King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 28:5 Mean?

Jeremiah 28:5 in the King James Version says “Then the prophet Jeremiah said unto the prophet Hananiah in the presence of the priests, and in the presence of all the ...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Then the prophet Jeremiah said unto the prophet Hananiah in the presence of the priests, and in the presence of all the people that stood in the house of the LORD,”

Jeremiah 28:5 · KJV

Context

3

Within two full years will I bring again into this place all the vessels of the LORD'S house, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took away from this place, and carried them to Babylon: two: Heb. two years of days

4

And I will bring again to this place Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, with all the captives of Judah, that went into Babylon, saith the LORD: for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon. captives: Heb. captivity

5

Then the prophet Jeremiah said unto the prophet Hananiah in the presence of the priests, and in the presence of all the people that stood in the house of the LORD,

6

Even the prophet Jeremiah said, Amen: the LORD do so: the LORD perform thy words which thou hast prophesied, to bring again the vessels of the LORD'S house, and all that is carried away captive, from Babylon into this place.

7

Nevertheless hear thou now this word that I speak in thine ears, and in the ears of all the people;

Read Jeremiah 28 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then the prophet Jeremiah said unto the prophet Hananiah in the presence of the priests, and in the presence of all the people that stood in the house of the LORD—the setting is explicitly public: the temple (בֵּית יְהוָה, beit YHWH), with priests (כֹּהֲנִים, kohanim) and people (עָם, am) as witnesses. This is prophetic confrontation as public drama, forcing the community to choose between competing claims to divine authority. The repetition 'in the presence of' (לְעֵינֵי, l'einei, lit. 'before the eyes of') emphasizes visibility and accountability.

Jeremiah doesn't confront Hananiah privately but in the most public venue possible—the temple courts where prophetic authority mattered most. This demonstrates courage and conviction; Jeremiah risks public humiliation if proven wrong. The setting also provides witnesses to evaluate competing prophecies. Truth doesn't hide; it invites scrutiny. When prophetic claims contradict, public evaluation becomes necessary.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This confrontation occurred in the fourth year of Zedekiah (593 BC), five years before Jerusalem's fall. Hananiah had just prophesied (28:2-4) that within two years God would break Babylon's yoke and return exiled King Jeconiah with temple vessels. Jeremiah's immediate public response prevented Hananiah's message from going unchallenged. The temple courts functioned as public forum for prophetic debate.

Reflection Questions

  1. When should theological disagreements be addressed publicly versus privately?
  2. How do you respond when comfortable false prophecies compete with hard truths?
  3. What role do witnesses and community play in evaluating competing truth claims?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙1 of 14

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יִרְמְיָ֣ה2 of 14

“Jeremiah”

H3414

jirmejah, the name of eight or nine israelites

הַנָּבִ֑יא3 of 14

“Then the prophet”

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

אֶל4 of 14
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

חֲנַנְיָ֖ה5 of 14

“Hananiah”

H2608

chananjah, the name of thirteen israelites

הַנָּבִ֑יא6 of 14

“Then the prophet”

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

וּלְעֵינֵ֣י7 of 14

“and in the presence”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

הַכֹּֽהֲנִים֙8 of 14

“of the priests”

H3548

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

וּלְעֵינֵ֣י9 of 14

“and in the presence”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

כָל10 of 14
H3605

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

הָעָ֔ם11 of 14

“of all the people”

H5971

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

הָעֹמְדִ֖ים12 of 14

“that stood”

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

בְּבֵ֥ית13 of 14

“in the house”

H1004

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

יְהוָֽה׃14 of 14

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

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 28:5 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 28:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 28:1Jeremiah 7:2Jeremiah 26:2Jeremiah 19:14

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