Jeremiah 23:26

"“I have heard what the prophets have said, who prophesy lies in my name, saying, ‘I had a dream! I had a dream!’"

Key Reflection

In Jeremiah's time, false prophets were rampant, often claiming divine authority for their predictions. By saying that these prophets declared they had dreams, Jeremiah was criticizing this practice, suggesting it was mere fabrication and not genuine revelation from God. The original audience would have understood this as a direct rebuke to those who claimed prophetic insight without evidence or truthfulness, reinforcing the idea that true prophecy must be grounded in divine truth rather than personal fantasy.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Some translate, “How long? Is it in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies, and prophesy the deceit of their heart - do they purpose to make My people forget My name by their dreams which they tell one to another?”

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