Jeremiah 29:31

KJV

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:

KJV (with Strong's)

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}:

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

“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,

American Standard Version

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;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 29:31 delivers a scathing divine indictment against Shemaiah the Nehelamite, a false prophet who had been misleading the Jewish exiles in Babylon. Through Jeremiah, the LORD explicitly condemns Shemaiah for prophesying without divine commission, declaring that He "sent him not," and for actively causing the captive community to place their trust in a deceptive message, thereby spreading a harmful lie. This verse underscores God's unwavering commitment to truth and His severe judgment against those who presume to speak in His name without His authority, leading His people astray with false hopes.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a direct and specific condemnation within a larger letter Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the Jewish exiles in Babylon, as recorded in [Jeremiah 29](/jeremiah/29 "Jeremiah's Letter to the Exiles"). The letter's primary purpose was to counter the false hopes propagated by various prophets and dreamers who were promising a swift return to Jerusalem. Jeremiah's authentic message, delivered earlier in the chapter, emphasized a long, seventy-year exile, urging the exiles to settle down, build homes, and seek the welfare of Babylon ([Jeremiah 29:5-7](/jeremiah/29-5 "Jeremiah's Instruction to Build and Seek Peace")). Shemaiah's message stood in direct opposition to this divine directive, creating spiritual confusion and fostering rebellion against God's decreed plan. The condemnation of Shemaiah here sets the stage for the specific judgment pronounced against him in the very next verse, [Jeremiah 29:32](/jeremiah/29-32 "God's Judgment on Shemaiah").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the early period of the Babylonian exile, specifically after Nebuchadnezzar's first deportation of Judeans in 597 BC, which included King Jehoiachin and many of Jerusalem's elite. The exiles were living in a foreign land, grappling with the trauma of displacement and the destruction of their homeland. In this vulnerable state, there was a strong human desire for comfort and a speedy return, making them susceptible to prophets like Shemaiah who offered precisely what they wanted to hear. False prophecy was a recurring problem in ancient Israel, often involving individuals who claimed divine inspiration but spoke from their own desires or sought to curry favor with the people. The Mosaic Law provided clear criteria for discerning true prophets from false ones, emphasizing consistency with God's revealed word and the fulfillment of prophecies ([Deuteronomy 18:20-22](/deuteronomy/18-20 "Tests for True and False Prophets")). Shemaiah's message directly contradicted Jeremiah's, which was consistent with God's earlier warnings.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 29:31 powerfully articulates several crucial themes. Firstly, it highlights the severe sin of **false prophecy** and the absolute necessity of divine authorization for those who claim to speak for God. The declaration, "I sent him not," is the core of Shemaiah's offense, emphasizing that true prophecy originates solely from God's will and commission. Secondly, the verse underscores the destructive nature of **deception and lies**. Shemaiah's message is unequivocally labeled "a lie," demonstrating God's abhorrence for falsehood, especially when it leads His people astray and causes them to trust in something contrary to His truth. This theme resonates throughout the prophetic books, where prophets often contend with those who "speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD" ([Jeremiah 23:16](/jeremiah/23-16 "Jeremiah's Warning Against False Prophets")). Finally, the verse powerfully asserts **divine authority and judgment**. God's direct intervention to condemn Shemaiah demonstrates His sovereign control over His word and His people's destiny, ensuring that those who usurp His authority will face His righteous judgment.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **captivity (Hebrew, _gôwlâh'_):** This term (H1473) refers to the state of exile, specifically the collective group of exiles who had been "carried away" from their homeland. In this context, it emphasizes the vulnerable and displaced community to whom Shemaiah was prophesying, making his deception all the more egregious.
* **prophesied (Hebrew, _nâbâʼ'_):** The verb (H5012) means "to speak by inspiration," whether in prediction or simple discourse. Here, it highlights the act Shemaiah performed—claiming to deliver a message from God—but the subsequent phrase "I sent him not" immediately negates the legitimacy of his prophetic claim, revealing his inspiration was not divine.
* **lie (Hebrew, _sheqer'_):** This noun (H8267) denotes an untruth, falsehood, or sham. It is a strong and unambiguous term, indicating that Shemaiah's message was not merely mistaken but fundamentally deceptive and without any basis in divine reality. Its use here underscores the gravity of misleading God's people.
* **caused you to trust (Hebrew, _bâṭach'_):** The verb (H982), in its causative form, means "to make confident or sure," or "to cause to hope." Shemaiah actively instilled a sense of security and expectation in the exiles based on his false prophecy, leading them to place their confidence in a deceptive promise rather than God's true word.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Send to all them of the captivity, saying, Thus saith the LORD concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite;"**: This opening clause establishes the divine origin and authoritative nature of the message. Jeremiah is commanded by the LORD (YHWH, the covenant God of Israel) to deliver this specific pronouncement to the entire community of exiles. The target of the message, Shemaiah the Nehelamite, is clearly identified, indicating a precise and personal divine judgment against him.
* **"Because that Shemaiah hath prophesied unto you, and I sent him not,"**: This is the core accusation and the foundation of God's judgment. Shemaiah's offense is not merely that his prophecy was incorrect, but that he presumed to speak in the LORD's name without receiving any divine commission or authorization. This highlights the sacredness of prophetic office and the severe sin of usurping God's authority. His prophecy was self-generated, not divinely inspired.
* **"and he caused you to trust in a lie:"**: This final clause describes the harmful consequence of Shemaiah's unauthorized prophecy. By speaking a falsehood, he actively led the exiles to place their hope and confidence in an untruth. This "lie" was likely the promise of an imminent return from exile, which directly contradicted God's true plan for a longer period of captivity. The phrase emphasizes the active role Shemaiah played in misleading the people, fostering false security and diverting them from God's actual will.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 29:31 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of divine condemnation. The most prominent is **Direct Address/Divine Pronouncement**, where the LORD Himself speaks through Jeremiah, lending absolute authority and gravity to the judgment against Shemaiah. This is signaled by the phrase "Thus saith the LORD." There is also a powerful **Contrast/Juxtaposition** between Shemaiah's self-proclaimed prophecy and God's explicit denial ("I sent him not"). This stark contrast highlights the illegitimacy of Shemaiah's claims against the backdrop of God's sovereign truth. The **Repetition** of Shemaiah's name serves to emphasize the specific individual being targeted by God's wrath, ensuring there is no ambiguity about the object of this severe condemnation. Finally, the phrase "caused you to trust in a lie" uses a subtle **Metaphor** where "a lie" is presented as something tangible enough to be the object of trust, implying it is a false foundation upon which one might build hope or security.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 29:31 stands as a profound theological statement on the nature of divine truth, the integrity of prophetic revelation, and the grave consequences of spiritual deception. It underscores God's absolute sovereignty over His word and His unwavering commitment to communicating truth to His people, even when that truth is difficult or unwelcome. The LORD's direct condemnation of Shemaiah for speaking without divine commission and for causing the people to trust in a lie reveals His profound concern for the spiritual well-being of His flock and His abhorrence of any message that distorts His character or His plans. This passage serves as a timeless warning against those who would manipulate spiritual authority for personal gain or to offer comforting falsehoods, emphasizing the critical importance of discerning true prophetic voices from false ones. It reminds believers that genuine hope is always rooted in God's revealed truth, not in human wishes or deceptive promises.

