Jeremiah 23:25
New International Version
“I have heard what the prophets say who prophesy lies in my name. They say, ‘I had a dream! I had a dream!’

New Living Translation
“I have heard these prophets say, ‘Listen to the dream I had from God last night.’ And then they proceed to tell lies in my name.

English Standard Version
I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy lies in my name, saying, ‘I have dreamed, I have dreamed!’

Berean Standard Bible
“I have heard the sayings of the prophets who prophesy lies in My name: ‘I had a dream! I had a dream!’

King James Bible
I have heard what the prophets said, that prophesy lies in my name, saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed.

New King James Version
“I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy lies in My name, saying, ‘I have dreamed, I have dreamed!’

New American Standard Bible
“I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy falsely in My name, saying, ‘I had a dream, I had a dream!’

NASB 1995
“I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy falsely in My name, saying, ‘I had a dream, I had a dream!’

NASB 1977
“I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy falsely in My name, saying, ‘I had a dream, I had a dream!’

Legacy Standard Bible
“I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy a lie in My name, saying, ‘I had a dream, I had a dream!’

Amplified Bible
“I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy lies in My Name, saying, ‘I have dreamed, I have dreamed [visions when on my bed at night].’

Christian Standard Bible
“I have heard what the prophets who prophesy a lie in my name have said: ‘I had a dream! I had a dream! ’

Holman Christian Standard Bible
“I have heard what the prophets who prophesy a lie in My name have said, ‘I had a dream! I had a dream!’

American Standard Version
I have heard what the prophets have said, that prophesy lies in my name, saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed.

Contemporary English Version
These unfaithful prophets claim that I have given them a dream or a vision, and then they tell lies in my name.

English Revised Version
I have heard what the prophets have said, that prophesy lies in my name, saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"I've heard the prophets who speak lies in my name. They say, 'I had a dream! I had a dream!'

Good News Translation
I know what those prophets have said who speak lies in my name and claim that I have given them my messages in their dreams.

International Standard Version
"I've heard what the prophets who prophesy lies in my name have said: 'I had a dream; I had a dream.'

Majority Standard Bible
“I have heard the sayings of the prophets who prophesy lies in My name: ‘I had a dream! I had a dream!’

NET Bible
The LORD says, "I have heard what those prophets who are prophesying lies in my name are saying. They are saying, 'I have had a dream! I have had a dream!'

New Heart English Bible
'I have heard what the prophets have said, who prophesy lies in my name, saying, "I have dreamed, I have dreamed."

Webster's Bible Translation
I have heard what the prophets said, that prophesy lies in my name, saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed.

World English Bible
“I have heard what the prophets have said, who prophesy lies in my name, saying, ‘I had a dream! I had a dream!’
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
“I have heard that which the prophets said, "" Who prophesy falsehood in My Name, saying, "" I have dreamed, I have dreamed.

Young's Literal Translation
I have heard that which the prophets said, Who prophesy in My name falsehood, saying, 'I have dreamed, I have dreamed.'

Smith's Literal Translation
I heard what the prophets said, prophesying a falsehood in my name, saying, I dreamed, I dreamed.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
I have heard what the prophets said, that prophesylies in my name, and say: I have dreamed, I have dreamed.

Catholic Public Domain Version
I have heard what the prophets have said, prophesying falsehoods in my name, and also saying: ‘I have dreamed! I have dreamed!’

New American Bible
I have heard the prophets who prophesy lies in my name say, “I had a dream! I had a dream!”

New Revised Standard Version
I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy lies in my name, saying, “I have dreamed, I have dreamed!”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
I have heard what the prophets have said, who prophesy lies in my name, saying, I have dreamed a dream.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
I have heard the thing that the Prophets said, who prophesy in my name with a lie, and they are saying: ‘I have dreamed a dream’
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
I have heard what the prophets have said, That prophesy lies in My name, saying: 'I have dreamed, I have dreamed.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
I have heard what the prophets say, what they prophesy in my name, saying falsely, I have seen a night vision.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Lying Prophets
24“Can a man hide in secret places where I cannot see him?” declares the LORD. “Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?” declares the LORD. 25“I have heard the sayings of the prophets who prophesy lies in My name: ‘I had a dream! I had a dream!’ 26How long will this continue in the hearts of these prophets who prophesy falsehood, these prophets of the delusion of their own minds?…

Cross References
Deuteronomy 18:20-22
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.

Ezekiel 13:6-9
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. ...

Matthew 7:15-20
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. ...

2 Peter 2:1-3
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.

1 John 4:1
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.

Isaiah 30:9-11
These are rebellious people, deceitful children, children unwilling to obey the LORD’s instruction. / They say to the seers, “Stop seeing visions!” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us the truth! Speak to us pleasant words; prophesy illusions. / Get out of the way; turn off the road. Rid us of the Holy One of Israel!”

Micah 3:5-7
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.”

2 Timothy 4:3-4
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.

1 Kings 22:21-23
Then a spirit came forward, stood before the LORD, and said, ‘I will entice him.’ ‘By what means?’ asked the LORD. / 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.”

Zechariah 10:2
For idols speak deceit and diviners see illusions; they tell false dreams and offer empty comfort. Therefore the people wander like sheep, oppressed for lack of a shepherd.

Matthew 24:11
and many false prophets will arise and deceive many.

2 Corinthians 11:13-15
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. / And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. / It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions.

Acts 20:29-30
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.

Romans 16:17-18
Now I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Turn away from them. / For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

Isaiah 28:7-8
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.


Treasury of Scripture

I have heard what the prophets said, that prophesy lies in my name, saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed.

heard.

