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Isaiah 30:10
Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:

Micah 2:11
If a man walking in the spirit and falsehood do lie,saying, I will prophesy unto thee of wine and of strong drink; he shall even be the prophet of this people.

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Jeremiah 23:17
They say still unto them that despise me, The LORD hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you.

2 Chronicles 18:5,10-12,19-21
Therefore the king of Israel gathered together of prophets four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall we go to Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for God will deliverit into the king's hand…

“I am against the prophets
Here, God explicitly states His opposition to certain prophets. In the historical context of Jeremiah, many prophets in Judah were misleading the people with false assurances of peace and prosperity, contrary to God's true message of impending judgment due to their unfaithfulness. This opposition highlights the seriousness of false prophecy and the responsibility of true prophets to faithfully convey God's word.

who wag their own tongues
This vivid imagery suggests deceit and manipulation. The phrase "wag their own tongues" implies that these prophets are speaking from their own imagination and desires rather than from divine inspiration. It reflects the cultural context where eloquence and persuasive speech were often valued, but here it is condemned when used to mislead God's people. This phrase warns against the danger of self-serving messages that deviate from God's truth.

and proclaim, ‘The LORD declares it.’”
The false prophets were claiming divine authority for their messages, which was a grave offense. This misuse of God's name is a violation of the commandment against taking the Lord's name in vain (Exodus 20:7). It also connects to other scriptures where false prophecy is condemned, such asDeuteronomy 18:20-22. This phrase serves as a caution against attributing one's own words to God, emphasizing the need for discernment and faithfulness in conveying His messages.

Jeremiah opens this sentence with a divine “Yes,” underscoring that what follows is not speculation but settled fact.

• The word functions like a solemn “truly” (Matthew 5:18) that confirms God means exactly what He is about to say.

• Scripture often prefaces weighty pronouncements with an affirming particle—note Jesus’ “Amen, Amen” (John 3:3).

• This immediate affirmation reminds us that “every promise of God finds its ‘Yes’ in Christ” (2 Corinthians 1:20). God’s Word is never tentative; it is eternally dependable (Isaiah 55:11).

The authority behind the message is explicitly stated.

• “Declares the LORD” appears repeatedly in Jeremiah, reinforcing that the prophet is merely the mouthpiece (Jeremiah 1:9).

• Because “the word of our God stands forever” (Isaiah 40:8), any claim to speak for Him carries absolute responsibility (James 3:1).

• Paul commended the Thessalonians for receiving his preaching “not as the word of men but as the word of God” (1 Thessalonians 2:13). God alone sets the standard.

Here God positions Himself in direct opposition to certain prophets—an alarming statement.

• Similar warnings echo inEzekiel 13:8–9, where God says, “I am against you, O prophets.”

• Jesus likewise cautions, “Beware of false prophets” (Matthew 7:15).

• The Lord’s stance reveals that religious titles do not guarantee divine approval; fidelity to truth does (Jeremiah 14:14–15).

An expressive image of prophets manufacturing words rather than receiving revelation.

• They “speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD” (Jeremiah 23:16).

• Peter warns of teachers who “exploit you with fabricated words” (2 Peter 2:1–3).

• Jude describes such self-promoters as “grumblers, malcontents…their mouth speaks arrogant things” (Jude 16).

• The phrase indicts self-styled messengers who treat prophecy like talk-show commentary—loose, opinionated, unrestrained.

The crime is not mere error; it is attaching God’s name to human invention.

•Deuteronomy 18:20–22 sets the standard: anyone who presumes to speak a word God has not commanded “shall die.”

• In1 Kings 22, Zedekiah’s theatrical horns (“This is what the LORD says…”) stand opposite Micaiah’s lonely but true word.

• John urges, “Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits” (1 John 4:1). Discerning listeners weigh every claim against the unchanging canon of Scripture (Acts 17:11).

• Falsely saying “The LORD declares” misrepresents His character, leading people astray and inviting judgment (Jeremiah 23:32).

Jeremiah 23:31 is God’s firm denunciation of anyone who invents prophecies, attaches His name, and misleads His people. The verse highlights:

• God’s unequivocal affirmation of truth (“Yes”)

• His supreme authority (“declares the LORD”)

• His active opposition to deceitful leaders (“I am against the prophets”)

• The human source of their messages (“wag their own tongues”)

• The deadly presumption of claiming divine endorsement (“The LORD declares it”).

For every generation the lesson is clear: cling to the written Word, test every teaching, and revere the God who guards His truth with jealous love.