Jeremiah 28:13

KJV

Go and tell Hananiah, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Thou hast broken the yokes of wood; but thou shalt make for them yokes of iron.

KJV (with Strong's)

Go {H1980} and tell {H559} Hananiah {H2608}, saying {H559}, Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}; Thou hast broken {H7665} the yokes {H4133} of wood {H6086}; but thou shalt make {H6213} for them yokes {H4133} of iron {H1270}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Go and tell Hananyah that ADONAI:says, 'You have broken the crossbars of wood, but you will make in their place crossbars of iron.

Berean Standard Bible

“Go and tell Hananiah that this is what the LORD says: ‘You have broken a yoke of wood, but in its place you have fashioned a yoke of iron.’

American Standard Version

Go, and tell Hananiah, saying, Thus saith Jehovah: Thou hast broken the bars of wood; but thou hast made in their stead bars of iron.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 28:13 serves as God's definitive and severe response to the false prophet Hananiah, who had publicly broken the wooden yoke that symbolized Judah's decreed submission to Babylon. Through Jeremiah, the LORD declares that Hananiah's defiant act, intended to negate the prophecy of servitude, will paradoxically result in an even heavier and more inescapable judgment: the yokes of wood will be replaced by yokes of iron, signifying an intensified and unbreakable period of Babylonian oppression. This verse powerfully underscores divine sovereignty, the unyielding nature of God's word, and the dire consequences of false prophecy.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climactic divine pronouncement in a direct prophetic confrontation between Jeremiah and Hananiah, unfolding in [Jeremiah 28](/jeremiah/28 "Jeremiah 28 - The Confrontation with Hananiah"). Prior to this, Jeremiah had been commanded by the LORD to wear a literal wooden yoke as a visual prophecy of the impending Babylonian servitude for Judah and surrounding nations ([Jeremiah 27:2](/jeremiah/27-2 "Jeremiah 27:2 - Jeremiah's Yoke")). Hananiah, a prophet from Gibeon, publicly contradicted Jeremiah's message, prophesying a swift end to the Babylonian captivity within two years and dramatically breaking Jeremiah's wooden yoke in the temple courtyard before priests and people ([Jeremiah 28:1](/jeremiah/28-1 "Jeremiah 28:1 - Hananiah's False Prophecy")). Initially, Jeremiah offered a cautious response, wishing Hananiah's prophecy were true but emphasizing the historical pattern of true prophets foretelling war and disaster ([Jeremiah 28:5](/jeremiah/28-5 "Jeremiah 28:5 - Jeremiah's Initial Response")). However, following Hananiah's defiant act, the word of the LORD comes directly to Jeremiah, delivering this stern and irreversible judgment against Hananiah and, by extension, against the false hopes he propagated. The immediate consequence of this divine word is Hananiah's death within the year, confirming Jeremiah's authenticity and the severity of God's judgment ([Jeremiah 28:15](/jeremiah/28-15 "Jeremiah 28:15 - Hananiah's Death Foretold")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Jerusalem during the reign of King Zedekiah, around 594 BCE, a mere few years after Nebuchadnezzar's first deportation of Judahites to Babylon in 597 BCE, which included King Jehoiachin and many prominent citizens ([2 Kings 24:10](/2_kings/24-10 "2 Kings 24:10 - First Babylonian Deportation")). Judah was in a precarious political position, caught between the rising power of the Neo-Babylonian Empire and the lingering influence of Egypt. Many in Judah, including Hananiah, harbored strong nationalistic and anti-Babylonian sentiments, longing for a swift return of the exiles and the restoration of national independence. False prophets often emerged in such times, offering popular messages of peace and prosperity that contradicted God's actual judgment, which Jeremiah consistently delivered. The "yoke" was a common agricultural implement, a wooden bar placed on the necks of oxen to harness them for labor. It was a widely understood symbol of servitude, oppression, and submission, both literally and figuratively, as seen in passages like [Deuteronomy 28:48](/deuteronomy/28-48 "Deuteronomy 28:48 - Yoke of Iron as Servitude") and [1 Kings 12:4](/1_kings/12-4 "1 Kings 12:4 - Rehoboam's Heavy Yoke"). The progression from "wood" to "iron" would have immediately conveyed an escalation of severity and permanence to the ancient audience.
* **Key Themes:** The central themes of [Jeremiah 28](/jeremiah/28 "Jeremiah 28 - True and False Prophecy") are powerfully encapsulated in this verse. First, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty and Unchangeable Decree**. Hananiah's act of breaking the wooden yoke was a human attempt to thwart God's declared will, but God's response demonstrates that His plans cannot be undone or altered by human defiance. His word, once spoken, will inevitably come to pass, often with intensified consequences for those who resist it, echoing the certainty of God's word in [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Accomplishes Its Purpose"). Second, the passage vividly contrasts **True vs. False Prophecy**. Jeremiah's message, though unpopular and difficult, was the authentic word of God, confirmed by its fulfillment and by God's subsequent judgment on Hananiah. Hananiah's prophecy, on the other hand, offered comforting but deceptive words, ultimately failing and leading to his own demise, serving as a warning against those who "speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD" ([Jeremiah 23:16](/jeremiah/23-16 "Jeremiah 23:16 - False Prophets Speak Their Own Heart")). Finally, the verse introduces the theme of **Increased Judgment**. The replacement of wooden yokes with iron ones symbolizes an escalation of the judgment. Hananiah's defiance, far from alleviating the burden, ensured a more severe, oppressive, and inescapable servitude under Babylon, illustrating that resisting God's will often leads to a heavier burden than the one initially prescribed.