Jeremiah 27:10

KJV

For they prophesy a lie unto you, to remove you far from your land; and that I should drive you out, and ye should perish.

KJV (with Strong's)

For they prophesy {H5012} a lie {H8267} unto you, to remove you far {H7368} from your land {H127}; and that I should drive you out {H5080}, and ye should perish {H6}.

Complete Jewish Bible

for they are prophesying lies to you that will result in your being removed far from your land, with my driving you out, so that you perish.

Berean Standard Bible

For they prophesy to you a lie that will serve to remove you from your land; I will banish you and you will perish.

American Standard Version

for they prophesy a lie unto you, to remove you far from your land, and that I should drive you out, and ye should perish.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 27:10 delivers a severe divine warning against false prophets who, through deceptive messages, actively undermine God's true intentions for Judah. These prophets promised peace and security, but their lies were designed to prevent the people from submitting to God's ordained judgment via Babylon, ultimately leading to their forced removal from their ancestral land and national ruin. The verse underscores the catastrophic consequences of heeding falsehood over divine truth, highlighting God's sovereign hand in the impending exile as a just consequence for disobedience.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 27:10 is situated within a pivotal section of Jeremiah's prophecy (chapters 27-28) that directly addresses the impending Babylonian exile. The preceding verses (Jeremiah 27:1-9) establish God's command to Jeremiah to wear a literal yoke, symbolizing the servitude of Judah and surrounding nations to Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon. God explicitly states that He has given all these lands into Nebuchadnezzar's hand as a divine instrument of judgment, and resistance would be futile and met with severe consequences. This verse, therefore, serves as a direct explanation of *why* the people face such a dire future: they are being misled by prophets who contradict God's clear message of submission. The immediate verses following (Jeremiah 27:11-15) continue to urge submission and warn against the false prophets, emphasizing that those who submit will remain in the land, while those who listen to lies will perish.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Jeremiah 27 is the early reign of King Zedekiah (around 597-594 BC), a tumultuous period following the first Babylonian deportation of King Jehoiachin and many prominent citizens. Jerusalem was filled with anxiety, and there was a strong desire for a swift end to Babylonian dominance and the return of the exiled and the temple treasures. In this climate, many prophets emerged, proclaiming messages of peace, imminent deliverance from Babylon, and the speedy restoration of the temple vessels. These messages were popular because they aligned with the people's hopes and nationalistic fervor, offering comfort rather than the harsh reality of God's judgment. Jeremiah, however, stood as a solitary, unpopular voice, proclaiming God's true, difficult message: submission to Babylon was God's will, and resistance would lead to utter destruction. The cultural expectation was often that prophets would speak reassuring words, making Jeremiah's message particularly challenging and often met with hostility.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 27:10 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Jeremiah. Foremost is the **Danger of False Prophecy**, which is a recurring motif throughout the prophet's ministry. The verse explicitly states, "they prophesy a lie unto you," highlighting the destructive nature of messages that contradict God's revealed will. Such deception leads people astray, offering false hope that prevents them from taking necessary action or acknowledging divine judgment. Jeremiah frequently confronts this issue, as seen in his condemnation of those who prophesy "visions of their own minds" rather than from the Lord's mouth in [Jeremiah 14:14](/jeremiah/14-14 "Jeremiah 14:14 - False Prophecy Condemned") and his warning against prophets who speak "peace, peace" when there is no peace in [Jeremiah 6:14](/jeremiah/6-14 "Jeremiah 6:14 - False Peace"). Another critical theme is **Divine Judgment and Exile**, which is the ultimate consequence of heeding these lies: "to remove you far from your land; and that I should drive you out, and ye should perish." This underscores God's sovereign hand in orchestrating the Babylonian exile as a just punishment for Judah's persistent idolatry and disobedience. The false prophets, by promising deliverance, were actually leading the people directly into the very disaster God intended to bring upon them for their refusal to submit, illustrating the theme of **Deception Leading to Destruction**.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **prophesy (Hebrew, _nâbâʼ'_):** From H5012, this primitive root means "to prophesy, i.e. speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse)." In this context, it refers to the act of speaking on behalf of a divine source, but here, the inspiration is not from God but from their own imaginations or demonic influence. The term itself does not inherently mean truth or falsehood, but rather the act of public proclamation as a messenger.
* **lie (Hebrew, _sheqer'_):** From H8267, this word denotes "an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial)." It signifies not merely an error or mistake, but a deliberate falsehood, deceit, or fabrication. It carries a strong connotation of treachery and misrepresentation, indicating that the messages of these prophets were intentionally misleading and without divine basis, designed to deceive the people.
* **perish (Hebrew, _ʼâbad'_):** From H6, this primitive root means "to wander away, i.e. lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)." It conveys a sense of utter ruin, destruction, and loss, encompassing not only physical death but also the complete loss of national identity, purpose, and the covenant relationship with God tied to the land. It signifies a state of being utterly undone or having no way to escape the impending disaster.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For they prophesy a lie unto you,"**: This initial clause identifies the core problem: the presence and influence of false prophets. Their message is explicitly labeled as a "lie" (_sheqer_), indicating a deliberate untruth that stands in direct opposition to God's revealed will through Jeremiah. This falsehood is directed "unto you," meaning the people of Judah, who are the recipients and victims of this deception.
* **"to remove you far from your land;"**: This clause reveals the immediate, tangible consequence of believing the false prophecy. The ultimate aim and effect of these lies, whether intended by the false prophets or not, is to prevent the people from taking the necessary steps (submission to Babylon) that would allow them to remain in the land. Instead, their resistance, fueled by false hope, will lead directly to their forced exile from the land promised by God to Abraham's descendants.
* **"and that I should drive you out,"**: This part of the verse shifts the agency from the false prophets to God Himself. It emphasizes God's sovereign control over the events. While the false prophets' lies contribute to the people's resistance, it is ultimately God who will "drive them out" as a divine judgment. This highlights that the exile is not a mere political misfortune but a divinely ordained consequence of persistent rebellion and rejection of His truth.
* **"and ye should perish."**: This final clause describes the ultimate, devastating outcome. "Perish" signifies not just physical death for some, but the complete ruin of the nation, the loss of its unique identity, and the destruction of its societal and religious structures. It encapsulates the profound spiritual and physical desolation that awaits those who choose to believe the comforting lies over the challenging truth of God.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 27:10 employs several potent literary devices to convey its urgent message. **Irony** is prominent, as the false prophets, ostensibly speaking for God and promising peace, are actually leading the people directly to destruction and exile. Their messages, intended to offer comfort and security, become the very instrument of their undoing. The phrase "that **I** should drive you out" demonstrates **Divine Sovereignty** and **Anthropomorphism**, attributing direct action to God in the impending judgment, emphasizing that the exile is not a random calamity but a deliberate act of divine justice. The verse also utilizes **Contrast** implicitly, setting the "lie" of the false prophets against the truth proclaimed by Jeremiah, highlighting the stark choice before the people. Finally, the word "**perish**" functions as a form of **Hyperbole** or **Emphasis**, conveying not just physical death but the utter and complete ruin of a nation, underscoring the severity of God's judgment and the devastating consequences of spiritual deception.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 27:10 stands as a powerful testament to the critical importance of discerning truth from falsehood, particularly in matters of divine revelation. Theologically, it underscores God's absolute sovereignty over nations and history, demonstrating that even the actions of foreign empires are instruments in His hand to bring about His purposes, whether judgment or restoration. It also highlights the gravity of false prophecy, which is not merely an error in judgment but a dangerous deception that leads people away from God's will and into ruin. The passage reveals God's justice in punishing disobedience, yet also His faithfulness in warning His people repeatedly. The ultimate perishing described is a spiritual and national catastrophe, a direct result of rejecting God's difficult truth for comforting lies.

