King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 29:8 Mean?

Jeremiah 29:8 in the King James Version says “For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of yo...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 29 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed.”

Jeremiah 29:8 · KJV

Context

6

Take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; that ye may be increased there, and not diminished.

7

And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.

8

For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed.

9

For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them, saith the LORD. falsely: Heb. in a lie

10

For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.

Read Jeremiah 29 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God warns the exiles against false prophets and diviners who promise what people want to hear rather than God's actual word. The phrase 'your prophets and your diviners' is telling—these are prophets the people have chosen for themselves, voices that confirm their desires rather than challenge them. These false voices assured the exiles that Babylon's power would quickly be broken and return was imminent. This pleasant lie was far more popular than Jeremiah's hard truth of seventy years exile.

The warning 'neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed' is particularly insightful. God takes responsibility even for the people's self-deception—they 'cause' these dreams because they want them to be true. This psychological insight recognizes that we often hear what we want to hear, selecting voices that confirm our pre-existing desires. The exiles wanted quick deliverance, so they listened to prophets promising it, dismissing Jeremiah's contrary word as pessimism or even heresy.

This pattern repeats throughout history. Paul warned Timothy about a time when people would 'heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears' who tell them what they want to hear rather than sound doctrine (2 Timothy 4:3). The antidote is commitment to Scripture's authority regardless of whether its message is pleasant. We must examine whether we're drawn to teachers because they proclaim God's truth or because they confirm what we already believe.

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Historical & Cultural Context

False prophets in exile included Ahab and Zedekiah (mentioned in v. 21), whom Nebuchadnezzar executed for their lies. Hananiah in Jerusalem had prophesied return within two years (chapter 28) but died within that year as judgment. These false prophets were not merely mistaken; they were dangerous, offering false hope that led people to poor decisions. Some exiles apparently attempted rebellion based on false prophecies, bringing Babylonian retribution upon the Jewish community.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can we discern between true and false teachers—those proclaiming God's actual word versus those telling us what we want to hear?
  2. In what ways might we 'cause dreams to be dreamed'—selecting teachers and messages that confirm our existing desires rather than challenge us?
  3. What practical steps can we take to ensure we're under Scripture's authority rather than choosing interpreters who merely confirm our preferences?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
כִּי֩1 of 21
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

כֹ֨ה2 of 21
H3541

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

אָמַ֜ר3 of 21

“For thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֤ה4 of 21

“the LORD”

H3068

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

צְבָאוֹת֙5 of 21

“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

אֱלֹהֵ֣י6 of 21

“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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל7 of 21

“of Israel”

H3478

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

אַל8 of 21
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

יַשִּׁ֧יאוּ9 of 21

“of you deceive”

H5377

to lead astray, i.e., (mentally) to delude, or (morally) to seduce

לָכֶ֛ם10 of 21
H0
נְבִֽיאֵיכֶ֥ם11 of 21

“Let not your prophets”

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

אֲשֶׁר12 of 21
H834

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

בְּקִרְבְּכֶ֖ם13 of 21

“that be in the midst”

H7130

properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)

וְקֹֽסְמֵיכֶ֑ם14 of 21

“and your diviners”

H7080

properly, to distribute, i.e., determine by lot or magical scroll; by implication, to divine

וְאַֽל15 of 21
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תִּשְׁמְעוּ֙16 of 21

“you neither hearken”

H8085

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

אֶל17 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

חֲלֹמֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם18 of 21

“to your dreams”

H2472

a dream

אֲשֶׁ֥ר19 of 21
H834

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

אַתֶּ֖ם20 of 21
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

מַחְלְמִֽים׃21 of 21

“which ye cause to be dreamed”

H2492

properly, to bind firmly, i.e., (through the figurative sense of dumbness) to dream

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 29:8 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 29:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ephesians 5:62 Thessalonians 2:9-11Jeremiah 5:31Jeremiah 28:15Jeremiah 27:9Jeremiah 14:14

Places in This Verse

Babylon 1Settlement · Modern: Babylon · 32.54°N, 44.42°E296 verses across 15 books
View all places in Jeremiah 29 →

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