Jeremiah 28:8

The prophets that have been before me and before thee of old prophesied both against many countries, and against great kingdoms, of war, and of evil, and of pestilence.

The prophets {H5030} that have been before {H6440} me and before {H6440} thee of old {H5769} prophesied {H5012} both against many {H7227} countries {H776}, and against great {H1419} kingdoms {H4467}, of war {H4421}, and of evil {H7451}, and of pestilence {H1698}.

The prophets who were here before me and before you prophesied in times past against many countries and against great kingdoms about war, disaster and plagues.

The prophets of old who preceded you and me prophesied war, disaster, and plague against many lands and great kingdoms.

The prophets that have been before me and before thee of old prophesied against many countries, and against great kingdoms, of war, and of evil, and of pestilence.

Context of Jeremiah 28:8

Jeremiah 28:8 is a pivotal verse in the dramatic confrontation between the prophet Jeremiah and the false prophet Hananiah. Hananiah had just declared a swift end to the Babylonian captivity and the return of the temple vessels within two years, a message of peace and immediate restoration (Jeremiah 28:2-4). Jeremiah, who had consistently prophesied a long period of exile and divine judgment due to Judah's sin, responds by appealing to the historical pattern of true prophecy. This verse serves as Jeremiah's defense, highlighting the consistent nature of prophetic warnings from antiquity.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Authenticity of Prophecy: Jeremiah establishes a criterion for discerning true prophets from false ones. Historically, prophets sent by God often delivered messages of judgment, not solely peace and prosperity. The ultimate test for a prophet's word, especially regarding peace, is its fulfillment (Jeremiah 28:9).
  • Divine Judgment: The verse underscores God's consistent use of instruments like war, evil (calamity), and pestilence as means of judgment against rebellious nations and kingdoms. This pattern is evident throughout Old Testament history, serving as a solemn warning against sin and disobedience.
  • Historical Precedent: Jeremiah points to "prophets that have been before me and before thee of old," emphasizing that true prophets consistently foretold difficult times and divine reckoning. This historical consistency validates Jeremiah's own unpopular message of impending doom and exile.
  • The Nature of True Prophecy: Unlike the comforting, often misleading, words of false prophets, true prophecy frequently involves uncomfortable truths about sin and its consequences. It prepares people for God's actions, whether those actions are disciplinary or redemptive.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "evil" in this verse is ra'ah (רָעָה). While it can mean moral evil, in contexts of prophecy against nations, it often refers to calamity, disaster, or misfortune brought by God as judgment. Thus, "war, and of evil, and of pestilence" describes a triad of severe judgments that bring widespread suffering and desolation.

Related Scriptures

For the criteria of a true prophet, compare with Deuteronomy 18:22. Other prophets who prophesied judgment against nations include Isaiah (e.g., Isaiah 13 against Babylon) and Ezekiel (e.g., Ezekiel chapters 25-32 against various nations). The concept of God using these specific judgments is also found in Ezekiel 14:21, where God lists "famine, and the evil beast, and the pestilence, and the sword."

Practical Application

Jeremiah 28:8 reminds us of the importance of spiritual discernment in our own time. In a world full of conflicting messages, it is crucial to evaluate teachings and prophecies against the consistent truth of God's Word and His character. True spiritual leaders often deliver challenging messages that call for repentance and humility, rather than only comforting words. This verse encourages us to understand that God is sovereign over nations and history, and His justice is a consistent theme throughout time, bringing consequences for sin, just as He offers grace and redemption to those who turn to Him.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Deuteronomy 4:26

    I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that ye shall soon utterly perish from off the land whereunto ye go over Jordan to possess it; ye shall not prolong [your] days upon it, but shall utterly be destroyed.

  • Deuteronomy 4:27

    And the LORD shall scatter you among the nations, and ye shall be left few in number among the heathen, whither the LORD shall lead you.

  • 1 Kings 17:1

    ¶ And Elijah the Tishbite, [who was] of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, [As] the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.

  • 1 Kings 22:8

    And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, [There is] yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may enquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.

  • Deuteronomy 29:18

    Lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth away this day from the LORD our God, to go [and] serve the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood;

  • Deuteronomy 29:28

    And the LORD rooted them out of their land in anger, and in wrath, and in great indignation, and cast them into another land, as [it is] this day.

  • Amos 1:2

    And he said, The LORD will roar from Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the habitations of the shepherds shall mourn, and the top of Carmel shall wither.

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