King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 27:16 Mean?

Jeremiah 27:16 in the King James Version says “Also I spake to the priests and to all this people, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Hearken not to the words of your prophe... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Also I spake to the priests and to all this people, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Hearken not to the words of your prophets that prophesy unto you, saying, Behold, the vessels of the LORD'S house shall now shortly be brought again from Babylon: for they prophesy a lie unto you.

Jeremiah 27:16 · KJV


Context

14

Therefore hearken not unto the words of the prophets that speak unto you, saying, Ye shall not serve the king of Babylon: for they prophesy a lie unto you.

15

For I have not sent them, saith the LORD, yet they prophesy a lie in my name; that I might drive you out, and that ye might perish, ye, and the prophets that prophesy unto you. a lie: Heb. in a lie, or, lyingly

16

Also I spake to the priests and to all this people, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Hearken not to the words of your prophets that prophesy unto you, saying, Behold, the vessels of the LORD'S house shall now shortly be brought again from Babylon: for they prophesy a lie unto you.

17

Hearken not unto them; serve the king of Babylon, and live: wherefore should this city be laid waste?

18

But if they be prophets, and if the word of the LORD be with them, let them now make intercession to the LORD of hosts, that the vessels which are left in the house of the LORD, and in the house of the king of Judah, and at Jerusalem, go not to Babylon.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Hearken not to the words of your prophets (אַל־תִּשְׁמְעוּ אֶל־דִּבְרֵי נְבִיאֵיכֶם)—Jeremiah confronts false prophets promising imminent return of temple vessels stolen by Nebuchadnezzar. The Hebrew shema (listen/obey) appears in negative imperative, commanding resistance to deceptive prophecy.

They prophesy a lie unto you (שֶׁקֶר הֵם נִבְּאִים לָכֶם)—The word sheqer (falsehood, deception) exposes prophecy rooted not in God's revelation but in nationalist wishful thinking. These prophets, like Hananiah (ch. 28), predicted swift Babylonian defeat, contradicting God's revealed timeline of 70 years captivity (25:11). Jeremiah's unpopular truth—submit to Babylon—tested whether Israel would trust God's counterintuitive word over comforting lies.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Spoken circa 594 BC during Zedekiah's reign, after Nebuchadnezzar's first deportation (597 BC) took temple vessels and Jewish nobility. False prophets promised quick restoration, but Jeremiah insisted on long captivity as God's judgment. This message directly opposed the royal court's pro-Egyptian resistance policies.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you discern between messages that comfort your preferences and prophecy that challenges you to trust God's harder path?
  2. What 'temple vessels' (symbols of past glory) might you be clinging to instead of accepting God's present discipline?
  3. When has obeying God required you to accept what seemed like defeat or humiliation?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 32 words
וְאֶל1 of 32
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַכֹּהֲנִים֩2 of 32

to the priests

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

וְאֶל3 of 32
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כָּל4 of 32
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הָעָ֨ם5 of 32

and to all this people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

הַזֶּ֜ה6 of 32
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

דִּבַּ֣רְתִּי7 of 32

Also I spake

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

לֵאמֹ֔ר8 of 32

Thus saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

כֹּה֮9 of 32
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

לֵאמֹ֔ר10 of 32

Thus saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֛ה11 of 32

of the LORD'S

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אַֽל12 of 32
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תִּשְׁמְע֞וּ13 of 32

Hearken

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

אֶל14 of 32
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

דִּבְרֵ֣י15 of 32

not to the words

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

נְבִֽיאֵיכֶ֗ם16 of 32

of your prophets

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

נִבְּאִ֥ים17 of 32

for they prophesy

H5012

to prophesy, i.e., speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse)

לָכֶם֙18 of 32
H0
לֵאמֹ֔ר19 of 32

Thus saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הִנֵּ֨ה20 of 32
H2009

lo!

כְלֵ֧י21 of 32

Behold the vessels

H3627

something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)

בֵית22 of 32

house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יְהוָ֛ה23 of 32

of the LORD'S

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

מוּשָׁבִ֥ים24 of 32

be brought again

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

מִבָּבֶ֖לָה25 of 32

from Babylon

H894

babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire

עַתָּ֣ה26 of 32
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

מְהֵרָ֑ה27 of 32

shall now shortly

H4120

properly, a hurry; hence (adverbially) promptly

כִּ֣י28 of 32
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

שֶׁ֔קֶר29 of 32

a lie

H8267

an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial)

הֵ֖מָּה30 of 32
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

נִבְּאִ֥ים31 of 32

for they prophesy

H5012

to prophesy, i.e., speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse)

לָכֶֽם׃32 of 32
H0

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 27:16 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 27:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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