Jeremiah 28:1

KJV

¶ And it came to pass the same year, in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the fourth year, [and] in the fifth month, [that] Hananiah the son of Azur the prophet, which [was] of Gibeon, spake unto me in the house of the LORD, in the presence of the priests and of all the people, saying,

KJV (with Strong's)

And it came to pass the same year {H8141}, in the beginning {H7225} of the reign {H4467} of Zedekiah {H6667} king {H4428} of Judah {H3063}, in the fourth {H7243} year {H8141}, and in the fifth {H2549} month {H2320}, that Hananiah {H2608} the son {H1121} of Azur {H5809} the prophet {H5030}, which was of Gibeon {H1391}, spake {H559} unto me in the house {H1004} of the LORD {H3068}, in the presence {H5869} of the priests {H3548} and of all the people {H5971}, saying {H559},

Complete Jewish Bible

That same year, at the beginning of the reign of Tzidkiyahu king of Y'hudah, in the fifth month of the fourth year, Hananyah the son of 'Azur the prophet, from Giv'on, spoke to me in ADONAI's house in front of the cohanim and all the people, saying,

Berean Standard Bible

In the fifth month of that same year, the fourth year, near the beginning of the reign of King Zedekiah of Judah, the prophet Hananiah son of Azzur, who was from Gibeon, said to me in the house of the LORD in the presence of the priests and all the people:

