Jeremiah 28:9

Authorized King James Version

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The prophet which prophesieth of peace, when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, then shall the prophet be known, that the LORD hath truly sent him.

Original Language Analysis

הַנָּבִ֔יא The prophet H5030
הַנָּבִ֔יא The prophet
Strong's: H5030
Word #: 1 of 13
a prophet or (generally) inspired man
אֲשֶׁ֥ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 2 of 13
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יִנָּבֵ֖א which prophesieth H5012
יִנָּבֵ֖א which prophesieth
Strong's: H5012
Word #: 3 of 13
to prophesy, i.e., speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse)
לְשָׁל֑וֹם of peace H7965
לְשָׁל֑וֹם of peace
Strong's: H7965
Word #: 4 of 13
safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace
בְּבֹא֙ shall come to pass H935
בְּבֹא֙ shall come to pass
Strong's: H935
Word #: 5 of 13
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
דְּבַ֣ר when the word H1697
דְּבַ֣ר when the word
Strong's: H1697
Word #: 6 of 13
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
הַנָּבִ֔יא The prophet H5030
הַנָּבִ֔יא The prophet
Strong's: H5030
Word #: 7 of 13
a prophet or (generally) inspired man
יִוָּדַע֙ be known H3045
יִוָּדַע֙ be known
Strong's: H3045
Word #: 8 of 13
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
הַנָּבִ֔יא The prophet H5030
הַנָּבִ֔יא The prophet
Strong's: H5030
Word #: 9 of 13
a prophet or (generally) inspired man
אֲשֶׁר H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 10 of 13
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
שְׁלָח֥וֹ sent H7971
שְׁלָח֥וֹ sent
Strong's: H7971
Word #: 11 of 13
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
יְהוָ֖ה that the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֖ה that the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 12 of 13
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
בֶּאֱמֶֽת׃ hath truly H571
בֶּאֱמֶֽת׃ hath truly
Strong's: H571
Word #: 13 of 13
stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness

Analysis & Commentary

The prophet which prophesieth of peace, when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, then shall the prophet be known, that the LORD hath truly sent him (הַנָּבִיא אֲשֶׁר יִנָּבֵא לְשָׁלוֹם בְּבֹא דְּבַר הַנָּבִיא יִוָּדַע הַנָּבִיא אֲשֶׁר־שְׁלָחוֹ יְהוָה בֶּאֱמֶת, hannavi asher yinnave l'shalom b'vo d'var hannavi yivvada hannavi asher-sh'lacho YHWH be'emet)—the test for peace prophecy is stricter: it must be fulfilled (בְּבֹא, b'vo, 'when it comes'). Only then is the prophet known (יִוָּדַע, yivvada) as truly sent by Yahweh (שְׁלָחוֹ יְהוָה, sh'lacho YHWH).

This creates asymmetry: judgment prophecy aligns with historical precedent and covenant curses, giving it credibility; peace prophecy contradicts both, requiring validation through fulfillment. Hananiah's two-year deadline (28:3) meant waiting for vindication. Deuteronomy 18:21-22 established this test: unfulfilled prophecy indicates presumption. The principle protects against optimistic lies while allowing for genuine good news when God truly grants it. Hope must be tested; judgment has precedent.

Historical Context

Hananiah's specific timeframe—'within two full years' (28:3)—made his prophecy testable. By setting a deadline, he inadvertently established criteria for his own evaluation. When two years passed without fulfillment, his false prophecy was exposed. In contrast, Jeremiah's 70-year exile prediction (29:10) was eventually fulfilled, vindicating his ministry posthumously.

Questions for Reflection

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