Jeremiah 23:28 Let the prophet who has a dream retell it, but let him who has My word speak it truthfully. For what is straw compared to grain?" declares the LORD.

Bible > Jeremiah > Chapter 23 > Verse 28

◄ Jeremiah 23:28 ►

New International Version
Let the prophet who has a dream recount the dream, but let the one who has my word speak it faithfully. For what has straw to do with grain?” declares the LORD.

New Living Translation
“Let these false prophets tell their dreams, but let my true messengers faithfully proclaim my every word. There is a difference between straw and grain!

English Standard Version
Let the prophet who has a dream tell the dream, but let him who has my word speak my word faithfully. What has straw in common with wheat? declares the LORD.

Berean Standard Bible
Let the prophet who has a dream retell it, but let him who has My word speak it truthfully. For what is straw compared to grain?” declares the LORD.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
“The prophet who has a dream, let him tell a dream; And he who has My word, let him speak My word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat?” says the LORD.

New American Standard Bible
The prophet who has a dream may report his dream, but let him who has My word speak My word truthfully. What does straw have in common with grain?” declares the LORD.

NASB 1995
“The prophet who has a dream may relate his dream, but let him who has My word speak My word in truth. What does straw have in common with grain?” declares the LORD.

NASB 1977
“The prophet who has a dream may relate his dream, but let him who has My word speak My word in truth. What does straw have in common with grain?” declares the LORD.

Legacy Standard Bible
The prophet who has a dream may recount his dream, but let him who has My word speak My word in truth. What does straw have in common with grain?” declares Yahweh.

Amplified Bible
The prophet who has a dream may tell his dream; but he who has My word, let him speak My word faithfully. What has straw in common with wheat [for nourishment]?” says the LORD.

Christian Standard Bible
The prophet who has only a dream should recount the dream, but the one who has my word should speak my word truthfully, for what is straw compared to grain? ”—this is the LORD’s declaration.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The prophet who has only a dream should recount the dream, but the one who has My word should speak My word truthfully, for what is straw compared to grain?"—this is the LORD’s declaration.

American Standard Version
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 straw to the wheat? saith Jehovah.

Contemporary English Version
Their dreams and my truth are as different as straw and wheat. But when prophets speak for me, they must say only what I have told them.

English Revised Version
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 straw to the wheat? saith the LORD.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The prophet who has a dream should tell his dream. However, the person who has my word should honestly speak my word. What does grain have to do with straw?" asks the LORD.

Good News Translation
The prophet who has had a dream should say it is only a dream, but the prophet who has heard my message should proclaim that message faithfully. What good is straw compared with wheat?

International Standard Version
Let the prophet who has a dream relate the dream, but let whoever receives my message speak my message truthfully. What does straw have in common with wheat?" declares the LORD.

Majority Standard Bible
Let the prophet who has a dream retell it, but let him who has My word speak it truthfully. For what is straw compared to grain?? declares the LORD.

NET Bible
Let the prophet who has had a dream go ahead and tell his dream. Let the person who has received my message report that message faithfully. What is like straw cannot compare to what is like grain! I, the LORD, affirm it!

New Heart English Bible
The prophet who has a dream, let him tell a dream; and he who has my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the straw to the wheat?' says the LORD.

Webster's Bible Translation
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?

World English Bible
The prophet who has a dream, let him tell a dream; and he who has my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the straw to the wheat?” says Yahweh.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
The prophet with whom [is] a dream, "" Let him recount the dream, "" And he with whom [is] My word, "" Let him truly speak My word. What does the straw [have to do] with the grain?” A declaration of YHWH.

Young's Literal Translation
The prophet with whom is a dream, Let him recount the dream, And he with whom is My word, Let him truly speak My word. What -- to the straw with the corn? An affirmation of Jehovah.

Smith's Literal Translation
The prophet whom with him a dream, he will recount a dream; and whom my word with him, he will speak my word in truth. What to the straw with the grain? says Jehovah.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream: and he that hath my word, let him speak my word with truth: what hath the chaff to do with the wheat, saith the Lord?

Catholic Public Domain Version
The prophet who has had a dream, let him describe the dream. And he who receives my word, let him speak my word in truth. For what has the chaff to do with the wheat, says the Lord?

New American Bible
Let the prophets who have dreams tell their dreams; let those who have my word speak my word truthfully! What has straw to do with wheat? —oracle of the LORD.

New Revised Standard Version
Let the prophet who has a dream tell the dream, but let the one who has my word speak my word faithfully. What has straw in common with wheat? says the LORD.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
The prophet who sees a dream, let him tell a dream; but he who has my words, let him speak my words faithfully. Why do you mix chaff with the wheat? says the LORD.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
A Prophet that sees a dream, let him tell a dream, and whoever has my words with him, he shall speak my words in truth. Why mix straw with the grain, says LORD JEHOVAH?

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; And he that hath My word; let him speak My word faithfully. What hath the straw to do with the wheat? Saith the LORD.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
The prophet who has a dream, let him tell his dream; and he in whom is my word spoken to him, let him tell my word truly: what is the chaff to the corn? so are my words, saith the Lord.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Lying Prophets
…27They suppose the dreams that they tell one another will make My people forget My name, just as their fathers forgot My name through the worship of Baal. 28Let the prophet who has a dream retell it, but let him who has My word speak it truthfully. For what is straw compared to grain?” declares the LORD. 29“Is not My word like fire,” declares the LORD, “and like a hammer that smashes a rock?”…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

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 13:3-9
This is what the Lord GOD says: Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit yet have seen nothing. / Your prophets, O Israel, are like foxes among the ruins. / You did not go up to the gaps or restore the wall around the house of Israel so that it would stand in the battle on the Day of the LORD. ...

