Jeremiah 5:31 - Exposition

The prophets … the priests . (See on Jeremiah 2:26 .) Bear rule by their means ; rather, rule at their beck . (literally, at their hands , comp. Jeremiah 33:13 ; 1 Chronicles 25:2 , 1 Chronicles 25:3 ; 2 Chronicles 23:18 ). An example of this interference of the false prophets with the priestly office is given by Jeremiah himself. ( Jeremiah 29:24-26 ). My people love to have it so. Sometimes the prophets speak as if the governing classes alone were responsible for the sins and consequent calamities of their country. But Jeremiah here expressly declares that the governed were as much to blame as their governors.