Jeremiah 28:12
Then the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah the prophet, after that Hananiah the prophet had broken the yoke from off the neck of the prophet Jeremiah, saying,
Original Language Analysis
וַיְהִ֥י
H1961
וַיְהִ֥י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 16
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
דְבַר
Then the word
H1697
דְבַר
Then the word
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
2 of 16
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
יְהוָ֖ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אַ֠חֲרֵי
the prophet after
H310
אַ֠חֲרֵי
the prophet after
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
6 of 16
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַמּוֹטָ֔ה
the yoke
H4133
הַמּוֹטָ֔ה
the yoke
Strong's:
H4133
Word #:
11 of 16
a pole; by implication, an ox-bow; hence, a yoke (either literal or figurative)
מֵעַ֗ל
H5921
מֵעַ֗ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
12 of 16
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
צַוַּ֛אר
from off the neck
H6677
צַוַּ֛אר
from off the neck
Strong's:
H6677
Word #:
13 of 16
the back of the neck (as that on which burdens are bound)
Historical Context
The timing between Hananiah's yoke-breaking and God's response to Jeremiah is unspecified but likely brief. The narrative structure emphasizes that authentic prophets wait for divine word rather than improvising responses. Jeremiah's entire ministry demonstrates dependence on receiving God's word (1:9, 'I have put my words in thy mouth'), not generating clever arguments independently.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you distinguish between waiting for God's direction and avoiding confrontation?
- When has God's delayed response to opposition tested your faith?
- What role does patience play in authentic prophetic ministry versus quick reactionary responses?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Then the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah the prophet, after that Hananiah the prophet had broken the yoke from off the neck of the prophet Jeremiah (וַיְהִי דְבַר־יְהוָה אֶל־יִרְמְיָהוּ אַחֲרֵי שְׁבֹר חֲנַנְיָה הַנָּבִיא אֶת־הַמּוֹטָה מֵעַל צַוַּאר יִרְמְיָהוּ הַנָּבִיא, vay'hi d'var-YHWH el-yirm'yahu acharei sh'vor chananyah hannavi et-hammotah me'al tsavvar yirm'yahu hannavi)—divine word (דְבַר־יְהוָה, d'var-YHWH) comes after the confrontation (אַחֲרֵי, acharei, 'after'), not during. God provides response in His timing, not human urgency. This validates Jeremiah's patient departure—he waited for divine instruction rather than manufacturing response.
The phrase structure emphasizes sequence: first Hananiah acts, then God speaks. This pattern appears throughout Scripture—God allows human rebellion to fully manifest before responding. The delay tests Jeremiah's faith (will he panic without immediate vindication?) and builds dramatic tension. When God's word finally comes (v. 13), it's devastating: wooden yokes become iron. The divine response transforms Hananiah's dramatic gesture into proof of escalated judgment.