Jeremiah 28

Hananiah Breaks the Yoke and the LORD Exposes False Peace

The chapter moves from Hananiah's public promise of quick deliverance, to Jeremiah's cautious test of peace prophecy, to Hananiah's symbolic breaking of the wooden yoke, to the LORD's counterword of iron yokes, and finally to Hananiah's death as judgment for lying rebellion.

World English Bible, Public Domain

Jeremiah 28:1-4

False prophecy often promises immediate relief and restoration while ignoring the reality of God’s announced judgment.

1 That 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.

3 Within 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.

4 I 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.’ ”

Jeremiah 28:5-9

True prophetic authority is proven not by popularity or optimism but by alignment with God’s revealed word and eventual fulfillment.

5 Then 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,

6 even 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.

7 Nevertheless listen now to this word that I speak in your ears, and in the ears of all the people:

8 The 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.

9 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.”

Jeremiah 28:10-11

False prophetic claims may employ dramatic symbolism and confident declarations to persuade people, even when they contradict the true word of God.

10 Then Hananiah the prophet took the bar from off the prophet Jeremiah’s neck, and broke it.

11 Hananiah 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.

Jeremiah 28:12-17

False prophecy that contradicts God’s word brings greater judgment and severe consequences for those who deceive God’s people.

12 Then 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.”

14 For 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.” ’ ”

15 Then the prophet Jeremiah said to Hananiah the prophet, “Listen, Hananiah! Yahweh has not sent you, but you make this people trust in a lie.

16 Therefore 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.’ ”

17 So Hananiah the prophet died the same year in the seventh month.

Key Terms

נָבִיא navi H5030
מוֹטָה motah H4133
שָׁבַר shavar H7665
בָּבֶל Bavel H894
כֵּלִים kelim H3627
שׁוּב shuv H7725
אָמֵן amen H543
שָׁלוֹם shalom H7965
שָׁלַח shalach H7971
עֵץ ets H6086
בַּרְזֶל barzel H1270
עָבַד avad H5647

World English Bible (WEB): Public Domain Scripture text · License details