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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Jeremiah 23:15 Therefore this is what the LORD of Hosts says concerning the prophets: "I will feed them wormwood and give them poisoned water to drink, for from the prophets of Jerusalem ungodliness has spread throughout the land."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/jeremiah/23-15.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/24_Jer_23_15.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Jeremiah 23:15 - Lying Prophets" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Therefore this is what the LORD of Hosts says concerning the prophets: I will feed them wormwood and give them poisoned water to drink, for from the prophets of Jerusalem ungodliness has spread throughout the land." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/jeremiah/23-15.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/jeremiah/23-15.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/jeremiah/">Jeremiah</a> > <a href="/jeremiah/23.htm">Chapter 23</a> > Verse 15</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/jeremiah/23-14.htm" title="Jeremiah 23:14">◄</a> Jeremiah 23:15 <a href="/jeremiah/23-16.htm" title="Jeremiah 23:16">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Hebrew </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<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"><a href="/niv/jeremiah/23.htm">New International Version</a> Therefore this is what the LORD Almighty says concerning the prophets: &#8220I will make them eat bitter food and drink poisoned water, because from the prophets of Jerusalem ungodliness has spread throughout the land.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/jeremiah/23.htm">New Living Translation</a> Therefore, this is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says concerning the prophets: “I will feed them with bitterness and give them poison to drink. For it is because of Jerusalem’s prophets that wickedness has filled this land.” <a href="/esv/jeremiah/23.htm">English Standard Version</a> Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets: “Behold, I will feed them with bitter food and give them poisoned water to drink, for from the prophets of Jerusalem ungodliness has gone out into all the land.” <a href="/bsb/jeremiah/23.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Therefore this is what the LORD of Hosts says concerning the prophets: “I will feed them wormwood and give them poisoned water to drink, for from the prophets of Jerusalem ungodliness has spread throughout the land.” <a href="/kjv/jeremiah/23.htm">King James Bible</a> Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets; Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink the water of gall: for from the prophets of Jerusalem is profaneness gone forth into all the land. <a href="/nkjv/jeremiah/23.htm">New King James Version</a> “Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets: ‘Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, And make them drink the water of gall; For from the prophets of Jerusalem Profaneness has gone out into all the land.’ ” <a href="/nasb_/jeremiah/23.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Therefore this is what the LORD of armies says concerning the prophets: ‘Behold, I am going to feed them wormwood And make them drink poisonous water, For from the prophets of Jerusalem Ungodliness has spread into all the land.’” <a href="/nasb/jeremiah/23.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets, &#8216Behold, I am going to feed them wormwood And make them drink poisonous water, For from the prophets of Jerusalem Pollution has gone forth into all the land.&#8217&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/jeremiah/23.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets, ‘Behold, I am going to feed them wormwood And make them drink poisonous water, For from the prophets of Jerusalem Pollution has gone forth into all the land.’” <a href="/lsb/jeremiah/23.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Therefore thus says Yahweh of hosts concerning the prophets, ‘Behold, I am going to feed them wormwood And make them drink poisoned water, For from the prophets of Jerusalem Pollution has gone forth into all the land.’” <a href="/amp/jeremiah/23.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts in regard to the prophets, ‘Behold, I am going to feed them [the bitterness of] wormwood And make them drink the poisonous water [of gall], For from the [counterfeit] prophets of Jerusalem Profaneness and ungodliness have spread into all the land.’” <a href="/csb/jeremiah/23.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Therefore, this is what the LORD of Armies says concerning the prophets: I am about to feed them wormwood and give them poisoned water to drink, for from the prophets of Jerusalem ungodliness has spread throughout the land. <a href="/hcsb/jeremiah/23.