Jeremiah 28:2

KJV

Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thus speaketh {H559} the LORD {H3068} of hosts {H6635}, the God {H430} of Israel {H3478}, saying {H559}, I have broken {H7665} the yoke {H5923} of the king {H4428} of Babylon {H894}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"This is what ADONAI-Tzva'ot, the God of Isra'el, says: 'I have broken the yoke of the king of Bavel.

Berean Standard Bible

“This is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: ‘I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon.

American Standard Version

Thus speaketh Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 28:2 records the false prophecy of Hananiah, who, claiming divine authority, declared that the Lord had already broken the oppressive "yoke" of the Babylonian king. This audacious pronouncement directly contradicted the consistent message of Jeremiah, who prophesied a prolonged period of Babylonian domination and exile as God's judgment upon Judah. Hananiah's message offered a comforting but deceptive hope of immediate liberation, setting the stage for a crucial confrontation between true and false prophecy.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 28:2 immediately follows Jeremiah's symbolic act of wearing a wooden yoke, a visual prophecy delivered in [Jeremiah 27](/jeremiah/27 "Jeremiah 27 - The Yoke of Babylon") to signify Judah's inevitable submission to Babylon. Hananiah's declaration in this verse is a direct and public rebuttal to Jeremiah's difficult message, initiating the central conflict of this chapter. The subsequent verses detail the prophetic duel, culminating in Jeremiah's pronouncement of judgment against Hananiah for speaking falsely in the Lord's name, as seen in [Jeremiah 28:15-17](/jeremiah/28-15 "Jeremiah 28:15-17 - Jeremiah's Prophecy Against Hananiah"). This confrontation highlights the stark difference between a prophet who speaks God's truth, however unpopular, and one who speaks comforting lies.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This prophecy takes place around 594 BC, during the reign of King Zedekiah in Judah. Jerusalem had already experienced a significant deportation to Babylon in 597 BC, which included King Jehoiachin and many prominent citizens and temple treasures, as recorded in [2 Kings 24:10-16](/2_kings/24 "2 Kings 24 - Jehoiachin's Captivity"). Judah was a vassal state under Babylonian control, and there was a strong popular desire for immediate liberation and the return of the exiles. In this climate of national distress and longing for deliverance, false prophets like Hananiah emerged, offering messages of swift restoration that appealed to the people's immediate desires rather than God's long-term, often painful, plans. The "yoke" was a common metaphor for servitude and oppression in the ancient Near East, making Hananiah's claim of its "breaking" particularly potent and appealing.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme is the profound **contrast between true and false prophecy**. Hananiah embodies the false prophet who speaks "peace, peace, when there is no peace" ([Jeremiah 6:14](/jeremiah/6-14 "Jeremiah 6:14 - False Peace")), offering a message that aligns with popular sentiment but deviates from divine truth. Jeremiah, conversely, represents the true prophet who faithfully delivers God's difficult word, even when it brings him persecution, as seen in [Jeremiah 20:7-10](/jeremiah/20 "Jeremiah 20 - Jeremiah's Complaint"). Another key theme is **divine sovereignty over nations**. Hananiah claims God has acted to break Babylon's power, but Jeremiah's message consistently emphasizes that God is the one who raises up and tears down kingdoms, even using pagan nations as instruments of His judgment, as described in [Jeremiah 25:9-11](/jeremiah/25-9 "Jeremiah 25:9-11 - Seventy Years of Exile"). Finally, the verse touches on the theme of **judgment and exile**, which Jeremiah consistently preached as a necessary consequence of Judah's idolatry and disobedience, a period of discipline designed to bring about repentance and future restoration, as promised in [Jeremiah 29:10-14](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10-14 - Hope After Seventy Years").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** From H3068. This is the sacred, covenantal name of God, emphasizing His self-existence, eternal nature, and faithfulness to His promises. Hananiah's use of "the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel" (combining H3068, H6635, H430, H3478) is a deliberate attempt to lend supreme divine authority to his false message, mimicking the authentic prophetic formula.
* **broken (Hebrew, _shâbar'_):** From H7665. This verb signifies to burst, crush, or destroy. In this context, Hananiah claims God has already decisively shattered the power and control of Babylon. The use of the perfect tense ("I have broken") suggests a completed action, implying immediate relief and a reversal of Judah's fortunes, which was contrary to God's revealed plan.
* **yoke (Hebrew, _ʻôl'_):** From H5923. This noun refers to a literal yoke, an instrument placed on the neck of an animal for labor or servitude. Figuratively, it represents oppression, bondage, or heavy burden. In the context of Jeremiah, the "yoke of the king of Babylon" (H4428, H894) is a powerful metaphor for the political and economic subjugation of Judah to the Babylonian Empire, a burden that God had explicitly commanded Judah to bear for a set period.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying,"**: This opening clause is a standard prophetic formula, typically used to introduce a genuine divine oracle. By employing it, Hananiah attempts to legitimize his message, presenting it as a direct, authoritative word from the sovereign God of Israel, Yahweh, who commands heavenly armies. This appropriation of divine speech is a hallmark of false prophecy, designed to deceive by mimicking truth.
* **"I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon."**: This is the core of Hananiah's false declaration. The "I" refers to God, and the "yoke of the king of Babylon" symbolizes the oppressive rule and servitude imposed by Nebuchadnezzar and his empire. Hananiah's claim that God has *already* broken this yoke directly contradicts Jeremiah's consistent message that the yoke must be borne for seventy years as divine judgment. This statement offered immediate, comforting, but ultimately false hope to a people yearning for liberation.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 28:2 is rich in **Irony**. Hananiah uses the very formula "Thus speaketh the LORD..." to deliver a message that is demonstrably *not* from the Lord, creating a sharp ironic contrast between his claim to divine authority and the actual content of his prophecy. The central **Metaphor** of the "yoke" is crucial; it vividly represents the oppressive Babylonian rule. The breaking of a yoke signifies liberation, and Hananiah's false claim of its immediate rupture plays on the people's deep desire for freedom. This verse also serves as a point of **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the inevitable conflict and the ultimate vindication of Jeremiah's true prophecy over Hananiah's deception, which is explicitly detailed later in the chapter. The entire narrative of Jeremiah 28 is built on **Antithesis** or **Contrast**, pitting the comforting lies of Hananiah against the difficult truths of Jeremiah, highlighting the discernment required to distinguish between genuine and counterfeit divine messages.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 28:2 is a profound lesson in the nature of divine truth and the dangers of spiritual deception. It underscores that God's word, though sometimes difficult or challenging to human desires, is always consistent with His character and His revealed plans. False prophecy, conversely, often appeals to immediate gratification and popular sentiment, promising peace and prosperity without addressing the underlying issues of sin and rebellion. This episode reminds us that God's sovereignty extends over all nations, and His timing for judgment and deliverance is perfect, not subject to human manipulation or wishful thinking. True faith involves trusting God's word, even when it demands patience and endurance through hardship.

