritual decay and wickedness that had infiltrated God's dwelling place, as seen in Jeremiah's time.
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…
The shocking part of this verse isn't just that religious leaders are evil, but that their evil is so blatant it's happening inside God's own house. It's a profound betrayal, not just of the people, but of the sacred space God calls His own.
Jeremiah is reeling from the sickening corruption he sees around him, contrasting it with the pure word of God he faithfully delivers. In this passage, he laments that the very people who should be leading Judah in righteousness – the prophets and priests – have become deeply wicked. Their sin isn't just personal; it has defiled God's own house, the Temple, through idolatry and immoral practices, making their spiritual corruption all the more offensive.
Jeremiah is reeling from the sickening corruption he sees around him, contrasting it with the pure word of God he faithfully delivers. In this passage, he laments that the very people who should be leading Judah in righteousness – the prophets and priests – have become deeply wicked. Their sin isn't just personal; it has defiled God's own house, the Temple, through idolatry and immoral practices, making their spiritual corruption all the more offensive.
"“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,…" — The shocking part of this verse isn't just that religious leaders are evil, but that their evil is so blatant it's happening inside God's own house. It's a profound betrayal, not just of the people…
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Last reviewed October 2026
