VW-Edition Bible (2010)

1Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture! says Jehovah. 2Therefore thus says Jehovah the God of Israel, against the shepherds who feed My people, You have scattered My flock, and have driven them away, and have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your doings, says Jehovah. 3And I will gather the remnant of My flock out of all the lands where I have driven them, and will bring them back to their folds. And they shall be fruitful and multiply. 4And I will set up shepherds over them who will feed them. And they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed; nor shall they be lacking, says Jehovah. 5Behold, the days are coming, says Jehovah, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King who shall reign and act prudently, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the earth.  6In His days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely. And this is His name by which He shall be called, JEHOVAH, OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. 7Therefore, behold, the days come, says Jehovah, that they shall no longer say, Jehovah lives, who brought the sons of Israel up out of the land of Egypt; 8but, Jehovah lives, who brought up and led the seed of the house of Israel out of the land of the north, and from all lands where I have driven them. And they shall dwell in their own land. 9My heart within me is broken because of the prophets; all my bones shake. I am like a drunken man, and like a man whom wine has overcome, because of Jehovah, and because of the Words of His holiness. 10For the land is full of adulterers. Yes, because of cursing the land mourns; the pleasant places of the wilderness are dried up, and their course is evil, and their strength is not right. 11For both prophet and priest are corrupt; yes, in My house I have found their evil, says Jehovah. 12So their way shall be to them as slippery ways in the darkness; they shall be driven on, and fall in them; for I will bring evil upon them, even the year of their punishment, says Jehovah. 13And I have seen folly in the prophets of Samaria; they prophesied by Baal and caused My people Israel to go astray. 14I have also seen in the prophets of Jerusalem a horrible thing; they commit adultery and walk in falsehood. They also strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns back from his evil; they are all of them like Sodom to Me, and its inhabitants like Gomorrah. 15Therefore thus says Jehovah of Hosts concerning the prophets: Behold, I will feed them wormwood, and make them drink bitter water; for godlessness has gone forth from the prophets of Jerusalem into all the land. 16Thus says Jehovah of Hosts, Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They fill you with vanities; they speak a vision from their own heart, not out of the mouth of Jehovah. 17They speak to those who despise Me, promising, Jehovah has said, You shall have peace! And they say to everyone who walks after the stubbornness of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you! 18For who has stood in the counsel of Jehovah, and has perceived and heard His Word? Who has paid attention to His Word and heeded it? 19Behold, a tempest from Jehovah has gone forth in fury, a whirling tempest. It shall whirl upon the head of the wicked. 20The anger of Jehovah shall not turn back, until He has executed and until He has fulfilled the purposes of His heart; in the latter days you shall diligently consider it with understanding. 21I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran; I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied. 22But if they had stood in My counsel and had caused My people to hear My Words, then they would have turned them from their evil way and from the evil of their doings. 23Am I a God near by, says Jehovah, and not a God afar off? 24Can anyone hide himself in secret places so that I shall not see him? says Jehovah. Do I not fill the heavens and earth? says Jehovah. 25I have heard what the prophets have said, who prophesy lies in My name, saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed. 26How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets who prophesy lies? Indeed, they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart, 27who think to cause My people to forget My name by their dreams which they tell, each one to his neighbor, as their fathers have forgotten My name for Baal. 28The prophet who has a dream, let him tell a dream. And he who has My Word, let him speak My Word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? says Jehovah. 29Is not My Word like a fire? says Jehovah; and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? 30Therefore thus says Jehovah, Behold, I am against the prophets who steal My Words each one from his neighbor. 31Jehovah says, Behold, I am against the prophets who use their tongues and say, He says. 32Jehovah says, Behold, I am against those who prophesy false dreams and tell them, and cause My people to go astray by their lies and by their foolishness. Yet I did not send them nor command them; therefore they shall not profit this people at all, says Jehovah. 33And when this people, or the prophet, or a priest, shall ask you, saying, What is the burden of Jehovah? You shall then say to them, What burden? I will even forsake you, says Jehovah. 34And as for the prophet, and the priest, and the people, who shall say, The burden of Jehovah! I will even punish that man and his house. 35And you shall say each one to his neighbor, and each one to his brother, What has Jehovah answered? and, What has Jehovah spoken? 36And you shall mention the burden of Jehovah no more. For every man's word shall be his burden; for you have perverted the Words of the living God, of Jehovah of Hosts our God. 37Thus you shall say to the prophet, What has Jehovah answered you? and, What has Jehovah spoken? 38But since you say, The burden of Jehovah! therefore thus says Jehovah, Because you say this word (The burden of Jehovah), and I have sent to you saying, You shall not say, The burden of Jehovah; 39therefore behold, I, even I, will completely forget you, and I will forsake you and the city that I gave you and your fathers, and will cast you out of My presence. 40And I will bring an everlasting reproach upon you, and a perpetual shame, which shall not be forgotten.


