Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version “Therefore their path will become slippery; they will be banished to darkness and there they will fall. I will bring disaster on them in the year they are punished,” declares the LORD. New Living Translation “Therefore, the paths they take will become slippery. They will be chased through the dark, and there they will fall. For I will bring disaster upon them at the time fixed for their punishment. I, the LORD, have spoken! English Standard Version Therefore their way shall be to them like slippery paths in the darkness, into which they shall be driven and fall, for I will bring disaster upon them in the year of their punishment, declares the LORD. Berean Standard Bible “Therefore their path will become slick; they will be driven away into the darkness and fall into it. For I will bring disaster upon them in the year of their punishment,” declares the LORD. Berean Literal Bible “Therefore their way shall be for them as slippery; into the darkness they will be driven away and fall in it! For I will bring on them disaster, the year of their punishment,” a declaration of YHWH. King James Bible Wherefore their way shall be unto them as slippery ways in the darkness: they shall be driven on, and fall therein: for I will bring evil upon them, even the year of their visitation, saith the LORD. New King James Version “Therefore their way shall be to them Like slippery ways; In the darkness they shall be driven on And fall in them; For I will bring disaster on them, The year of their punishment,” says the LORD. New American Standard Bible “Therefore their way will be like slippery paths to them, They will be driven away into the gloom and fall down in it; For I will bring disaster upon them, The year of their punishment,” declares the LORD. NASB 1995 “Therefore their way will be like slippery paths to them, They will be driven away into the gloom and fall down in it; For I will bring calamity upon them, The year of their punishment,” declares the LORD. NASB 1977 “Therefore their way will be like slippery paths to them, They will be driven away into the gloom and fall down in it; For I shall bring calamity upon them, The year of their punishment,” declares the LORD. Legacy Standard Bible “Therefore their way will be like slippery paths to them; They will be driven away into the thick darkness and fall down in it; For I will bring their evil upon them, The year of their punishment,” declares Yahweh. Amplified Bible “Therefore their way will be to them like slippery paths In the dark; they will be pushed and fall into them; For I will bring disaster on them, In the year of their punishment,” says the LORD. Berean Annotated Bible “Therefore their path will become slick; they will be driven away into the darkness and fall into it. For I will bring disaster upon them in the year of their punishment, declares the LORD {YHWH}. Christian Standard Bible Therefore, their way will seem like slippery paths in the gloom. They will be driven away and fall down there, for I will bring disaster on them, the year of their punishment. This is the LORD’s declaration. Holman Christian Standard Bible Therefore, their way will be to them like slippery paths in the gloom. They will be driven away and fall down there, for I will bring disaster on them, the year of their punishment. This is the LORD’s declaration. American Standard Version Wherefore their way shall be unto them as slippery places in the darkness: they shall be driven on, and fall therein; for I will bring evil upon them, even the year of their visitation, saith Jehovah. Contemporary English Version Now I will punish you with disaster, and you will slip and fall in the darkness. I, the LORD, have spoken. English Revised Version Wherefore their way shall be unto them as slippery places in the darkness: they shall be driven on, and fall therein: for I will bring evil upon them, even the year of their visitation, saith the LORD. GOD'S WORD® Translation "That is why their own way will become like slippery paths in the dark. They will be chased away, and they will fall down in the dark. I will bring disaster on them. It is time for them to be punished," declares the LORD. Good News Translation The paths they follow will be slippery and dark; I will make them stumble and fall. I am going to bring disaster on them; the time of their punishment is coming. I, the LORD, have spoken. International Standard Version Therefore their way will be slippery. They'll be driven out into the darkness, where they'll fall. For I'll bring disaster on them, the year of their judgment," declares the LORD. NET Bible So the paths they follow will be dark and slippery. They will stumble and fall headlong. For I will bring disaster on them. A day of reckoning is coming for them." The LORD affirms it! New Heart English Bible "Therefore their way shall be to them as slippery places in the darkness: they shall be driven on, and fall in it; for I will bring evil on them, even the year of their visitation," says the LORD. Webster's Bible Translation Wherefore their way shall be to them as slippery ways in the darkness: they shall be driven on, and fall therein: for I will bring evil upon them, even the year of their visitation, saith the LORD. