ירמיהו, פרק ה׳, פסוק י״ג

Human reaction to prophecy often swings between total disrespect and a desire for false promises. When words are spoken in the name of God, the tension between divine truth and empty talk peaks in a sharp conflict over the very nature of prophecy. One perspective views this conflict as a record of the people mocking true prophets. In this scenario, the public completely denies any divine revelation. They dismiss the true prophets, claiming that God does not speak to them at all and that their warnings are as empty and worthless as the wind. Continuing their mockery, the people curse these true prophets, wishing that all the terrible disasters predicted for the nation will instead strike the prophets themselves [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

Conversely, this conflict is also understood as a severe criticism of false prophets. These individuals mislead the public with fake promises of peace simply to win favor. They lack any true divine inspiration or holy speech, relying instead on dreams and magic. Because their words are empty, their prophecies will turn to nothing, and they themselves will be destroyed and scattered like chaff in the wind. The final curse takes on a different meaning in this light. Rather than the people mocking, it is either the true prophet responding to a disrespectful public, declaring that the disaster God warned of will indeed strike the people as a punishment for their words [רש״י], or it is a solemn oath directed at the false prophets, ensuring that a great disaster will fall upon them for deceiving the public [רד״ק].