Jeremiah 29:25
Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, Because thou hast sent letters in thy name unto all the people that are at Jerusalem, and to Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, and to all the priests, saying,
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
יְהוָ֧ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֧ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 27
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
צְבָא֛וֹת
of hosts
H6635
צְבָא֛וֹת
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
אֱלֹהֵ֥י
the God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֥י
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
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
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
יַ֡עַן
H3282
יַ֡עַן
Strong's:
H3282
Word #:
8 of 27
properly, heed; by implication, purpose (sake or account); used adverbially to indicate the reason or cause
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
9 of 27
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
שָׁלַ֨חְתָּ
Because thou hast sent
H7971
שָׁלַ֨חְתָּ
Because thou hast sent
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
11 of 27
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
בְשִׁמְכָ֜ה
in thy name
H8034
בְשִׁמְכָ֜ה
in thy name
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
12 of 27
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
סְפָרִ֗ים
letters
H5612
סְפָרִ֗ים
letters
Strong's:
H5612
Word #:
13 of 27
properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
15 of 27
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָעָם֙
unto all the people
H5971
הָעָם֙
unto all the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
16 of 27
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
17 of 27
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בִּירוּשָׁלִַ֔ם
that are at Jerusalem
H3389
בִּירוּשָׁלִַ֔ם
that are at Jerusalem
Strong's:
H3389
Word #:
18 of 27
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
צְפַנְיָ֤ה
and to Zephaniah
H6846
צְפַנְיָ֤ה
and to Zephaniah
Strong's:
H6846
Word #:
20 of 27
tsephanjah, the name of four israelites
בֶן
the son
H1121
בֶן
the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
21 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
הַכֹּהֲנִ֖ים
and to all the priests
H3548
הַכֹּהֲנִ֖ים
and to all the priests
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
23 of 27
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
25 of 27
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
Jeremiah 37:3And Zedekiah the king sent Jehucal the son of Shelemiah and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest to the prophet Jeremiah, saying, Pray now unto the LORD our God for us.Jeremiah 29:29And Zephaniah the priest read this letter in the ears of Jeremiah the prophet.Jeremiah 52:24And the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, and Zephaniah the second priest, and the three keepers of the door:
Historical Context
Zephaniah served as a temple officer during Zedekiah's reign (circa 594-586 BC), positioned to enforce religious order. Shemaiah's letter campaign exploited official channels, attempting to use institutional authority against prophetic truth—a pattern recurring throughout Scripture (Amos 7:10-13, Acts 4:1-3).
Questions for Reflection
- How do you distinguish between speaking with God-given authority versus claiming authority that God has not granted?
- When has institutional religious authority been used to silence rather than amplify God's truth?
- What warning does Shemaiah's public letter campaign offer about using communication platforms to spread false teaching?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Because thou hast sent letters in thy name (בְּשִׁמְךָ, b'shimkha)—Shemaiah's sin was self-authorization, sending correspondence under his own authority rather than divine commission. This contrasts sharply with true prophets who speak b'shem Yahweh ('in the name of the LORD'). His letters targeted Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, seeking to manipulate religious leadership to suppress Jeremiah.
The phrase unto all the people that are at Jerusalem reveals Shemaiah's ambition—not private correspondence but a public campaign to undermine God's true prophet. False teaching always seeks platforms and influence, wrapping self-will in religious language. Paul would later warn of those who 'suppose that gain is godliness' (1 Timothy 6:5).