Jer 5:31, Mic 2:6 | JFB | STEP | 31. bear rule by their means-- literally, "according to their hands," that is, under their guidance ( ). As a sample of the priests lending themselves to the deceits of the false prophets, to gain influence over the people, see . love to have it so-- ( ). end thereof-- the fatal issue of this sinful course when divine judgments shall come.

‏ Jeremiah 5:31

31. bear rule by their means--literally, "according to their hands," that is, under their guidance (1Ch 25:3). As a sample of the priests lending themselves to the deceits of the false prophets, to gain influence over the people, see Jr 29:24-32.

love to have it so--(Mi 2:11).

end thereof--the fatal issue of this sinful course when divine judgments shall come.

‏ Micah 2:6

6. Prophesy ye not, say they--namely, the Israelites say to the true prophets, when announcing unwelcome truths. Therefore God judicially abandons them to their own ways: "The prophets, by whose ministry they might have been saved from shame (ignominious captivity), shall not (that is, no longer) prophesy to them" (Is 30:10; Am 2:12; 7:16). Maurer translates the latter clause, "they shall not prophesy of such things" (as in Mi 2:3-5, these being rebellious Israel's words); "let them not prophesy"; "they never cease from insult" (from prophesying insults to us). English Version is supported by the parallelism: wherein the similarity of sound and word implies how exactly God makes their punishment answer to their sin, and takes them at their own word. "Prophesy," literally, "drop" (De 32:2; Eze 21:2).