Jeremiah 23:23-26

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 23:23

Am I a God at hand, saith the Lord ,.... Or "near" F6 מקרב "e propinquo", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; "vel propinquus", Schmidt. ; that is, in heaven; and only sees, and hears, and observes persons and things there, being near unto him: and not a God afar off ? that sees, and hears, and takes notice of persons and things at a distance, even on earth. The meaning is, that he certainly was; and that persons and things on earth were as much under his cognizance and notice,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 23:24

Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord ,.... If a man should hide himself in the most secret and hidden places of the earth, and do his works in the most private manner, so that no human eye can see him, he cannot hide himself or his actions from the Lord, who can see from heaven to earth, and through the darkest and thickest clouds, and into the very bowels of the earth, and the most hidden and secret recesses and caverns of it. The darkness and the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 23:25

I have heard what the prophets said, that prophesy lies in my name ,.... Or, "I hear what the prophets say" F7 אמרו "dicunt", Calvin, Cocceius. , &c.; though they thought God was at a distance from them, in the highest heavens, and neither saw, nor heard, nor took any notice of what was done on earth, they were greatly mistaken; he heard and observed with indignation the false doctrines and lying prophecies which they delivered out in his name to the people, whether in public or... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 23:26

How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies ?.... To invent such lies, and deceive the people, and turn them away from God; agreeably to the preceding and following verses: this shows that this was not through ignorance and inadvertence; it was a meditated and studied thing by them; they contrived it in their hearts, and they were resolute and bent upon it, and took much delight and pleasure in it; their hearts were in it, and it was in them to do as they did; and... read more

Adam Clarke

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

Am I a God at hand, - and not a God afar off? - You act as if you thought I could not see you! Am I not omnipresent? Do not I fill the heavens and the earth? Jeremiah 23:24 . read more

John Calvin

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

Verse 23 Here he especially shakes off from hypocrites their self-delusions; for they were torpid in their vices, because they thought that they could in a manner blind the eyes of God. They did not indeed say so; but the heedless security of men would, never be so great as it is, were they to believe that nothing is hid from God, but that he penetrates into the inmost recesses of the heart, that he discerns between the thoughts and the feelings, and leaves not unobserved the very marrow. If,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 23:24

Verse 24 And that this is the meaning appears more clearly from the next verse, which ought to be read in connection with this; Will a man hide himself in coverts, that I should not see him? (106) This verse is added by way of explanation; there can therefore be no doubt respecting the words, far off and near, — that God is said to be a God afar off; because his eyes penetrate into the lowest depths, so that nothing can escape him. It is a wonder that the Greek translators made so great a... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 23:25

Verse 25 Jeremiah returns again to those impostors who soothed the people with their blandishments. Whenever Jeremiah and those who were like him, who faithfully performed their office, treated the people with severity by reproving and threatening them for their sins, these unprincipled men rose up against, them, and under the name of prophets flattered the ungodly despisers of God. It was, as we have before said, a most grievous trial, when in the very Church itself the ministers of Satan thus... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 23:26

Verse 26 Here God reproves the false prophets, and also promises to his people what was especially to be desired, — that he would cleanse his Church from such pollutions. He then shews that it was his purpose to take vengeance, because the false prophets had dared in such an impious and bold manner to abuse his sacred name. For it ever occurred to their minds, “How is it that God permits this? Is it because he cares not for the safety of his people? or does it give him any delight when he sees... read more

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