29:24 29:24

Jeremiah 29:25

29:26 29:26

Bible Versions

Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, Because thou hast sent letters in thy name unto all the people that [are] at Jerusalem, and to Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, and to all the priests, saying,
Thus speaketh {H559} the LORD {H3068} of hosts {H6635}, the God {H430} of Israel {H3478}, saying {H559}, Because thou hast sent {H7971} letters {H5612} in thy name {H8034} unto all the people {H5971} that are at Jerusalem {H3389}, and to Zephaniah {H6846} the son {H1121} of Maaseiah {H4641} the priest {H3548}, and to all the priests {H3548}, saying {H559},
'This is a word from ADONAI-Tzva'ot, the God of Isra'el, because of the letters you sent in your own name to all the people in Yerushalayim, including Tz'fanyah the son of Ma'aseiyah the cohen and all the cohanim.
this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “In your own name you have sent out letters to all the people of Jerusalem, to the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah, and to all the priests. You said to Zephaniah:
Thus speaketh Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, Because thou hast sent letters in thine own name unto all the people that are at Jerusalem, and to Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah, the priest, and to all the priests, saying,

Context of Jeremiah 29:25

Jeremiah 29:25 introduces a divine message from the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, directed against a specific individual: Shemaiah the Nehelamite. This verse is part of a larger narrative within Jeremiah Chapter 29, which primarily consists of Jeremiah's letter to the Jewish exiles in Babylon. In this letter, Jeremiah encouraged the exiles to settle down, build homes, and seek the peace of Babylon, assuring them that their captivity would last seventy years before their return to Jerusalem (Jeremiah 29:10). However, false prophets like Shemaiah were sending their own letters and messages, contradicting Jeremiah's true prophecy, promising an immediate return and fostering unrest. This verse specifically highlights Shemaiah's actions of sending letters to the people and priests still in Jerusalem, including Zephaniah, challenging God's true word conveyed through Jeremiah.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Authority vs. False Prophecy: The verse opens with the powerful declaration, "Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts," immediately contrasting God's authentic word with the unauthorized messages of Shemaiah. It underscores God's absolute authority and His awareness of all human actions, even those done in secret or through written correspondence.
  • The Spread of Deception: Shemaiah's method of sending "letters in thy name" illustrates how false messages can be disseminated. He was not speaking on God's behalf but propagating his own deceptive agenda, directly opposing God's plan for the exiles and those remaining in Jerusalem. This highlights the danger of listening to voices that contradict the clear word of God.
  • Targeting Spiritual Leaders: The specific mention of Zephaniah the priest and "all the priests" indicates Shemaiah's attempt to influence or undermine the religious leadership in Jerusalem. False teachers often target those in positions of influence to gain legitimacy or spread their erroneous doctrines more widely.
  • God's Oversight and Judgment: This verse serves as the preamble to God's direct judgment against Shemaiah, demonstrating that God sees and responds to those who mislead His people and speak falsely in His name.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "LORD of hosts" (Hebrew: Yahweh Sabaoth) is a majestic title for God, emphasizing His supreme power, His command over heavenly armies, and His sovereignty over all creation. It reinforces the weight and truth of the message that follows, directly contrasting with the human-originated "letters in thy name." The phrase "God of Israel" highlights His covenant relationship with His chosen people, implying His deep concern for their well-being and His commitment to upholding His truth among them.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 29:25 serves as a timeless reminder of the importance of spiritual discernment. In an age saturated with information and various voices, it is crucial to test every message against the unchanging truth of God's Word (1 John 4:1). Just as Shemaiah spread falsehoods through letters, today, misinformation can spread rapidly through various media. Believers are called to be vigilant, to rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance, and to cling to the authentic voice of God, found consistently in the Scriptures, rather than being swayed by human opinions or popular narratives that contradict divine truth. This verse also reminds us that God is actively involved in the affairs of humanity, taking note of those who seek to mislead His people.

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.

  • Jeremiah 37:3

    And Zedekiah the king sent Jehucal the son of Shelemiah and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest to the prophet Jeremiah, saying, Pray now unto the LORD our God for us.

  • Jeremiah 52:24

    ¶ And the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, and Zephaniah the second priest, and the three keepers of the door:

  • Jeremiah 29:29

    And Zephaniah the priest read this letter in the ears of Jeremiah the prophet.

  • 2 Kings 25:18

    And the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, and Zephaniah the second priest, and the three keepers of the door:

  • 2 Kings 25:21

    And the king of Babylon smote them, and slew them at Riblah in the land of Hamath. So Judah was carried away out of their land.

  • 2 Chronicles 32:17

    He wrote also letters to rail on the LORD God of Israel, and to speak against him, saying, As the gods of the nations of [other] lands have not delivered their people out of mine hand, so shall not the God of Hezekiah deliver his people out of mine hand.

  • 2 Kings 19:14

    And Hezekiah received the letter of the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up into the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD.
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