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Therefore, this is what the LORD of Hosts says concerning the prophets: I am about to feed them wormwood and give them poisoned water to drink, for from the prophets of Jerusalem ungodliness has spread throughout the land. <a href="/asv/jeremiah/23.htm">American Standard Version</a> Therefore thus saith Jehovah of hosts concerning the prophets: Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink the water of gall; for from the prophets of Jerusalem is ungodliness gone forth into all the land. <a href="/cev/jeremiah/23.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> You prophets in Jerusalem have spread evil everywhere. That's why I, the LORD, promise to give you bitter poison to eat and drink. <a href="/erv/jeremiah/23.htm">English Revised Version</a> Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets: Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink the water of gall: for from the prophets of Jerusalem is profaneness gone forth into all the land. <a href="/gwt/jeremiah/23.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> This is what the LORD of Armies says about the prophets: I will give them wormwood to eat and poison to drink. The prophets of Jerusalem have spread godlessness throughout the land. <a href="/gnt/jeremiah/23.htm">Good News Translation</a> "So then, this is what I, the LORD Almighty, say about the prophets of Jerusalem: I will give them bitter plants to eat and poison to drink, because they have spread ungodliness throughout the land." <a href="/isv/jeremiah/23.htm">International Standard Version</a> Therefore, this is what the LORD God of the Heavenly Armies says about the prophets, "I'm about to make them eat wormwood and drink poisoned water, because godlessness has spread from the prophets of Jerusalem throughout the land." <a href="/msb/jeremiah/23.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Therefore this is what the LORD of Hosts says concerning the prophets: “I will feed them wormwood and give them poisoned water to drink, for from the prophets of Jerusalem ungodliness has spread throughout the land.” <a href="/net/jeremiah/23.htm">NET Bible</a> So then I, the LORD who rules over all, have something to say concerning the prophets of Jerusalem: 'I will make these prophets eat the bitter food of suffering and drink the poison water of judgment. For the prophets of Jerusalem are the reason that ungodliness has spread throughout the land.'" <a href="/nheb/jeremiah/23.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets: 'Look, I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink the water of gall; for from the prophets of Jerusalem is ungodliness gone forth into all the land.' <a href="/wbt/jeremiah/23.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets; Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink the water of gall: for from the prophets of Jerusalem is profaneness gone forth into all the land. <a href="/web/jeremiah/23.htm">World English Bible</a> Therefore Yahweh of Armies says concerning the prophets: “Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink poisoned water; for from the prophets of Jerusalem ungodliness has gone out into all the land.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/jeremiah/23.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Therefore, thus said YHWH of Hosts, concerning the prophets: “Behold, I am causing them to eat wormwood, "" And have caused them to drink water of gall, "" For from prophets of Jerusalem "" Profanity has gone forth to all the land.” <a href="/ylt/jeremiah/23.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Therefore, thus said Jehovah of Hosts, concerning the prophets: Lo, I am causing them to eat wormwood, And have caused them to drink water of gall, For, from prophets of Jerusalem Hath profanity gone forth to all the land. <a href="/slt/jeremiah/23.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> For this, thus said Jehovah of armies concerning the prophets, Behold me feeding them with wormwood, and I caused to drink the water of poison: for from the prophets of Jerusalem went forth profaneness to all the earth.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/jeremiah/23.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts to the prophets: Behold I will feed them with wormwood, and I will give them gall to drink: for from the prophets of Jerusalem corruption has gone forth into all the land. <a href="/cpdv/jeremiah/23.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Because of this, thus says the Lord of hosts to the prophets: “Behold, I will feed them absinthe, and I will give them gall to drink. For from the prophets of Jerusalem corruption has gone forth over the entire earth.” <a href="/nabre/jeremiah/23.htm">New American Bible</a> Therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts against the prophets: Look, I will give them wormwood to eat, and poisoned water to drink; For from Jerusalem’s prophets ungodliness has gone forth into the whole land. <a href="/nrsvce/jeremiah/23.