Jeremiah 29:8
For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed.
Original Language Analysis
כִּי֩
H3588
כִּי֩
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 21
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
כֹ֨ה
H3541
כֹ֨ה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
2 of 21
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יְהוָ֤ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֤ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
צְבָאוֹת֙
of hosts
H6635
צְבָאוֹת֙
of hosts
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
5 of 21
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 #:
6 of 21
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
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
7 of 21
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
8 of 21
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
יַשִּׁ֧יאוּ
of you deceive
H5377
יַשִּׁ֧יאוּ
of you deceive
Strong's:
H5377
Word #:
9 of 21
to lead astray, i.e., (mentally) to delude, or (morally) to seduce
נְבִֽיאֵיכֶ֥ם
Let not your prophets
H5030
נְבִֽיאֵיכֶ֥ם
Let not your prophets
Strong's:
H5030
Word #:
11 of 21
a prophet or (generally) inspired man
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
12 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בְּקִרְבְּכֶ֖ם
that be in the midst
H7130
בְּקִרְבְּכֶ֖ם
that be in the midst
Strong's:
H7130
Word #:
13 of 21
properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)
וְקֹֽסְמֵיכֶ֑ם
and your diviners
H7080
וְקֹֽסְמֵיכֶ֑ם
and your diviners
Strong's:
H7080
Word #:
14 of 21
properly, to distribute, i.e., determine by lot or magical scroll; by implication, to divine
וְאַֽל
H408
וְאַֽל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
15 of 21
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תִּשְׁמְעוּ֙
you neither hearken
H8085
תִּשְׁמְעוּ֙
you neither hearken
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
16 of 21
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
Cross References
Jeremiah 5:31The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?Ephesians 5:6Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.Jeremiah 14:14Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.Jeremiah 28:15Then 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.Jeremiah 23:21I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied.Jeremiah 27:9Therefore hearken not ye to your prophets, nor to your diviners, nor to your dreamers, nor to your enchanters, nor to your sorcerers, which speak unto you, saying, Ye shall not serve the king of Babylon:2 Timothy 3:13But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
Historical Context
False prophets in exile included Ahab and Zedekiah (mentioned in v. 21), whom Nebuchadnezzar executed for their lies. Hananiah in Jerusalem had prophesied return within two years (chapter 28) but died within that year as judgment. These false prophets were not merely mistaken; they were dangerous, offering false hope that led people to poor decisions. Some exiles apparently attempted rebellion based on false prophecies, bringing Babylonian retribution upon the Jewish community.
Questions for Reflection
- How can we discern between true and false teachers—those proclaiming God's actual word versus those telling us what we want to hear?
- In what ways might we 'cause dreams to be dreamed'—selecting teachers and messages that confirm our existing desires rather than challenge us?
- What practical steps can we take to ensure we're under Scripture's authority rather than choosing interpreters who merely confirm our preferences?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God warns the exiles against false prophets and diviners who promise what people want to hear rather than God's actual word. The phrase 'your prophets and your diviners' is telling—these are prophets the people have chosen for themselves, voices that confirm their desires rather than challenge them. These false voices assured the exiles that Babylon's power would quickly be broken and return was imminent. This pleasant lie was far more popular than Jeremiah's hard truth of seventy years exile.
The warning 'neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed' is particularly insightful. God takes responsibility even for the people's self-deception—they 'cause' these dreams because they want them to be true. This psychological insight recognizes that we often hear what we want to hear, selecting voices that confirm our pre-existing desires. The exiles wanted quick deliverance, so they listened to prophets promising it, dismissing Jeremiah's contrary word as pessimism or even heresy.
This pattern repeats throughout history. Paul warned Timothy about a time when people would 'heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears' who tell them what they want to hear rather than sound doctrine (2 Timothy 4:3). The antidote is commitment to Scripture's authority regardless of whether its message is pleasant. We must examine whether we're drawn to teachers because they proclaim God's truth or because they confirm what we already believe.