Jeremiah 28:11
And 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.
Original Language Analysis
לְעֵינֵ֨י
in the presence
H5869
לְעֵינֵ֨י
in the presence
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
3 of 27
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
כָל
H3605
כָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
4 of 27
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָעָ֜ם
of all the people
H5971
הָעָ֜ם
of all the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
5 of 27
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
כֹּה֮
H3541
כֹּה֮
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
7 of 27
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יְהוָה֒
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֒
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
9 of 27
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כָּ֣כָה
H3602
אֶשְׁבֹּ֞ר
Even so will I break
H7665
אֶשְׁבֹּ֞ר
Even so will I break
Strong's:
H7665
Word #:
11 of 27
to burst (literally or figuratively)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עֹ֣ל׀
the yoke
H5923
עֹ֣ל׀
the yoke
Strong's:
H5923
Word #:
13 of 27
a yoke (as imposed on the neck), literally or figuratively
נְבֻֽכַדְנֶאצַּ֣ר
of Nebuchadnezzar
H5019
נְבֻֽכַדְנֶאצַּ֣ר
of Nebuchadnezzar
Strong's:
H5019
Word #:
14 of 27
nebukadnetstsar (or nebukadretsts(-ar, or)), king of babylon
בָּבֶ֗ל
of Babylon
H894
בָּבֶ֗ל
of Babylon
Strong's:
H894
Word #:
16 of 27
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
בְּעוֹד֙
H5750
בְּעוֹד֙
Strong's:
H5750
Word #:
17 of 27
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
יָמִ֔ים
within the space of two full
H3117
יָמִ֔ים
within the space of two full
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
19 of 27
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
מֵעַ֕ל
H5921
מֵעַ֕ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
20 of 27
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
צַוַּ֖אר
from the neck
H6677
צַוַּ֖אר
from the neck
Strong's:
H6677
Word #:
21 of 27
the back of the neck (as that on which burdens are bound)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
22 of 27
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַגּוֹיִ֑ם
of all nations
H1471
הַגּוֹיִ֑ם
of all nations
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
23 of 27
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
וַיֵּ֛לֶךְ
H1980
וַיֵּ֛לֶךְ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
24 of 27
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
Cross References
Proverbs 14:7Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge.Jeremiah 14:14Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.
Historical Context
Hananiah's two-year prediction (593-591 BC) would be tested by events. Babylon didn't fall; instead, it grew stronger, ultimately destroying Jerusalem in 586 BC. Hananiah died within the year (28:17), never seeing his prophecy's failure. His specific timeline, meant to inspire confidence, became his undoing. False prophets often make falsifiable predictions; truth requires patience to let time expose lies.
Questions for Reflection
- When should you immediately refute false teaching versus waiting for time to expose it?
- How do specific predictions make theological claims testable?
- What does Jeremiah's departure teach about not needing last word in every argument?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And 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 (כֹּה אָמַר יְהוָה כָּכָה אֶשְׁבֹּר אֶת־עֹל נְבֻכַדְנֶאצַּר מֶלֶךְ־בָּבֶל בְּעוֹד שְׁנָתַיִם יָמִים מֵעַל צַוַּאר כָּל־הַגּוֹיִם, koh amar YHWH kakah eshbor et-ol n'vukhadnetsar melekh-bavel b'od sh'natayim yamim me'al tsavvar kol-haggoyim)—Hananiah invokes divine authority (כֹּה אָמַר יְהוָה, 'Thus saith the LORD') for his optimistic timeline. The comparison כָּכָה (kak'ah, 'just like this') links broken wooden yoke to promised broken Babylonian empire. Within the space of two full years (בְּעוֹד שְׁנָתַיִם יָמִים, b'od sh'natayim yamim) sets specific deadline. And the prophet Jeremiah went his way (וַיֵּלֶךְ יִרְמְיָהוּ הַנָּבִיא לְדַרְכּוֹ, vayyelekh yirm'yahu hannavi l'darko)—Jeremiah departs without immediate response.
Jeremiah's departure shows wisdom: not every false claim requires instant rebuttal. Sometimes truth needs time to formulate proper response. Jeremiah waits for divine instruction rather than reacting emotionally. Hananiah's specific timeline would eventually expose him—either events vindicate him (they won't) or time proves him false. Faithful ministry sometimes requires patience, letting lies hang themselves with their own specifics.