Jeremiah 28:5

KJV

Then the prophet Jeremiah said unto the prophet Hananiah in the presence of the priests, and in the presence of all the people that stood in the house of the LORD,

KJV (with Strong's)

Then the prophet {H5030} Jeremiah {H3414} said {H559} unto the prophet {H5030} Hananiah {H2608} in the presence {H5869} of the priests {H3548}, and in the presence {H5869} of all the people {H5971} that stood {H5975} in the house {H1004} of the LORD {H3068},

Complete Jewish Bible

Then the prophet Yirmeyahu said to the prophet Hananyah in front of the cohanim and all the people standing in ADONAI's house -

Berean Standard Bible

Then the prophet Jeremiah replied to the prophet Hananiah in the presence of the priests and all the people who were standing in the house of the LORD.

American Standard Version

Then the prophet Jeremiah said unto the prophet Hananiah in the presence of the priests, and in the presence of all the people that stood in the house of Jehovah,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 28:5 marks a critical juncture in the dramatic public confrontation between the true prophet Jeremiah and the false prophet Hananiah. This verse meticulously records Jeremiah's initial, measured response to Hananiah's popular but deceitful prophecy, delivered before a significant audience of religious leaders and the general populace within the sacred precincts of the Jerusalem Temple. It underscores the profound gravity of the dispute, setting the stage for a divine test of prophetic authenticity and a revelation of God's true word amidst conflicting claims.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 28:5 immediately follows Hananiah's audacious declaration in [Jeremiah 28:1-4](/jeremiah/28-1 "Jeremiah 28:1-4 - Hananiah's False Prophecy") that God would break the yoke of Babylon within two years, promising the swift return of the Temple vessels and the exiled King Jeconiah. Jeremiah's response in verse 5 is therefore not an isolated statement but a direct counterpoint to this false hope. The public setting, emphasized by the presence of priests and people, highlights that this was not a private theological debate but a public challenge to divine authority, designed to clarify God's true message for a confused and desperate nation. This verse serves as the preamble to Jeremiah's more detailed and ultimately vindicating response, which begins in [Jeremiah 28:6](/jeremiah/28-6 "Jeremiah 28:6 - Jeremiah's Initial Response").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The scene unfolds in Jerusalem during the tumultuous reign of King Zedekiah, a period of profound national crisis. Judah was a vassal state under the iron grip of the Babylonian empire, having already experienced two significant deportations, including the exile of King Jeconiah and many prominent citizens in [597 BC](/2_kings/24-15 "2 Kings 24:15 - The First Babylonian Exile"). The Temple, the "house of the LORD," was the spiritual heart of the nation, and its vessels had been plundered. Jeremiah had consistently delivered God's unpopular message of prolonged Babylonian subjugation as divine judgment for Judah's persistent idolatry and disobedience, often symbolizing this submission with a literal or metaphorical yoke, as seen in [Jeremiah 27:2](/jeremiah/27-2 "Jeremiah 27:2 - Jeremiah's Yoke"). Hananiah's prophecy of swift deliverance, while comforting and politically expedient, directly contradicted God's revealed will, creating a severe tension between popular desire and prophetic truth.
* **Key Themes:** This verse is foundational to several critical themes within the book of Jeremiah and biblical prophecy. The most prominent is the **Authenticity of Prophecy**, as it sets the stage for a crucial test of who truly spoke for God, a test outlined in [Deuteronomy 18:20-22](/deuteronomy/18-20 "Deuteronomy 18:20-22 - The Test of a Prophet"). The public nature of the confrontation, "in the presence of the priests, and in the presence of all the people," underscores the theme of **Public Discernment**, highlighting the community's responsibility to weigh prophetic claims. Furthermore, it exemplifies the **Battle for Truth**, portraying a spiritual struggle for the hearts and minds of a people yearning for good news but needing to confront God's difficult reality. This conflict between comforting lies and challenging truth is a recurring motif throughout Jeremiah's ministry, culminating in the ultimate vindication of Jeremiah's word and the tragic demise of Hananiah, as prophesied in [Jeremiah 28:15-17](/jeremiah/28-15 "Jeremiah 28:15-17 - Hananiah's Death Prophesied and Fulfilled").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **prophet (Hebrew, _nâbîyʼ'_):** Derived from H5030, meaning "a prophet or (generally) inspired man." This word is crucial because it is applied to both Jeremiah and Hananiah, highlighting the immediate dilemma for the audience: both claimed the same divine authority. The very use of this title for Hananiah underscores the deceptive nature of false prophecy – it often mimics the outward appearance of truth, making discernment essential.
