Jeremiah 29:31

31 “Send to all the exiles, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord concerning ¹Shemaiah of Nehelam: Because ²Shemaiah had prophesied to you ³when I did not send him, and has made you trust in a lie,

Jeremiah 29:31 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 29:31

Send to all them of the captivity
Another letter; not to Shemaiah, but to the people, that they might all know that he was a false prophet; and how his lies were resented by the Lord; and what punishment should be inflicted on him and his, on account of them: saying, thus saith the Lord concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite;
the letter, though written by the prophet, must be sent in the name of the Lord, declaring what he would do with the person mentioned, and the reason of it; which follows: because that Shemaiah hath prophesied unto you, and I sent him not,
and he caused you to trust in a lie;
that they should in a very little time return from their captivity to Jerusalem.

Jeremiah 29:31 In-Context

29 Zephaniah the priest read this letter in the hearing of Jeremiah the prophet.

30 Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah:

31 “Send to all the exiles, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord concerning Shemaiah of Nehelam: Because Shemaiah had prophesied to you when I did not send him, and has made you trust in a lie,

32 therefore thus says the Lord: Behold, I will punish Shemaiah of Nehelam and his descendants. He shall not have anyone living among this people, and he shall not see the good that I will do to my people, declares the Lord, for he has spoken rebellion against the Lord. ’”

Cross References

• 1. 29:31 ver. 24
• 2. 29:31 ver. 24
• 3. 29:31 ver. 9; See ch. 5:31