American Standard Version

And it came to pass the same year, in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the fourth year, in the fifth month, that Hananiah the son of Azzur, the prophet, who was of Gibeon, spake unto me in the house of Jehovah, in the presence of the priests and of all the people, saying,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 28:1 serves as a meticulously detailed chronological and geographical introduction to a pivotal confrontation between Jeremiah, God's authentic prophet, and Hananiah, a false prophet. This verse precisely anchors the ensuing prophetic dispute within the fourth year and fifth month of King Zedekiah's reign, placing it specifically within the sacred confines of the Temple in Jerusalem, before a public assembly of priests and the general populace. It immediately establishes the critical context for discerning divine truth amidst conflicting claims, underscoring the profound spiritual and national stakes inherent in the prophetic messages concerning Judah's future under Babylonian dominion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 28:1 directly follows the powerful symbolic actions and prophecies detailed in [Jeremiah 27](/jeremiah/27 "Jeremiah 27 - The Yoke of Babylon"), where Jeremiah, under divine instruction, wears a wooden yoke as a visual sermon. This act and accompanying message urged King Zedekiah and surrounding nations to submit to Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, as God's instrument of judgment. Jeremiah's consistent message throughout this period emphasized that peace and eventual restoration would only come after a seventy-year period of exile, as prophesied in [Jeremiah 25:11](/jeremiah/25-11 "Jeremiah 25:11 - Seventy Years of Desolation"). Chapter 28 then dramatically introduces Hananiah, who offers a direct, opposing prophecy of immediate liberation, thereby setting the stage for a profound and public conflict between true and false prophecy that defines the entire chapter.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Jeremiah 28:1 are set around 593/592 BC, a mere four years after Nebuchadnezzar's initial siege of Jerusalem in 597 BC. This earlier siege resulted in the exile of King Jehoiachin and a significant portion of Judah's elite. Zedekiah, Jehoiachin's uncle, had been installed by Babylon as a puppet king, making Judah a precarious vassal state. The political climate was rife with anti-Babylonian sentiment, and there was a strong temptation among Judah's leaders to form alliances with Egypt and other nations in hopes of rebelling against Babylonian hegemony. This intense geopolitical tension created fertile ground for any message promising swift deliverance, making Hananiah's optimistic counter-prophecy highly appealing to a populace desperate for relief. The "house of the LORD," the Jerusalem Temple, served as the preeminent public forum for such a critical prophetic confrontation, signifying the national and spiritual importance of the dispute.
* **Key Themes:** This foundational verse introduces several crucial themes that are central to the book of Jeremiah and the broader prophetic corpus. Foremost is the **clash between true and false prophecy**, a recurring motif where the authenticity of a prophet's message is rigorously tested by its alignment with God's revealed character and its eventual fulfillment, as outlined in [Deuteronomy 18:20-22](/deuteronomy/18-20-22 "Deuteronomy 18:20-22 - Testing a True Prophet"). The **precise historical dating** underscores God's meticulous sovereignty over historical events and the specific timing of His judgments and promises, contrasting sharply with human impatience and the allure of false hopes. Furthermore, the public setting "in the house of the LORD, in the presence of the priests and of all the people" highlights the **public nature of divine revelation** and the communal responsibility to discern God's word. This emphasizes that the spiritual health and very survival of the nation depended on heeding true prophecy, however unpopular or difficult it might be, a message powerfully echoed in [Jeremiah 7:1-15](/jeremiah/7 "Jeremiah 7 - Jeremiah's Temple Sermon").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **year (Hebrew, _shâneh'_):** From H8141, this word denotes "a year (as a revolution of time)." Its repetition in the verse ("the same year... in the fourth year") emphasizes the meticulous chronological anchoring of the event. This precision highlights the divine orchestration of events within specific historical periods, underscoring the real-world implications of the prophetic messages.
* **prophet (Hebrew, _nâbîyʼ'_):** From H5030, this term signifies "a prophet or (generally) inspired man," specifically one who speaks on behalf of God. The verse introduces Hananiah with this title, immediately setting up the central conflict of the chapter: discerning who truly speaks for the Lord and whose message carries divine authority. The presence of this term signals an impending test of prophetic authenticity.
* **house (Hebrew, _bayith'_):** From H1004, this word refers to "a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)," here specifically "the house of the LORD," which refers to the Temple in Jerusalem. Its mention emphasizes the sacred and public arena where this crucial spiritual confrontation took place, imbuing the event with immense theological and national significance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it came to pass the same year, in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the fourth year, and in the fifth month":** This opening clause provides an exceptionally precise chronological marker for the event. It firmly situates the confrontation within the early years of Zedekiah's rule, specifically the fourth year (approximately 593/592 BC) and the fifth month (roughly August). This meticulous detail is crucial for historical accuracy and for understanding the immediate political and spiritual climate, which was characterized by Judah's precarious vassalage to Babylon and the widespread desire for liberation from foreign domination.
* **"that Hananiah the son of Azur the prophet, which was of Gibeon, spake unto me":** This introduces the primary antagonist, Hananiah, identifying him by his father's name (Azur) and his hometown (Gibeon, a Levitical city north of Jerusalem, suggesting he may have held some religious standing). He is explicitly called "the prophet," which immediately sets up the impending conflict of prophetic claims. The phrase "spake unto me" directly identifies Jeremiah as the recipient of Hananiah's public challenge, establishing the two main figures in this dramatic prophetic duel.
* **"in the house of the LORD, in the presence of the priests and of all the people, saying,":** This final clause specifies both the setting and the audience of Hananiah's declaration. "The house of the LORD" is the Temple in Jerusalem, making the confrontation a highly public and sacred event. The presence of "the priests and of all the people" signifies that this was not a private dispute but a public test of prophetic authenticity, with the spiritual leaders and the general populace serving as crucial witnesses. This public forum underscores the gravity and national significance of the messages being delivered, as the nation's future hinged on discerning the true word of God.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 28:1 employs several significant literary devices to set the stage for the dramatic conflict. **Precise Chronology** is a prominent feature, with the meticulous dating ("the same year, in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah... in the fourth year, and in the fifth month") serving to firmly ground the narrative in historical reality. This precision lends credibility to the account and emphasizes the divine orchestration of time in the unfolding of God's plan. The verse also utilizes **Foreshadowing**, as the immediate introduction of "Hananiah the son of Azur the prophet" signals an impending conflict, setting up the central theme of true versus false prophecy that will dominate the entire chapter. Furthermore, the detailed description of the setting—"in the house of the LORD, in the presence of the priests and of all the people"—functions as powerful **Symbolism**. The Temple, as the spiritual and national heart of Israelite worship and identity, becomes the public stage for a critical test of spiritual authority, emphasizing that the nation's destiny hinges on discerning and adhering to God's true word.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 28:1 is foundational for understanding the critical theological theme of prophetic discernment. It underscores the vital truth that not all who claim to speak for God truly do, and that the authenticity of a prophet's message must be rigorously tested. This verse sets the stage for a dramatic, real-world example of the principles outlined in Deuteronomy, where the life and words of a prophet are the ultimate test of their divine commission. The public nature of Hananiah's false prophecy in the Temple highlights the inherent danger of popular, comforting messages that contradict God's often difficult truth, and the communal responsibility to seek and adhere to genuine divine revelation. This passage serves as a timeless warning against spiritual deception and a call to unwavering fidelity to God's revealed word, even when it demands submission, patience, and a willingness to embrace unpopular truths.

* [Deuteronomy 13:1-5](/deuteronomy/13-1-5 "Warning Against False Prophets")
* [Deuteronomy 18:20-22](/deuteronomy/18-20-22 "How to Discern a True Prophet")
* [Jeremiah 29:8-9](/jeremiah/29-8-9 "Do Not Be Deceived by False Prophets")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 28:1, by precisely dating and setting the stage for the dramatic confrontation between Jeremiah and Hananiah, invites us to reflect on the enduring challenge of discerning truth in a world saturated with competing voices. In an era characterized by abundant information and diverse spiritual claims, the ability to distinguish between genuine divine wisdom and comforting falsehoods is paramount for spiritual health and integrity. This verse powerfully reminds us that true prophecy, or God's revealed truth, is often unpopular, challenging, and may even contradict our immediate desires for comfort, ease, or swift deliverance. It calls us to cultivate a deep familiarity with the unchanging Word of God, allowing it to be the ultimate standard by which all claims, even those cloaked in spiritual authority, are tested. We are encouraged to seek discernment not just for our personal lives but for the collective spiritual health of our communities, recognizing that embracing God's difficult truth, though initially uncomfortable, ultimately leads to flourishing, while succumbing to deceptive promises leads to greater peril and spiritual disorientation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I personally discern between messages that align with God's truth and those that are merely comforting or popular?**
* **In what areas of my life am I tempted to prefer a "Hananiah-like" message of immediate relief over God's call to patient endurance or difficult submission?**
* **What role do I play in my community in upholding and promoting God's unchanging Word, even when it is counter-cultural or challenging?**