* [Deuteronomy 18:20-22](/deuteronomy/18-20 "Deuteronomy 18:20-22 - Testing a Prophet")
* [Ezekiel 13:6-9](/zekiel/13-6 "Ezekiel 13:6-9 - Condemnation of False Prophets")
* [2 Timothy 4:3-4](/2_timothy/4-3 "2 Timothy 4:3-4 - People Rejecting Truth for Fables")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 27:10 provides timeless lessons for believers navigating a world saturated with competing messages. It serves as a profound call to **discernment**, urging us to critically evaluate all claims, especially those presented as spiritual truth. In an age where information is abundant and voices are many, the temptation to embrace messages that soothe our anxieties or affirm our desires, rather than challenging us to repentance or submission to God's difficult truths, remains strong. This verse reminds us that such comforting lies, while appealing in the short term, ultimately lead to spiritual and temporal ruin. True wisdom lies in diligently comparing every message against the unchanging standard of God's Word, even when it demands sacrifice or goes against popular sentiment. We must cultivate a deep dependence on the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth, ensuring that our faith is built on the solid rock of God's revealed will rather than the shifting sands of human deception. Only by heeding God's authentic voice, even when it's uncomfortable, can we avoid spiritual shipwreck and walk in the path of life.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "lies" or comforting falsehoods might I be tempted to believe in my own life, especially when faced with difficult truths or challenging circumstances?**
* **How can I cultivate a greater spirit of discernment to test the messages I encounter, whether from religious leaders, media, or cultural narratives?**
* **In what areas of my life might God be calling me to submit to a difficult truth, even if it goes against my desires or popular opinion?**
* **What are the potential "perishing" consequences, spiritually or practically, of embracing falsehoods instead of God's truth?**