Jamieson Fausset Brown Bible Commentary
 1   THE WICKED RULERS TO BE SUPERSEDED BY THE KING, WHO SHOULD REIGN OVER THE AGAIN UNITED PEOPLES, ISRAEL AND JUDAH. (Jer. 23:1-40)
pastors--Shallum, Jehoiakim, Jeconiah, and Zedekiah (Ezek 34:2).

 2   Ye have not . . . visited them . . . I will visit upon you--just retribution. Play upon the double sense of "visit." "Visit upon," namely, in wrath (Exod 32:34).

 3   Restoration of Judah from Babylon foretold in language which in its fulness can only apply to the final restoration of both "Judah" and "Israel" (compare Jer 23:6); also "out of all countries," in this verse and Jer 23:8; also, "neither shall they be lacking," that is, none shall be missing or detached from the rest: a prophecy never yet fully accomplished. It holds good also of the spiritual Israel, the elect of both Jews and Gentiles (Mal 3:16-Mal 3:17; John 10:28; John 17:12). As to the literal Israel also, see Jer 32:37; Isa 54:13; Isa 60:21; Ezek 34:11-Ezek 34:16.
shepherds . . . shall feed them-- (Jer 3:15; Ezek 34:23-Ezek 34:31). Zerubbabel, Ezra, Nehemiah, and the Maccabees were but typical of the consummating fulfilment of these prophecies under Messiah.

 5   As Messianic prophecy extended over many years in which many political changes took place in harmony with these, it displayed its riches by a variety more effective than if it had been manifested all at once. As the moral condition of the Jews required in each instance, so Messiah was exhibited in a corresponding phase, thus becoming more and more the soul of the nation's life: so that He is represented as the antitypical Israel (Isa 49:3).
unto David--HENGSTENBERG observes that Isaiah dwells more on His prophetical and priestly office, which had already been partly set forth (Deut 18:18; Ps 110:4). Other prophets dwell more on His kingly office. Therefore here He is associated with "David" the king: but in Isa 11:1 with the then poor and unknown "Jesse."
righteous Branch--"the Branch of righteousness" (Jer 33:15); "The Branch" simply (Zech 3:8; Zech 6:12); "The Branch of the Lord" (Isa 4:2).
prosper--the very term applied to Messiah's undertaking (Isa 52:13, Margin; Isa 53:10). Righteousness or justice is the characteristic of Messiah elsewhere, too, in connection with our salvation or justification (Isa 53:11; Dan 9:24; Zech 9:9). So in the New Testament He is not merely "righteous" Himself, but "righteousness to us" (1Cor 1:30), so that we become "the righteousness of God in Him" (Rom 10:3-Rom 10:4; 2Cor 5:19-21; Phil 3:9).
execute judgment and justice in the earth-- (Ps 72:2; Isa 9:7; Isa 32:1, Isa 32:18). Not merely a spiritual reign in the sense in which He is "our righteousness," but a righteous reign "in the earth" (Jer 3:17-Jer 3:18). In some passages He is said to come to judge, in others to reign. In Matt 25:34, He is called "the King." Ps 9:7 unites them. Compare Dan 7:22, Dan 7:26-Dan 7:27.

