King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 28:8 Mean?

Jeremiah 28:8 in the King James Version says “The prophets that have been before me and before thee of old prophesied both against many countries, and against great k... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Jeremiah 28:8 · KJV


Context

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.

9

The prophet which prophesieth of peace, when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, then shall the prophet be known, that the LORD hath truly sent him.

10

Then Hananiah the prophet took the yoke from off the prophet Jeremiah's neck, and brake it.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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 (הַנְּבִיאִים אֲשֶׁר הָיוּ לְפָנַי וּלְפָנֶיךָ מִן־הָעוֹלָם וַיִּנָּבְאוּ...מִלְחָמָה וּלְרָעָה וּלְדָבֶר, han'vi'im asher hayu l'fanai ul'fanekha min-ha'olam vayinnav'u...milchamah ul'ra'ah ul'daver)—Jeremiah appeals to prophetic precedent (מִן־הָעוֹלָם, min-ha'olam, 'from of old'). The pattern: true prophets historically proclaimed judgment (war, evil, pestilence) more than peace. This doesn't mean good news is automatically false, but it establishes that difficult messages align with prophetic tradition.

The threefold judgment—war (מִלְחָמָה), evil (רָעָה), pestilence (דֶּבֶר)—echoes covenant curses (Leviticus 26, Deuteronomy 28). Jeremiah argues that prophets proclaiming only prosperity and peace without calling for repentance break with historical pattern. Think of Isaiah, Hosea, Amos, Micah—all proclaimed judgment. The burden of proof lies with those claiming exemption from covenant curses, not those warning of them.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Virtually every canonical prophet before Jeremiah (8th-7th centuries BC) proclaimed judgment: Isaiah warned Judah, Hosea condemned Israel, Amos declared exile, Micah predicted Jerusalem's destruction. The consistent prophetic message called Israel back to covenant through warnings of consequences. False prophets' novelty was unqualified assurance regardless of behavior.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does historical theological tradition help evaluate contemporary teaching?
  2. Why might messages of judgment and repentance be more common than unconditional peace in Scripture?
  3. What would it mean to break with prophetic tradition in your theological context?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
הַנְּבִיאִ֗ים1 of 17

The prophets

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

אֲשֶׁ֨ר2 of 17
H834

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

הָי֧וּ3 of 17
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

וּלְפָנֶ֖יךָ4 of 17

me and before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

וּלְפָנֶ֖יךָ5 of 17

me and before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

מִן6 of 17
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הָֽעוֹלָ֑ם7 of 17

thee of old

H5769

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

וַיִּנָּ֨בְא֜וּ8 of 17

prophesied

H5012

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

אֶל9 of 17
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֲרָצ֤וֹת10 of 17

countries

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

רַבּוֹת֙11 of 17

both against many

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

וְעַל12 of 17
H5921

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

מַמְלָכ֣וֹת13 of 17

kingdoms

H4467

dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)

גְּדֹל֔וֹת14 of 17

and against great

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

לְמִלְחָמָ֖ה15 of 17

of war

H4421

a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

וּלְרָעָ֥ה16 of 17

and of evil

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

וּלְדָֽבֶר׃17 of 17

and of pestilence

H1698

a pestilence


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 28:8 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 28:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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