Jeremiah 28:15
Then said the prophet Jeremiah unto Hananiah the prophet, Hear now, Hananiah; The LORD hath not sent thee; but thou makest this people to trust in a lie.
Original Language Analysis
שְׁמַֽע
Hear
H8085
שְׁמַֽע
Hear
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
7 of 19
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
נָ֣א
H4994
נָ֣א
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
8 of 19
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
10 of 19
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
שְׁלָחֲךָ֣
hath not sent
H7971
שְׁלָחֲךָ֣
hath not sent
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
11 of 19
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
יְהוָ֔ה
The LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
The LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
12 of 19
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
הִבְטַ֛חְתָּ
to trust
H982
הִבְטַ֛חְתָּ
to trust
Strong's:
H982
Word #:
14 of 19
properly, to hie for refuge (but not so precipitately as h2620); figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
15 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָעָ֥ם
thee but thou makest this people
H5971
הָעָ֥ם
thee but thou makest this people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
16 of 19
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
הַזֶּ֖ה
H2088
Cross References
Jeremiah 27:15For I have not sent them, saith the LORD, yet they prophesy a lie in my name; that I might drive you out, and that ye might perish, ye, and the prophets that prophesy unto you.Jeremiah 23:21I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied.Ezekiel 22:28And her prophets have daubed them with untempered morter, seeing vanity, and divining lies unto them, saying, Thus saith the Lord GOD, when the LORD hath not spoken.Lamentations 2:14Thy prophets have seen vain and foolish things for thee: and they have not discovered thine iniquity, to turn away thy captivity; but have seen for thee false burdens and causes of banishment.Jeremiah 29:23Because they have committed villany in Israel, and have committed adultery with their neighbours' wives, and have spoken lying words in my name, which I have not commanded them; even I know, and am a witness, saith the LORD.Ezekiel 13:22Because with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life:1 Kings 22:23Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee.Jeremiah 20:6And thou, Pashur, and all that dwell in thine house shall go into captivity: and thou shalt come to Babylon, and there thou shalt die, and shalt be buried there, thou, and all thy friends, to whom thou hast prophesied lies.Jeremiah 28:11And 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.Zechariah 13:3And it shall come to pass, that when any shall yet prophesy, then his father and his mother that begat him shall say unto him, Thou shalt not live; for thou speakest lies in the name of the LORD: and his father and his mother that begat him shall thrust him through when he prophesieth.
Historical Context
Hananiah's false prophecy likely influenced Zedekiah's eventual rebellion against Babylon (589 BC), contributing to Jerusalem's destruction. False prophets created political pressure for nationalist policies that proved suicidal. Jeremiah's opposition to court prophets made him appear treasonous, though he sought Judah's true welfare. The conflict between prophetic factions wasn't merely theological but had devastating political consequences.
Questions for Reflection
- How does teaching falsehood make you accountable for others' misplaced trust?
- What distinguishes personal theological error from publicly leading others into lies?
- In what ways might false teaching today create catastrophic consequences beyond mere incorrect belief?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Then said the prophet Jeremiah unto Hananiah the prophet, Hear now, Hananiah; The LORD hath not sent thee; but thou makest this people to trust in a lie (שְׁמַע־נָא חֲנַנְיָה לֹא־שְׁלָחֲךָ יְהוָה וְאַתָּה הִבְטַחְתָּ אֶת־הָעָם הַזֶּה עַל־שָׁקֶר, sh'ma-na chananyah lo-sh'lachakha YHWH v'attah hivtachta et-ha'am hazzeh al-shaqer)—the direct accusation is devastating: The LORD hath not sent thee (לֹא־שְׁלָחֲךָ יְהוָה). The verb שָׁלַח (shalach, 'send') was fundamental to prophetic authority. Hananiah claimed divine commission; Jeremiah exposes him as unauthorized. Worse, thou makest this people to trust in a lie (הִבְטַחְתָּ...עַל־שָׁקֶר, hivtachta...al-shaqer)—the verb בָּטַח (batach, 'trust') indicates misplaced confidence. Hananiah didn't merely err; he actively caused others to trust falsehood (שֶׁקֶר, sheqer).
The indictment distinguishes individual error from leading others astray. Teachers bear greater accountability (James 3:1) because their lies multiply through followers. Hananiah's false prophecy didn't just affect him; it encouraged national rebellion against Babylon, bringing catastrophic consequences. False teachers don't merely believe wrongly; they propagate destructive trust in lies, making others spiritual casualties. This explains severe judgment in verse 16.