Jeremiah 28:15

KJV

Then said the prophet Jeremiah unto Hananiah the prophet, Hear now, Hananiah; The LORD hath not sent thee; but thou makest this people to trust in a lie.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then said {H559} the prophet {H5030} Jeremiah {H3414} unto Hananiah {H2608} the prophet {H5030}, Hear {H8085} now, Hananiah {H2608}; The LORD {H3068} hath not sent {H7971} thee; but thou makest this people {H5971} to trust {H982} in a lie {H8267}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then the prophet Yirmeyahu said to Hananyah the prophet, "Listen here, Hananyah! ADONAI has not sent you! You are making these people trust in a lie!

Berean Standard Bible

Then the prophet Jeremiah said to the prophet Hananiah, “Listen, Hananiah! The LORD did not send you, but you have persuaded this people to trust in a lie.

American Standard Version

Then said the prophet Jeremiah unto Hananiah the prophet, Hear now, Hananiah: Jehovah hath not sent thee; but thou makest this people to trust in a lie.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 28:15 encapsulates a profound confrontation between two prophetic figures, Jeremiah and Hananiah, highlighting the critical distinction between divine truth and human deception. In this pivotal moment, Jeremiah, speaking with undeniable authority from the Lord, directly challenges Hananiah’s popular but false message of peace and imminent deliverance, exposing it as a dangerous fabrication designed to mislead the people of Judah into a baseless and ultimately destructive trust. This verse serves as a stark warning against comforting lies and underscores the singular origin of authentic prophetic revelation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climax of a dramatic confrontation between Jeremiah and Hananiah, detailed in [Jeremiah 28](/jeremiah/28 "Jeremiah 28 - The Confrontation with Hananiah"). The chapter opens with Hananiah publicly contradicting Jeremiah's long-standing prophecies of Babylonian subjugation and a seventy-year exile ([Jeremiah 25:11](/jeremiah/25-11 "Jeremiah 25:11 - Prophecy of Seventy Years of Captivity")). Hananiah prophesies a swift end to the Babylonian yoke within two years and the return of the temple vessels and exiles ([Jeremiah 28:2-4](/jeremiah/28-2 "Jeremiah 28:2-4 - Hananiah's False Prophecy")). Jeremiah initially offers a cautious, conditional affirmation, wishing for peace but emphasizing that only the fulfillment of a prophecy confirms its divine origin, especially prophecies of peace ([Jeremiah 28:5-9](/jeremiah/28-5 "Jeremiah 28:5-9 - Jeremiah's Initial Response")). The conflict escalates when Hananiah dramatically breaks the wooden yoke Jeremiah wore as a symbol of Babylonian dominion ([Jeremiah 28:10-11](/jeremiah/28-10 "Jeremiah 28:10-11 - Hananiah Breaks the Yoke")). After a period of silence, Jeremiah returns with a stronger, divinely inspired word, replacing the broken wooden yoke with an iron one, signifying an even heavier, unbreakable subjugation ([Jeremiah 28:12-14](/jeremiah/28-12 "Jeremiah 28:12-14 - The Iron Yoke Prophecy")). Verse 15 then delivers Jeremiah's direct, personal indictment of Hananiah’s false prophecy, setting the stage for Hananiah's divine judgment in the subsequent verses.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Jeremiah 28 unfold around 593 BC, during the reign of King Zedekiah in Judah. Jerusalem was already a vassal state to Babylon, and many, including King Jehoiachin and prominent citizens, had been exiled to Babylon during the first deportation in 597 BC ([2 Kings 24:10-17](/2_kings/24-10 "2 Kings 24:10-17 - First Babylonian Deportation")). The people were desperate for hope and liberation from foreign oppression. In this environment, prophets played a crucial role, seen as direct conduits of divine will. There was a strong cultural expectation for prophets to deliver messages of comfort and national prosperity, especially in times of crisis. False prophets often catered to these popular desires, promising peace and immediate deliverance, which resonated more favorably with the populace than Jeremiah's consistent message of submission and long-term exile. The confrontation between Jeremiah and Hananiah thus reflects a broader spiritual struggle within Judah over the nature of true prophecy and the people's willingness to accept God's difficult truth over comforting falsehoods.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 28:15 powerfully illustrates several enduring theological and narrative themes. Foremost is the **Discernment of True vs. False Prophecy**, a recurring motif throughout the prophetic books. Jeremiah's declaration exposes Hananiah as a purveyor of deceit, contrasting sharply with the authentic, though often unpopular, word of God. This highlights the criteria for discerning true prophets, as articulated in [Deuteronomy 18:22](/deuteronomy/18-22 "Deuteronomy 18:22 - Test of a Prophet"), where the fulfillment of a prophecy is the ultimate test. Another key theme is **Divine Authority and Commission**. Jeremiah explicitly states, "The LORD hath not sent thee," emphasizing that genuine prophetic ministry flows solely from God's sovereign initiative and authorization. Without this divine sending, any claim to speak for God is illegitimate and dangerous. Finally, the verse underscores the **Danger of Deception and False Hope**. Hananiah's lie caused the people to "trust in a lie," preventing them from facing the reality of their situation and accepting God's disciplinary hand. This false sense of security ultimately led to greater spiritual and national peril, demonstrating the destructive power of untruth, especially when cloaked in religious language, as seen in Jeremiah's broader warnings against false prophets in [Jeremiah 14:14](/jeremiah/14-14 "Jeremiah 14:14 - False Prophets Speak Lies").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **sent (Hebrew, _shâlach'_):** H7971. This primitive root means "to send away, for, or out," implying a divine commission or authorization. When Jeremiah declares, "The LORD hath not sent thee," he is directly challenging Hananiah's fundamental claim to prophetic authority. The word emphasizes that true prophets are not self-appointed but are specifically dispatched by God with His message. Hananiah's lack of this divine "sending" renders his entire ministry illegitimate and presumptuous.
