Jeremiah Chapter 28 — The Conflict with Hananiah
Jeremiah confronts the prophet Hananiah, who falsely predicts a quick end to the Babylonian exile, leading to a divine judgment on Hananiah's life.
1That 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 the LORD’s house, in the presence of the priests and of all the people, saying,
2“The LORD of Armies, the God of Israel, says, ‘I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon.
3Within two full years I will 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 to Babylon.
4I 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 the LORD; ‘for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.’ ”
5Then 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 the LORD’s house,
6even the prophet Jeremiah said, “Amen! May the LORD do so. May the LORD perform your words which you have prophesied, to bring again the vessels of the LORD’s house, and all those who are captives, from Babylon to this place.
7Nevertheless listen now to this word that I speak in your ears, and in the ears of all the people:
8The 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.
9As for the prophet who prophesies of peace, when the word of the prophet happens, then the prophet will be known, that the LORD has truly sent him.”
10Then Hananiah the prophet took the bar from off the prophet Jeremiah’s neck, and broke it.
11Hananiah spoke in the presence of all the people, saying, “The LORD 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.
12Then the LORD’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, ‘The LORD says, “You have broken the bars of wood, but you have made in their place bars of iron.”
14For the LORD 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.” ’ ”
15Then the prophet Jeremiah said to Hananiah the prophet, “Listen, Hananiah! The LORD has not sent you, but you make this people trust in a lie.
16Therefore the LORD 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 the LORD.’ ”
17So Hananiah the prophet died the same year in the seventh month.
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
Jeremiah 28:9
“As for the prophet who prophesies of peace, when the word of the prophet happens, then the prophet will be known, that the LORD has truly sent him.”
This verse establishes the biblical standard for verifying a prophet whose message focuses on peace rather than the traditional warnings of judgment.
Jeremiah 28:13
“You have broken the bars of wood, but you have made in their place bars of iron.”
This metaphor illustrates that attempting to circumvent God's ordained discipline can result in even harsher consequences.
Chapter Summary
Jeremiah Chapter 28 documents a direct confrontation between the prophet Jeremiah and Hananiah the son of Azzur in the fourth year of King Zedekiah’s reign. In the presence of priests and the people at the Lord’s house, Hananiah declares that God has broken the yoke of Babylon and will return the temple vessels and King Jeconiah within two years. Jeremiah responds by hoping the prophecy is true but cautions that historical prophets typically spoke of war and judgment; therefore, a prophet of peace is only proven true if their words come to pass. Hananiah then physically breaks the wooden yoke Jeremiah was wearing as a sign. However, God speaks to Jeremiah, stating that while the wooden bars were broken, they will be replaced by bars of iron, signifying an even firmer subjection to Nebuchadnezzar. Because Hananiah taught rebellion against the Lord, Jeremiah prophesies his death within the year. According to the text, Hananiah dies two months later, confirming the falsity of his message.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hananiah was the son of Azzur and a prophet from Gibeon who publicly contradicted Jeremiah. He falsely claimed that God would break the power of Babylon and return the captives and temple vessels within two years.
After Hananiah broke Jeremiah's wooden yoke, God commanded Jeremiah to tell Hananiah that the nations would now face a yoke of iron. This symbolized a more rigid and inescapable servitude to King Nebuchadnezzar as a result of their rebellion.
Jeremiah told Hananiah that because he made the people trust in a lie, he would be removed from the face of the earth that same year. Hananiah died in the seventh month, just two months after his confrontation with Jeremiah.
Study Note
The specific time markers—the fourth year and fifth month—emphasize the historical reliability and chronological precision of the account within the context of the Babylonian siege.
Related Chapters
Jeremiah 27
This chapter provides the context for the wooden yoke Jeremiah was wearing during the confrontation.
Deuteronomy 18
This book contains the original Mosaic law regarding how to distinguish between true and false prophets.
Ezekiel 13
Another major prophet provides further insight into God's judgment against false prophets who speak 'peace' when there is no peace.
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