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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/23.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/jeremiah/23.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />This is what you keep saying to a prophet: &#8216What is the LORD&#8217s answer to you?&#8217 or &#8216What has the LORD spoken?&#8217<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/jeremiah/23.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“This is what you should say to the prophets: ‘What is the LORD’s answer?’ or ‘What is the LORD saying?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/jeremiah/23.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Thus you shall say to the prophet, ‘What has the LORD answered you?’ or ‘What has the LORD spoken?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/23.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Thus you are to say to the prophet: ‘What has the LORD answered you?’ and ‘What has the LORD spoken?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/jeremiah/23.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Thus shalt thou say to the prophet, What hath the LORD answered thee? and, What hath the LORD spoken?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/jeremiah/23.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Thus you shall say to the prophet, ‘What has the LORD answered you?’ and, ‘What has the LORD spoken?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/jeremiah/23.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />This is what you will say to <i>that</i> prophet: ‘What has the LORD answered you?’ and, ‘What has the LORD spoken?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/jeremiah/23.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Thus you will say to that prophet, &#8216What has the LORD answered you?&#8217 and, &#8216What has the LORD spoken?&#8217<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/jeremiah/23.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Thus you will say to <i>that</i> prophet, ‘What has the LORD answered you?’ and, ‘What has the LORD spoken?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/jeremiah/23.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Thus you will say to <i>that</i> prophet, ‘What has Yahweh answered you?’ and, ‘What has Yahweh spoken?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/jeremiah/23.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Thus you will [reverently] say to the prophet, ‘What has the LORD answered you?’ and, ‘What has the LORD spoken?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/jeremiah/23.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Say to the prophet, ‘What has the LORD answered you? ’ or ‘What has the LORD spoken? ’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/jeremiah/23.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />You must say to the prophet: What has the LORD answered you? and What has the LORD spoken? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/jeremiah/23.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Thus shalt thou say to the prophet, What hath Jehovah answered thee? and, What hath Jehovah spoken?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/jeremiah/23.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />If you go to a prophet, it's all right to ask, "What answer did the LORD give to my question?" or "What has the LORD said?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/jeremiah/23.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Thus shalt thou say to the prophet, What hath the LORD answered thee? and, What hath the LORD spoken?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/jeremiah/23.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"Jeremiah, say this to the prophets, 'What was the LORD's answer to you?' and 'What did the LORD say?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/jeremiah/23.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Jeremiah, ask the prophets, 'What answer did the LORD give you? What did the LORD say?' <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/jeremiah/23.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />This is what you should say to the prophet, 'What has the LORD answered?' or 'What has the LORD said?' <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/jeremiah/23.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Thus you are to say to the prophet: ?What has the LORD answered you?? and ?What has the LORD spoken??<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/jeremiah/23.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Each of you should merely ask the prophet, 'What answer did the LORD give you? Or what did the LORD say?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/jeremiah/23.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />You shall say to the prophet, "What has the LORD answered you?" and, "What has the LORD spoken?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/jeremiah/23.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Thus shalt thou say to the prophet, What hath the LORD answered thee? and, What hath the LORD spoken?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/jeremiah/23.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />You will say to the prophet, ‘What has Yahweh answered you?’ and, ‘What has Yahweh spoken?’ <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/jeremiah/23.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Thus you say to the prophet, "" What has YHWH answered you? And what has YHWH spoken?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/jeremiah/23.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Thus dost thou say unto the prophet What hath Jehovah answered thee? And what hath Jehovah spoken?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/jeremiah/23.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Thus shalt thou say to the prophet, What answered Jehovah? and what spake Jehovah?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/jeremiah/23.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Thus shalt thou say to the prophet: What hath the Lord answered thee? and what hath the Lord spoken? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/jeremiah/23.