Jeremiah 23:35 - You will say everyone to his neighbor, and everyone to his brother, ‘What has Yahweh answered?’ and, ‘What has Yahweh said?’
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What does "Jeremiah 23:35" mean?
Jeremiah 23:35 is part of a larger prophetic rebuke against false prophets in Judah. To understand the meaning of this specific verse, we need to consider the context:
The Problem: Jeremiah is condemning prophets who are prophesying lies and deceiving the people. They are speaking their own dreams and imaginations instead of speaking God's actual words. They are leading the people astray with false hopes and assurances of peace.
The Correctives: Jeremiah wants the people to stop using the phrase "the oracle of the Lord" or something similar (Jeremiah 23:33-40). The reason for this is that such oracles are not true revelations from God.
With this in mind, let's break down Jeremiah 23:35:
"You will say everyone to his neighbor, and everyone to his brother, ‘What has Yahweh answered?’ and, ‘What has Yahweh said?’"
"You will say everyone to his neighbor, and everyone to his brother...": This emphasizes the widespread nature of the inquiry. Everyone, from close family members to casual acquaintances, is questioning each other about God's messages.
"What has Yahweh answered?" and "What has Yahweh said?": This is the key. The people are concerned with knowing what God's response or pronouncements are. They are interested in hearing from God.
Meaning and Interpretation:
1. Genuine Desire for God's Word (Mixed with Confusion): On one level, the verse shows that the people of Judah do have a desire to know what God is saying. They want to understand God's will and guidance. However, because they are being bombarded with false prophecies, they are now confused and uncertain about what is true.
2. Irony and Implied Criticism: There's a subtle layer of irony here. Jeremiah is suggesting that the people should be seeking God's actual word, not the fabricated pronouncements of the false prophets. The question "What has Yahweh answered?" and "What has Yahweh said?" is meant to highlight the absence of a true, authoritative word from God due to the prevalence of false prophecy. The people are asking the right questions, but they are asking them in a society saturated with deception.
3. Contrast with False Prophecy: This verse highlights the contrast between the genuine seeking of God's word and the empty words of the false prophets. The people are genuinely curious and anxious about God's will, while the false prophets are providing only empty and misleading answers.
In summary: Jeremiah 23:35 depicts a society where people are concerned about knowing God's word ("What has Yahweh answered? What has Yahweh said?"). However, the prevalence of false prophecy creates confusion and uncertainty, hindering their ability to discern the true word of God. The verse serves as both a sign of the people's underlying desire for God and a criticism of the false prophets who are preventing them from truly hearing Him.
Jeremiah 23:35 - You will say everyone to his neighbor, and everyone to his brother, ‘What has Yahweh answered?’ and, ‘What has Yahweh said?’
What does "Jeremiah 23:35" mean?
Jeremiah 23:35 is part of a larger prophetic rebuke against false prophets in Judah. To understand the meaning of this specific verse, we need to consider the context:
The Problem: Jeremiah is condemning prophets who are prophesying lies and deceiving the people. They are speaking their own dreams and imaginations instead of speaking God's actual words. They are leading the people astray with false hopes and assurances of peace.
The Correctives: Jeremiah wants the people to stop using the phrase "the oracle of the Lord" or something similar (Jeremiah 23:33-40). The reason for this is that such oracles are not true revelations from God.
With this in mind, let's break down Jeremiah 23:35:
"You will say everyone to his neighbor, and everyone to his brother, ‘What has Yahweh answered?’ and, ‘What has Yahweh said?’"
"You will say everyone to his neighbor, and everyone to his brother...": This emphasizes the widespread nature of the inquiry. Everyone, from close family members to casual acquaintances, is questioning each other about God's messages.
"What has Yahweh answered?" and "What has Yahweh said?": This is the key. The people are concerned with knowing what God's response or pronouncements are. They are interested in hearing from God.
Meaning and Interpretation:
1. Genuine Desire for God's Word (Mixed with Confusion): On one level, the verse shows that the people of Judah do have a desire to know what God is saying. They want to understand God's will and guidance. However, because they are being bombarded with false prophecies, they are now confused and uncertain about what is true.
2. Irony and Implied Criticism: There's a subtle layer of irony here. Jeremiah is suggesting that the people should be seeking God's actual word, not the fabricated pronouncements of the false prophets. The question "What has Yahweh answered?" and "What has Yahweh said?" is meant to highlight the absence of a true, authoritative word from God due to the prevalence of false prophecy. The people are asking the right questions, but they are asking them in a society saturated with deception.
3. Contrast with False Prophecy: This verse highlights the contrast between the genuine seeking of God's word and the empty words of the false prophets. The people are genuinely curious and anxious about God's will, while the false prophets are providing only empty and misleading answers.
In summary: Jeremiah 23:35 depicts a society where people are concerned about knowing God's word ("What has Yahweh answered? What has Yahweh said?"). However, the prevalence of false prophecy creates confusion and uncertainty, hindering their ability to discern the true word of God. The verse serves as both a sign of the people's underlying desire for God and a criticism of the false prophets who are preventing them from truly hearing Him.