* **trust (Hebrew, _bâṭach'_):** H982. Properly, "to hide for refuge," but figuratively, "to trust, be confident or sure." In this context, it describes the misplaced confidence the people placed in Hananiah's false prophecy. Instead of trusting in the Lord's difficult but true word delivered by Jeremiah, they put their hope in a comforting but deceptive message. This word highlights the spiritual danger of relying on human assurances rather than divine truth, leading to a false sense of security.
* **lie (Hebrew, _sheqer'_):** H8267. This term denotes "an untruth," "falsehood," or "deceit," often carrying the implication of a sham or something empty. In a religious context, it refers to false gods, false oaths, or, as here, false prophecies. Jeremiah's use of "lie" is not merely descriptive of an error, but a moral condemnation of Hananiah's message as fundamentally deceptive and baseless, directly contrasting with the reliability and truthfulness of God's own word.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then said the prophet Jeremiah unto Hananiah the prophet,"**: This opening clause sets the scene for a direct, personal confrontation between two individuals, both identified by the same title, "prophet." This immediately establishes the central conflict: a dispute over who genuinely speaks for God. The repetition of "prophet" underscores the gravity of their differing claims.
* **"Hear now, Hananiah;"**: Jeremiah's direct address is a solemn, urgent command for Hananiah to listen intently. The imperative "Hear now" (often translated from the Hebrew _shama'_ as "listen carefully" or "pay attention") emphasizes the critical nature of the message about to be delivered, demanding Hananiah's full attention to the divine verdict.
* **"The LORD hath not sent thee;"**: This is the core of Jeremiah's indictment. It is a categorical denial of Hananiah's divine commission. Jeremiah asserts that Hananiah's prophetic activity does not originate from Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. This statement directly challenges Hananiah's legitimacy and reveals the source of his message to be something other than God, thereby nullifying any authority Hananiah might claim.
* **"but thou makest this people to trust in a lie."**: This clause reveals the devastating consequence of Hananiah's false prophecy. His message is not merely a personal error but an active deception that leads the entire nation astray. The phrase "trust in a lie" highlights the spiritual danger: the people are encouraged to place their hope and security in a falsehood, which will ultimately lead to disappointment, disillusionment, and further suffering, as it diverts them from God's true path of repentance and submission.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 28:15 is rich in literary devices that amplify its powerful message. The most prominent is **Contrast**, which is central to the entire chapter. Jeremiah, the true prophet, is sharply contrasted with Hananiah, the false prophet, and God's undeniable truth is set against Hananiah's destructive lie. This opposition is highlighted by the repeated use of the title "prophet" for both men, emphasizing that while they share a title, their source of authority and the nature of their message are diametrically opposed. **Direct Address** ("Hear now, Hananiah") creates a sense of immediate, personal confrontation, drawing the reader into the intensity of the moment and underscoring the solemnity of Jeremiah's divine pronouncement. There is also a strong element of **Irony**: Hananiah, who publicly claimed to speak for the LORD and broke Jeremiah's yoke in the LORD's name, is now told by the true prophet that the LORD *did not* send him. This ironic reversal underscores the deceptive nature of Hananiah's ministry and the ultimate futility of presuming to speak for God without divine authorization.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 28:15 serves as a timeless theological anchor, reinforcing the absolute necessity of divine commission for true prophecy and the profound danger of any message not originating from God. It underscores that God's truth, even when difficult or unpopular, is always for the ultimate good of His people, while comforting lies, no matter how appealing, lead to spiritual and practical ruin. The verse calls believers across generations to exercise rigorous discernment, testing every spirit and every word against the established character and revealed will of God, rather than succumbing to narratives that merely affirm human desires or anxieties. It highlights God's unwavering commitment to truth and His intolerance for those who presume to speak in His name falsely, thereby corrupting His message and misleading His flock.