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bible“Therefore their path will become slick; they will be driven away into the darkness and fall into it. For I will bring disaster upon them in the year of their punishment,” declares the LORD. World English Bible Therefore their way will be to them as slippery places in the darkness. They will be driven on, and fall therein; for I will bring evil on them, even the year of their visitation,” says Yahweh. Literal Translations Literal Standard Version“Therefore their way is as slippery places to them, "" They are driven into thick darkness, "" And they have fallen in it, "" For I bring in calamity against them, "" The year of their inspection,” "" A declaration of YHWH. Berean Literal Bible “Therefore their way shall be for them as slippery; into the darkness they will be driven away and fall in it! For I will bring on them disaster, the year of their punishment,” a declaration of YHWH. Young's Literal Translation Therefore is their way to them as slippery places, Into thick darkness they are driven, And they have fallen in it, For I bring in against them evil, The year of their inspection, An affirmation of Jehovah. Smith's Literal Translation For this their way shall be to them as slippery places in darkness: they shall be thrust away and they fell in it; for I will bring evil upon them, the year of their reviewing, says Jehovah. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleTherefore their way shall be as a slippery way in the dark: for they shall be driven on, and fall therein: for I will bring evils upon them, the year of their visitation, saith the Lord. Catholic Public Domain Version For this reason, their way will be like a slippery path in the dark. For they will be impelled forward, and they will fall in it. For I will bring evils over them, in the year of their visitation, says the Lord. New American Bible Hence their way shall become for them slippery ground. Into the darkness they shall be driven, and fall headlong; For I will bring disaster upon them, the year of their punishment—oracle of the LORD. New Revised Standard Version Therefore their way shall be to them like slippery paths in the darkness, into which they shall be driven and fall; for I will bring disaster upon them in the year of their punishment, says the LORD. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleTherefore their ways shall be to them as slippery ways in the darkness; they shall be driven on, and fall in them; for I will bring evil upon them, even the year of their punishment, says the LORD. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Because of this, their ways shall be slippery places to them, and into the darkness they shall be cast out and they shall fall in them, because I bring evil upon them, the year of their visitation, says LORD JEHOVAH OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Wherefore their way shall be unto them as slippery places in the darkness, They shall be thrust, and fall therein; For I will bring evil upon them, Even the year of their visitation, Saith the LORD. Brenton Septuagint Translation Therefore let their way be to them slippery and dark: and they shall be tripped up and fall in it: for I will bring evils upon them, in the year of their visitation. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Lying Prophets…11“For both prophet and priest are ungodly; even in My house I have found their wickedness,” declares the LORD. 12“Therefore their path will become slick; they will be driven away into the darkness and fall into it. For I will bring disaster upon them in the year of their punishment,” declares the LORD. 13“Among the prophets of Samaria I saw an offensive thing: They prophesied by Baal and led My people Israel astray.