And if the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing,.... That is pleasing to men, and is not true, in hope of reward and applause, but it never comes to pass, and his expectations are not answered:I the Lord have deceived that prophet; by sending a lying spirit to him, as to Ahab's prophets, 1Ki 22:22; by giving him up to strong delusions, to believe a lie, and publish it, 2Th 2:11; and to his own heart's lusts; being willing, for the sake of gain, to prophesy smooth things, though false to the people, promising them peace when there was none; and then by frustrating his predictions, and disappointing him of his ends and views.
R.