King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 28:15 Mean?

Jeremiah 28:15 in the King James Version says “Then said the prophet Jeremiah unto Hananiah the prophet, Hear now, Hananiah; The LORD hath not sent thee; but thou make... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Jeremiah 28:15 · KJV


Context

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.

16

Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will cast thee from off the face of the earth: this year thou shalt die, because thou hast taught rebellion against the LORD. rebellion: Heb. revolt

17

So Hananiah the prophet died the same year in the seventh month.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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 (שְׁמַע־נָא חֲנַנְיָה לֹא־שְׁלָחֲךָ יְהוָה וְאַתָּה הִבְטַחְתָּ אֶת־הָעָם הַזֶּה עַל־שָׁקֶר, sh'ma-na chananyah lo-sh'lachakha YHWH v'attah hivtachta et-ha'am hazzeh al-shaqer)—the direct accusation is devastating: The LORD hath not sent thee (לֹא־שְׁלָחֲךָ יְהוָה). The verb שָׁלַח (shalach, 'send') was fundamental to prophetic authority. Hananiah claimed divine commission; Jeremiah exposes him as unauthorized. Worse, thou makest this people to trust in a lie (הִבְטַחְתָּ...עַל־שָׁקֶר, hivtachta...al-shaqer)—the verb בָּטַח (batach, 'trust') indicates misplaced confidence. Hananiah didn't merely err; he actively caused others to trust falsehood (שֶׁקֶר, sheqer).

The indictment distinguishes individual error from leading others astray. Teachers bear greater accountability (James 3:1) because their lies multiply through followers. Hananiah's false prophecy didn't just affect him; it encouraged national rebellion against Babylon, bringing catastrophic consequences. False teachers don't merely believe wrongly; they propagate destructive trust in lies, making others spiritual casualties. This explains severe judgment in verse 16.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Hananiah's false prophecy likely influenced Zedekiah's eventual rebellion against Babylon (589 BC), contributing to Jerusalem's destruction. False prophets created political pressure for nationalist policies that proved suicidal. Jeremiah's opposition to court prophets made him appear treasonous, though he sought Judah's true welfare. The conflict between prophetic factions wasn't merely theological but had devastating political consequences.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does teaching falsehood make you accountable for others' misplaced trust?
  2. What distinguishes personal theological error from publicly leading others into lies?
  3. In what ways might false teaching today create catastrophic consequences beyond mere incorrect belief?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר1 of 19

Then said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יִרְמְיָ֧ה2 of 19

Jeremiah

H3414

jirmejah, the name of eight or nine israelites

הַנָּבִ֖יא3 of 19

the prophet

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

אֶל4 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

חֲנַנְיָ֑ה5 of 19

now Hananiah

H2608

chananjah, the name of thirteen israelites

הַנָּבִ֖יא6 of 19

the prophet

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

שְׁמַֽע7 of 19

Hear

H8085

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

נָ֣א8 of 19
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

חֲנַנְיָ֑ה9 of 19

now Hananiah

H2608

chananjah, the name of thirteen israelites

לֹֽא10 of 19
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

שְׁלָחֲךָ֣11 of 19

hath not sent

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

יְהוָ֔ה12 of 19

The LORD

H3068

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

וְאַתָּ֗ה13 of 19
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

הִבְטַ֛חְתָּ14 of 19

to trust

H982

properly, to hie for refuge (but not so precipitately as h2620); figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure

אֶת15 of 19
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הָעָ֥ם16 of 19

thee but thou makest this people

H5971

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

הַזֶּ֖ה17 of 19
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

עַל18 of 19
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

שָֽׁקֶר׃19 of 19

in a lie

H8267

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


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 28:15 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 28:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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