Jeremiah 29:15
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Jeremiah 29:15
15 Because ye have said, The LORD hath raised us up prophets in Babylon;
Chapter Context
Jeremiah 29 is a prophetic oracle chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of salvation, faith, redemption. Written during the final years of Judah and early exile (c. 627-580 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Prophesied during Judah's final years as Babylon became the dominant power.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-32: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it illustrates divine judgment and mercy in response to human actions. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Jeremiah and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Jeremiah 29:15
15 Because ye have said, The LORD hath raised us up prophets in Babylon;
Analysis
Because ye have said, The LORD hath raised us up prophets in Babylon—This verse introduces the exiles' fatal delusion. The Hebrew הֵקִים (heqim, raised up) is the same verb used for Moses (Deut 18:15), but these self-appointed prophets contradicted God's revealed word. They promised swift deliverance (28:2-4) while Jeremiah commanded settling for seventy years (29:10).
The tragedy lies in the phrase in Babylon—the exiles wanted prophets who validated their presence in pagan territory as temporary inconvenience, not divine discipline requiring repentance. False prophecy always serves what people want to hear (2 Tim 4:3) rather than what they need: submission to God's sovereign timing and purposes, however painful.
Historical Context
Several false prophets operated among the exiles (vv. 21-23, 24-32), including Ahab, Zedekiah, and Shemaiah. They likely claimed dreams or visions contradicting Jeremiah's letter. The conflict mirrors Jeremiah's confrontation with Hananiah (ch. 28), showing the persistence of false hope that God would override consequences without repentance.
Reflection
- How do you discern between prophetic voices that promise what you want versus what God actually says?
- When has 'God told me' become a way to baptize your preferences rather than submit to His revealed will?
- Why is false prophecy especially dangerous during suffering? What makes desperate people vulnerable to lies?
Word Studies
- Lord: יְהוָה / אֲדֹנָי (YHWH / Adonai) H3068 - The LORD / Lord