Jeremiah 8:6
I hearkened and heard, but they spake not aright: no man repented him of his wickedness, saying, What have I done? every one turned to his course, as the horse rusheth into the battle.

Jeremiah 13:27
I have seen thine adulteries, and thy neighings, the lewdness of thy whoredom, and thine abominations on the hills in the fields. Woe unto thee, O Jerusalem! wilt thou not be made clean? when shall it once be?

Jeremiah 16:17
For mine eyes are upon all their ways: they are not hid from my face, neither is their iniquity hid from mine eyes.

dreamed.

Jeremiah 23:28,32
The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the LORD…

Jeremiah 29:8
For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed.

Genesis 37:5,9
And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more…

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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.














I have heard
This phrase indicates God's omniscience and His active engagement with the world. The Hebrew root for "heard" is "שָׁמַע" (shama), which implies not just hearing but understanding and responding. In the context of Jeremiah, it underscores God's awareness of the false prophets' activities. Historically, this reflects the period when Judah was plagued by false prophets who claimed to speak for God, misleading the people. God's hearing is not passive; it is a prelude to action.

what the prophets
The term "prophets" here refers to those who claimed to be messengers of God. In the Hebrew context, a prophet (נָבִיא, navi) was expected to convey God's truth. However, these individuals were false prophets, a significant issue in Jeremiah's time. They were leading the people astray with their own visions and dreams, rather than God's word. This highlights the importance of discernment and the need for true prophetic voices that align with God's will.

who prophesy lies
The phrase "prophesy lies" is a direct accusation against those who speak falsehoods in God's name. The Hebrew word for "lies" is "שֶׁקֶר" (sheker), meaning deception or falsehood. This was a grave sin, as it not only misled the people but also profaned the name of God. In the historical context, these false prophecies often promised peace and security, contrary to God's warnings of impending judgment. This serves as a caution against accepting teachings that contradict Scripture.

in My name
Using God's name implies authority and authenticity. The Hebrew concept of "name" (שֵׁם, shem) encompasses character and reputation. These false prophets were abusing the divine name to lend credibility to their lies. This is a violation of the commandment against taking the Lord's name in vain (Exodus 20:7). It reminds believers of the sacredness of God's name and the responsibility that comes with speaking on His behalf.

saying, ‘I had a dream! I had a dream!’
The repetition of "I had a dream" emphasizes the false prophets' insistence on their deceptive messages. Dreams were a common means of divine communication in the ancient Near East, but these dreams were self-generated rather than God-given. The historical context shows that these false dreams were used to manipulate and control the people, offering false hope. This serves as a warning to test all spiritual experiences against the truth of Scripture, ensuring they align with God's revealed word.

(25) I have dreamed . . .--The words point to the form of the claim commonly made by the false prophets. Dreams took their place among the recognised channels of divine revelation (Genesis 40:8; Genesis 41:16; Joel 2:28; Daniel 7:1), but their frequent misuse by the false prophets brought them into discredit, and the teaching of Deuteronomy 13:1-5 accordingly brought the "dreamer of dreams" no less than the prophet to the test whether what he taught was in accordance with the law of Jehovah. The iteration of "I have dreamed" represents the affected solemnity with which the false prophets proclaimed their visions. Of the disparagement of dreams, consequent on this abuse, we have a striking example in Ecclesiastes 5:3, and later still in Ecclesiasticus 34:1-7. . . . Verse 25. - I have dreamed. Jeremiah mentions it as one of the marks of a false prophet that he appealed to his dreams (comp. Jeremiah 29:8); true prophecy contented itself with less ambiguous media of communication with the unseen world. It may be objected that Abraham (Genesis 15:12), at any rate, and Abimelech (Genesis 20:3) received Divine revelations in dreams; but these were not officially prophets. Nathan and the contemporaries of the author of Job had messages from God by night, but these are called, not dreams, but visions (2 Samuel 7:14, comp. 17; Job 4:13). Deuteronomy (and this is one of its striking points of agreement with Jeremiah) expressly describes a false prophet as "a dreamer of dreams" (Deuteronomy 13:1; comp. 1 Samuel 28:6). Two passages in the Old Testament seem inconsistent with this discouragement of dreams as a medium of revelation - Numbers 12:6, where the Lord is said to make himself known to prophets by visions and dreams, and Joel 2:28, where the prophetic dreams of the old men are one of the features of a Messianic description; but it is noteworthy that the first of these refers to the primitive period of Israel's history, and the second to the distant Messianic age. In its classical period prophecy kept itself sedulously aloof from a field on which it had such compromising companionship (comp. Ecclesiastes 5:7).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“I have heard
שָׁמַ֗עְתִּי (šā·ma‘·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

the sayings
אָֽמְרוּ֙ (’ā·mə·rū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

of the prophets
הַנְּבִאִ֔ים (han·nə·ḇi·’îm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5030: A spokesman, speaker, prophet

who prophesy
הַֽנִּבְּאִ֥ים (han·nib·bə·’îm)
Article | Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 5012: To prophesy, speak, by inspiration

lies
שֶׁ֖קֶר (še·qer)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8267: Deception, disappointment, falsehood

in My name:
בִּשְׁמִ֛י (biš·mî)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 8034: A name

‘I had a dream!
חָלַ֖מְתִּי (ḥā·lam·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 2492: To bind firmly, to be, plump, to dream

I had a dream!’
חָלָֽמְתִּי׃ (ḥā·lā·mə·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 2492: To bind firmly, to be, plump, to dream


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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 23:25 I have heard what the prophets have (Jer.)
Jeremiah 23:24
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