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets: “I am going to make them eat wormwood, and give them poisoned water to drink; for from the prophets of Jerusalem ungodliness has spread throughout the land.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/jeremiah/23.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets: Behold. I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink bitter water; for from the prophets of Jerusalem paganism has gone forth throughout all the land. <a href="/hpbt/jeremiah/23.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> Because of this, so says LORD JEHOVAH of hosts about the Prophets: “Behold, I feed them bitter herbs and I shall give them bitter waters to drink, because from the presence of the Prophets of Jerusalem paganism has proceeded into all the land<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/jeremiah/23.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets: Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, And make them drink the water of gall; For from the prophets of Jerusalem Is ungodliness gone forth into all the land. <a href="/sep/jeremiah/23.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> Therefore thus saith the Lord; Behold, I will feed them with pain, and give them bitter water to drink: for from the prophets of Jerusalem has defilement gone forth into all the land. <a href="/parallel/jeremiah/23-15.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5k55c51ZGhs?start=6795" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/jeremiah/23.htm">Lying Prophets</a> …14And among the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen a horrible thing: They commit adultery and walk in lies. They strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns his back on wickedness. They are all like Sodom to Me; the people of Jerusalem are like Gomorrah.” 15<a href="/hebrew/3651.htm" title="3651: lā·ḵên (Adv) -- So, thus. From kuwn; properly, set upright; hence just; but usually rightly or so.">Therefore</a> <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.">this is 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.">the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/6635.htm" title="6635: ṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ (N-cp) -- Or tsbadah; from tsaba'; a mass of persons, especially reg. Organized for war; by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively.">of Hosts</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: ’ā·mar (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">says</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">concerning</a> <a href="/hebrew/5030.htm" title="5030: han·nə·ḇi·’îm (Art:: N-mp) -- A spokesman, speaker, prophet. From naba'; a prophet or inspired man.">the prophets:</a> <a href="/hebrew/2005.htm" title="2005: hin·nî (Interjection:: 1cs) -- Lo! behold! A primitive particle; lo!; also if."></a> <a href="/hebrew/398.htm" title="398: ma·’ă·ḵîl (V-Hifil-Prtcpl-ms) -- To eat. A primitive root; to eat.">“I will feed</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’ō·w·ṯām (DirObjM:: 3mp) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">them</a> <a href="/hebrew/3939.htm" title="3939: la·‘ă·nāh (N-fs) -- Wormwood. From an unused root supposed to mean to curse; wormwood.">wormwood</a> <a href="/hebrew/7219.htm" title="7219: rōš (N-ms) -- (bitter and poisonous herb) venom. Or rowsh; apparently the same as ro'sh; a poisonous plant, probably the poppy; generally poison.">and give them poisoned</a> <a href="/hebrew/4325.htm" title="4325: mê- (N-mpc) -- Waters, water. Dual of a primitive noun; water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen.">water</a> <a href="/hebrew/8248.htm" title="8248: wə·hiš·qi·ṯîm (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConjPerf-1cs:: 3mp) -- Cause to drink water, give to drink. A primitive root; to quaff, i.e. to irrigate or furnish a potion to.">to drink,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">for</a> <a href="/hebrew/854.htm" title="854: mê·’êṯ (Prep-m:: DirObjM) -- With (denoting proximity). Probably from 'anah; properly, nearness, near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5030.htm" title="5030: nə·ḇî·’ê (N-mpc) -- A spokesman, speaker, prophet. From naba'; a prophet or inspired man.">from the prophets</a> <a href="/hebrew/3389.htm" title="3389: yə·rū·šā·lim (N-proper-fs) -- Probably foundation of peace, capital city of all Isr. ">of Jerusalem</a> <a href="/hebrew/2613.htm" title="2613: ḥă·nup·pāh (N-fs) -- Profaneness, pollution. Feminine from chaneph; impiety.">ungodliness</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: lə·ḵāl (Prep-l:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3318.htm" title="3318: yā·ṣə·’āh (V-Qal-Perf-3fs) -- A primitive root; to go out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.">has spread</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: hā·’ā·reṣ (Art:: N-fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">throughout the land.”