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And then you will speak in this way to the prophet: ‘What has the Lord answered you? And what has the Lord spoken?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/jeremiah/23.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Thus shall you ask the prophet, “What answer did the LORD give?” or “What did the LORD say?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/jeremiah/23.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Thus you shall ask the prophet, “What has the LORD answered you?” or “What has the LORD spoken?”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/jeremiah/23.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Thus shall you say to that person: What has the LORD answered you? and, What has the LORD spoken?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/jeremiah/23.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Thus you shall say to a man: “What has LORD JEHOVAH answered you, and what has LORD JEHOVAH spoken?”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/jeremiah/23.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Thus shalt thou say to the prophet: 'What hath the LORD answered thee?' and: 'What hath the LORD spoken?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/jeremiah/23.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />But wherefore, <i>say ye</i>, has the Lord our God spoken?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/jeremiah/23-37.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5k55c51ZGhs?start=7055" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/23.htm">False Oracles</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">36</span>But refer no more to the burden of the LORD, for each man’s word becomes the burden, so that you pervert the words of the living God, the LORD of Hosts, our God. <span class="reftext">37</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3541.htm" title="3541: kōh (Adv) -- Thus, here. From the prefix k and huw'; properly, like this, i.e. By implication, thus; also here; or now.">Thus</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: ṯō·mar (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">you are to say</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/5030.htm" title="5030: han·nā·ḇî (Art:: N-ms) -- A spokesman, speaker, prophet. From naba'; a prophet or inspired man.">the prophet:</a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: meh- (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">‘What</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">has the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/6030.htm" title="6030: ‘ā·nāḵ (V-Qal-Perf-3ms:: 2ms) -- To answer, respond.">answered you?’</a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: ū·mah- (Conj-w:: Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">and ‘What</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">has the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/1696.htm" title="1696: dib·ber (V-Piel-Perf-3ms) -- To speak. A primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively, to speak; rarely to subdue.">spoken?’</a> </span><span class="reftext">38</span>But if you claim, ‘This is the burden of the LORD,’ then this is what the LORD says: Because you have said, ‘This is the burden of the LORD,’ and I specifically told you not to make this claim,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/18-20.htm">Deuteronomy 18:20-22</a></span><br />But if any prophet dares to speak a message in My name that I have not commanded him to speak, or to speak in the name of other gods, that prophet must be put to death.” / You may ask in your heart, “How can we recognize a message that the LORD has not spoken?” / When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD and the message does not come to pass or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. The prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/13-6.htm">Ezekiel 13:6-9</a></span><br />They see false visions and speak lying divinations. They claim, ‘Thus declares the LORD,’ when the LORD did not send them; yet they wait for the fulfillment of their message. / Haven’t you seen a false vision and spoken a lying divination when you proclaim, ‘Thus declares the LORD,’ even though I have not spoken? / Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: Because you have uttered vain words and seen false visions, I am against you, declares the Lord GOD. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-15.htm">Matthew 7:15-20</a></span><br />Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. / By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? / Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/4-1.htm">1 John 4:1</a></span><br />Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_peter/2-1.htm">2 Peter 2:1-3</a></span><br />Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. / Many will follow in their depravity, and because of them the way of truth will be defamed. / In their greed, these false teachers will exploit you with deceptive words. The longstanding verdict against them remains in force, and their destruction does not sleep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/8-19.htm">Isaiah 8:19-20</a></span><br />When men tell you to consult mediums and spiritists who whisper and mutter, shouldn’t a people consult their God instead? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living? / To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/22-22.htm">1 Kings 22:22-23</a></span><br />And he replied, ‘I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets.’ ‘You will surely entice him and prevail,’ said the LORD. ‘Go and do it.’ / So you see, the LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouths of all these prophets of yours, and the LORD has pronounced disaster against you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/4-3.htm">2 Timothy 4:3-4</a></span><br />For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. / So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/13-2.htm">Zechariah 13:2-3</a></span><br />And on that day, declares the LORD of Hosts, I will erase the names of the idols from the land, and they will no longer be remembered. I will also remove the prophets and the spirit of impurity from the land. / And if anyone still prophesies, his father and mother who bore him will say to him, ‘You shall not remain alive, because you have spoken falsely in the name of the LORD.’ When he prophesies, his father and mother who bore him will pierce him through.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/24-11.htm">Matthew 24:11</a></span><br />and many false prophets will arise and deceive many.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/14-37.htm">1 Corinthians 14:37-38</a></span><br />If anyone considers himself a prophet or spiritual person, let him acknowledge that what I am writing you is the Lord’s command. / But if anyone ignores this, he himself will be ignored.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/3-5.htm">Micah 3:5-7</a></span><br />This is what the LORD says: “As for the prophets who lead My people astray, who proclaim peace while they chew with their teeth, but declare war against one who puts nothing in their mouths: / Therefore night will come over you without visions, and darkness without divination. The sun will set on these prophets, and the daylight will turn black over them. / Then the seers will be ashamed and the diviners will be disgraced. They will all cover their mouths because there is no answer from God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/20-29.htm">Acts 20:29-30</a></span><br />I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. / Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_thessalonians/2-9.htm">2 Thessalonians 2:9-12</a></span><br />The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by the working of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and false wonder, / and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them. / For this reason God will send them a powerful delusion so that they believe the lie, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/9-7.htm">Hosea 9:7</a></span><br />The days of punishment have come; the days of retribution have arrived—let Israel know it. The prophet is called a fool, and the inspired man insane, because of the greatness of your iniquity and hostility.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Thus shall you say to the prophet, What has the LORD answered you? and, What has the LORD spoken?</p><p class="hdg">no reference </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/jeremiah/23-35.htm">Lord's</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-34.htm">Prophet</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-35.htm">What</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/jeremiah/25-17.htm">Lord's</a> <a href="/jeremiah/25-2.htm">Prophet</a> <a href="/jeremiah/48-19.htm">What</a><div class="vheading2">Jeremiah 23</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/23-1.htm">He prophesies a restoration of the scattered flock.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/23-5.htm">Christ shall rule and save them.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/23-9.htm">Against false prophets;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">33. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jeremiah/23-33.htm">and mockers of the true prophets.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/jeremiah/23.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/jeremiah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/jeremiah/23.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Thus you are to say to the prophet:</b><br>This phrase indicates a directive given to the people regarding how they should address the prophets. In the context of <a href="/jeremiah/23.htm">Jeremiah 23</a>, God is addressing the false prophets who were misleading the people of Judah. The historical context is the period leading up to the Babylonian exile, a time when many false prophets were claiming to speak for God, offering false hope and assurances of peace. This directive serves as a corrective measure, emphasizing the need for discernment and accountability among those claiming to speak on behalf of the Lord.<p><b>‘What has the LORD answered you?’</b><br>This question underscores the importance of verifying the authenticity of a prophet's message. In the biblical context, a true prophet's words would align with God's will and previous revelations. The question implies a need for confirmation and consistency with God's established word. This aligns with <a href="/deuteronomy/18-21.htm">Deuteronomy 18:21-22</a>, where the test of a true prophet is whether their predictions come to pass. It also reflects the broader biblical theme of testing the spirits (1 <a href="/john/4.htm">John 4:1</a>) to ensure they are from God.<p><b>and ‘What has the LORD spoken?’</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the necessity of direct revelation from God rather than human invention. It calls for clarity and truthfulness in prophetic messages. The cultural context of ancient Israel placed a high value on the spoken word, especially when attributed to divine origin. This demand for authenticity is echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus, the ultimate prophet, speaks only what He hears from the Father (<a href="/john/12-49.htm">John 12:49-50</a>). The phrase also serves as a reminder of the prophetic office's responsibility to convey God's true message, foreshadowing the perfect fulfillment of prophecy in Christ, who is the Word made flesh (<a href="/john/1-14.htm">John 1:14</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jeremiah.htm">Jeremiah</a></b><br>A major prophet in the Old Testament, called by God to deliver messages of warning and hope to the people of Judah.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/f/false_prophets.htm">False Prophets</a></b><br>Individuals in Jeremiah's time who claimed to speak for God but delivered messages that contradicted God's true word.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/judah.htm">Judah</a></b><br>The southern kingdom of Israel, which was facing impending judgment due to its disobedience and idolatry.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal and unchanging nature.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_people_of_judah.htm">The People of Judah</a></b><br>The audience of Jeremiah's prophecies, often caught between listening to true and false messages.