Bible Strands
Lamentations 2:14
The visions of your prophets were empty and deceptive; they did not expose your guilt to ward off your captivity. The burdens they envisioned for you were empty and misleading.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator addresses Jerusalem and Zion, diagnosing the spiritual failure that preceded the city's destruction. This declaration occurs during the siege and fall of Jerusalem, when mockery has replaced any possibility of consolation.
The words — The text highlights חָזוּ (chāzū, “they have seen”) and שָׁוְא (shāv’, “worthlessness”) to label prophetic visions as empty and deceptive. It further states the prophets did not גִלּוּ (gillû, “make known”) the people’s עֲוֹנֵךְ (‘ăwōnēḵ, “iniquity”) to prevent exile.
The thread — This pattern of false prophecy appears in Jeremiah 5:31, which records prophets prophesying falsely alongside priests who rule by their own authority, and Ezekiel 22:28, which condemns prophets for whitewashing deeds with false visions and lying divinations.
Why it lands — The verse requires readers to acknowledge that spiritual leadership must confront sin directly, because concealment accelerates judgment rather than preventing it. Readers must determine whether their own guidance exposes guilt or merely supplies empty reassurance.
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
King James Version
Thy prophets have seen vain and foolish things for thee: and they have not discovered thine iniquity, to turn away thy captivity; but have seen for thee false burdens and causes of banishment.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 58:1 “Cry aloud, do not hold back! Raise your voice like a ram’s horn. Declare to My people their transgression and to the house of Jacob their sins.
- Jeremiah 5:31 The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own authority. My people love it so, but what will you do in the end?
- Ezekiel 22:28 Her prophets whitewash these deeds by false visions and lying divinations, saying, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says,’ when the LORD has not spoken.
- Ezekiel 22:25 The conspiracy of the princes in her midst is like a roaring lion tearing its prey. They devour the people, seize the treasures and precious things, and multiply the widows within her.
- Micah 3:5 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:
- Jeremiah 2:8 The priests did not ask, ‘Where is the LORD?’ The experts in the law no longer knew Me, and the leaders rebelled against Me. The prophets prophesied by Baal and followed useless idols.
- Jeremiah 8:10 Therefore I will give their wives to other men and their fields to new owners. For from the least of them to the greatest, all are greedy for gain; from prophet to priest, all practice deceit.
- Isaiah 9:15 The head is the elder and honorable man, and the tail is the prophet who teaches lies.
- Jeremiah 6:13 “For from the least of them to the greatest, all are greedy for gain; from prophet to priest, all practice deceit.
- Jeremiah 14:13 “Ah, Lord GOD!” I replied, “Look, the prophets are telling them, ‘You will not see the sword or suffer famine, but I will give you lasting peace in this place.’”