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **yokes (Hebrew, _môwṭâh'_):** From H4133, this word refers to a pole, by implication an ox-bow, and hence a yoke, whether literal or figurative. In this context, it is a powerful metaphor for servitude, burden, and submission. Jeremiah's initial wooden yoke symbolized the divinely ordained submission to Babylon. Hananiah's breaking of it was a symbolic act of defiance against this decreed servitude. The LORD's response re-establishes the metaphor, indicating that the form of servitude will not be removed but intensified.
* **broken (Hebrew, _shâbar'_):** From H7665, a primitive root meaning "to burst" (literally or figuratively); to break (down, off, in pieces, up), crush, destroy. Hananiah's physical act of breaking the wooden yoke was a public, dramatic gesture intended to signify the breaking of Babylonian power and the end of Judah's servitude. However, the LORD's use of this word in His response highlights the futility of human attempts to "break" or thwart divine decrees. What Hananiah broke was merely a symbol; God's underlying decree remained intact and would manifest in an even stronger form.
* **iron (Hebrew, _barzel'_):** From H1270, perhaps from the root of בִּרְזוֹת, meaning iron (as cutting); by extension, an iron implement. This material signifies strength, durability, and unbreakability, contrasting sharply with wood. The shift from "yokes of wood" to "yokes of iron" is not merely a change in material but a profound intensification of the nature of the servitude. Iron yokes represent a heavier, more rigid, and utterly inescapable form of bondage, emphasizing the absolute certainty and severity of God's judgment that Hananiah's false prophecy inadvertently cemented.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Go and tell Hananiah, saying, Thus saith the LORD;"**: This opening clause re-establishes Jeremiah's prophetic authority and the divine origin of the message. It underscores that this is not Jeremiah's personal opinion or retort, but a direct, authoritative word from Yahweh, the sovereign God of Israel. The command "Go and tell" emphasizes the urgency and necessity of delivering this specific message to the false prophet.
* **"Thou hast broken the yokes of wood;"**: This part acknowledges Hananiah's specific act of defiance. The "yokes of wood" represent the initial, divinely ordained period of Babylonian servitude, which, though burdensome, was presented as a means of preservation for Judah if they submitted. Hananiah's breaking of these yokes was a public rejection of God's word and a promotion of false hope, an act of rebellion against the divine decree.
* **"but thou shalt make for them yokes of iron."**: This is the core of God's counter-judgment. The "but" introduces a stark contrast and an ironic reversal. Hananiah sought to break the burden, but his act will instead lead to a heavier, more severe, and unbreakable form of servitude. The "yokes of iron" symbolize an intensified, inescapable, and more oppressive period of Babylonian dominion, a direct consequence of Hananiah's false prophecy and the people's receptiveness to it. This signifies that defying God's will does not remove the burden but often makes it more unbearable.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 28:13 is rich in **Symbolism**, primarily through the contrasting imagery of "yokes of wood" and "yokes of iron." The wooden yoke symbolizes the initial, divinely ordained, yet still breakable (in terms of duration if repentance occurred) servitude to Babylon. Its breaking by Hananiah was a symbolic act of rebellion and false liberation. The iron yoke, however, symbolizes an intensified, unbreakable, and more severe form of servitude, demonstrating God's unyielding decree and the futility of human defiance. There is also profound **Irony** at play: Hananiah's act, intended to free the people from the yoke, ironically results in a heavier, more permanent yoke. His attempt to negate God's word leads to its more severe fulfillment. The verse also functions as a **Divine Pronouncement**, marked by the authoritative "Thus saith the LORD," which asserts God's absolute sovereignty and the certainty of His word, contrasting it with the deceptive and ultimately powerless words of the false prophet.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly illustrates the unyielding nature of God's sovereign will and the severe consequences of resisting divine truth, especially through false prophecy. It underscores that God's plans, even those involving judgment, are not subject to human manipulation or defiance. Hananiah's act of breaking the wooden yoke was a direct challenge to God's authority, and the LORD's response demonstrates that such challenges do not nullify His decrees but often intensify their execution. The escalation from wood to iron serves as a stark reminder that while God's initial judgment may be presented with a path to mitigation through obedience, outright rebellion or the promotion of comforting lies can lead to a far more grievous and inescapable outcome. This passage affirms God's ultimate control over nations and history, and His unwavering commitment to His word, whether for blessing or for judgment.