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/d/discernment_in_prophecy.htm">Discernment in Prophecy</a></b><br>Believers must exercise discernment when evaluating messages claimed to be from God. This involves comparing the message with Scripture and seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_authority_of_god's_word.htm">The Authority of God's Word</a></b><br>The Bible is the ultimate authority for truth. Any message or teaching must align with Scripture to be considered valid.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/accountability_for_leaders.htm">Accountability for Leaders</a></b><br>Spiritual leaders and teachers are accountable to God for the messages they deliver. They must ensure their teachings are rooted in biblical truth.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_the_community.htm">The Role of the Community</a></b><br>The community of believers plays a crucial role in holding each other accountable and encouraging one another to adhere to sound doctrine.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/seeking_god's_voice.htm">Seeking God's Voice</a></b><br>In a world filled with competing voices, believers are encouraged to seek God's voice through prayer, study of the Word, and fellowship with other believers.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_jeremiah_23.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 23</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_threats_to_jeremiah_align_with_divine_protection.htm">Jeremiah 11:18-23: How do these threats on Jeremiah's life align with the idea of divine protection for those who follow God's will?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_zedekiah_seek_jeremiah's_prophecy.htm">Why would King Zedekiah, who ignored God, privately seek Jeremiah's prophecy in Jeremiah 37:17, and does this align with his other actions?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_allow_false_prophets,_god_disapproves.htm">Jeremiah 23:21-22: Why would God allow false prophets to speak in His name if He disapproves of their messages?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_aren't_prophets'_betrayals_recorded.htm">In Jeremiah 2:8, why do historical records and other biblical accounts seemingly fail to mention the prophets and priests abandoning the Lord so decisively?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/jeremiah/23.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(37) <span class= "bld">Thus shalt thou say to the prophet . . .</span>--The verse repeats <a href="/jeremiah/23-35.htm" title="Thus shall you say every one to his neighbor, and every one to his brother, What has the LORD answered? and, What has the LORD spoken?">Jeremiah 23:35</a>, with the one difference that men are to use this, the simpler form of language, when they come to the prophet, as well as when they are speaking one to another. The affectation of big words was equally out of place in either case. In modern phraseology, the whole passage is a protest against the hypocrisy which shows itself in cant--<span class= "ital">i.e., </span>in the use of solemn words that have become hollow and unmeaning.<p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/jeremiah/23-37.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Thus</span><br /><span class="heb">כֹּ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(kōh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3541.htm">Strong's 3541: </a> </span><span class="str2">Like this, thus, here, now</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you are to say</span><br /><span class="heb">תֹאמַ֖ר</span> <span class="translit">(ṯō·mar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the prophet:</span><br /><span class="heb">הַנָּבִ֑יא</span> <span class="translit">(han·nā·ḇî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5030.htm">Strong's 5030: </a> </span><span class="str2">A spokesman, speaker, prophet</span><br /><br /><span class="word">‘What</span><br /><span class="heb">מֶה־</span> <span class="translit">(meh-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">has the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">answered you?’</span><br /><span class="heb">עָנָ֣ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·nāḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6030.htm">Strong's 6030: </a> </span><span class="str2">To answer, respond</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and, ‘What</span><br /><span class="heb">וּמַה־</span> <span class="translit">(ū·mah-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">has the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">spoken?’</span><br /><span class="heb">דִּבֶּ֖ר</span> <span class="translit">(dib·ber)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1696.htm">Strong's 1696: </a> </span><span class="str2">To arrange, to speak, to subdue</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/jeremiah/23-37.htm">Jeremiah 23:37 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/jeremiah/23-37.htm">Jeremiah 23:37 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/jeremiah/23-37.htm">Jeremiah 23:37 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/jeremiah/23-37.htm">Jeremiah 23:37 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/jeremiah/23-37.htm">Jeremiah 23:37 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/jeremiah/23-37.htm">Jeremiah 23:37 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/jeremiah/23-37.htm">Jeremiah 23:37 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/jeremiah/23-37.htm">Jeremiah 23:37 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/jeremiah/23-37.htm">Jeremiah 23:37 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/jeremiah/23-37.htm">Jeremiah 23:37 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/jeremiah/23-37.htm">OT Prophets: Jeremiah 23:37 You shall say to the prophet What (Jer.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/jeremiah/23-36.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Jeremiah 23:36"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 23:36" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/jeremiah/23-38.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Jeremiah 23:38"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 23:38" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>