* [Deuteronomy 18:20-22](/deuteronomy/18-20 "The Test of a Prophet") - This passage provides the foundational criteria for distinguishing a true prophet from a false one: a true prophet's words will come to pass, whereas a false prophet speaks presumptuously in the Lord's name.
* [Jeremiah 14:14](/jeremiah/14-14 "God's Judgment on False Prophets") - Here, the Lord explicitly states, "The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I have not sent them or appointed them or spoken to them. They are prophesying to you false visions, divinations, idolatries and the delusions of their own minds."
* [Jeremiah 28:16-17](/jeremiah/28-16 "Hananiah's Death Prophecy Fulfilled") - The immediate consequence of Hananiah's false prophecy is detailed in the very next verses, where Jeremiah prophesies Hananiah's death within the year as a sign of God's judgment, which subsequently comes to pass.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 28:15 offers a potent and enduring lesson for contemporary believers, urging vigilance and discernment in a world saturated with competing voices and claims to truth. In an era of abundant information and diverse spiritual claims, we are called to emulate Jeremiah's unwavering commitment to God's authentic word, even when it challenges popular opinion or personal comfort. This verse compels us to critically evaluate the messages we receive, whether from pulpits, social media, or cultural narratives, by rigorously comparing them to the unchanging standard of God's revealed Word. It reminds us that true spiritual leadership is not about popularity or promising easy solutions, but about faithfully proclaiming God's truth, however difficult. We are encouraged to cultivate a deep relationship with the Scriptures, allowing them to be our ultimate guide, so that we might discern between genuine divine revelation and the seductive whispers of comforting lies that ultimately lead to spiritual harm and a false sense of security. Our trust must be firmly rooted in God alone, and in the truth He has revealed, rather than in the deceptive assurances of human invention.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What voices or messages in my life might be encouraging me to "trust in a lie" rather than God's sometimes difficult truth?**
* **How can I cultivate greater discernment to distinguish between genuine spiritual authority and deceptive claims?**
* **In what areas of my life am I tempted to seek comforting falsehoods instead of embracing God's reality, even if it's challenging?**
* **What steps can I take to deepen my understanding of God's Word so that I am better equipped to test all messages?**

### FAQ
**How can we distinguish between a true prophet/teacher and a false one today?**

Answer: While the office of prophet in the Old Testament sense (one who receives direct, new revelation from God) is generally understood to have ceased with the completion of the biblical canon, the principles for discerning true teachers and messages remain vital. The primary test, as exemplified in Jeremiah 28:15, is whether the message aligns with God's established Word. True teachers will always point to and uphold the authority of the Bible, never contradicting its core doctrines or moral standards. False teachers, conversely, often deviate from biblical truth, prioritize personal gain, or offer messages that appeal to human desires for comfort and prosperity without demanding repentance or holiness. [Deuteronomy 18:22](/deuteronomy/18-22 "Deuteronomy 18:22 - The Test of a Prophet") states that if a prophet's word does not come true, the LORD has not spoken it. For today's teachers, this translates to whether their teachings bear spiritual fruit consistent with God's character and whether their predictions or promises (if any) align with reality and God's revealed will. [Matthew 7:15-20](/matthew/7-15 "Matthew 7:15-20 - False Prophets and Their Fruit") also instructs us to "know them by their fruits," referring to their character, lifestyle, and the spiritual impact of their teaching.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 28:15, with its stark contrast between true and false prophecy, finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the **Prophet par excellence**, the one whom Moses foretold in [Deuteronomy 18:15](/deuteronomy/18-15 "Deuteronomy 18:15 - The Prophet Like Moses"), to whom all must listen. Unlike Hananiah, who was not "sent" by the Lord, Jesus was uniquely and perfectly sent by the Father, embodying divine authority and truth ([John 8:42](/john/8-42 "John 8:42 - Jesus Sent by the Father")). He is not merely a messenger of truth, but the very embodiment of it, declaring, "I am the way and the truth and the life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). While Hananiah made the people "trust in a lie," Jesus calls His followers to trust in Him, the Truth, which sets them free from the bondage of sin and deception ([John 8:31-32](/john/8-31 "John 8:31-32 - The Truth Will Set You Free")). His words are spirit and life ([John 6:63](/john/6-63 "John 6:63 - Jesus' Words are Spirit and Life")), and His teaching consistently exposed the lies and hypocrisy of the religious leaders of His day ([Matthew 23](/matthew/23 "Matthew 23 - Jesus Denounces the Pharisees")). In Christ, all true prophecy finds its culmination and all God's promises find their "Yes" and "Amen" ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises are Yes in Christ")). He is the faithful and true witness, the ultimate revelation of God, against whom no lie can stand, offering genuine hope and eternal life to all who trust in Him.

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 14:14

Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.

Jeremiah 14:15

Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that prophesy in my name, and I sent them not, yet they say, Sword and famine shall not be in this land; By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed.

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.

Jeremiah 23:21

I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied.

Ezekiel 13:2

Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel that prophesy, and say thou unto them that prophesy out of their own hearts, Hear ye the word of the LORD;

Ezekiel 13:3

Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!

Ezekiel 22:28

And her prophets have daubed them with untempered [morter], seeing vanity, and divining lies unto them, saying, Thus saith the Lord GOD, when the LORD hath not spoken.