* [Deuteronomy 18:20](/deuteronomy/18-20 "Deuteronomy 18:20 - Test of a Prophet")
* [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Will Not Return Empty")
* [Lamentations 3:27](/lamentations/3-27 "Lamentations 3:27 - Good to Bear the Yoke in Youth")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 28:13 offers a potent lesson for believers today, emphasizing the critical importance of discerning truth from falsehood and submitting to God's revealed will, even when it is challenging. In a world saturated with appealing but often deceptive messages, we are called to test every spirit and every word against the unchanging standard of God's written Word. This verse warns against the allure of comforting lies that promise an easy escape from difficult realities or responsibilities, reminding us that true peace and freedom are found not in resisting God's design but in aligning with it. Furthermore, it serves as a sober reminder that attempts to circumvent or deny God's truth can paradoxically lead to a heavier burden and more severe consequences. Our ultimate well-being lies in humble submission to the Lord's wisdom, trusting that His plans, though sometimes involving hardship, are always for our good and His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I discern between messages that offer comforting but false hope and those that present difficult but necessary truths?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be resisting God's will, perhaps seeking to "break the yoke" He has placed on me, and what might be the consequences of such resistance?**
* **What does the progression from "yokes of wood" to "yokes of iron" teach me about the nature of God's judgment and the seriousness of defying His word?**
* **How can I cultivate a greater trust in God's sovereignty, even when His plans seem burdensome or contrary to my desires?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the "yokes of wood" being replaced by "yokes of iron"?**