 6   Judah . . . Israel . . . dwell safely--Compare Jer 33:16, where "Jerusalem" is substituted for "Israel" here. Only Judah, and that only in part, has as yet returned. So far are the Jews from having enjoyed, as yet, the temporal blessings here foretold as the result of Messiah's reign, that their lot has been, for eighteen centuries, worse than ever before. The accomplishment must, therefore, be still future, when both Judah and Israel in their own land shall dwell safely under a Christocracy, far more privileged than even the old theocracy (Jer 32:37; Deut 33:28; Isa. 54:1-17; 60:1-22; Isa 65:17-Isa 65:25; Zech 14:11).
shall be called, the Lord--that is, shall be (Isa 9:6) "Jehovah," God's incommunicable name. Though when applied to created things, it expresses only some peculiar connection they have with Jehovah (Gen 22:14; Exod 17:15), yet when applied to Messiah it must express His Godhead manifested in justifying power towards us (1Tim 3:16).
our--marks His manhood, which is also implied in His being a Branch raised unto David, whence His human title, "Son of David" (compare Matt 22:42-Matt 22:45).
Righteousness--marks His Godhead, for God alone can justify the ungodly (compare Rom 4:5; Isa 45:17, Isa 45:24-Isa 45:25).

 7   Repeated from Jer 16:14-Jer 16:15. The prophet said the same things often, in order that his sayings might make the more impression. The same promise as in Jer 23:3-Jer 23:4. The wide dispersion of the Jews at the Babylonish captivity prefigures their present wider dispersion (Isa 11:11; Joel 3:6). Their second deliverance is to exceed far the former one from Egypt. But the deliverance from Babylon was inferior to that from Egypt in respect to the miracles performed and the numbers delivered. The final deliverance under Messiah must, therefore, be meant, of which that from Babylon was the earnest.

 9   because of the prophets--so the Masorites and Targum. But Vulgate, Septuagint, &c., make this the inscription of the prophecy, CONCERNING THE PROPHETS: as in Jer 46:2; Jer 48:1; Jer 49:1. Jeremiah expresses his horror at the so-called "prophets" not warning the people, though iniquity so fearfully abounded, soon to be followed by awful judgments.
bones shake-- (Hab 3:16).
drunken--God's judgments are represented as stupefying like wine. The effects of the Holy Spirit also are compared to those of wine (Acts 2:17). In both cases ecstasy was produced. This accounts for the denial of wine to those likely to be inspired, Nazarites, &c. (Luke 1:15). It was necessary to put it out of men's power to ascribe inspired ecstasy to the effects of wine.
because of . . . words of . . . holiness--because of Jehovah's holy words, wherewith He threatened severe penalties, soon to be inflicted, against the breakers of His law.

 10   adulterers--spiritual, that is, forsakers of God, Israel's true Husband (Isa 54:5) for idols, at the instigation of the false "prophets" (Jer 23:9, Jer 23:15). Literal adultery and fornication, the usual concomitants of idolatry, are also meant.
swearing--MAURER, &c., translate, "Because of the curse (of God on it), the land mourneth" (Deut 27:15-Deut 27:26; Deu. 28:15-68; Isa 24:6). More than usual notoriety had been given to the curses of the law, by the finding and reading of it in Josiah's time (2Kgs 22:11, &c.). But Hos 4:2-Hos 4:3, favors English Version (compare Jer 12:4). A drought was sent by God on the pastures ("pleasant places," oases) in the desert, on account of the "profaneness" of the priests, prophets, and people (Jer 23:11).
course . . . evil--They (both prophets and people) rush into wickedness (Jer 23:21; Isa 59:7).
force . . . not right--Their powers are used not on the side of rectitude, but on that of falsehood.

