John Gill Commentary Jeremiah 23:31

"Behold, I am against the prophets, saith Jehovah, that use their tongues, and say, He saith." — Jeremiah 23:31 (ASV)

Behold, I [am] against the prophets, says the Lord

Not another sort of prophets distinct from the former, or those that follow; but the same under another character, and against whom he was, and set his face on another occasion; that use their tongues; at their pleasure, their lips being their own. So the Targum, "who prophesy according to the will of their own hearts;" talk in a haughty and insolent manner, speaking bold and daring things of the divine Being; or in a boasting bragging manner, extolling themselves, and speaking highly in their own commendations; or rather in a flattering way to the people: so some read it, by a transposition of a radical letter ^F18, "that smooth their tongues", as Kimchi; or speak smooth things with their tongues, to please the people:

and say, he says; that is, "the Lord", as the Vulgate Latin and Syriac versions express it; that so they might be the more easily believed by the people; but this was highly provoking to God, to father their lies and falsehoods upon him.

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FOOTNOTES:

• F18: (Myxqwlh) "hic pro" (Myqylxmh) "qui lenificant linguam suam", Pagninus, Gataker; "sumentes blandam linguan sua", Schmidt.