Jeremiah 29:31

Send to all them of the captivity, saying, Thus saith the LORD concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite; Because that Shemaiah hath prophesied unto you, and I sent him not, and he caused you to trust in a lie:

Send {H7971} to all them of the captivity {H1473}, saying {H559}, Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068} concerning Shemaiah {H8098} the Nehelamite {H5161}; Because that Shemaiah {H8098} hath prophesied {H5012} unto you, and I sent {H7971} him not, and he caused you to trust {H982} in a lie {H8267}:

instructing him to send to all those in exile this message: "Here is what ADONAI says about Sh'ma'yah the Nechelami: 'This Sh'ma'yah has prophesied to you, even though I did not send him, and has caused you to put your trust in a lie.

“Send a message telling all the exiles what the LORD says concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite. Because Shemaiah has prophesied to you—though I did not send him—and has made you trust in a lie,

Send to all them of the captivity, saying, Thus saith Jehovah concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite: Because that Shemaiah hath prophesied unto you, and I sent him not, and he hath caused you to trust in a lie;

Context

This verse is part of a crucial letter from the prophet Jeremiah to the Jewish exiles in Babylon. Many had been deported after Jerusalem's first siege by King Nebuchadnezzar. While Jeremiah had consistently prophesied a long exile, specifically seventy years of captivity, false prophets like Shemaiah the Nehelamite were spreading comforting but deceptive messages of an immediate return to Jerusalem. This particular verse reveals God's direct judgment against Shemaiah for his unauthorized and misleading prophecies.

Key Themes

  • False Prophecy Condemned: The LORD explicitly condemns Shemaiah for speaking in His name without divine authorization, stating, "I sent him not." This highlights the severe sin of purporting to speak for God without His commission.
  • Deception and Lies: Shemaiah's message is unequivocally labeled "a lie," emphasizing the danger and spiritual harm caused by believing comforting falsehoods over difficult truths from God. He "caused you to trust in a lie," leading the exiles astray.
  • Divine Authority and Judgment: God's declaration underscores His sole authority in commissioning prophets. Those who usurp this authority face severe consequences, as detailed in the subsequent verse regarding Shemaiah's fate (Jeremiah 29:32).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "lie" here is sheqer (שֶׁקֶר), which strongly denotes falsehood, deceit, and emptiness. Shemaiah "caused you to trust" (הִבְטַחְתִּי, hivtachti) in this falsehood, implying he made them feel secure or confident in a deceptive promise. This verb choice highlights the active role Shemaiah played in misleading the people by offering false hope.

Related Scriptures

This verse is a direct condemnation of a false prophet, a theme echoed throughout the Bible. Jeremiah had previously warned the exiles not to listen to those who prophesied a swift return (Jeremiah 29:8-9). Shemaiah's promises stood in direct opposition to God's true plan for the exile. The Old Testament provides clear tests for distinguishing true from false prophets, often involving whether their prophecies come to pass or if they lead people away from God (Deuteronomy 18:22). Another powerful denunciation of false prophets can be found in Ezekiel 13:3-7.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 29:31 serves as a timeless warning against those who offer messages of comfort or hope that are not genuinely rooted in God's truth. In any age, discerning truth from falsehood is crucial. We must carefully evaluate spiritual messages, ensuring they align with the entirety of Scripture and are truly from God, not merely what we wish to hear. Trusting in a lie, even a comforting one, can lead to severe disappointment, spiritual harm, and separation from God's true path and perfect timing.
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.

  • Jeremiah 29:9

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

  • Ezekiel 13:22

    Because with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life:

  • Ezekiel 13:23

    Therefore ye shall see no more vanity, nor divine divinations: for I will deliver my people out of your hand: and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD.

  • Jeremiah 29:23

    Because they have committed villany in Israel, and have committed adultery with their neighbours' wives, and have spoken lying words in my name, which I have not commanded them; even I know, and [am] a witness, saith the LORD.

  • Jeremiah 29:24

    ¶ [Thus] shalt thou also speak to Shemaiah the Nehelamite, saying,

  • Ezekiel 13:8

    Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because ye have spoken vanity, and seen lies, therefore, behold, I [am] against you, saith the Lord GOD.

  • 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.

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