* **said (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** From H559, a primitive root meaning "to say (used with great latitude)." In this context, it signifies a formal, public declaration. Jeremiah's "saying" is not a casual remark but a deliberate, authoritative utterance in response to Hananiah's prophecy, emphasizing the weight and intentionality of his words in this high-stakes confrontation.
* **presence (Hebrew, _ʻayin'_):** From H5869, literally "an eye," but contextually "in the presence of" or "before the eyes of." This word powerfully conveys the public nature of the confrontation. It signifies that the events unfolded in full view of witnesses, making the dispute undeniable and the subsequent vindication or condemnation of either prophet a matter of public record and communal observation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then the prophet Jeremiah said unto the prophet Hananiah":** This clause immediately establishes the direct, face-to-face confrontation between the two figures, both bearing the title "prophet." It sets up the dramatic tension, as the audience is presented with two individuals claiming divine inspiration, one of whom must be false. Jeremiah's act of speaking is a deliberate engagement with Hananiah's earlier pronouncement.
* **"in the presence of the priests":** The inclusion of the priests signifies the presence of the religious leadership and authorities. Their presence lends an official, ecclesiastical weight to the proceedings, indicating that this was not merely a popular debate but a matter of theological and national consequence, observed by those responsible for upholding God's law and truth.
* **"and in the presence of all the people that stood in the house of the LORD":** This final phrase emphasizes the profoundly public and sacred setting of the confrontation. The "house of the LORD," the Temple, was the holiest site in Israel, making it the ultimate arena for a dispute over God's word. The presence of "all the people" underscores the widespread impact of the prophetic messages and the communal responsibility for discerning truth from falsehood.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. **Setting** is crucial, as the confrontation takes place in the "house of the LORD," the Temple, transforming a physical location into a sacred courtroom where divine truth is to be adjudicated. This amplifies the stakes of the prophetic dispute. **Juxtaposition** is evident in the direct opposition of "prophet Jeremiah" and "prophet Hananiah," highlighting the immediate conflict between true and false prophecy. The repeated phrase "in the presence of" functions as a form of **Anaphora** and **Emphasis**, underscoring the public nature of the event and the multitude of witnesses. This public display creates **Dramatic Irony**, as the audience, and certainly Hananiah, are unaware of the tragic outcome that awaits the false prophet, which Jeremiah will soon reveal. The entire scene also serves as **Foreshadowing** for the ultimate divine vindication of Jeremiah's word and the judgment upon Hananiah, as detailed later in the chapter.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 28:5 is a profound theological statement on the nature of divine revelation and the critical need for discernment. It illustrates that not all who claim to speak for God truly do, and that popularity or comforting messages do not equate to truth. The public setting in the Temple emphasizes that the integrity of God's word is a communal concern, not just an individual one. This confrontation forces the audience, and by extension, all believers, to grapple with the challenge of distinguishing authentic prophecy from deceptive falsehood. It underscores that true prophecy, however difficult, will align with God's character and ultimately be vindicated by its fulfillment, while false prophecy, born of human desire or demonic influence, will inevitably fail and lead to judgment.