 11   profane-- (Ezek 23:39; Zeph 3:4).
in my house-- (Jer 7:30). They built altars to idols in the very temple (2Kgs 23:12; Ezek 8:3-Ezek 8:16). Compare as to covetousness under the roof of the sanctuary, Matt 21:13; John 2:16.

 12   slippery ways in . . . darkness--Their "way" is their false doctrine which proves fatal to them (Jer 13:16; Ps 35:6; Pro 4:19).
I will bring evil . . . visitation--still more calamities than those already inflicted. See on Jer 11:23; "visitation," namely, in wrath.

 13   folly--literally, "insipidity," "unsavouriness" (Job 6:6), not having the salt of godliness (Col 4:6).
in Baal--in the name of Baal; in connection with his worship (see Jer 2:8).
caused . . . to err-- (Isa 9:16).

 14   "Jerusalem" and Judah were even worse than "Samaria" and the ten tribes; the greater were the privileges of the former, the greater was their guilt. They had the temple in their midst, which the ten tribes had not; yet in the temple itself they practised idolatry.
strengthen . . . hands of evildoers-- (Ezek 13:22).
as Sodom-- (Deut 32:32; Isa 1:10).

 15   gall--poison (see on Jer 8:14; Jer 9:15).

 16   make you vain--They seduce you to vanity, that is, idolatry, which will prove a vain trust to you (Jer 2:5; 2Kgs 17:15; Jonah 2:8), [GESENIUS]. Rather, "they delude you with vain promises of security" (Jer 23:17; compare Ps 62:10) [MAURER].
of their own heart--of their own invention (Jer 23:21; Jer 14:14).

 17   say still--Hebrew, "say in saying," that is, say incessantly.
peace-- (Jer 6:14; Ezek 13:10; Zech 10:2).
imagination--Hebrew, "obstinacy."
no evil-- (Mic 3:11).

 18   A reason is given why the false prophets should not be heeded: They have not stood in the counsels of Jehovah (an image from ministers present in a standing posture at councils of Eastern kings) (compare Jer 23:22; Job 15:8). The spiritual man alone has the privilege (Gen 18:17; Ps 25:14; Amos 3:7; John 15:15; 1Cor 2:16).

 19   So far from all prosperity awaiting the people as the false prophets say (Jer 23:17), wrath is in store for them.
grievous--literally, "eddying," whirling itself about, a tornado. In Jer 30:23, "continuing" is substituted for "grievous."
fall grievously--it shall be hurled on.

 20   in . . . latter days--that is, "the year of their visitation" (Jer 23:12). Primarily the meaning is: the Jews will not "consider" now God's warnings (Deut 32:29); but when the prophecies shall be fulfilled in their Babylonish exile, they will consider and see, by bitter experience, their sinful folly. The ultimate scope of the prophecy is: the Jews, in their final dispersion, shall at last "consider" their sin and turn to Messiah "perfectly" (Hos 3:5; Zech 12:5, Zech 12:10-Zech 12:14; Luke 13:35).

 21   sent . . . spoken--sent" refers to the primary call: "spoken" to the subsequent charges given to be executed. A call is required, not only external, on the part of men, but also internal from God, that one should undertake a pastor's office [CALVIN].

 22   stood in . . . counsel-- (Jer 23:18).
they should have turned them from their evil way--They would have given such counsels to the people as would have turned them from their sins (Jer 25:5; Isa 55:11), and so would have averted punishment. Their not teaching the law in which God's counsel is set forth proves they are not His prophets, though they boast of being so (Matt 7:15-Matt 7:20).

 23   Let not the false prophets fancy that their devices (Jer 23:25) are unknown to Me. Are ye so ignorant as to suppose that I can only see things near Me, namely, things in heaven, and not earthly things as being too remote?

 24   (Ps 139:7, &c.; Amos 9:2-Amos 9:3).
fill heaven and earth--with My omniscience providence, power, and essential being (1Kgs 8:27).

