Shemaiah שְׁמַעְיָ֫הוּ
False prophet during the Babylonian exile
Biography
Shemaiah, also known as Shemaiah the Nehelamite, was a false prophet who lived among the exiles in Babylon during the time of Jeremiah. According to Jer.29.24-32, Shemaiah sent letters to the people and priests in Jerusalem, contradicting Jeremiah's prophetic messages and accusing him of being a false prophet. Shemaiah urged the priest Zephaniah to rebuke and imprison Jeremiah for his prophecies. However, the Lord revealed to Jeremiah that Shemaiah was a false prophet who was leading the people astray. As a result, Jeremiah prophesied that Shemaiah and his descendants would be punished, and none of them would see the good that God would do for His people. This incident underscores the conflict between true and false prophets during the Babylonian exile and the importance of discerning genuine prophetic messages.
In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentJeremiah 3 verses
- Jeremiah 29:24
"Concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite you shall speak, saying,"
Study Jeremiah → - Jeremiah 29:31
"“Send to all of the captives, saying, ‘Yahweh says concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite: “Because Shemaiah has prophesied to you, and I didn’t send him, and he has caused you to trust in a lie;”"
Study Jeremiah → - Jeremiah 29:32
"therefore Yahweh says, “Behold, I will punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite and his offspring. He will not have a man to dwell among this people. He won’t see the good that I will do to my people,” says Yahweh, “because he has spoken rebellion against Yahweh.” ’ ”"
Study Jeremiah →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Strong's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | שְׁמַעְיָ֫הוּ | H8098Y |