King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 29:21 Mean?

Jeremiah 29:21 in the King James Version says “Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, of Ahab the son of Kolaiah, and of Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah, which ... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 29 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, of Ahab the son of Kolaiah, and of Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah, which prophesy a lie unto you in my name; Behold, I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon; and he shall slay them before your eyes;

Jeremiah 29:21 · KJV


Context

19

Because they have not hearkened to my words, saith the LORD, which I sent unto them by my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them; but ye would not hear, saith the LORD.

20

Hear ye therefore the word of the LORD, all ye of the captivity, whom I have sent from Jerusalem to Babylon:

21

Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, of Ahab the son of Kolaiah, and of Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah, which prophesy a lie unto you in my name; Behold, I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon; and he shall slay them before your eyes;

22

And of them shall be taken up a curse by all the captivity of Judah which are in Babylon, saying, The LORD make thee like Zedekiah and like Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire;

23

Because they have committed villany in Israel, and have committed adultery with their neighbours' wives, and have spoken lying words in my name, which I have not commanded them; even I know, and am a witness, saith the LORD.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, of Ahab the son of Kolaiah, and of Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah—God names names. Ahab and Zedekiah aren't the famous kings but two false prophets in Babylon, now immortalized in infamy. The title LORD of hosts, the God of Israel (יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, YHWH Tseva'ot Elohei Yisrael) asserts covenant authority against their fraudulent claims.

Which prophesy a lie unto you in my name—The Hebrew שֶׁקֶר (sheqer, lie/falsehood) combined with in my name constitutes the gravest offense: claiming divine authority for human invention (Deut 18:20). God announces their grotesque execution: I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar...and he shall slay them before your eyes—dramatic public execution designed to vindicate true prophecy and silence false hope.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

While we know nothing else about these two false prophets, their execution may have involved accusations of treason (promising rebellion against Babylon). Nebuchadnezzar wouldn't tolerate prophets encouraging revolt. God used pagan justice to silence those who prophesied falsely in His name—a sobering example of divine providence.

Reflection Questions

  1. How seriously does God take those who claim 'God told me' when He didn't? What's at stake?
  2. When false teachers are 'successful' but later exposed, how should the church respond?
  3. How does public judgment of false prophets protect God's people from deception?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
כֹּֽה1 of 27
H3541

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

אָמַר֩2 of 27

Thus saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֨ה3 of 27

the LORD

H3068

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

צְבָא֜וֹת4 of 27

of hosts

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

אֱלֹהֵ֣י5 of 27

the God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל6 of 27

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

אֶל7 of 27
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אַחְאָ֤ב8 of 27

of Ahab

H256

achab, the name of a king of israel and of a prophet at babylon

בֶן9 of 27

the son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

קֽוֹלָיָה֙10 of 27

of Kolaiah

H6964

kolajah, the name of two israelites

וְאֶל11 of 27
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

צִדְקִיָּ֣הוּ12 of 27

and of Zedekiah

H6667

tsidkijah, the name of six israelites

בֶן13 of 27

the son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

מַֽעֲשֵׂיָ֔ה14 of 27

of Maaseiah

H4641

maasejah, the name of sixteen israelites

הַֽנִּבְּאִ֥ים15 of 27

which prophesy

H5012

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

לָכֶ֛ם16 of 27
H0
בִּשְׁמִ֖י17 of 27

unto you in my name

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

שָׁ֑קֶר18 of 27

a lie

H8267

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

הִנְנִ֣י׀19 of 27
H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

נֹתֵ֣ן20 of 27

Behold I will deliver

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

אֹתָ֗ם21 of 27
H853

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

בְּיַד֙22 of 27

them into the hand

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

נְבֽוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֣ר23 of 27

of Nebuchadrezzar

H5019

nebukadnetstsar (or nebukadretsts(-ar, or)), king of babylon

מֶֽלֶךְ24 of 27

king

H4428

a king

בָּבֶ֔ל25 of 27

of Babylon

H894

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

וְהִכָּ֖ם26 of 27

and he shall slay

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

לְעֵינֵיכֶֽם׃27 of 27

them before your eyes

H5869

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


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 29:21 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 29:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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