 25   dreamed--I have received a prophetic communication by dream (Num 12:6; Deut 13:1, &c. Joel 2:28).

 26   prophets--a different Hebrew form from the usual one, "prophesiers." "How long," cries Jeremiah, impatient of their impious audacity, "shall these prophecy-mongers go on prophesying lies?" The answer is given in Jer 23:29-Jer 23:34.

 27   They "think" to make My people utterly to forget Me. But I will oppose to those dreamers my true prophets.
fathers . . . for Baal-- (Judg 3:7; Judg 8:33-Judg 8:34).

 28   God answers the objection which might be stated, "What, then, must we do, when lies are spoken as truths, and prophets oppose prophets?" Do the same as when wheat is mixed with chaff: do not reject the wheat because of the chaff mixed with it, but discriminate between the false and the true revelations. The test is adherence to, or forgetfulness of, Me and My law (Jer 23:27).
that hath a dream--that pretends to have a divine communication by dream, let him tell it "faithfully," that it may be compared with "my word" (2Cor 4:2). The result will be the former (both the prophets and their fictions) will soon be seen to be chaff; the latter (the true prophets and the word of God in their mouth) wheat (Ps 1:4; Hos 13:3).

 29   As the "fire" consumes the "chaff" (Jer 23:28), so "My word" will consume the false prophets (Matt 3:12; Heb 4:12). "My word" which is "wheat" (Jer 23:28), that is, food to the true prophet and his hearers, is a consuming "fire," and a crushing "hammer" (Matt 21:44) to false prophets and their followers (2Cor 2:16). The Word of the false prophets may be known by its promising men peace in sin. "My word," on the contrary, burns and breaks the hard-hearted (Jer 20:9). The "hammer" symbolizes destructive power (Jer 50:23; Nah 2:1, Margin).

 30   steal my words--a twofold plagiarism; one steals from the other, and all steal words from Jehovah's true prophets, but misapply them (see Jer 28:2; John 10:1; Rev 22:19).

 31   use--rather, "take" their tongue: a second class (compare Jer 23:30) require, in order to bring forth a revelation, nothing more than their tongues, wherewith they say, He (Jehovah) saith: they bungle in the very formula instead of the usual "Jehovah saith," being only able to say "(He) saith."

 32   Third class: inventors of lies: the climax, and worst of the three.
lightness--wanton inventions (Zeph 3:4).
not profit--that is, greatly injure.

 33   What is the burden--play on the double sense of the Hebrew: an oracle and a burden. They scoffingly ask, Has he got any new burden (burdensome oracle: for all his prophecies are disasters) to announce (Mal 1:1)? Jeremiah indignantly repeats their own question, Do you ask, What burden? This, then, it is, "I will forsake you." My word is burdensome in your eyes, and you long to be rid if it. You shall get your wish. There will be no more prophecy: I will forsake you, and that will be a far worse "burden" to you.

 34   The burden--Whoever shall in mockery call the Lord's word "a burden," shall be visited (Margin) in wrath.

 35   The result of My judgments shall be, ye shall address the prophet more reverentially hereafter, no longer calling his message a burden, but a divine response or word. "What hath the LORD answered?"

 36   every man's word . . . his burden--As they mockingly call all prophecies burdens, as if calamities were the sole subject of prophecy, so it shall prove to them. God will take them at their own word.
living God--not lifeless as their dumb idols, ever living so as to be able to punish.

 39   I will . . . forget you--just retribution for their forgetting Him (Hos 4:6). But God cannot possibly forget His children (Isa 49:15). Rather for "forget" translate, "I will altogether lift you up (like a 'burden,' alluding to their mocking term for God's messages) and cast you off." God makes their wicked language fall on their own head [CALVIN]. Compare Jer 23:36 : "every man's word shall be his burden."

 40   not be forgotten--If we translate Jer 23:39 as English Version, the antithesis is, though I forget you, your shame shall not be forgotten.