* [Deuteronomy 13:1-5](/deuteronomy/13-1 "Deuteronomy 13:1-5 - Warning Against False Prophets")
* [Jeremiah 14:14](/jeremiah/14-14 "Jeremiah 14:14 - God's Condemnation of False Prophets")
* [Ezekiel 13:1-7](/ezekiel/13-1 "Ezekiel 13:1-7 - Prophecy Against Foolish Prophets")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 28:5 serves as a timeless reminder that spiritual discernment is not merely an academic exercise but a vital necessity for navigating life in a world saturated with conflicting claims of truth. Just as the people of Judah stood in the Temple, desperate for guidance, so too are we constantly bombarded with voices—from media, culture, and even within religious circles—that claim authority or offer comforting, yet ultimately deceptive, narratives. This verse challenges us to move beyond superficial appearances, popular appeal, or emotional comfort, and instead diligently test every message against the unchanging standard of God's revealed Word. It calls us to cultivate a robust biblical literacy and a Spirit-led sensitivity to discern between genuine divine truth, which often calls for repentance and endurance, and flattering falsehoods that promise easy solutions. Our responsibility, like that of the priests and people, is to weigh, examine, and ultimately cling to the truth, even when it is difficult, for only God's truth leads to life and enduring hope.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I discern between messages that are comforting but false, and those that are challenging but true?**
* **In what areas of my life am I most susceptible to believing a "Hananiah" message over a "Jeremiah" message?**
* **What role does the community of faith play in upholding and discerning truth in a world of conflicting voices?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper reliance on God's Word as the ultimate standard for truth, rather than popular opinion or personal desire?**

### FAQ
**Why was this confrontation public, and what was the significance of the "house of the LORD"?**

Answer: The confrontation between Jeremiah and Hananiah was intentionally public to underscore the gravity of the prophetic dispute and to allow the entire community to witness the unfolding of divine truth. The "house of the LORD," the Temple, was the most sacred space in Israel, symbolizing God's presence and the locus of His revealed word. By holding the confrontation here, the prophets were appealing directly to God's authority and placing the matter before the people in the most solemn and significant setting possible. This public setting ensured that the eventual vindication of Jeremiah and the judgment upon Hananiah would be undeniable, serving as a powerful lesson for all of Judah regarding the authenticity of God's messengers and the danger of false prophecy. It was a divine drama played out on a sacred stage for the spiritual education of the nation, emphasizing that God's word is not whispered in private but declared openly for all to hear and discern (cf. [Jeremiah 26:2](/jeremiah/26-2 "Jeremiah 26:2 - Jeremiah Prophesies in the Temple Court")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 28:5, with its stark contrast between true and false prophecy, finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Jeremiah was a true prophet, speaking God's difficult word of judgment and eventual restoration, Jesus is the Prophet par excellence, the very Word of God incarnate ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God") and [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). Unlike Hananiah, who spoke from his own heart, Jesus declared, "My teaching is not my own. It comes from the one who sent me" ([John 7:16](/john/7-16 "John 7:16 - Jesus' Teaching Is From God")). He is the ultimate fulfillment of the Deuteronomic promise of a prophet like Moses ([Deuteronomy 18:15](/deuteronomy/18-15 "Deuteronomy 18:15 - A Prophet Like Moses")), whom God would raise up and put His words in His mouth. Jesus not only spoke God's truth but embodied it, confronting the false teachings and hypocrisy of His day with unparalleled authority ([Matthew 7:28-29](/matthew/7-28 "Matthew 7:28-29 - Jesus' Authority")). Furthermore, the "house of the LORD" where Jeremiah and Hananiah stood finds its ultimate reality in Christ, who declared, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up" ([John 2:19](/john/2-19 "John 2:19 - Jesus Prophesies His Resurrection")), referring to the temple of His body. In Jesus, the battle for truth is decisively won; He is "the way, the truth, and the life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, Truth, and Life")), and His words, unlike any false prophecy, will never pass away ([Matthew 24:35](/matthew/24-35 "Matthew 24:35 - Heaven and Earth Will Pass Away, But My Words Will Not")). He is the ultimate discerning voice, calling His sheep to hear and follow only His voice ([John 10:27](/john/10-27 "John 10:27 - My Sheep Hear My Voice")), offering not fleeting comfort but eternal life.

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 28:1

¶ 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,

Jeremiah 7:2

Stand in the gate of the LORD'S house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of the LORD, all [ye of] Judah, that enter in at these gates to worship the LORD.

Jeremiah 26:2

Thus saith the LORD; Stand in the court of the LORD'S house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the LORD'S house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word:

Jeremiah 19:14

Then came Jeremiah from Tophet, whither the LORD had sent him to prophesy; and he stood in the court of the LORD'S house; and said to all the people,