… Cross References Therefore their path will become slick; Psalm 73:18 Surely You set them on slick ground; You cast them down into ruin. Psalm 35:6 May their path be dark and slick, as the angel of the LORD pursues. Deuteronomy 32:35 Vengeance is Mine; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; for their day of disaster is near, and their doom is coming quickly.” they will be driven away into the darkness and fall into it. Proverbs 4:19 But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom; they do not know what makes them stumble. Isaiah 59:10 Like the blind, we feel our way along the wall, groping like those without eyes. We stumble at midday as in the twilight; among the vigorous we are like the dead. Job 12:25 They grope in the darkness without light; He makes them stagger like drunkards. For I will bring disaster upon them Jeremiah 18:11 Now therefore, tell the men of Judah and the residents of Jerusalem that this is what the LORD says: ‘Behold, I am planning a disaster for you and devising a plan against you. Turn now, each of you, from your evil ways, and correct your ways and deeds.’ Ezekiel 7:5 This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Disaster! An unprecedented disaster—behold, it is coming! Isaiah 45:7 I form the light and create the darkness; I bring prosperity and create calamity. I, the LORD, do all these things. in the year of their punishment,” Isaiah 34:8 For the LORD has a day of vengeance, a year of recompense for the cause of Zion. Isaiah 61:2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of our God’s vengeance, to comfort all who mourn, Hosea 9:7 The days of punishment have come; the days of retribution have arrived—let Israel know it. The prophet is called a fool, and the inspired man insane, because of the greatness of your iniquity and hostility. declares the LORD. Jeremiah 1:12 “You have observed correctly,” said the LORD, “for I am watching over My word to accomplish it.” Isaiah 55:11 so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it. Numbers 23:19 God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill? Isaiah 59:9-10 Therefore justice is far from us, and righteousness does not reach us. We hope for light, but there is darkness; for brightness, but we walk in gloom. / Like the blind, we feel our way along the wall, groping like those without eyes. We stumble at midday as in the twilight; among the vigorous we are like the dead. Treasury of Scripture Why their way shall be to them as slippery ways in the darkness: they shall be driven on, and fall therein: for I will bring evil on them, even the year of their visitation, said the LORD. as. Jeremiah 13:16 Give glory to the LORD your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness. Psalm 35:6 Let their way be dark and slippery: and let the angel of the LORD persecute them. Psalm 73:18 Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. in the. Job 18:18 He shall be driven from light into darkness, and chased out of the world. Isaiah 8:22 And they shall look unto the earth; and behold trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish; and they shall be driven to darkness. John 12:35 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. the year. Jeremiah 11:23 And there shall be no remnant of them: for I will bring evil upon the men of Anathoth, even the year of their visitation. Jeremiah 23:12 Wherefore their way shall be unto them as slippery ways in the darkness: they shall be driven on, and fall therein: for I will bring evil upon them, even the year of their visitation, saith the LORD. Jeremiah 48:44 He that fleeth from the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that getteth up out of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for I will bring upon it, even upon Moab, the year of their visitation, saith the LORD. Jump to Previous Affirmation Banished Calamity Cause Dark Darkness Disaster Driven Evil Fall Fallen Forced Gloom Inspection Path Paths Places Punished Punishment Slippery Slipping Steps Therein Thick Thrust Visitation Way Ways WhereforeJump to Next Affirmation Banished Calamity Cause Dark Darkness Disaster Driven Evil Fall Fallen Forced Gloom Inspection Path Paths Places Punished Punishment Slippery Slipping Steps Therein Thick Thrust Visitation Way Ways WhereforeJeremiah 23 1. He prophesies a restoration of the scattered flock.5. Christ shall rule and save them. 9. Against false prophets; 33. and mockers of the true prophets. Therefore their path will become slick; This phrase indicates a consequence of the actions of the false prophets and corrupt leaders in Judah. The imagery of a "slick path" suggests instability and danger, symbolizing the moral and spiritual decline of the people. In biblical times, a slick path would be treacherous, leading to falls and injury, much like the spiritual peril the leaders have led the people into. This reflects the broader biblical theme of the consequences of sin, as seen in Proverbs 4:19, where the way of the wicked is described as darkness. they will be driven away into the darkness and fall into it. For I will bring disaster upon them in the year of their punishment, declares the LORD. Persons / Places / Events 1. JeremiahA major prophet in the Old Testament, known for his messages of warning and judgment to the people of Judah. 