Jeremiah 28:1-10

Prophet against prophet

1 That same year, early in the rule of Judah's King Zedekiah, in the fifth month of his fourth year, the prophet Hananiah, Azzur's son from Gibeon, spoke to me in the LORD's temple before the priests and all the people.

2 He said: "The LORD of heavenly forces, the God of Israel, proclaims: I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon.

3 In two years I will restore to this place all of the temple equipment that Babylon's King Nebuchadnezzar carted off to Babylon.

4 I will also restore to this place Judah's King Jeconiah, Jehoiakim's son, along with all the exiles from Judah who were deported to Babylon, for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon, declares the LORD."

5 Then the prophet Jeremiah responded to Hananiah in the presence of the priests and all the people who were standing in the LORD's temple.

6 The prophet Jeremiah said: "Indeed. May the LORD do just as you have said! May the LORD fulfill the words that you have prophesied and bring back from Babylon the equipment of the LORD's temple and all the exiles to this place.

7 However, listen closely to what I have to say to you and all the people:

8 The prophets who came before you and me long ago prophesied war, disaster, and disease against many lands and great kingdoms.

9 So the prophet who prophesies peace is recognized as one who is actually sent by the LORD only when that prophet's message is fulfilled."

10 Then the prophet Hananiah took hold of the yoke that was on the prophet Jeremiah's neck and broke it.

Jeremiah 28:1-10 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JEREMIAH 28

Thus chapter relates a false prophecy of Hananiah, who broke off the yoke from Jeremiah; but in return the people are threatened with an iron yoke, and he with death; which came to pass. The time, place, and substance of his prophecy, are in Jer 28:1-4; Jeremiah's answer to it, Jer 28:5-9; Hananiah breaks Jeremiah's yoke, and explains the meaning of it to the people, Jer 28:10,11; Jeremiah prophesies that iron yokes should be given instead of wooden ones, Jer 28:12-14; and foretells the death of the false prophet, Jer 28:15-17.