Jeremiah 27:10
For they prophesy a lie unto you, to remove you far from your land; and that I should drive you out, and ye should perish.
Original Language Analysis
Historical Context
This prophecy was precisely fulfilled. The nations that rebelled against Babylon were crushed. When Zedekiah eventually broke his oath to Nebuchadnezzar (despite Jeremiah's warnings), Babylon besieged Jerusalem for 18 months, causing famine, disease, and death. When the city fell (586 BC), Nebuchadnezzar executed Zedekiah's sons before his eyes, blinded him, and deported him to Babylon where he died (2 Kings 25:1-7; Jeremiah 52:1-11). The population was either killed, deported, or scattered as refugees. Edom, Moab, Ammon, Tyre, and Sidon all suffered similar fates under Babylonian campaigns. Archaeological evidence shows destruction layers at multiple sites dating to this period, confirming the devastation wrought by resisting Babylon contrary to God's word through Jeremiah.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this verse illustrate that following false teaching leads to the opposite of what it promises?
- In what ways might we be tempted to follow voices that promise easy solutions or pleasant outcomes contrary to Scripture?
- What is the relationship between truth and life, falsehood and death, as demonstrated in this passage?
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Analysis & Commentary
For they prophesy a lie unto you—The verdict is unambiguous: sheker (שֶׁקֶר, lie/falsehood/deception). These weren't honest mistakes but deliberate deception, whether self-deceived or consciously fraudulent. The consequence follows: to remove you far from your land (lema'an harkhiq etkhem me'al admatkem, לְמַעַן הַרְחִיק אֶתְכֶם מֵעַל אַדְמַתְכֶם). The false prophecy would lead to the opposite of its promise—instead of preserving independence, rebellion would result in destruction and deportation farther from homeland.
And that I should drive you out, and ye should perish—God takes responsibility for the judgment: I should drive you out (ve-hidhakhti etkhem, וְהִדַּחְתִּי אֶתְכֶם). The verb nadakh (נָדַח) means to thrust away, banish, drive out—covenant curse language from Deuteronomy 28:63-64. The result would be perish (va-avadtem, וַאֲבַדְתֶּם), from avad (אָבַד, to be destroyed, vanish, die). This demonstrates the deadly consequences of false teaching: it leads people to act against God's will, bringing judgment rather than blessing. The ironic tragedy is that following false prophets promising deliverance would result in the very catastrophe being avoided. Truth saves; lies destroy.