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Jeremiah 28

World English Bible

WEB

1That same year, in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the fourth year, in the fifth month, Hananiah the son of Azzur, the prophet, who was of Gibeon, spoke to me in Yahweh’s house, in the presence of the priests and of all the people, saying, 2“Yahweh of Armies, the God of Israel, says, ‘I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon. 3Within two full years I will bring again into this place all the vessels of Yahweh’s house that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took away from this place and carried to Babylon. 4I will bring again to this place Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, with all the captives of Judah, who went to Babylon,’ says Yahweh; ‘for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.’” 5Then the prophet Jeremiah said to the prophet Hananiah in the presence of the priests, and in the presence of all the people who stood in Yahweh’s house, 6even the prophet Jeremiah said, “Amen! May Yahweh do so. May Yahweh perform your words which you have prophesied, to bring again the vessels of Yahweh’s house, and all those who are captives, from Babylon to this place. 7Nevertheless listen now to this word that I speak in your ears, and in the ears of all the people: 8The prophets who have been before me and before you of old prophesied against many countries, and against great kingdoms, of war, of evil, and of pestilence. 9As for the prophet who prophesies of peace, when the word of the prophet happens, then the prophet will be known, that Yahweh has truly sent him.” 10Then Hananiah the prophet took the bar from off the prophet Jeremiah’s neck, and broke it. 11Hananiah spoke in the presence of all the people, saying, “Yahweh says: ‘Even so I will break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon from off the neck of all the nations within two full years.’” Then the prophet Jeremiah went his way. 12Then Yahweh’s word came to Jeremiah, after Hananiah the prophet had broken the bar from off the neck of the prophet Jeremiah, saying, 13“Go, and tell Hananiah, saying, ‘Yahweh says, “You have broken the bars of wood, but you have made in their place bars of iron.” 14For Yahweh of Armies, the God of Israel says, “I have put a yoke of iron on the neck of all these nations, that they may serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; and they will serve him. I have also given him the animals of the field.”’” 15Then the prophet Jeremiah said to Hananiah the prophet, “Listen, Hananiah! Yahweh has not sent you, but you make this people trust in a lie. 16Therefore Yahweh says, ‘Behold, I will send you away from off the surface of the earth. This year you will die, because you have spoken rebellion against Yahweh.’” 17So Hananiah the prophet died the same year in the seventh month.

World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

Jeremiah Chapter 28 presents a significant confrontation between the true prophet #Jeremiah and the false prophet #Hananiah. The chapter begins with Hananiah boldly declaring that the Lord has broken the yoke of Babylon and that the exiles will return to Jerusalem within two years. This proclamation is a direct challenge to Jeremiah's earlier message of impending judgment and exile, which was rooted in God’s truth. Hananiah's words are appealing, promising hope and restoration, but they lack the weight of divine authority, as they contradict the warnings given by God through Jeremiah.

In response, Jeremiah acknowledges Hananiah's message but emphasizes that true prophets are known by their fulfillment of God's word. He expresses a desire for Hananiah's prophecy to come true, yet he reminds the people that the true test of a prophet is whether their words come to pass. Jeremiah then proclaims that the Lord has indeed sent him to speak of the coming judgment, and he warns that Hananiah will face consequences for his false prophecies.

The chapter concludes with God affirming Jeremiah's message by declaring that Hananiah will die within the year for his rebellion against the Lord. This serves as a sobering reminder of the seriousness of speaking on behalf of God and the importance of discerning true prophecy from falsehood. The events in this chapter highlight the tension between divine truth and human desire, urging believers to remain steadfast in faith and to seek the Lord's guidance in all matters of prophecy and teaching.

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Referenced by

  1. Amos 7:17v15Amos 7:17 pronounces judgment on Amaziah, similar to the judgment pronounced on Hananiah in Jeremiah 28:15-17 for opposing God's true prophet.

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