Jeremiah 23:22

But if they had stood in My council, they would have proclaimed My words to My people and turned them back from their evil ways and deeds.”

Berean Standard Bible

Follow its threads on the canvas →

Study note

Setting — Yahweh addresses Jeremiah and the community regarding unauthorized prophets who claimed divine authority without receiving a message or commission. The statement contrasts their false claims with the actual function of true messengers.

The words — עָמְדוּ (‘a.me.Du) translates to “they had stood,” denoting formal attendance in a divine assembly. יָשִׁיבוּם (yi./shi.Vu/m) means “they will turn back/them,” indicating a deliberate reversal of conduct.

The thread — The motif of standing in the Lord’s council appears in Jeremiah 23:18, while the command to turn from evil ways and deeds recurs in Jeremiah 25:5 and Zechariah 1:4.

Why it lands — The text requires readers to verify prophetic authority by its source and to respond to divine speech with concrete behavioral change. It establishes that true communication from God inevitably produces repentance.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

וְאִֽם־ve./'im-and/ if עָמְד֖וּ'a.me.Duthey had stood בְּסוֹדִ֑יbe./so.D/iin/ council/ my וְיַשְׁמִ֤עוּve./yash.Mi.'uso/ they may cause to hear דְבָרַי֙de.va.Ra/iwords/ my אֶת־'et-<obj.>עַמִּ֔י'a.M/ipeople/ my וִֽישִׁבוּם֙vi./shi.Vu/mand/ they will turn back/ them מִדַּרְכָּ֣םmi./dar.Ka/mfrom/ way/ their הָרָ֔עha./Ra'<the>/ wicked וּמֵרֹ֖עַu./me./Ro.a'and/ from/ [the] wickedness of מַֽעַלְלֵיהֶֽם׃ סMa.'a.lei./Hemdeeds/ their

King James Version

But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings.

Cross-references

Jeremiah 23:18 But which of them has stood in the council of the LORD to see and hear His word? Who has given heed to His word and obeyed it?
Jeremiah 25:5 The prophets told you, ‘Turn now, each of you, from your evil ways and deeds, and you can dwell in the land that the LORD has given to you and your fathers forever and ever.
Zechariah 1:4 Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets proclaimed that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Turn now from your evil ways and deeds.’ But they did not listen or pay attention to Me, declares the LORD.
Jeremiah 35:15 Again and again I have sent you all My servants the prophets, proclaiming: ‘Turn now, each of you, from your wicked ways, and correct your actions. Do not go after other gods to serve them. Live in the land that I have given to you and your fathers.’ But you have not inclined your ear or listened to Me.
Ezekiel 13:22 Because you have disheartened the righteous with your lies, even though I have caused them no grief, and because you have encouraged the wicked not to turn from their evil ways to save their lives,
Acts 20:27 For I did not shrink back from declaring to you the whole will of God.
Ezekiel 2:7 But speak My words to them, whether they listen or refuse to listen, for they are rebellious.
Ezekiel 3:17 “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from My mouth, give them a warning from Me.
Ezekiel 18:30 Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so that your iniquity will not become your downfall.
Acts 26:18 to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Me.’