### FAQ

**What was the "lie" that the false prophets were prophesying?**

Answer: The "lie" was primarily the message that Judah would not be subjected to Babylonian rule, that the exile was not God's will, and that the temple vessels and exiles would soon return. They promised peace and deliverance from Babylon, directly contradicting God's clear message through Jeremiah that submission to Nebuchadnezzar was God's ordained path of judgment and the only way for the nation to survive. This false prophecy offered a comforting but ultimately destructive illusion of security, preventing the people from repenting and submitting to God's plan, as detailed in [Jeremiah 27:9](/jeremiah/27-9 "Jeremiah 27:9 - Do Not Listen to False Prophets").

**Why would God "drive out" His own people from their land?**

Answer: God's act of "driving out" His people from their land, as stated in this verse, was a severe but just consequence of their persistent idolatry, rebellion, and rejection of His covenant. The land of Israel was given to them under the condition of obedience (see [Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses")). When they repeatedly turned away from Him, worshipped other gods, and ignored His prophets' warnings, God, in His sovereignty and righteousness, used Babylon as His instrument of judgment to bring about the promised exile. This was not an act of arbitrary cruelty but a necessary discipline to purify His people and uphold His holy character, as He had warned them many times before, for example, in [Leviticus 26:33](/leviticus/26-33 "Leviticus 26:33 - Scattering Among the Nations").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 27:10, with its stark warning against false prophecy and the catastrophic consequences of believing lies, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the **True Prophet** whom Moses foretold (as seen in [Deuteronomy 18:15](/deuteronomy/18-15 "Deuteronomy 18:15 - The Prophet Like Moses") and affirmed in [Acts 3:22-23](/acts/3-22 "Acts 3:22-23 - Peter's Sermon on Jesus as the Prophet")). Unlike the false prophets who spoke "a lie" leading to perishing, Jesus declared Himself to be "the way, the **truth**, and the life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). His message was never one of comforting falsehoods but of challenging truth—calling for repentance, self-denial, and submission to the will of God, even when it was unpopular or led to suffering. The "perishing" described in Jeremiah 27:10, a loss of land and identity, foreshadows the ultimate spiritual "perishing" of eternal separation from God. Jesus, through His sacrificial death and resurrection, offers the only escape from this ultimate destruction, promising eternal life to all who believe in Him, so that "whoever believes in him should not **perish** but have eternal life" ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")). Furthermore, while the Israelites faced removal from their physical land, Christ offers a spiritual "land"—a heavenly inheritance and a place in God's eternal kingdom ([Hebrews 11:16](/hebrews/11-16 "Hebrews 11:16 - Longing for a Better Country")), where there is no more exile or perishing for those who follow the True Shepherd and His unwavering truth.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 32:31

For this city hath been to me [as] a provocation of mine anger and of my fury from the day that they built it even unto this day; that I should remove it from before my face,

Ezekiel 14:9

And if the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I the LORD have deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand upon him, and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel.

Ezekiel 14:11

That the house of Israel may go no more astray from me, neither be polluted any more with all their transgressions; but that they may be my people, and I may be their God, saith the Lord GOD.

Lamentations 2:14

Thy prophets have seen vain and foolish things for thee: and they have not discovered thine iniquity, to turn away thy captivity; but have seen for thee false burdens and causes of banishment.

Jeremiah 27:14

Therefore hearken not unto the words of the prophets that speak unto you, saying, Ye shall not serve the king of Babylon: for they prophesy a lie unto you.

Jeremiah 23:25

I have heard what the prophets said, that prophesy lies in my name, saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed.

Jeremiah 28:16

Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will cast thee from off the face of the earth: this year thou shalt die, because thou hast taught rebellion against the LORD.