Jeremiah 23:18

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 23:9-32

Here is a long lesson for the false prophets. As none were more bitter and spiteful against God's true prophets than they, so there were none on whom the true prophets were more severe, and justly. The prophet had complained to God of those false prophets (Jer. 14:13), and had often foretold that they should be involved in the common ruin; but here they have woes of their own. I. He expresses the deep concern that he was under upon this account, and what a trouble it was to him to see men who... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 23:18

For who hath stood in the counsel of the Lord ,.... These are either the words of the Prophet Jeremiah; signifying that none of the false prophets were of God's privy council, or were acquainted with his secrets, that they could tell the people they should have peace, and no evil come upon them; this they said, not from divine revelation, but from the imagination of their own hearts; for though the Lord does nothing but he reveals it to his servants, the prophets; yet not to men of such bad... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 23:18

Who hath stood in the counsel of the Lord - Who of them has ever received a word of prophecy from me? My word is not in them. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 23:18

Verse 18 The verse which follows is usually thus explained, Jeremiah condemns the false teachers for their carelessness, because they attended not to the word of God, and regarded as nothing what the Law contained. But interpreters seem to me to have been certainly much mistaken in this view; for Jeremiah here shews throughout, he passage how insolently and arrogantly the false teachers conducted themselves in audaciously opposing the true and faithful servants of God, Who has stood in the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 23:1-40

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 23:9-40

These verses form a complete prophecy, the title of which Jeremiah himself supplies in the words, "Concerning the (false) prophets" (see below); comp. Jeremiah 46:2 ; Jeremiah 48:1 ; Jeremiah 49:1 , Jeremiah 49:7 , Jeremiah 49:23 , Jeremiah 49:28 . It is true the rendering of the Authorized Version ( Jeremiah 49:9 ), Mine heart within me is broken because of the prophets , is not purely arbitrary; it is favored by the exegetical tradition represented by the Hebrew accents.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 23:16-22

A warning addressed to the people against the false prophecies (comp. Ezekiel 13:1-23 .). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 23:16-22

Trying the spirits. In Jeremiah 23:18 read, "For who hath stood in the counsel of Jehovah? Let him see and hear his word: who hath marked his word? Let him proclaim it." I. HEARERS ARE TO DISCRIMINATE BETWEEN FALSE PROPHETS AND TRUE . A very serious permission. But not for an occasion only: to be exercised whenever the witnesses conflict. The essential principle of Protestantism. The prophet is one who speaks in God's Name and reveals his will. The question,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jeremiah 23:18

For who hath stood in the counsel of the Lord ; rather, in the council . This verse is connected with Jeremiah 23:16 ; it gives the reason why the false prophets were not to be listened to. None of them had been admitted to the secret council of the Lord; the interrogation is here a form of denial. "To stand in the council" is not the same as "to sit" ( Psalms 1:1 ); the latter phrase implies taking an active part in the consultations. It is specially applicable to the true prophets,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Jeremiah 23:18

The prophet now applies this test to the circumstances of the times. A whirlwind has already gone forth Jeremiah 23:19. Had these false prophets stood in God’s secret “Council” (so in Jeremiah 23:22), they like Jeremiah would have labored to avert the danger by turning men from their evil way. read more

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