Jeremiah 23:15-16
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.” Thus says the LORD of hosts: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you, filling you with vain hopes. They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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God's judgment on the false prophets is stark: He will "feed them with bitter food and give them poisoned water." This isn't just about punishment; it's a potent metaphor showing that the very things they pursued—comfort, influence, and the people's favor—will become the source of their destruction. Their pursuit of "profaneness," or hypocrisy and desecration, meant that even their sustenance would become poisonous, a chilling reversal of fortune.
Jeremiah is addressing the false prophets of Jerusalem, who have been leading God's people astray with their deceptive messages and wicked examples. He declared that these prophets, who have spread impiety and hypocrisy throughout the land from the capital city, will now face a severe punishment from God. This punishment is described as them being forced to eat bitter food and drink poisoned water, a direct consequence of the spiritual poison they themselves have inflicted on the nation.
God doesn't take kindly to those who lead His people astray. Jeremiah 23:15 paints a stark picture of divine retribution for false prophets.
The Lord of Hosts, the all-powerful commander of heaven's armies, speaks directly to the prophets who have misled Judah. Their sin is so profound that God Himself will be the one to administer their punishment.
A Feast of Judgment
The imagery of being 'fed with bitter food' and given 'poisoned water' is incredibly potent. This isn't just a mild correction; it's a description of extreme suffering and ruin. For those who lived comfortable lives, perhaps even feasting on the people's offerings and lies, God promises a table set with nothing but bitterness and death.
This divine judgment signifies that all the things these prophets relied on – their status, their influence, their deceptive teachings – will turn against them, becoming sources of destruction rather than comfort or power. Their earthly 'feasts' will be replaced by God's 'bitter food' and 'poisoned water.'
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Why such a harsh judgment? Jeremiah 23:15 reveals that the corruption wasn't isolated; it spread like a disease from the very heart of Judah's spiritual leadership.
The second part of the verse explains the reason for this severe punishment: 'for from the prophets of Jerusalem ungodliness has gone out into all the land.'
The Source of the Sickness
Jerusalem, the city where God's presence was meant to dwell, and where His prophets were supposed to faithfully proclaim His Word, had become the epicenter of rebellion. The 'ungodliness' (which carries a sense of hypocrisy, desecration, and pollution) originated with the prophets in the capital city.
Instead of being a source of spiritual health and righteousness for the nation, these prophets, through their false teachings and corrupt examples, were the primary agents spreading sin and moral decay throughout the entire land. Their influence wasn't limited; it was pervasive, infecting everyone.
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.
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal name of the God of Israel, indicating His self-existence, covenant faithfulness, and sovereignty over all creation.
tsaba · Hebrew Noun
Title emphasizing God's sovereignty over the heavenly armies (angels) and all creation, highlighting His supreme authority and power to carry out His purposes.
nabi · Hebrew Noun
One called by God to proclaim His message, serve as His mouthpiece, and reveal His divine will to the people; true prophets speak only what the Lord commands.
hebel · Hebrew Adjective/Noun
Refers to emptiness, futility, or worthlessness; often used to describe things that lack substance, truth, or divine approval.
chazon · Hebrew Noun
A supernatural communication from God intended to convey His will, truth, or future purpose; must originate from God to be valid.
This verse speaks to the specific moment when false prophets in Jerusalem, despite the looming threat of Babylonian invasion and exile, continue to spread deceit and corruption. Their actions poisoned the spiritual life of the entire land, leading God to promise them a bitter and destructive fate.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern kingdom of Israel, leading to the exile of many Israelites and the colonization of the land with foreigners. This event left Judah as the sole remaining Israelite kingdom, increasing the spiritual and political stakes for its capital, Jerusalem.
626 BC
Jeremiah Begins Prophesying
Jeremiah is called by God to prophesy, beginning a ministry that would span decades and witness the increasing decay of Judah's spiritual and political state, culminating in the Babylonian exile.
609 BC
Josiah's Reforms Reversed
King Josiah, who had led a significant religious revival, is killed in battle at Megiddo. His reforms were subsequently abandoned by his successors, allowing the syncretistic and corrupt religious practices that Jeremiah condemned to resurface.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquers Judah and deports a group of elites, including the prophet Daniel, to Babylon. This marks the beginning of Judah's subjugation and foreshadows the greater destruction to come.
c. 597 BC— this verse
Second Deportation to Babylon
Following a rebellion, Nebuchadnezzar deports King Jehoiachin and many more skilled artisans and leaders to Babylon. Jeremiah's prophecies of judgment intensify during this period.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem
The Babylonians destroy Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling the majority of the remaining population. This catastrophic event fulfills Jeremiah's warnings about the consequences of the people's and prophets' unfaithfulness.
This passage also condemns prophets who deceive people with false promises of peace, highlighting the same theme of spiritual corruption stemming from leadership.
Matthew 7:15Jesus warns about false prophets who come in sheep's clothing but are inwardly ravenous wolves, paralleling the idea of deceptive leaders leading people astray.
Jeremiah 8:14This verse uses similar imagery of bitter food and poisoned water, showing that this prophetic pronouncement against false teachers was a recurring theme for Jeremiah.
2 Timothy 4:3This New Testament passage speaks of a future time when people will not tolerate sound teaching but will seek out teachers who tickle their ears, reflecting the 'profaneness' and corruption from the Jerusalem prophets.
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.
God's judgment on the false prophets is stark: He will "feed them with bitter food and give them poisoned water." This isn't just about punishment; it's a potent metaphor showing that the very things they pursued—comfort, influence, and the people's favor—will become the source of their destruction. Their pursuit of "profaneness," or hypocrisy and desecration, meant that even their sustenance would become poisonous, a chilling reversal of fortune.
Jeremiah is addressing the false prophets of Jerusalem, who have been leading God's people astray with their deceptive messages and wicked examples. He declared that these prophets, who have spread impiety and hypocrisy throughout the land from the capital city, will now face a severe punishment from God. This punishment is described as them being forced to eat bitter food and drink poisoned water, a direct consequence of the spiritual poison they themselves have inflicted on the nation.
Jeremiah is addressing the false prophets of Jerusalem, who have been leading God's people astray with their deceptive messages and wicked examples. He declared that these prophets, who have spread impiety and hypocrisy throughout the land from the capital city, will now face a severe punishment from God. This punishment is described as them being forced to eat bitter food and drink poisoned water, a direct consequence of the spiritual poison they themselves have inflicted on the nation.
"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…" — God's judgment on the false prophets is stark: He will "feed them with bitter food and give them poisoned water." This isn't just about punishment; it's a potent metaphor showing that the very things…
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