</a> 16This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They are filling you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/ezekiel/13-10.htm">Ezekiel 13:10-16</a> Because they have led My people astray, saying, ‘Peace,’ when there is no peace, and whitewashing any flimsy wall that is built, / tell those whitewashing the wall that it will fall. Rain will come in torrents, I will send hailstones plunging down, and a windstorm will burst forth. / Surely when the wall has fallen, you will not be asked, ‘Where is the whitewash with which you covered it?’ ... <a href="/lamentations/2-14.htm">Lamentations 2:14</a> The visions of your prophets were empty and deceptive; they did not expose your guilt to ward off your captivity. The burdens they envisioned for you were empty and misleading. <a href="/micah/3-5.htm">Micah 3:5-7</a> 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.” <a href="/zephaniah/3-4.htm">Zephaniah 3:4</a> Her prophets are reckless, faithless men. Her priests profane the sanctuary; they do violence to the law. <a href="/matthew/7-15.htm">Matthew 7:15-20</a> 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. ... <a href="/2_peter/2-1.htm">2 Peter 2:1-3</a> 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. <a href="/isaiah/9-15.htm">Isaiah 9:15-16</a> The head is the elder and honorable man, and the tail is the prophet who teaches lies. / For those who guide this people mislead them, and those they mislead are swallowed up. <a href="/hosea/9-7.htm">Hosea 9:7-9</a> 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. / The prophet is Ephraim’s watchman, along with my God, yet the snare of the fowler lies on all his paths. Hostility is in the house of his God! / They have deeply corrupted themselves as in the days of Gibeah; He will remember their guilt; He will punish their sins. <a href="/matthew/23-27.htm">Matthew 23:27-28</a> Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. / In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. <a href="/1_john/4-1.htm">1 John 4:1</a> 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. <a href="/ezekiel/22-25.htm">Ezekiel 22:25-28</a> The conspiracy of the princes in her midst is like a roaring lion tearing its prey. They devour the people, seize the treasures and precious things, and multiply the widows within her. / Her priests do violence to My law and profane My holy things. They make no distinction between the holy and the common, and they fail to distinguish between the clean and the unclean. They disregard My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them. / Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey, shedding blood, and destroying lives for dishonest gain. ... <a href="/zechariah/13-2.htm">Zechariah 13:2-3</a> 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. <a href="/2_timothy/4-3.htm">2 Timothy 4:3-4</a> 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. <a href="/isaiah/28-7.htm">Isaiah 28:7-8</a> These also stagger from wine and stumble from strong drink: Priests and prophets reel from strong drink and are befuddled by wine. They stumble because of strong drink, muddled in their visions and stumbling in their judgments. / For all their tables are covered with vomit; there is not a place without filth. <a href="/1_timothy/4-1.htm">1 Timothy 4:1-2</a> Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons, / influenced by the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences are seared with a hot iron.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Therefore thus said the LORD of hosts concerning the prophets; Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink the water of gall: for from the prophets of Jerusalem is profaneness gone forth into all the land.will.<a href="/jeremiah/8-14.htm">Jeremiah 8:14</a> Why do we sit still? assemble yourselves, and let us enter into the defenced cities, and let us be silent there: for the LORD our God hath put us to silence, and given us water of gall to drink, because we have sinned against the LORD.<a href="/jeremiah/9-15.htm">Jeremiah 9:15</a> Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will feed them, even this people, with wormwood, and give them water of gall to drink.<a href="/psalms/69-21.htm">Psalm 69:21</a> They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.profaneness.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/jeremiah/20-12.htm">Armies</a> <a href="/jeremiah/22-15.htm">Drink</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-4.htm">Feed</a> <a href="/jeremiah/22-20.