2. False Prophets The primary subjects of this passage, these individuals misled the people of Judah with false assurances of peace and security. 3. Judah The southern kingdom of Israel, which was facing impending judgment due to its disobedience and idolatry. 4. The LORD (Yahweh) The covenant God of Israel, who is pronouncing judgment on the false prophets and the people who follow them. 5. The Year of Punishment A specific time appointed by God for executing judgment on those who have turned away from His ways. Teaching Points The Danger of False ProphetsFalse prophets lead people away from God's truth, resulting in spiritual and often physical disaster. The Consequences of Disobedience Disobedience to God leads to a "slippery path," symbolizing instability and inevitable downfall. God's Sovereign Judgment God is just and will bring about judgment in His appointed time, emphasizing the importance of living in obedience to Him. Walking in the Light Believers are called to walk in the light of God's truth, avoiding the darkness that comes from following false teachings. Discernment and Vigilance Christians must be vigilant and discerning, testing teachings against Scripture to avoid being led astray. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Jeremiah 23:12?2. How does Jeremiah 23:12 warn against following false prophets in today's world? 3. What consequences do "slippery paths" symbolize in Jeremiah 23:12 for believers? 4. How can we discern true teachings from false ones, as warned in Jeremiah 23? 5. How does Jeremiah 23:12 connect with Jesus' warnings about false prophets? 6. What steps can we take to avoid spiritual "darkness" mentioned in Jeremiah 23:12? 7. What does Jeremiah 23:12 reveal about God's judgment on false prophets? 8. How does Jeremiah 23:12 challenge our understanding of divine justice? 9. What historical context is essential for interpreting Jeremiah 23:12? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 23? 11. Jeremiah 23:21–22: Why would God allow false prophets to speak in His name if He disapproves of their messages? 12. Jeremiah 23:1-2: How can God condemn 'shepherds' who mislead the flock while, historically, many oppressive leaders seem to go unpunished? 13. Why would God threaten complete destruction (Jeremiah 21:5-6) instead of offering a path to repentance, seeming to contradict earlier scriptures that highlight mercy? 14. How do you separate good from evil in life? What Does Jeremiah 23:12 Mean Therefore their path will become slick• The Lord pictures the false prophets and corrupt leaders of Judah walking on a treacherous roadway. Because they persist in deception (Jeremiah 23:9–11), He removes every solid foothold. • This echoes Psalm 73:18, “Surely You set them on slippery ground; You cast them down to ruin,” and Proverbs 28:18, where the crooked “will suddenly fall.” • A “slick” path stresses certainty of downfall: once feet lose traction, momentum carries the traveler toward disaster. God is not merely warning; He is declaring an inevitable consequence of unrepentant sin. They will be driven away into the darkness • Darkness often pictures alienation from God (1 John 1:6) and exposure to judgment (Exodus 10:21–23). Here it describes being herded—“driven away”—beyond the light of divine favor. • The imagery recalls Job 18:18: “He is driven from light into darkness and is chased from the world.” Those who claimed to reveal God’s word now stumble where no vision remains. • The verb “driven” shows God’s active role: He Himself shepherds them out, contrasting Psalm 23:3 where He guides the faithful “in paths of righteousness.” and fall into it • The slippery way and deep darkness culminate in a crash. This fall is irreversible, like the ruin Jesus spoke of when the house built on sand collapsed (Matthew 7:27). • Proverbs 4:19 notes, “The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.” Jeremiah ties stumbling directly to divine retribution, not mere misfortune. • The fall also illustrates public exposure: those who exalted themselves as spiritual guides suffer humiliation before the nation (Jeremiah 14:15). For I will bring disaster upon them • The Lord states the reason behind the imagery. Disaster (calamity) is not random; it is God-sent judgment. Compare Isaiah 45:7, where He forms light and creates darkness, bringing prosperity and calamity. • This disaster fulfils Deuteronomy 18:20, “The prophet who presumes to speak a word in My name that I have not commanded…that prophet shall die.” God defends His holy name by acting decisively against counterfeit messengers. • Notice the shift from metaphor to plain speech: no longer “they will fall,” but “I will