Jeremiah 23:18Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Who among those gathered in the presence of the Lord has both witnessed and heard His voice? In other words, who among those who resist the prophets has truly encountered the divine authority and conveyed these truths, having been graced with the Spirit? To rephrase: all those who defy the divine purpose by opposing the prophets are serving false idols. Who, then, can truly behold God? Symmachus inquires: who was present in the assembly and who listened? How can you claim to have heard?

In the passage we have translated as "in council," which in Hebrew appears as "basod," Aquila renders it as "mystery," Symmachus as "word," and both the Seventy and Theodotion refer to it as "substance" or "existence." The implication is clear: do not be deceived, O uninsightful ones, by the prophets who deliver falsehoods, claiming, "Thus saith the Lord, Peace be with you, no harm shall come your way." How could they grasp the divine mysteries of God, or from whom have they derived the counsel of the Almighty? What source could convey the word of His sovereign decree to them? Some among us believe that in this context, they have uncovered a representation of God's essence.

They express what is within them, rather than conveying the message of the Lord. They offer assurances of peace that I have not granted. (Jeremiah 23:17) "To all who indulge in their desires, and to everyone who persists in their stubbornness, they proclaim, 'No harm will befall you.'" (Jer. 23:18) "Who is it that can stand in the counsel of the Lord and witness or listen to His words? Who will heed His message and truly listen?" By making such statements, they embolden the deceivers, allow them to continue in their wrongdoing, and prevent them from heeding the words of the prophets.