King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 28:6 Mean?

Jeremiah 28:6 in the King James Version says “Even the prophet Jeremiah said, Amen: the LORD do so: the LORD perform thy words which thou hast prophesied, to bring ag...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Jeremiah 28:6 · KJV

Context

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;

8

The prophets that have been before me and before thee of old prophesied both against many countries, and against great kingdoms, of war, and of evil, and of pestilence.

Read Jeremiah 28 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Even the prophet Jeremiah said, Amen: the LORD do so: the LORD perform thy words which thou hast prophesied (אָמֵן כֵּן יַעֲשֶׂה יְהוָה יָקֵם יְהוָה אֶת־דְּבָרֶיךָ, amen ken ya'aseh YHWH yaqem YHWH et-d'vareka)—Jeremiah's response begins with 'Amen' (אָמֵן, 'so be it/truly'). This isn't sarcasm but genuine desire: Jeremiah would love for Hananiah to be right! The prophet wishes judgment could be averted, exile ended quickly, restoration come soon. The phrase the LORD perform thy words expresses sincere hope that Hananiah's optimistic prophecy proves true.

This reveals Jeremiah's pastoral heart. True prophets don't delight in proclaiming judgment; they wish for repentance making judgment unnecessary. Jeremiah's 'Amen' shows he's not contrarian or pessimistic—he simply speaks truth whether pleasant or painful. God's servants sometimes must declare messages they wish weren't true. The 'nevertheless' in verse 7 introduces the hard reality that contradicts the wished-for outcome.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jeremiah consistently expressed anguish over the judgments he proclaimed (9:1, 14:17-18). His 'Amen' to Hananiah reflects genuine desire for quick restoration. However, divine commission required truth-telling regardless of personal preference. The tension between what prophets wish (peace, restoration) and what God reveals (judgment, exile) creates emotional burden authentic ministry bears.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you distinguish between what you wish were true and what is actually true?
  2. What does it cost to proclaim truths you wish weren't accurate?
  3. How does Jeremiah's 'Amen' demonstrate that faithful prophets aren't cynics or pessimists?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙1 of 23

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יִרְמְיָ֣ה2 of 23

“Jeremiah”

H3414

jirmejah, the name of eight or nine israelites

הַנָּבִ֔יא3 of 23

“Even the prophet”

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

אָמֵ֕ן4 of 23

“Amen”

H543

sure; abstract, faithfulness; adverb, truly

כֵּ֖ן5 of 23
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

יַעֲשֶׂ֣ה6 of 23

“do”

H6213

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

יְהוָה֙7 of 23

“of the LORD'S”

H3068

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

יָקֵ֤ם8 of 23

“perform”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

יְהוָה֙9 of 23

“of the LORD'S”

H3068

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

אֶת10 of 23
H853

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

דְּבָרֶ֔יךָ11 of 23

“thy words”

H1697

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

אֲשֶׁ֣ר12 of 23
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

נִבֵּ֗אתָ13 of 23

“which thou hast prophesied”

H5012

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

לְהָשִׁ֞יב14 of 23

“to bring again”

H7725

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

כְּלֵ֤י15 of 23

“the vessels”

H3627

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

בֵית16 of 23

“house”

H1004

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

יְהוָה֙17 of 23

“of the LORD'S”

H3068

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

וְכָל18 of 23
H3605

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

הַגּוֹלָ֔ה19 of 23

“and all that is carried away captive”

H1473

exile; concretely and collectively exiles

מִבָּבֶ֖ל20 of 23

“from Babylon”

H894

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

אֶל21 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַמָּק֥וֹם22 of 23

“into this place”

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

הַזֶּֽה׃23 of 23
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

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 28:6 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 28:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 41:131 Kings 1:36Jeremiah 11:5Revelation 5:141 Chronicles 16:36Psalms 106:48

Places in This Verse

Babylon 1Settlement · Modern: Babylon · 32.54°N, 44.42°E296 verses across 15 books
View all places in Jeremiah 28 →

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