John Gill Commentary


John Gill Commentary
"In the prophets of Jerusalem also I have seen a horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies; and they strengthen the hands of evil-doers, so that none doth return from his wickedness: they are all of them become unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah." — Jeremiah 23:14 (ASV)
I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible
thing
Or "but", or "so have I seen", &c. as before observed; even in the prophets of Jerusalem, where the temple was, and where the pure worship of God was professed to be observed, and that now, at the present time; as he had formerly seen and observed what was foolish, ridiculous, and impious, in the prophets of the ten tribes, and had punished them for it; so now at this instant he sees that in the prophets of Judea which was enough to make a man's hair stand an end, as the word F21 signifies; or, as it may be derived from another root, what was "filthy" F23 and obscene; as follows:
they commit adultery ;
or, "in committing adultery" F24 ; with their neighbours' wives; for this rather than idolatry or spiritual adultery seems to be meant: and walk in lies ;
or, "walking in lies" F25 ; constantly speaking lies in their common talk and conversation; so that they were not to be believed in anything they said; which was monstrous; and delivering out false doctrines in the name of the Lord, pretending they received them from him; which was worse than prophesying in the name of Baal:
they strengthen also the hands of evil doers, that none does return
from his wickedness ;
they hardened them in sin; partly by their false doctrines, extenuating their sins, putting a false gloss upon them, and promising them peace, though they lived in sin; and partly by their own wicked examples; the people concluding that what the prophets did they might do also; so that they never thought of repentance for their sins, or amendment of their lives; but went on in sin without remorse or reformation; not thinking anything about it or seeing any need of it; see (Ezekiel 13:22) ;
they are all of them to me as Sodom, and the inhabitants of it as
Gomorrah ;
the prophets were all of them in God's account as the men of Sodom; who were exceeding great sinners before the Lord, daring and impudent in sinning; and the people, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, that were led by them into the same wicked sentiments and practices, were like to Gomorrah; and as they were like to them in sinning, So they would be in punishment; or a like punishment would be inflicted upon the prophets and people of Jerusalem as were upon Sodom and Gomorrah; see (Isaiah 1:9Isaiah 1:10) .