Jeremiah 28:5
Then the prophet Jeremiah said unto the prophet Hananiah in the presence of the priests, and in the presence of all the people that stood in the house of the LORD,
Original Language Analysis
וּלְעֵינֵ֣י
and in the presence
H5869
וּלְעֵינֵ֣י
and in the presence
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
7 of 14
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
הַכֹּֽהֲנִים֙
of the priests
H3548
הַכֹּֽהֲנִים֙
of the priests
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
8 of 14
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
וּלְעֵינֵ֣י
and in the presence
H5869
וּלְעֵינֵ֣י
and in the presence
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
9 of 14
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
כָל
H3605
כָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
10 of 14
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָעָ֔ם
of all the people
H5971
הָעָ֔ם
of all the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
11 of 14
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
הָעֹמְדִ֖ים
that stood
H5975
הָעֹמְדִ֖ים
that stood
Strong's:
H5975
Word #:
12 of 14
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
Historical Context
This confrontation occurred in the fourth year of Zedekiah (593 BC), five years before Jerusalem's fall. Hananiah had just prophesied (28:2-4) that within two years God would break Babylon's yoke and return exiled King Jeconiah with temple vessels. Jeremiah's immediate public response prevented Hananiah's message from going unchallenged. The temple courts functioned as public forum for prophetic debate.
Questions for Reflection
- When should theological disagreements be addressed publicly versus privately?
- How do you respond when comfortable false prophecies compete with hard truths?
- What role do witnesses and community play in evaluating competing truth claims?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Then the prophet Jeremiah said unto the prophet Hananiah in the presence of the priests, and in the presence of all the people that stood in the house of the LORD—the setting is explicitly public: the temple (בֵּית יְהוָה, beit YHWH), with priests (כֹּהֲנִים, kohanim) and people (עָם, am) as witnesses. This is prophetic confrontation as public drama, forcing the community to choose between competing claims to divine authority. The repetition 'in the presence of' (לְעֵינֵי, l'einei, lit. 'before the eyes of') emphasizes visibility and accountability.
Jeremiah doesn't confront Hananiah privately but in the most public venue possible—the temple courts where prophetic authority mattered most. This demonstrates courage and conviction; Jeremiah risks public humiliation if proven wrong. The setting also provides witnesses to evaluate competing prophecies. Truth doesn't hide; it invites scrutiny. When prophetic claims contradict, public evaluation becomes necessary.