Jeremiah 29:21

Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, of Ahab the son of Kolaiah, and of Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah, which prophesy a lie unto you in my name; Behold, I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon; and he shall slay them before your eyes;

Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068} of hosts {H6635}, the God {H430} of Israel {H3478}, of Ahab {H256} the son {H1121} of Kolaiah {H6964}, and of Zedekiah {H6667} the son {H1121} of Maaseiah {H4641}, which prophesy {H5012} a lie {H8267} unto you in my name {H8034}; Behold, I will deliver {H5414} them into the hand {H3027} of Nebuchadrezzar {H5019} king {H4428} of Babylon {H894}; and he shall slay {H5221} them before your eyes {H5869};

Here is what ADONAI-Tzva'ot, the God of Isra'el, says about Ach'av the son of Kolayah and Tzidkiyahu the son of Ma'aseiyah, who prophesy lies to you in my name: 'I will hand them over to N'vukhadretzar king of Bavel, and he will put them to death before your eyes.

This is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says about Ahab son of Kolaiah and Zedekiah son of Maaseiah, who are prophesying to you lies in My name: “I will deliver them to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and he will kill them before your very eyes.

Thus saith Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel, concerning Ahab the son of Kolaiah, and concerning Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah, who prophesy a lie unto you in my name: Behold, I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon; and he shall slay them before your eyes;

Commentary

Commentary on Jeremiah 29:21 (KJV)

Jeremiah 29:21 delivers a stern divine pronouncement against two specific individuals, Ahab the son of Kolaiah and Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah, who were actively deceiving the exiled Israelites in Babylon. This verse underscores God's unwavering commitment to truth and His severe judgment upon those who would profane His name by spreading lies.

Context

This verse is part of a crucial letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the Jewish exiles who had been deported to Babylon after Nebuchadnezzar's first siege of Jerusalem in 597 BC. Many of the exiles, along with those still in Judah, were being misled by false prophets who promised a swift return to Jerusalem and an immediate end to their captivity. Jeremiah's letter, particularly his prophecy of a 70-year exile, directly contradicted these comforting but deceitful messages. Ahab and Zedekiah were evidently prominent among these false prophets operating within the Babylonian exile community, undermining Jeremiah's true message of God's long-term plan for the people.

Key Themes

  • False Prophecy and Deception: The core issue addressed is the grave sin of "prophesying a lie" in God's name. This was a direct affront to the Lord's character and a dangerous manipulation of His people. Such actions were condemned throughout Scripture (see Deuteronomy 18:20).
  • Divine Judgment and Retribution: The verse clearly states that God, identified as "the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel," would personally deliver these false prophets into the hands of King Nebuchadnezzar. This demonstrates God's active involvement in justice and His sovereign control over nations and their leaders, even pagan kings. The public and brutal nature of their deaths – "he shall slay them before your eyes" – served as a stark warning to others.
  • God's Authority and Truth: By exposing and punishing Ahab and Zedekiah, God reaffirms His ultimate authority and the sanctity of His Word. He alone is the source of truth, and those who claim to speak for Him falsely will face severe consequences. This serves to validate Jeremiah's message as truly from God.

Linguistic Insights

The title "LORD of hosts" (Hebrew: Yahweh Sabaoth) is a powerful designation emphasizing God's omnipotence and His command over heavenly armies. It highlights that the judgment pronounced is not merely a human decree but comes from the supreme Commander of the universe. The phrase "prophesy a lie" clearly indicates intentional deception, a deliberate twisting of divine revelation for personal gain or to soothe popular desire, rather than speaking God's challenging truth.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 29:21 holds timeless relevance for discerning truth in a world full of conflicting messages.

  • Discernment is Crucial: Believers today must exercise spiritual discernment and test all teachings against the clear Word of God (1 John 4:1). Not everyone who claims to speak for God truly does.
  • Accountability for Leaders: Those who claim spiritual authority and teach in God's name bear a heavy responsibility. This verse serves as a sober reminder that God holds spiritual leaders to a high standard and will judge those who mislead His people.
  • God's Justice Prevails: Even when injustice seems to triumph, this verse assures us that God sees, knows, and will ultimately bring justice. His plans and His truth cannot be thwarted by human deception.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Lamentations 2:14 (3 votes)

    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.

  • Jeremiah 14:14 (3 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    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 29:8 (3 votes)

    ¶ For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that [be] in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed.

  • Jeremiah 29:9 (3 votes)

    For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them, saith the LORD.