Jeremiah 23:12
New International Version
“Therefore their path will become slippery; they will be banished to darkness and there they will fall. I will bring disaster on them in the year they are punished,” declares the LORD.

New Living Translation
“Therefore, the paths they take will become slippery. They will be chased through the dark, and there they will fall. For I will bring disaster upon them at the time fixed for their punishment. I, the LORD, have spoken!

English Standard Version
Therefore their way shall be to them like slippery paths in the darkness, into which they shall be driven and fall, for I will bring disaster upon them in the year of their punishment, declares the LORD.

Berean Standard Bible
“Therefore their path will become slick; they will be driven away into the darkness and fall into it. For I will bring disaster upon them in the year of their punishment,” declares the LORD.

King James Bible
Wherefore their way shall be unto them as slippery ways in the darkness: they shall be driven on, and fall therein: for I will bring evil upon them, even the year of their visitation, saith the LORD.

New King James Version
“Therefore their way shall be to them Like slippery ways; In the darkness they shall be driven on And fall in them; For I will bring disaster on them, The year of their punishment,” says the LORD.

New American Standard Bible
“Therefore their way will be like slippery paths to them, They will be driven away into the gloom and fall down in it; For I will bring disaster upon them, The year of their punishment,” declares the LORD.

NASB 1995
“Therefore their way will be like slippery paths to them, They will be driven away into the gloom and fall down in it; For I will bring calamity upon them, The year of their punishment,” declares the LORD.

NASB 1977
“Therefore their way will be like slippery paths to them, They will be driven away into the gloom and fall down in it; For I shall bring calamity upon them, The year of their punishment,” declares the LORD.

Legacy Standard Bible
“Therefore their way will be like slippery paths to them; They will be driven away into the thick darkness and fall down in it; For I will bring their evil upon them, The year of their punishment,” declares Yahweh.

Amplified Bible
“Therefore their way will be to them like slippery paths In the dark; they will be pushed and fall into them; For I will bring disaster on them, In the year of their punishment,” says the LORD.

Christian Standard Bible
Therefore, their way will seem like slippery paths in the gloom. They will be driven away and fall down there, for I will bring disaster on them, the year of their punishment. This is the LORD’s declaration.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Therefore, their way will be to them like slippery paths in the gloom. They will be driven away and fall down there, for I will bring disaster on them, the year of their punishment. This is the LORD’s declaration.

American Standard Version
Wherefore their way shall be unto them as slippery places in the darkness: they shall be driven on, and fall therein; for I will bring evil upon them, even the year of their visitation, saith Jehovah.

Contemporary English Version
Now I will punish you with disaster, and you will slip and fall in the darkness. I, the LORD, have spoken.

English Revised Version
Wherefore their way shall be unto them as slippery places in the darkness: they shall be driven on, and fall therein: for I will bring evil upon them, even the year of their visitation, saith the LORD.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"That is why their own way will become like slippery paths in the dark. They will be chased away, and they will fall down in the dark. I will bring disaster on them. It is time for them to be punished," declares the LORD.

Good News Translation
The paths they follow will be slippery and dark; I will make them stumble and fall. I am going to bring disaster on them; the time of their punishment is coming. I, the LORD, have spoken.

International Standard Version
Therefore their way will be slippery. They'll be driven out into the darkness, where they'll fall. For I'll bring disaster on them, the year of their judgment," declares the LORD.

Majority Standard Bible
“Therefore their path will become slick; they will be driven away into the darkness and fall into it. For I will bring disaster upon them in the year of their punishment,” declares the LORD.

NET Bible
So the paths they follow will be dark and slippery. They will stumble and fall headlong. For I will bring disaster on them. A day of reckoning is coming for them." The LORD affirms it!

New Heart English Bible
"Therefore their way shall be to them as slippery places in the darkness: they shall be driven on, and fall in it; for I will bring evil on them, even the year of their visitation," says the LORD.

Webster's Bible Translation
Wherefore their way shall be to them as slippery ways in the darkness: they shall be driven on, and fall therein: for I will bring evil upon them, even the year of their visitation, saith the LORD.

World English Bible
Therefore their way will be to them as slippery places in the darkness. They will be driven on, and fall therein; for I will bring evil on them, even the year of their visitation,” says Yahweh.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
“Therefore their way is as slippery places to them, "" They are driven into thick darkness, "" And they have fallen in it, "" For I bring in calamity against them, "" The year of their inspection,” "" A declaration of YHWH.

Young's Literal Translation
Therefore is their way to them as slippery places, Into thick darkness they are driven, And they have fallen in it, For I bring in against them evil, The year of their inspection, An affirmation of Jehovah.

Smith's Literal Translation
For this their way shall be to them as slippery places in darkness: they shall be thrust away and they fell in it; for I will bring evil upon them, the year of their reviewing, says Jehovah.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Therefore their way shall be as a slippery way in the dark: for they shall be driven on, and fall therein: for I will bring evils upon them, the year of their visitation, saith the Lord.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For this reason, their way will be like a slippery path in the dark. For they will be impelled forward, and they will fall in it. For I will bring evils over them, in the year of their visitation, says the Lord.