* [Deuteronomy 18:20-22](/deuteronomy/18-20 "Deuteronomy 18:20-22 - Testing a Prophet")
* [Jeremiah 14:14](/jeremiah/14-14 "Jeremiah 14:14 - False Prophecies from the Lord")
* [Ezekiel 13:1-7](/ezekiel/13-1 "Ezekiel 13:1-7 - Prophecy Against False Prophets")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This ancient confrontation between Jeremiah and Hananiah remains remarkably relevant for believers today, serving as a powerful call to spiritual discernment. In a world saturated with voices claiming authority and offering quick solutions, we are challenged to critically evaluate every message against the unchanging standard of God's revealed Word. It compels us to ask whether the messages we embrace are truly from God, even if they are uncomfortable, or if they merely echo our own desires for ease and immediate gratification. True spiritual maturity involves patiently enduring trials, trusting God's sovereign timing, and embracing His truth, even when it means walking a difficult path. Our comfort should not be found in fabricated assurances, but in the steadfast character and promises of God, who works all things for our good and His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I discern between messages that offer comforting but potentially false hope and those that present difficult but true realities?**
* **Am I more inclined to listen to messages that align with my immediate desires, or those that call me to patience, repentance, and submission to God's timing?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be tempted to seek a "quick fix" rather than trusting in God's long-term, sovereign plan?**
* **How does understanding God's sovereignty over nations and historical events impact my perspective on current global challenges?**

### FAQ
**Who is speaking in Jeremiah 28:2, and why is this significant?**

Answer: The speaker in Jeremiah 28:2 is Hananiah, a false prophet. This is highly significant because he uses the authoritative prophetic formula, "Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel," to introduce a message that is *not* from God. He is falsely claiming divine inspiration to deliver a message that contradicts the true word of the Lord delivered through Jeremiah. This act of deception is central to the conflict in [Jeremiah 28](/jeremiah/28 "Jeremiah 28 - Jeremiah and Hananiah") and highlights the danger of false prophecy.

**What does "the yoke of the king of Babylon" symbolize in this context?**

Answer: The "yoke of the king of Babylon" is a powerful metaphor for the oppressive political and economic domination that the Babylonian Empire had imposed on Judah. It symbolizes their servitude, loss of national sovereignty, and the heavy tribute and control they were subjected to. Jeremiah himself had worn a literal yoke to visually demonstrate this impending submission, as described in [Jeremiah 27:2-11](/jeremiah/27-2 "Jeremiah 27:2-11 - Jeremiah's Yoke"). Hananiah's claim that this yoke was "broken" offered a false promise of immediate liberation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Jeremiah 28:2 describes a false prophet's claim of immediate political liberation, it points forward to Christ in profound ways, particularly concerning the nature of true prophecy and ultimate deliverance. Hananiah's promise of a broken physical yoke foreshadows Jesus as the one who truly breaks the ultimate yokes of sin, death, and spiritual bondage. Unlike Hananiah, who spoke a comforting lie, Jesus is the "faithful and true witness" ([Revelation 3:14](/revelation/3-14 "Revelation 3:14 - The Faithful and True Witness")), the embodiment of God's truth. He came not to break a political yoke, but to offer spiritual freedom, declaring, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Jesus' Invitation")). This demonstrates that the true "breaking of the yoke" is not found in earthly political reversals, but in the spiritual redemption offered by Christ, who fulfills God's promises in a way far surpassing any temporal deliverance, leading His people into an eternal kingdom where sin's oppressive weight is truly lifted ([Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Delivered from Darkness")).

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 27:2

Thus saith the LORD to me; Make thee bonds and yokes, and put them upon thy neck,

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.

Micah 3:11

The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, [Is] not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us.

Ezekiel 13:5

Ye have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the LORD.

Ezekiel 13:16

[To wit], the prophets of Israel which prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and which see visions of peace for her, and [there is] no peace, saith the Lord GOD.