Answer: The "yokes of wood" symbolized the initial, divinely decreed period of servitude to Babylon, which, while a judgment, also carried the implicit possibility of a lighter burden or eventual restoration if Judah had repented and submitted. Hananiah's act of breaking this wooden yoke was a defiant rejection of God's word and a promotion of false hope for immediate liberation. The LORD's response, replacing wood with "yokes of iron," signifies an intensification and hardening of the judgment. Iron is stronger, more durable, and unbreakable compared to wood. Therefore, the iron yoke represents a heavier, more rigid, and utterly inescapable period of Babylonian oppression, a direct and severe consequence of Hananiah's false prophecy and the people's receptiveness to it. It powerfully illustrates that defying God's will does not alleviate a burden but often makes it more severe and permanent, as seen in the broader narrative of [Jeremiah](/jeremiah "The Book of Jeremiah").

**Why was Hananiah's prophecy considered false, and what was its ultimate outcome?**

Answer: Hananiah's prophecy was false because it directly contradicted the explicit word of the LORD delivered through Jeremiah, which consistently foretold a long period of Babylonian captivity for Judah due to their sin ([Jeremiah 25:11](/jeremiah/25-11 "Jeremiah 25:11 - Seventy Years of Captivity")). Hananiah offered a popular, comforting message of quick liberation (within two years) and the return of temple vessels and exiles ([Jeremiah 28:2](/jeremiah/28-2 "Jeremiah 28:2 - Hananiah's False Prophecy")). True prophecy, according to [Deuteronomy 18:22](/deuteronomy/18-22 "Deuteronomy 18:22 - How to Know a False Prophet"), is confirmed by its fulfillment. Hananiah's prophecy did not come to pass. Furthermore, his message was not from God but from his own heart, designed to please the people rather than to convey divine truth. The ultimate outcome for Hananiah was severe: because he spoke rebellion against the LORD and misled the people, God declared that he would die within the year ([Jeremiah 28:16](/jeremiah/28-16 "Jeremiah 28:16 - Hananiah's Death Foretold")), a prophecy that was quickly fulfilled ([Jeremiah 28:17](/jeremiah/28-17 "Jeremiah 28:17 - Hananiah Dies")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 28:13, with its stark imagery of yokes of wood replaced by yokes of iron, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Testament's portrayal of true and false burdens, and the ultimate freedom offered by Christ. The heavy yoke of iron represents the intensified burden of sin and the Law, which humanity, in its rebellion, could not break. Just as Hananiah's false promise of liberation only led to a heavier yoke, so too did human efforts to achieve righteousness through self-effort or to escape the consequences of sin through deceptive means only deepen their bondage, as Paul articulates regarding the Law's inability to save ([Romans 7:7](/romans/7-7 "Romans 7:7 - The Law Reveals Sin")). Jesus, however, presents Himself as the one who offers a true and light yoke, contrasting sharply with the oppressive burdens imposed by religious leaders and the weight of sin. He invites all who are weary and burdened to come to Him, promising rest for their souls, for His "yoke is easy and His burden is light" ([Matthew 11:28](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary")). While Jeremiah's message brought a heavier yoke as a consequence of rebellion, Christ's message brings liberation from the ultimate yoke of sin and death, not by breaking God's decree but by fulfilling it through His atoning sacrifice ([Hebrews 9:26](/hebrews/9-26 "Hebrews 9:26 - Christ Appeared to Put Away Sin")). He is the true Prophet whose words are always from God and always bring life, unlike the false prophets who lead to greater bondage and death ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, Truth, and Life")). Thus, the ultimate "iron yoke" of sin's curse is broken not by human defiance, but by Christ's obedient submission to the cross, offering true freedom to all who believe ([Galatians 5:1](/galatians/5-1 "Galatians 5:1 - Freedom in Christ")).

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 27:15

For I have not sent them, saith the LORD, yet they prophesy a lie in my name; that I might drive you out, and that ye might perish, ye, and the prophets that prophesy unto you.

Psalms 149:8

To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron;

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.