Jeremiah 28:13
Go and tell Hananiah, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Thou hast broken the yokes of wood; but thou shalt make for them yokes of iron.
Original Language Analysis
הָלוֹךְ֩
Go
H1980
הָלוֹךְ֩
Go
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
1 of 15
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
כֹּ֚ה
H3541
כֹּ֚ה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
6 of 15
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
8 of 15
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
מֹט֥וֹת
for them yokes
H4133
מֹט֥וֹת
for them yokes
Strong's:
H4133
Word #:
9 of 15
a pole; by implication, an ox-bow; hence, a yoke (either literal or figurative)
עֵ֖ץ
of wood
H6086
עֵ֖ץ
of wood
Strong's:
H6086
Word #:
10 of 15
a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
וְעָשִׂ֥יתָ
but thou shalt make
H6213
וְעָשִׂ֥יתָ
but thou shalt make
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
12 of 15
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
תַחְתֵּיהֶ֖ן
H8478
תַחְתֵּיהֶ֖ן
Strong's:
H8478
Word #:
13 of 15
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
Historical Context
After false prophets like Hananiah encouraged rebellion, Zedekiah eventually did revolt against Babylon (589 BC), resulting in devastating 18-month siege and total destruction (586 BC). Had Judah submitted as Jeremiah counseled, they would have experienced 'wooden yoke' subjugation—difficult but survivable. Rebellion brought 'iron yoke'—catastrophic destruction, mass death, permanent exile. False hope produced worse outcome than accepting hard reality.
Questions for Reflection
- How do comfortable lies create harsher consequences than difficult truths?
- When have you seen false optimism worsen situations it claimed to improve?
- What 'iron yokes' result from rejecting God's 'wooden yoke' discipline?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Go and tell Hananiah, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Thou hast broken the yokes of wood; but thou shalt make for them yokes of iron (הָלוֹךְ וְאָמַרְתָּ אֶל־חֲנַנְיָה...מֹטוֹת עֵץ שָׁבָרְתָּ וְעָשִׂיתָ תַחְתֵּיהֶן מֹטוֹת בַּרְזֶל, halokh v'amarta el-chananyah...motot ets shavarta v'asita tachteihen motot barzel)—the ironic reversal is devastating. Hananiah's dramatic breaking of wooden yokes doesn't bring liberation but escalation: iron yokes (מֹטוֹת בַּרְזֶל, motot barzel) that cannot be broken. The verb עָשָׂה (asah, 'make') in perfect form indicates completed action—thou shalt make means Hananiah's action has already caused this outcome.
This reveals how false prophecy worsens judgment rather than averting it. By encouraging rebellion against Babylon through optimistic lies, Hananiah ensures harsher subjugation. Wood breaks; iron doesn't. Comfortable lies create harder bondage than difficult truths. Deuteronomy 28:48 warned of iron yokes as covenant curse. Hananiah thought he was liberating Israel; he was actually forging stronger chains. This principle applies broadly: rejecting truth for comfortable falsehood doesn't escape consequences—it intensifies them.