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/jeremiah/9-15.htm">Gall</a> <a href="/jeremiah/20-12.htm">Hosts</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-14.htm">Jerusalem</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-14.htm">Prophets</a> <a href="/psalms/18-4.htm">Ungodliness</a> <a href="/jeremiah/18-14.htm">Water</a> <a href="/jeremiah/9-15.htm">Wormwood</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/jeremiah/23-16.htm">Armies</a> <a href="/jeremiah/25-15.htm">Drink</a> <a href="/jeremiah/50-19.htm">Feed</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-19.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-5.htm">Gall</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-16.htm">Hosts</a> <a href="/jeremiah/24-1.htm">Jerusalem</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-16.htm">Prophets</a> <a href="/romans/1-18.htm">Ungodliness</a> <a href="/jeremiah/31-9.htm">Water</a> <a href="/lamentations/3-15.htm">Wormwood</a><div class="vheading2">Jeremiah 23</div>1. <a href="/jeremiah/23-1.htm">He prophesies a restoration of the scattered flock.</a> 5. <a href="/jeremiah/23-5.htm">Christ shall rule and save them.</a> 9. <a href="/jeremiah/23-9.htm">Against false prophets;</a> 33. <a href="/jeremiah/23-33.htm">and mockers of the true prophets.</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/jeremiah/23.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div>Therefore, this is what the LORD of Hosts says The phrase "LORD of Hosts" is a translation of the Hebrew "Yahweh Sabaoth," which emphasizes God's supreme command over the armies of heaven and earth. This title underscores His authority and power, reminding us that the message delivered is not from a mere human perspective but from the sovereign Creator who governs all. The use of "therefore" connects this declaration to the preceding verses, where the false prophets' deceit and corruption are exposed. It serves as a divine response to the moral and spiritual decay they have caused.concerning the prophets The term "prophets" here refers specifically to those in Jerusalem who were supposed to be God's messengers but had become purveyors of falsehood. In the Hebrew context, a prophet (navi) was one who spoke on behalf of God, conveying His will to the people. However, these prophets had strayed from their divine calling, leading the people astray with their lies and false visions. This highlights the grave responsibility of spiritual leaders and the severe consequences of their failure.I will feed them wormwood "Wormwood" is a bitter plant, often associated with sorrow and calamity in the Scriptures. The Hebrew word "la'anah" signifies bitterness and is used metaphorically to describe the severe judgment and suffering that God will bring upon these false prophets. This imagery of being fed wormwood conveys the idea that their actions will lead to their own bitter end, a divine retribution for their deceit and corruption.and give them poisoned water to drink The phrase "poisoned water" further intensifies the imagery of judgment. In the ancient Near East, water was a symbol of life and blessing, but here it is turned into a curse. The Hebrew word "rosh" can mean poison or venom, indicating the deadly consequences of the prophets' false teachings. This serves as a stark warning that those who corrupt God's truth will face severe punishment.for from the prophets of Jerusalem The mention of "Jerusalem" is significant, as it was the spiritual and political center of Israel. The prophets in Jerusalem held great influence, and their corruption had far-reaching effects. This highlights the tragedy of their failure, as those who were meant to guide the people in righteousness instead led them into sin. It underscores the importance of integrity and faithfulness in spiritual leadership.ungodliness has spread throughout the land The word "ungodliness" translates the Hebrew "chaneph," which denotes moral corruption and apostasy. The false prophets' teachings had permeated the entire land, leading the people away from God's covenant. This phrase illustrates the pervasive nature of sin and the destructive impact of false doctrine. It serves as a call to vigilance and discernment, urging believers to remain steadfast in the truth of God's Word.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/jeremiah/23.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(15) Wormwood . . . water of gall.--See Notes on <a href="/jeremiah/8-14.htm" title="Why do we sit still? assemble yourselves, and let us enter into the defended cities, and let us be silent there: for the LORD our God has put us to silence, and given us water of gall to drink, because we have sinned against the LORD.">Jeremiah 8:14</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/9-15.htm" title="Therefore thus said the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will feed them, even this people, with wormwood, and give them water of gall to drink.">Jeremiah 9:15</a>.Profaneness.