Jeremiah 29:21
Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, of Ahab the son of Kolaiah, and of Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah, which prophesy a lie unto you in my name; Behold, I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon; and he shall slay them before your eyes;
Original Language Analysis
כֹּֽה
H3541
כֹּֽה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
1 of 27
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יְהוָ֨ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֨ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 27
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
צְבָא֜וֹת
of hosts
H6635
צְבָא֜וֹת
of hosts
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
4 of 27
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
the God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
the God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
5 of 27
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
6 of 27
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
אַחְאָ֤ב
of Ahab
H256
אַחְאָ֤ב
of Ahab
Strong's:
H256
Word #:
8 of 27
achab, the name of a king of israel and of a prophet at babylon
בֶן
the son
H1121
בֶן
the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
9 of 27
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
צִדְקִיָּ֣הוּ
and of Zedekiah
H6667
צִדְקִיָּ֣הוּ
and of Zedekiah
Strong's:
H6667
Word #:
12 of 27
tsidkijah, the name of six israelites
בֶן
the son
H1121
בֶן
the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
13 of 27
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
הַֽנִּבְּאִ֥ים
which prophesy
H5012
הַֽנִּבְּאִ֥ים
which prophesy
Strong's:
H5012
Word #:
15 of 27
to prophesy, i.e., speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse)
בִּשְׁמִ֖י
unto you in my name
H8034
בִּשְׁמִ֖י
unto you in my name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
17 of 27
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
נֹתֵ֣ן
Behold I will deliver
H5414
נֹתֵ֣ן
Behold I will deliver
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
20 of 27
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אֹתָ֗ם
H853
אֹתָ֗ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
21 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּיַד֙
them into the hand
H3027
בְּיַד֙
them into the hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
22 of 27
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
נְבֽוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֣ר
of Nebuchadrezzar
H5019
נְבֽוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֣ר
of Nebuchadrezzar
Strong's:
H5019
Word #:
23 of 27
nebukadnetstsar (or nebukadretsts(-ar, or)), king of babylon
בָּבֶ֔ל
of Babylon
H894
בָּבֶ֔ל
of Babylon
Strong's:
H894
Word #:
25 of 27
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
Historical Context
While we know nothing else about these two false prophets, their execution may have involved accusations of treason (promising rebellion against Babylon). Nebuchadnezzar wouldn't tolerate prophets encouraging revolt. God used pagan justice to silence those who prophesied falsely in His name—a sobering example of divine providence.
Questions for Reflection
- How seriously does God take those who claim 'God told me' when He didn't? What's at stake?
- When false teachers are 'successful' but later exposed, how should the church respond?
- How does public judgment of false prophets protect God's people from deception?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, of Ahab the son of Kolaiah, and of Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah—God names names. Ahab and Zedekiah aren't the famous kings but two false prophets in Babylon, now immortalized in infamy. The title LORD of hosts, the God of Israel (יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, YHWH Tseva'ot Elohei Yisrael) asserts covenant authority against their fraudulent claims.
Which prophesy a lie unto you in my name—The Hebrew שֶׁקֶר (sheqer, lie/falsehood) combined with in my name constitutes the gravest offense: claiming divine authority for human invention (Deut 18:20). God announces their grotesque execution: I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar...and he shall slay them before your eyes—dramatic public execution designed to vindicate true prophecy and silence false hope.