Jeremiah 23:15
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This verse highlights that the profaneness (or hypocrisy) of the Jerusalem prophets wasn't just their personal failing, but a spreading contagion that corrupted the entire land. God declares He will feed them with "bitter food" and "poisoned water," indicating their punishment will be a direct, sickening reflection of the spiritual poison they inflicted on others.
Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets: “Behold, I will feed them with bitter food and give them poisoned water to drink, for from the prophets of Jerusalem ungodliness has gone out into all the land.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jeremiah is speaking about the false prophets in Jerusalem who have been leading God's people astray with their deceptive messages. These prophets claimed to speak for God while actually promoting sin and a false sense of security, turning people away from genuine repentance. Because of their pervasive corruption that has spread throughout the land, God declares He will punish them with extreme bitterness and destruction.
God declares a severe judgment on the prophets who led His people astray. What does this 'bitter food' and 'poisoned water' truly represent?
Jeremiah 23:15 reveals God's direct judgment against the false prophets. The imagery of being 'fed with bitter food' and given 'poisoned water to drink' isn't just about physical suffering, but a potent metaphor for the devastating consequences of their spiritual deceit.
Jerusalem's prophets are identified as the root of widespread ungodliness. How can religious leaders become agents of widespread spiritual decay?
The verse pinpoints the prophets of Jerusalem as the origin of the land's ungodliness: 'for from the prophets of Jerusalem has gone out pollution into all the land.' This highlights the critical role spiritual leaders play in shaping the moral and spiritual health of a community.
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Understand the original words
tsaba' · Hebrew Noun
Refers to the armies of heaven or the totality of creation under God's command. It emphasizes God's supreme authority, power, and sovereignty over all things.
The false prophets in Jerusalem, far from being mere deceivers, actively spread spiritual pollution and hypocrisy throughout the land, contributing directly to Judah's downfall. Their comforting lies, like poisoned water, led the nation to ruin, setting the stage for God's severe judgment.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Israel
The northern kingdom of Israel falls to the Assyrian Empire. This event serves as a stark warning to the southern kingdom of Judah about the consequences of disobedience and false prophecy.
701 BC
Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem
The Assyrian army under Sennacherib campaigns in Judah, besieging Jerusalem. While Jerusalem is miraculously spared, the surrounding towns are devastated, highlighting Judah's vulnerability.
626 BC
Jeremiah Begins Prophesying
Jeremiah is called by God to prophesy to Judah, a time of great spiritual and political turmoil, with the looming threat of Babylon.
609 BC
Josiah's Reforms End
King Josiah, who led a revival of true worship, is killed in battle. His death marks the end of a period of religious reform and a return to spiritual decay.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquers Judah and deports a group of prominent citizens, including young men like Daniel, to Babylon. This marks the beginning of Judah's exile.
c. 600 BC— this verse
Prophets Spread Ungodliness
Jeremiah denounces the false prophets in Jerusalem who offer comforting lies, leading the people further into sin and rebellion against God amidst the impending crisis.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem
Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling the majority of the population to Babylon. This is the catastrophic culmination of Judah's unfaithfulness.
This passage describes the false prophets who are leading the people astray with lies, stating, 'How can we say, “We are wise, and the law of the LORD is with us”?' This directly parallels Jeremiah 23:15's condemnation of prophets whose ungodliness corrupts the land.
Ezekiel 13:10Ezekiel also condemns prophets who 'have erred in their vision' and 'lie,' saying they 'have daubed with untempered mortar,' trying to build things up that will fall. This echoes Jeremiah's charge that the prophets of Jerusalem are spreading destruction and falsehood.
Matthew 7:15Jesus warns against false prophets who come in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. This connects to Jeremiah 23:15 by highlighting the deceptive nature of false prophets and the harmful consequences they bring, even if they appear righteous.
2 Peter 2:1-3Peter describes false teachers who will secretly bring destructive heresies and follow greedy ways, just as Jeremiah describes the prophets of Jerusalem whose 'profaneness has gone out into all the land.' Both passages warn of the devastating ripple effect of corrupt leadership.
calvinJeremiah 23:15: "Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets; Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink the water of gall: for from the prophets of Jerusalem is profaneness gone forth into all the land."
Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets; Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and them drink the water of gall: for from the prophets of Jerusalem is profaneness gone forth into all the land.
Propterea sic dicit Jehova exer…
pulpitJeremiah 23:15: "Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets; Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink the water of gall: for from the prophets of Jerusalem is profaneness gone forth into all the land."
Verse 15. - On the punishment here threatened, see note on Jeremiah 9:15.
This verse highlights that the profaneness (or hypocrisy) of the Jerusalem prophets wasn't just their personal failing, but a spreading contagion that corrupted the entire land. God declares He will feed them with "bitter food" and "poisoned water," indicating their punishment will be a direct, sickening reflection of the spiritual poison they inflicted on others.
Jeremiah is speaking about the false prophets in Jerusalem who have been leading God's people astray with their deceptive messages. These prophets claimed to speak for God while actually promoting sin and a false sense of security, turning people away from genuine repentance. Because of their pervasive corruption that has spread throughout the land, God declares He will punish them with extreme bitterness and destruction.
Jeremiah is speaking about the false prophets in Jerusalem who have been leading God's people astray with their deceptive messages. These prophets claimed to speak for God while actually promoting sin and a false sense of security, turning people away from genuine repentance. Because of their pervasive corruption that has spread throughout the land, God declares He will punish them with extreme bitterness and destruction.
"Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets: “Behold, I will feed them with bitter food and give them poisoned water to drink, for from the prophets of Jerusalem ungodliness has gone out into all t…" — This verse highlights that the profaneness (or hypocrisy) of the Jerusalem prophets wasn't just their personal failing, but a spreading contagion that corrupted the entire land. God declares He wil…
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Last reviewed October 2026