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. ...

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.

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.

Isaiah 8:20
To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.

1 Corinthians 14:29
Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.

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.

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.”

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.

1 Thessalonians 5:20-21
Do not treat prophecies with contempt, / but test all things. Hold fast to what is good.

Acts 17:11
Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true.

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.

Hosea 12:10
I spoke through the prophets and multiplied their visions; I gave parables through the prophets.

Treasury of Scripture

The prophet that has a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that has my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? said the LORD.

that hath.

Proverbs 14:5
A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.

Matthew 24:45
Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?

Luke 12:42
And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?

what.

1 Corinthians 3:12,13
Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; …

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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.

Berean Study Bible

Let the prophet who has a dream recount the dream
This phrase addresses the role of prophets in ancient Israel, who were often recipients of divine messages through dreams. The Hebrew word for "dream" is "ḥalôm," which can refer to both genuine divine revelations and false visions. In the historical context, false prophets were prevalent, claiming to have dreams from God. The instruction here is for prophets to share their dreams, but it implies a need for discernment between true and false revelations. The emphasis is on transparency and accountability in conveying what they have received.

but let him who has My word speak My word truthfully
The phrase underscores the importance of fidelity to God's message. The Hebrew word for "word" is "dāḇār," which signifies not just spoken words but the entire message or command of God. The call to speak "truthfully" (Hebrew: "’ĕmeṯ") highlights the necessity of integrity and faithfulness in delivering God's message. In a time when false prophets were misleading the people, this command serves as a reminder of the sacred responsibility of those who truly carry God's word.

For what is straw compared to grain?
This rhetorical question uses agricultural imagery to contrast the value of false prophecies (straw) with true divine messages (grain). In ancient agrarian societies, straw was a byproduct of the harvest, lacking the nourishment and value of grain. The Hebrew word for "straw" is "teben," and "grain" is "bar," emphasizing the disparity in worth and substance. This metaphor illustrates the futility and emptiness of false teachings compared to the life-sustaining truth of God's word.

declares the LORD
This phrase, "ne'um YHWH" in Hebrew, is a prophetic formula asserting the authority and authenticity of the message. It serves as a divine seal, affirming that the words spoken are not merely human opinions but the authoritative declaration of God Himself. In the context of Jeremiah's ministry, this assertion was crucial in distinguishing true prophetic messages from the falsehoods prevalent among the people. It reassures the audience of the divine origin and reliability of the message being conveyed.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(28) Let him tell a dream.--The point of the words lies in the contrast between the real and the counterfeit revelation. Let the dreamer tell his dream as such, let the prophet speak the word of Jehovah truly, and then it will be seen that the one is as the chaff and stubble, and the other as the wheat--one worthless, the other sustaining life. What have they in common? What has one to do with the other?

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 28. - Let him tell a dream; rather, let him tell it as a dream; let him tell his dreams, if he will, but not intermix them with Divine revelations. Jeremiah, then, does not deny that there is a measure of truth in what these prophets say; he only demands a distinct declaration that their dreams are but dreams, and not equal in authority to the Divine word. For, as he continues, What is the chaff to the wheat? What right have you to mix the worthless chaff with the pure, winnowed grain? How, he implies, can such an adulterated message produce the designed effect of a prophetic revelation? (St. Paul has a somewhat similar figure, 1 Corinthians 3:10-13.) So Naegelsbach. Keil, however, denies that there is any thought of an adulteration of the Divine word by the "false prophets." According to him, the question in this verse is simply meant to emphasize the contrast between the false, dream-born prophecy of Jeremiah's opponents and the true revelations. How can the false prophecy pretend to be the true? They are as different as chaff and wheat. Both views are admissible. Naegelsbach introduces a new element by suggesting the intermixture of false and true in the utterances of the "false prophets;" but his view is not inconsistent with what the prophet has stated before, and it is favored by ver. 30 and by the command, Let him speak my word faithfully; i.e. in its genuine form; comp. Jeremiah 2:21, "A faithful or trustworthy [i.e. a genuine] seed;" also, for the general sense, 2 Corinthians 2:17.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Let the prophet
הַנָּבִ֞יא (han·nā·ḇî)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5030: A spokesman, speaker, prophet

who
אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

has
אִתּ֤וֹ (’it·tōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among

a dream
חֲלוֹם֙ (ḥă·lō·wm)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2472: A dream

retell
יְסַפֵּ֣ר (yə·sap·pêr)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5608: To count, recount, relate

[it],
חֲל֔וֹם (ḥă·lō·wm)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2472: A dream

but let him who
וַאֲשֶׁ֤ר (wa·’ă·šer)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

has
אִתּ֔וֹ (’it·tōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among

My word
דְּבָרִי֙ (də·ḇā·rî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

speak
יְדַבֵּ֥ר (yə·ḏab·bêr)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

[it]
דְּבָרִ֖י (də·ḇā·rî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

truthfully.
אֱמֶ֑ת (’ĕ·meṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 571: Stability, certainty, truth, trustworthiness

For what
מַה־ (mah-)
Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

is straw
לַתֶּ֥בֶן (lat·te·ḇen)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8401: Material, refuse haum, stalks of grain

compared to
אֶת־ (’eṯ-)
Preposition
Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among

grain?
הַבָּ֖ר (hab·bār)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1250: Grain, the open country

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

the LORD.
יְהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 23:28 The prophet who has a dream let (Jer.)