### FAQ
**Why is the precise dating in Jeremiah 28:1 so important?**

Answer: The precise dating ("the same year, in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the fourth year, and in the fifth month") is crucial for several reasons. First, it firmly anchors the prophetic encounter in historical reality, lending credibility to the narrative and demonstrating that these events were not mythical but actual occurrences within a specific geopolitical context. Second, it highlights the immediate urgency and relevance of the prophetic messages; the confrontation occurs during a highly volatile period of Judah's vassalage to Babylon, where the nation was desperate for divine guidance. Third, it allows for a clear comparison between Jeremiah's long-term prophecy of seventy years of exile ([Jeremiah 25:11](/jeremiah/25-11 "Jeremiah 25:11 - Seventy Years of Desolation")) and Hananiah's immediate, false promise of two years ([Jeremiah 28:3](/jeremiah/28-3 "Jeremiah 28:3 - Hananiah's False Prophecy")), making the fulfillment (or lack thereof) a clear and undeniable test of prophetic authenticity.

**What is the significance of the confrontation taking place "in the house of the LORD"?**

Answer: The "house of the LORD" refers to the Temple in Jerusalem, which was the spiritual and national center of Judah. The significance of this location is profound: it elevates the confrontation from a private dispute to a public, sacred test of prophetic authority. By speaking in the Temple, Hananiah was challenging Jeremiah's message in the most prominent religious and public forum available, before the priests and all the people. This setting underscored that the very spiritual and national destiny of Judah was at stake, as the people needed to discern whose message was truly from God for their survival and well-being ([Jeremiah 7:1-15](/jeremiah/7 "Jeremiah 7 - Jeremiah's Temple Sermon")). The Temple, meant to be a place of truth and divine revelation, became the arena where truth was contested, emphasizing the grave consequences of spiritual deception within the heart of the nation's faith.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Jeremiah 28:1 details a specific historical clash between Old Testament prophets, it profoundly foreshadows the ultimate test of prophetic authority found in Jesus Christ. Jeremiah, the true prophet, delivered a difficult message of judgment, submission, and long-term divine purpose, much like Christ, who proclaimed a kingdom that was "not of this world" ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Not of This World")) and called for repentance, self-denial, and cross-bearing, not immediate earthly liberation or comfort ([Matthew 16:24](/matthew/16-24 "Matthew 16:24 - Take Up Your Cross and Follow Jesus")). Hananiah, on the other hand, offered a popular, comforting message of swift deliverance, appealing to human desires for immediate relief and a rejection of divine judgment. He serves as a prototype of the false teachers and deceptive spirits that would later challenge the Gospel of Christ ([2 Peter 2:1-3](/2_peter/2-1-3 "2 Peter 2:1-3 - False Teachers Among You")). Jesus Himself warned His disciples about false prophets who would come in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves ([Matthew 7:15](/matthew/7-15 "Matthew 7:15 - Beware of False Prophets")). The ultimate fulfillment of discerning true prophecy lies in Christ, who is the Word made flesh ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "The Word Became Flesh")), the final and complete revelation of God ([Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1-2 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Has Spoken Through His Son")). All true prophecy points to Him, and all false prophecy subtly or overtly diverts from Him. Thus, the confrontation in Jeremiah 28:1 serves as a timeless paradigm for the ongoing spiritual battle to cling to the truth of Christ against all deceptive voices that promise an easier path or a different gospel ([Galatians 1:6-9](/galatians/1-6-9 "Galatians 1:6-9 - No Other Gospel")).

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 27:1

¶ In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah came this word unto Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,

Joshua 9:3

¶ And when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done unto Jericho and to Ai,

Jeremiah 23:28

The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What [is] the chaff to the wheat? saith the LORD.

Isaiah 9:15

The ancient and honourable, he [is] the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he [is] the tail.

Jeremiah 28:11

And Hananiah spake in the presence of all the people, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Even so will I break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon from the neck of all nations within the space of two full years. And the prophet Jeremiah went his way.

Jeremiah 27:12

¶ I spake also to Zedekiah king of Judah according to all these words, saying, Bring your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him and his people, and live.

Jeremiah 36:12

Then he went down into the king's house, into the scribe's chamber: and, lo, all the princes sat there, [even] Elishama the scribe, and Delaiah the son of Shemaiah, and Elnathan the son of Achbor, and Gemariah the son of Shaphan, and Zedekiah the son of Hananiah, and all the princes.