Jeremiah - 23:18



18 For who has stood in the council of Yahweh, that he should perceive and hear his word? who has marked my word, and heard it?

Verse In-Depth

Explanation and meaning of Jeremiah 23:18.

Differing Translations

Compare verses for better understanding.
For who hath stood in the counsel of the LORD, and hath perceived and heard his word? who hath marked his word, and heard it?
For who hath stood in the counsel of the Lord, and hath seen and heard his word? Who hath considered his word and heard it?
For who hath stood in the council of Jehovah, so that he hath perceived and heard his word? who hath hearkened to his word and listened?
For who hath stood in the counsel of Jehovah, And seeth and heareth His word? Who hath regarded My word, and hearkeneth?
For who has stood in the counsel of the LORD, and has perceived and heard his word? who has marked his word, and heard it?
For which of them has knowledge of the secret of the Lord, and has seen him, and given ear to his word? which of them has taken note of his word and given attention to it?
For who hath stood in the council of the LORD, That he should perceive and hear His word? Who hath attended to His word, and heard it?
For who has been present in the counsel of the Lord, and who has seen and heard his word? Who has considered his word and heard it?
Nam quis stetit in consilio Jehovae? et vidit et audivit sermonem ejus? Quis attendit ad sermonem ejus et audivit?

*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.


Historical Commentaries

Scholarly Analysis and Interpretation.

The prophet now applies this test to the circumstances of the times. A whirlwind has already gone forth Jeremiah 23:19. Had these false prophets stood in God's secret "Council" (so in Jeremiah 23:22), they like Jeremiah would have labored to avert the danger by turning men from their evil way.

Who hath stood in the counsel of the Lord - Who of them has ever received a word of prophecy from me? My word is not in them.

For (p) who hath stood in the counsel of the LORD, and hath perceived and heard his word? who hath marked his word, and heard [it]?
(p) Thus they derided Jeremiah as though the word of God was not revealed to him, so also spoke Zedekiah to Micaiah, (1-Kings 22:24).

For who hath stood in the counsel of the Lord,.... These are either the words of the Prophet Jeremiah; signifying that none of the false prophets were of God's privy council, or were acquainted with his secrets, that they could tell the people they should have peace, and no evil come upon them; this they said, not from divine revelation, but from the imagination of their own hearts; for though the Lord does nothing but he reveals it to his servants, the prophets; yet not to men of such bad principles and wicked lives as they were: or rather these are the words of the false prophets; either taking this to themselves, that they were of God's privy council, and knew his secrets, and ask who were besides themselves; or else insulting the prophets of the Lord, as though they took too much upon them to threaten the people with captivity and destruction, as if they were in the secret of the most High, and his privy counsellors; but that they thought themselves in such a situation seems to be the sense, from Jeremiah 23:22;
and hath perceived and heard his word? or, "hath seen and heard his word?" (a) seen a vision from him, and "heard" the word from his mouth, declaring the above things? or "seen" what was in his heart, what he purposed and designed to do; and "heard" what he said he would do?
who hath marked his word, and heard it? listened and attended to it, and obeyed it? not the false prophets, but the true ones; as the Targum of the whole is,
"for they stood not (or rose not up) that the secret from before the Lord might be revealed to them; and they saw not, nor heard his words; nor did they hearken to his word, nor receive;''
or obey; understanding this of the false prophets.
(a) "et vidit", Pagninus, Montanus, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; "qui videat", Schmidt.

A reason is given why the false prophets should not be heeded: They have not stood in the counsels of Jehovah (an image from ministers present in a standing posture at councils of Eastern kings) (compare Jeremiah 23:22; Job 15:8). The spiritual man alone has the privilege (Genesis 18:17; Psalm 25:14; Amos 3:7; John 15:15; 1-Corinthians 2:16).

For who - Which of those prophets, that prophesy such terrible things against this city is a privy - counsellor to God? The words seem to be the words of the false prophets.

*More commentary available at chapter level.


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