King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 28:13 Mean?

Jeremiah 28:13 in the King James Version says “Go and tell Hananiah, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Thou hast broken the yokes of wood; but thou shalt make for them yoke...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Go and tell Hananiah, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Thou hast broken the yokes of wood; but thou shalt make for them yokes of iron.”

Jeremiah 28:13 · KJV

Context

11

And Hananiah spake in the presence of all the people, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Even so will I break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon from the neck of all nations within the space of two full years. And the prophet Jeremiah went his way.

12

Then the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah the prophet, after that Hananiah the prophet had broken the yoke from off the neck of the prophet Jeremiah, saying,

13

Go and tell Hananiah, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Thou hast broken the yokes of wood; but thou shalt make for them yokes of iron.

14

For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; I have put a yoke of iron upon the neck of all these nations, that they may serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; and they shall serve him: and I have given him the beasts of the field also.

15

Then 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.

Read Jeremiah 28 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Go and tell Hananiah, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Thou hast broken the yokes of wood; but thou shalt make for them yokes of iron (הָלוֹךְ וְאָמַרְתָּ אֶל־חֲנַנְיָה...מֹטוֹת עֵץ שָׁבָרְתָּ וְעָשִׂיתָ תַחְתֵּיהֶן מֹטוֹת בַּרְזֶל, halokh v'amarta el-chananyah...motot ets shavarta v'asita tachteihen motot barzel)—the ironic reversal is devastating. Hananiah's dramatic breaking of wooden yokes doesn't bring liberation but escalation: iron yokes (מֹטוֹת בַּרְזֶל, motot barzel) that cannot be broken. The verb עָשָׂה (asah, 'make') in perfect form indicates completed action—thou shalt make means Hananiah's action has already caused this outcome.

This reveals how false prophecy worsens judgment rather than averting it. By encouraging rebellion against Babylon through optimistic lies, Hananiah ensures harsher subjugation. Wood breaks; iron doesn't. Comfortable lies create harder bondage than difficult truths. Deuteronomy 28:48 warned of iron yokes as covenant curse. Hananiah thought he was liberating Israel; he was actually forging stronger chains. This principle applies broadly: rejecting truth for comfortable falsehood doesn't escape consequences—it intensifies them.

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Historical & Cultural Context

After false prophets like Hananiah encouraged rebellion, Zedekiah eventually did revolt against Babylon (589 BC), resulting in devastating 18-month siege and total destruction (586 BC). Had Judah submitted as Jeremiah counseled, they would have experienced 'wooden yoke' subjugation—difficult but survivable. Rebellion brought 'iron yoke'—catastrophic destruction, mass death, permanent exile. False hope produced worse outcome than accepting hard reality.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do comfortable lies create harsher consequences than difficult truths?
  2. When have you seen false optimism worsen situations it claimed to improve?
  3. What 'iron yokes' result from rejecting God's 'wooden yoke' discipline?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
הָלוֹךְ֩1 of 15

“Go”

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

אָמַ֣ר2 of 15

“Thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֶל3 of 15
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

חֲנַנְיָ֜ה4 of 15

“Hananiah”

H2608

chananjah, the name of thirteen israelites

אָמַ֣ר5 of 15

“Thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

כֹּ֚ה6 of 15
H3541

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

אָמַ֣ר7 of 15

“Thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֔ה8 of 15

“the LORD”

H3068

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

מֹט֥וֹת9 of 15

“for them yokes”

H4133

a pole; by implication, an ox-bow; hence, a yoke (either literal or figurative)

עֵ֖ץ10 of 15

“of wood”

H6086

a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)

שָׁבָ֑רְתָּ11 of 15

“Thou hast broken”

H7665

to burst (literally or figuratively)

וְעָשִׂ֥יתָ12 of 15

“but thou shalt make”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

תַחְתֵּיהֶ֖ן13 of 15
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

מֹט֥וֹת14 of 15

“for them yokes”

H4133

a pole; by implication, an ox-bow; hence, a yoke (either literal or figurative)

בַּרְזֶֽל׃15 of 15

“of iron”

H1270

iron (as cutting); by extension, an iron implement

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 28:13 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 28:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 149:8Lamentations 2:14Jeremiah 27:15

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