New American Bible
Hence their way shall become for them slippery ground. Into the darkness they shall be driven, and fall headlong; For I will bring disaster upon them, the year of their punishment—oracle of the LORD.

New Revised Standard Version
Therefore their way shall be to them like slippery paths in the darkness, into which they shall be driven and fall; for I will bring disaster upon them in the year of their punishment, says the LORD.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Therefore their ways shall be to them as slippery ways in the darkness; they shall be driven on, and fall in them; for I will bring evil upon them, even the year of their punishment, says the LORD.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because of this, their ways shall be slippery places to them, and into the darkness they shall be cast out and they shall fall in them, because I bring evil upon them, the year of their visitation, says LORD JEHOVAH
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Wherefore their way shall be unto them as slippery places in the darkness, They shall be thrust, and fall therein; For I will bring evil upon them, Even the year of their visitation, Saith the LORD.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Therefore let their way be to them slippery and dark: and they shall be tripped up and fall in it: for I will bring evils upon them, in the year of their visitation.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Lying Prophets
11“For both prophet and priest are ungodly; even in My house I have found their wickedness,” declares the LORD. 12“Therefore their path will become slick; they will be driven away into the darkness and fall into it. For I will bring disaster upon them in the year of their punishment,” declares the LORD. 13“Among the prophets of Samaria I saw an offensive thing: They prophesied by Baal and led My people Israel astray.…

Cross References
Isaiah 59:9-10
Therefore justice is far from us, and righteousness does not reach us. We hope for light, but there is darkness; for brightness, but we walk in gloom. / Like the blind, we feel our way along the wall, groping like those without eyes. We stumble at midday as in the twilight; among the vigorous we are like the dead.

Ezekiel 34:12
As a shepherd looks for his scattered sheep when he is among the flock, so I will look for My flock. I will rescue them from all the places to which they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness.

Amos 8:9
And in that day, declares the Lord GOD, I will make the sun go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the daytime.

Micah 3:6
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.

Zephaniah 1:15
That day will be a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of destruction and desolation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness,

Matthew 15:14
Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”

John 12:35
Then Jesus told them, “For a little while longer, the Light will be among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going.

Romans 1:21
For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts.

1 Thessalonians 5:4-5
But you, brothers, are not in the darkness so that this day should overtake you like a thief. / For you are all sons of the light and sons of the day; we do not belong to the night or to the darkness.

2 Peter 2:17
These men are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them.

Jude 1:13
They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever.

Isaiah 5:30
In that day they will roar over it, like the roaring of the sea. If one looks over the land, he will see darkness and distress; even the light will be obscured by clouds.

Isaiah 8:22
Then they will look to the earth and see only distress and darkness and the gloom of anguish. And they will be driven into utter darkness.

Isaiah 13:10
For the stars of heaven and their constellations will not give their light. The rising sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light.

Isaiah 47:5
“Sit in silence and go into darkness, O Daughter of the Chaldeans. For you will no longer be called the queen of kingdoms.


Treasury of Scripture

Why their way shall be to them as slippery ways in the darkness: they shall be driven on, and fall therein: for I will bring evil on them, even the year of their visitation, said the LORD.

as.

Jeremiah 13:16
Give glory to the LORD your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness.

Psalm 35:6
Let their way be dark and slippery: and let the angel of the LORD persecute them.

Psalm 73:18
Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.

in the.

Job 18:18
He shall be driven from light into darkness, and chased out of the world.

Isaiah 8:22
And they shall look unto the earth; and behold trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish; and they shall be driven to darkness.

John 12:35
Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.

the year.

Jeremiah 11:23
And there shall be no remnant of them: for I will bring evil upon the men of Anathoth, even the year of their visitation.

Jeremiah 23:12
Wherefore their way shall be unto them as slippery ways in the darkness: they shall be driven on, and fall therein: for I will bring evil upon them, even the year of their visitation, saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 48:44
He that fleeth from the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that getteth up out of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for I will bring upon it, even upon Moab, the year of their visitation, saith the LORD.

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Affirmation Banished Calamity Cause Dark Darkness Disaster Driven Evil Fall Fallen Forced Gloom Inspection Path Paths Places Punished Punishment Slippery Slipping Steps Therein Thick Thrust Visitation Way Ways Wherefore
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Affirmation Banished Calamity Cause Dark Darkness Disaster Driven Evil Fall Fallen Forced Gloom Inspection Path Paths Places Punished Punishment Slippery Slipping Steps Therein Thick Thrust Visitation Way Ways Wherefore
Jeremiah 23
1. He prophesies a restoration of the scattered flock.
5. Christ shall rule and save them.
9. Against false prophets;
33. and mockers of the true prophets.