--The root-meaning of the Hebrew word is that of "veiling," hence that of simulated holiness, or, as in the margin, "hypocrisy;" but the associations of the word attached to it the further sense of the hypocrisy that desecrates, so that "profaneness" is, on the whole, the best rendering. The corresponding concrete noun is rendered in <a href="/isaiah/9-17.htm" title="Therefore the LORD shall have no joy in their young men, neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows: for every one is an hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaks folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.">Isaiah 9:17</a> by "hypocrite;" in <a href="/psalms/35-16.htm" title="With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed on me with their teeth.">Psalm 35:16</a> by "hypocritical mocker;" above, in <a href="/jeremiah/23-11.htm" title="For both prophet and priest are profane; yes, in my house have I found their wickedness, said the LORD.">Jeremiah 23:11</a>, by "profane." . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/jeremiah/23.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 15. - On the punishment here threatened, see note on Jeremiah 9:15. <a href="/commentaries/jeremiah/23-15.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Therefore, לָכֵ֞ן (lā·ḵên) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3651.htm">Strong's 3651: </a> So -- thus this is what כֹּֽה־ (kōh-) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3541.htm">Strong's 3541: </a> Like this, thus, here, now the LORD יְהוָ֤ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel of Hosts צְבָאוֹת֙ (ṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ) Noun - common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6635.htm">Strong's 6635: </a> A mass of persons, reg, organized for, war, a campaign says אָמַ֨ר (’ā·mar) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say concerning עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> Above, over, upon, against the prophets: הַנְּבִאִ֔ים (han·nə·ḇi·’îm) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5030.htm">Strong's 5030: </a> A spokesman, speaker, prophet “I will feed מַאֲכִ֤יל (ma·’ă·ḵîl) Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_398.htm">Strong's 398: </a> To eat them wormwood לַֽעֲנָ֔ה (la·‘ă·nāh) Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3939.htm">Strong's 3939: </a> Wormwood and give them poisoned רֹ֑אשׁ (rōš) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7219.htm">Strong's 7219: </a> A poisonous plant, the poppy, poison water מֵי־ (mê-) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4325.htm">Strong's 4325: </a> Water, juice, urine, semen to drink, וְהִשְׁקִתִ֖ים (wə·hiš·qi·ṯîm) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8248.htm">Strong's 8248: </a> To quaff, to irrigate, furnish a, potion to for כִּ֗י (kî) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction from the prophets נְבִיאֵ֣י (nə·ḇî·’ê) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5030.htm">Strong's 5030: </a> A spokesman, speaker, prophet of Jerusalem יְרוּשָׁלִַ֔ם (yə·rū·šā·lim) Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3389.htm">Strong's 3389: </a> Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel ungodliness חֲנֻפָּ֖ה (ḥă·nup·pāh) Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2613.htm">Strong's 2613: </a> Profaneness, pollution has spread יָצְאָ֥ה (yā·ṣə·’āh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3318.htm">Strong's 3318: </a> To go, bring, out, direct and proxim throughout the land.” הָאָֽרֶץ׃ (hā·’ā·reṣ) Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> Earth, land <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/jeremiah/23-15.htm">Jeremiah 23:15 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/jeremiah/23-15.htm">Jeremiah 23:15 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/jeremiah/23-15.htm">Jeremiah 23:15 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/jeremiah/23-15.htm">Jeremiah 23:15 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/jeremiah/23-15.htm">Jeremiah 23:15 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/jeremiah/23-15.htm">Jeremiah 23:15 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/jeremiah/23-15.htm">Jeremiah 23:15 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/jeremiah/23-15.htm">Jeremiah 23:15 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/jeremiah/23-15.htm">Jeremiah 23:15 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/jeremiah/23-15.htm">Jeremiah 23:15 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-15.htm">OT Prophets: Jeremiah 23:15 Therefore thus says Yahweh of Armies concerning (Jer.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/jeremiah/23-14.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Jeremiah 23:14"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 23:14" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/jeremiah/23-16.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Jeremiah 23:16"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Jeremiah 23:16" /></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>