Jeremiah 23:28
The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the LORD.
Original Language Analysis
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
2 of 18
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
אִתּ֤וֹ
H854
אִתּ֤וֹ
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
3 of 18
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
יְסַפֵּ֣ר
let him tell
H5608
יְסַפֵּ֣ר
let him tell
Strong's:
H5608
Word #:
5 of 18
properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e., (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e., celebra
וַאֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
וַאֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
7 of 18
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
דְּבָרִ֖י
and he that hath my word
H1697
דְּבָרִ֖י
and he that hath my word
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
8 of 18
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
אִתּ֔וֹ
H854
אִתּ֔וֹ
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
9 of 18
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
יְדַבֵּ֥ר
let him speak
H1696
יְדַבֵּ֥ר
let him speak
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
10 of 18
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
דְּבָרִ֖י
and he that hath my word
H1697
דְּבָרִ֖י
and he that hath my word
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
11 of 18
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
אֱמֶ֑ת
faithfully
H571
אֱמֶ֑ת
faithfully
Strong's:
H571
Word #:
12 of 18
stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness
מַה
H4100
מַה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
13 of 18
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
לַתֶּ֥בֶן
What is the chaff
H8401
לַתֶּ֥בֶן
What is the chaff
Strong's:
H8401
Word #:
14 of 18
properly, material, i.e., (specifically) refuse haum or stalks of grain (as chopped in threshing and used for fodder)
אֶת
H854
אֶת
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
15 of 18
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
Cross References
1 Timothy 1:12And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;2 Corinthians 2:17For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.Proverbs 14:5A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.Matthew 24:45Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?Luke 12:42And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?1 Corinthians 4:2Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
Historical Context
The agricultural metaphor resonated in agrarian Judah. Threshing floors separated wheat from chaff through winnowing—wind carried away useless husks. Everyone understood chaff's worthlessness. Jeremiah uses shared experience to illustrate spiritual discernment—God's word has substance; false prophecy blows away.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you distinguish wheat (substantial truth) from chaff (impressive but empty claims)?
- What chaff might you be consuming—religious content lacking real substance?
- How faithfully are you speaking God's word versus sharing opinions?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
What is the chaff to the wheat? (מַה־לַתֶּבֶן אֶת־הַבָּר, mah-latteven et-habbar)—dreams without divine origin are chaff, worthless wind-blown refuse. God's word is wheat—nourishing, life-sustaining, weighty. Let him speak my word faithfully (יְדַבֵּר דְּבָרִי אֱמֶת, y'daber d'vari emet) establishes the standard.
John the Baptist used similar imagery for judgment (Matthew 3:12). Jesus taught man lives by every word from God's mouth (Matthew 4:4)—not every dream, feeling, or impression. The contrast isn't dreams versus non-dreams but divine revelation versus human imagination. Chaff appears substantial but lacks nutritional value; God's word nourishes.