Therefore their path
The word "therefore" connects this verse to the preceding context, where God condemns the false prophets and priests for leading His people astray. The "path" symbolizes the way of life or conduct. In Hebrew, the word for path is "דֶּרֶךְ" (derekh), which often signifies a journey or a manner of living. This imagery suggests that the false leaders' chosen way of life is inherently unstable and dangerous, leading to inevitable ruin.

will become slippery
The Hebrew word for "slippery" is "חֲלַקְלַקּוֹת" (chalaklaqot), which conveys the idea of smoothness or slipperiness, often used metaphorically to describe deceitful or treacherous behavior. This imagery implies that the false prophets' actions have made their path treacherous, leading to their downfall. It serves as a warning that those who deviate from God's truth will find themselves on unstable ground.

they will be driven away
The phrase "driven away" suggests a forceful removal or expulsion. In the Hebrew context, this can be understood as being scattered or exiled, a common theme in the prophetic literature where disobedience leads to dispersion. This reflects the consequence of their actions, as God allows them to face the repercussions of their deceit.

into the darkness
Darkness in the Bible often symbolizes chaos, judgment, or the absence of God's presence. The Hebrew word "חֹשֶׁךְ" (choshekh) is used here, which can denote both physical and spiritual darkness. This indicates that the false prophets will be cast into a state of confusion and despair, separated from the light of God's truth and guidance.

and fall therein
The concept of falling is frequently used in Scripture to describe defeat or failure. The Hebrew root "נָפַל" (naphal) means to fall or be cast down. This fall is not just physical but also moral and spiritual, signifying the ultimate collapse of those who oppose God's will.

For I will bring disaster upon them
The word "disaster" is translated from the Hebrew "רָעָה" (ra'ah), which means calamity or evil. This is a direct action from God, emphasizing His sovereignty and justice. The disaster is a divine response to the false prophets' actions, underscoring the seriousness of leading others away from God's truth.

in the year of their punishment
The term "punishment" comes from the Hebrew "פְּקֻדָּה" (pequddah), which can mean visitation or reckoning. This indicates a specific time when God will hold the false prophets accountable for their actions. It serves as a reminder that God's justice, though sometimes delayed, is certain and will be executed at the appointed time.

declares the LORD
This phrase is a common prophetic formula, affirming the authority and certainty of the message. The Hebrew "נְאֻם יְהוָה" (ne'um YHWH) underscores that these are not merely Jeremiah's words but the very words of God. It reassures the faithful that God is actively involved in the affairs of His people and will uphold His righteousness.

(12) Slippery ways . . . darkness . . . driven on.--The words and the thoughts flow in upon the prophet's mind from Isaiah 8:22; Psalm 35:5-6.

The year of their visitation.--The prophet returns to his characteristic word for the time appointed by the Divine Judge for chastisement. (Comp. Jeremiah 8:12; Jeremiah 10:15; Jeremiah 11:23.) . . .

Verse 12. - Their way shall be unto them as slippery ways, etc.; rather, slippery places. The passage has a manifest affinity with Psalm 35:6 (in one of the Jeremiahizing psalms; see on Jeremiah 18:19, 20). They shall be driven on; or, as Ewald, taking over the last word of the preceding clause, they shall be thrust into the darkness. This involves a reminiscence, probable enough, of Isaiah 8:22 b. It is against the accentual tradition, but improves the rhythmical derision of the verse. If we ask who "thrusts" them, Psalm 35:5 supplies the answer - it is not merely external circumstances, but "the Angel of Jehovah," i.e. Jehovah himself. As Bishop Hall says, "God wounds us by many instruments, but with one hand." I will bring evil upon them, etc. Favorite expressions of Jeremiah (comp. Jeremiah 11:23).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“Therefore
לָכֵן֩ (lā·ḵên)
Adverb
Strong's 3651: So -- thus

their path
דַרְכָּ֜ם (ḏar·kām)
Noun - common singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

will become
יִֽהְיֶ֨ה (yih·yeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

slick;
כַּחֲלַקְלַקּוֹת֙ (ka·ḥă·laq·laq·qō·wṯ)
Preposition-k, Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 2519: Something very smooth, a treacherous spot, blandishment

they will be driven away
יִדַּ֖חוּ (yid·da·ḥū)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1760: To push, thrust

into the gloom
בָּֽאֲפֵלָ֔ה (bā·’ă·p̄ê·lāh)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 653: Duskiness, misfortune, concealment

and fall
וְנָ֣פְלוּ (wə·nā·p̄ə·lū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 5307: To fall, lie

into it.
בָ֑הּ (ḇāh)
Preposition | third person feminine singular
Strong's Hebrew

For
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

I will bring
אָבִ֨יא (’ā·ḇî)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

disaster
רָעָ֛ה (rā·‘āh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 7451: Bad, evil

upon them
עֲלֵיהֶ֥ם (‘ă·lê·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

in the year
שְׁנַ֥ת (šə·naṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8141: A year

of their punishment,”
פְּקֻדָּתָ֖ם (pə·qud·dā·ṯām)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 6486: Oversight, mustering, visitation, store

declares
נְאֻם־ (nə·’um-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5002: An oracle

the LORD.
יְהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3069: YHWH


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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 23:12 Therefore their way shall be to them (Jer.)
Jeremiah 23:11
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