Jeremiah 27:16
Also I spake to the priests and to all this people, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Hearken not to the words of your prophets that prophesy unto you, saying, Behold, the vessels of the LORD'S house shall now shortly be brought again from Babylon: for they prophesy a lie unto you.
Original Language Analysis
הַכֹּהֲנִים֩
to the priests
H3548
הַכֹּהֲנִים֩
to the priests
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
2 of 32
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
4 of 32
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָעָ֨ם
and to all this people
H5971
הָעָ֨ם
and to all this people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
5 of 32
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
הַזֶּ֜ה
H2088
דִּבַּ֣רְתִּי
Also I spake
H1696
דִּבַּ֣רְתִּי
Also I spake
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
7 of 32
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
כֹּה֮
H3541
כֹּה֮
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
9 of 32
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יְהוָ֛ה
of the LORD'S
H3068
יְהוָ֛ה
of the LORD'S
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
11 of 32
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אַֽל
H408
אַֽל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
12 of 32
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תִּשְׁמְע֞וּ
Hearken
H8085
תִּשְׁמְע֞וּ
Hearken
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
13 of 32
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
דִּבְרֵ֣י
not to the words
H1697
דִּבְרֵ֣י
not to the words
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
15 of 32
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
נְבִֽיאֵיכֶ֗ם
of your prophets
H5030
נְבִֽיאֵיכֶ֗ם
of your prophets
Strong's:
H5030
Word #:
16 of 32
a prophet or (generally) inspired man
נִבְּאִ֥ים
for they prophesy
H5012
נִבְּאִ֥ים
for they prophesy
Strong's:
H5012
Word #:
17 of 32
to prophesy, i.e., speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse)
כְלֵ֧י
Behold the vessels
H3627
כְלֵ֧י
Behold the vessels
Strong's:
H3627
Word #:
21 of 32
something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)
בֵית
house
H1004
בֵית
house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
22 of 32
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יְהוָ֛ה
of the LORD'S
H3068
יְהוָ֛ה
of the LORD'S
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
23 of 32
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
מוּשָׁבִ֥ים
be brought again
H7725
מוּשָׁבִ֥ים
be brought again
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
24 of 32
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
מִבָּבֶ֖לָה
from Babylon
H894
מִבָּבֶ֖לָה
from Babylon
Strong's:
H894
Word #:
25 of 32
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
עַתָּ֣ה
H6258
מְהֵרָ֑ה
shall now shortly
H4120
מְהֵרָ֑ה
shall now shortly
Strong's:
H4120
Word #:
27 of 32
properly, a hurry; hence (adverbially) promptly
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
28 of 32
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Cross References
Jeremiah 28:3Within 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:2 Kings 24:13And he carried out thence all the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house, and cut in pieces all the vessels of gold which Solomon king of Israel had made in the temple of the LORD, as the LORD had said.Jeremiah 27:10For they prophesy a lie unto you, to remove you far from your land; and that I should drive you out, and ye should perish.Daniel 1:2And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.Jeremiah 27:14Therefore hearken not unto the words of the prophets that speak unto you, saying, Ye shall not serve the king of Babylon: for they prophesy a lie unto you.
Historical Context
Spoken circa 594 BC during Zedekiah's reign, after Nebuchadnezzar's first deportation (597 BC) took temple vessels and Jewish nobility. False prophets promised quick restoration, but Jeremiah insisted on long captivity as God's judgment. This message directly opposed the royal court's pro-Egyptian resistance policies.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you discern between messages that comfort your preferences and prophecy that challenges you to trust God's harder path?
- What 'temple vessels' (symbols of past glory) might you be clinging to instead of accepting God's present discipline?
- When has obeying God required you to accept what seemed like defeat or humiliation?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Hearken not to the words of your prophets (אַל־תִּשְׁמְעוּ אֶל־דִּבְרֵי נְבִיאֵיכֶם)—Jeremiah confronts false prophets promising imminent return of temple vessels stolen by Nebuchadnezzar. The Hebrew shema (listen/obey) appears in negative imperative, commanding resistance to deceptive prophecy.
They prophesy a lie unto you (שֶׁקֶר הֵם נִבְּאִים לָכֶם)—The word sheqer (falsehood, deception) exposes prophecy rooted not in God's revelation but in nationalist wishful thinking. These prophets, like Hananiah (ch. 28), predicted swift Babylonian defeat, contradicting God's revealed timeline of 70 years captivity (25:11). Jeremiah's unpopular truth—submit to Babylon—tested whether Israel would trust God's counterintuitive word over comforting lies.