bring.” Accountability is personal when the Judge acts. in the year of their punishment • Judgment has a divinely appointed timetable. “Year” signals a fixed season, just as Babylon’s invasion had a prophesied moment (Jeremiah 25:11–12). • Habakkuk 2:3 assures that the vision “awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false.” Likewise, the punishment Jeremiah foretells will not be delayed indefinitely. • For the faithful remnant, this schedule affirms that God’s patience is purposeful; for the wicked, it underscores that mercy spurned today will not cancel judgment tomorrow. declares the LORD • The closing formula seals the prophecy with divine authority. Numbers 23:19 reminds us God is not a man that He should lie; His declaration renders the outcome certain. • Every phrase in verse 12 rests on this signature. The people might dismiss Jeremiah, but they cannot overturn the decree of the Sovereign LORD, who watches over His word to accomplish it (Jeremiah 1:12). summary Jeremiah 23:12 paints a five-step progression of divine judgment on false spiritual leaders: a slippery path, forced exile into darkness, an inevitable fall, divinely sent disaster, and a scheduled season of punishment—all guaranteed by the word of the LORD. The verse assures believers that God defends His truth and will ultimately expose and judge every counterfeit voice, while calling us to stand on His steady, illuminated path. (12) Slippery ways . . . darkness . . . driven on.--The words and the thoughts flow in upon the prophet's mind from Isaiah 8:22; Psalm 35:5-6.The year of their visitation.--The prophet returns to his characteristic word for the time appointed by the Divine Judge for chastisement. (Comp. Jeremiah 8:12; Jeremiah 10:15; Jeremiah 11:23.) . . . Verse 12. - Their way shall be unto them as slippery ways, etc.; rather, slippery places. The passage has a manifest affinity with Psalm 35:6 (in one of the Jeremiahizing psalms; see on Jeremiah 18:19, 20). They shall be driven on; or, as Ewald, taking over the last word of the preceding clause, they shall be thrust into the darkness. This involves a reminiscence, probable enough, of Isaiah 8:22 b. It is against the accentual tradition, but improves the rhythmical derision of the verse. If we ask who "thrusts" them, Psalm 35:5 supplies the answer - it is not merely external circumstances, but "the Angel of Jehovah," i.e. Jehovah himself. As Bishop Hall says, "God wounds us by many instruments, but with one hand." I will bring evil upon them, etc. Favorite expressions of Jeremiah (comp. Jeremiah 11:23).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew “Thereforeלָכֵן֩ (lā·ḵên) Adverb Strong's 3651: So -- thus their path דַרְכָּ֜ם (ḏar·kām) Noun - common singular construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action will become יִֽהְיֶ֨ה (yih·yeh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be slick; כַּחֲלַקְלַקּוֹת֙ (ka·ḥă·laq·laq·qō·wṯ) Preposition-k, Article | Noun - feminine plural Strong's 2519: Something very smooth, a treacherous spot, blandishment they will be driven away יִדַּ֖חוּ (yid·da·ḥū) Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 1760: To push, thrust into the gloom בָּֽאֲפֵלָ֔ה (bā·’ă·p̄ê·lāh) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 653: Duskiness, misfortune, concealment and fall וְנָ֣פְלוּ (wə·nā·p̄ə·lū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural Strong's 5307: To fall, lie into it. בָ֑הּ (ḇāh) Preposition | third person feminine singular Strong's Hebrew For כִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction I will bring אָבִ֨יא (’ā·ḇî) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common singular Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go disaster רָעָ֛ה (rā·‘āh) Adjective - feminine singular Strong's 7451: Bad, evil upon them עֲלֵיהֶ֥ם (‘ă·lê·hem) Preposition | third person masculine plural Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against in the year שְׁנַ֥ת (šə·naṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 8141: A year of their punishment,” פְּקֻדָּתָ֖ם (pə·qud·dā·ṯām) Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 6486: Oversight, mustering, visitation, store declares נְאֻם־ (nə·’um-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 5002: An oracle the LORD. יְהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3069: YHWH Links Jeremiah 23:12 NIVJeremiah 23:12 NLT Jeremiah 23:12 ESV Jeremiah 23:12 NASB Jeremiah 23:12 KJV Jeremiah 23:12 BibleApps.com Jeremiah 23:12 Biblia Paralela Jeremiah 23:12 Chinese Bible Jeremiah 23:12 French Bible Jeremiah 23:12 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Jeremiah 23:12 Therefore their way shall be to them (Jer.) |
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