Major Prophets · Chapter 28 of 52

Jeremiah 28

The prophet Hananiah publicly contradicts Jeremiah, declaring that within two years God will break Babylon's yoke and return the exiles and temple vessels. Jeremiah answers Amen but warns that a prophet of peace is proven true only when his word comes to pass. Hananiah breaks the wooden yoke off Jeremiah's neck; God replies that it will become iron. Jeremiah declares Hananiah a false prophet who will die that year, and he does.

What happens in Jeremiah 28

In Zedekiah's fourth year, the prophet Hananiah stands in the temple and proclaims in God's name that He has broken Babylon's yoke; within two years He will return the temple vessels, King Jeconiah, and all the exiles. Jeremiah responds with a sincere Amen but cautions that prophets before them foretold war and disaster, and a prophet who predicts peace is validated only when his prophecy is fulfilled. Hananiah then takes the wooden yoke from Jeremiah's neck and breaks it, repeating that God will break Nebuchadnezzar's yoke within two years, and Jeremiah walks away.

Afterward God speaks to Jeremiah: Hananiah has broken a wooden yoke, but God will make yokes of iron, having placed an unbreakable yoke on the nations to serve Babylon. Jeremiah then confronts him: God did not send him, and he has made the people trust a lie, so he will die that year for teaching rebellion. Hananiah dies two months later, in the seventh month.

Jeremiah 28 in context

Dated to Zedekiah's fourth year, around 593 BC, this chapter dramatizes the clash between true and false prophecy amid pressure to rebel against Babylon. Hananiah voiced the popular, patriotic hope of quick deliverance. The confrontation tests Deuteronomy's criterion that a true prophet's word comes to pass.

Jeremiah's initial restraint, waiting for God's word rather than trading claim for claim, and Hananiah's swift death vindicate the harder message Jeremiah bore.

Main themes of Jeremiah 28

Jeremiah 28 (KJV)

1And it came to pass the same year, in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the fourth year, and in the fifth month, that Hananiah the son of Azur the prophet, which was of Gibeon, spake unto me in the house of the LORD, in the presence of the priests and of all the people, saying, 2Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon. 3Within two full years will I bring again into this place all the vessels of the LORD’s house, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took away from this place, and carried them to Babylon: 4And I will bring again to this place Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, with all the captives of Judah, that went into Babylon, saith the LORD: for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon. 5Then the prophet Jeremiah said unto the prophet Hananiah in the presence of the priests, and in the presence of all the people that stood in the house of the LORD, 6Even the prophet Jeremiah said, Amen: the LORD do so: the LORD perform thy words which thou hast prophesied, to bring again the vessels of the LORD’s house, and all that is carried away captive, from Babylon into this place. 7Nevertheless hear thou now this word that I speak in thine ears, and in the ears of all the people; 8The prophets that have been before me and before thee of old prophesied both against many countries, and against great kingdoms, of war, and of evil, and of pestilence. 9The prophet which prophesieth of peace, when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, then shall the prophet be known, that the LORD hath truly sent him. 10Then Hananiah the prophet took the yoke from off the prophet Jeremiah’s neck, and brake it. 11And Hananiah spake in the presence of all the people, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Even so will I break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon from the neck of all nations within the space of two full years. And the prophet Jeremiah went his way. 12Then the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah the prophet, after that Hananiah the prophet had broken the yoke from off the neck of the prophet Jeremiah, saying, 13Go and tell Hananiah, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Thou hast broken the yokes of wood; but thou shalt make for them yokes of iron. 14For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; I have put a yoke of iron upon the neck of all these nations, that they may serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; and they shall serve him: and I have given him the beasts of the field also. 15Then said the prophet Jeremiah unto Hananiah the prophet, Hear now, Hananiah; The LORD hath not sent thee; but thou makest this people to trust in a lie. 16Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will cast thee from off the face of the earth: this year thou shalt die, because thou hast taught rebellion against the LORD. 17So Hananiah the prophet died the same year in the seventh month.

Verses to carry from Jeremiah 28

“The prophet which prophesieth of peace, when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, then shall the prophet be known, that the LORD hath truly sent him.”Jeremiah 28:9

“Go and tell Hananiah, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Thou hast broken the yokes of wood; but thou shalt make for them yokes of iron.”Jeremiah 28:13

“Then said the prophet Jeremiah unto Hananiah the prophet, Hear now, Hananiah; The LORD hath not sent thee; but thou makest this people to trust in a lie.”Jeremiah 28:15

Reflection

It is easy to believe the voice that promises quick relief, but comforting words are not true simply because we long for them. Test what you hear against God's word, and follow Jeremiah in waiting for God to vindicate truth rather than grasping for it. The faithful can trust God to confirm His word in time.

A prayer from Jeremiah 28