* [Deuteronomy 18:20-22](/deuteronomy/18-20 "The Test for a True Prophet")
* [Ezekiel 13:3](/ezekiel/13-3 "Woe to Foolish Prophets")
* [2 Peter 2:1-3](/2_peter/2-1 "False Teachers Among You")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 29:31 offers a timeless and critical lesson for believers today: the imperative of spiritual discernment. In an age saturated with information and diverse spiritual claims, it is more crucial than ever to evaluate messages, teachings, and prophecies against the unchanging standard of God's revealed Word. We must cultivate a deep familiarity with Scripture so that we can recognize when a message, even if comforting or appealing, deviates from biblical truth. Just as Shemaiah offered a lie that the exiles wanted to hear, we too can be tempted to embrace "feel-good" messages that avoid difficult truths about sin, repentance, or God's sovereign timing. True spiritual maturity involves trusting God's word even when it challenges our desires or requires patience and endurance. This verse calls us to be vigilant, to test the spirits, and to anchor our hope firmly in the truth of God, which alone provides genuine security and leads to His perfect will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do we discern true spiritual messages from false ones in our own time, especially when they may sound comforting or appealing?**
* **What "comforting lies" might we be tempted to trust in today, rather than God's difficult truths about our lives or the world?**
* **How does trusting in God's revealed word, even when it's challenging or requires patience, ultimately strengthen our faith and lead to greater spiritual flourishing?**

### FAQ
**What was Shemaiah's specific lie that he caused the exiles to trust in?**

Answer: Shemaiah's specific lie was that the Babylonian exile would be short and that the exiles would return to Jerusalem very soon. This directly contradicted Jeremiah's divinely inspired prophecy that the exile would last for seventy years ([Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "God's Plan for 70 Years of Exile")). He offered false hope of an immediate return, which was appealing to the displaced and suffering people.

**Why was it so serious for Shemaiah to prophesy without being sent by the LORD?**

Answer: It was supremely serious because it constituted a usurpation of divine authority and a direct misrepresentation of God's character and will. Prophecy was understood as God speaking directly through a chosen messenger. When Shemaiah claimed to speak for the LORD but was not sent, he essentially put his own words in God's mouth, deceiving the people and leading them away from God's true plan. This act was seen as a grave offense against God's holiness and truth, deserving of severe judgment ([Deuteronomy 18:20](/deuteronomy/18-20 "The Prophet Who Presumes to Speak")).

**How does this verse relate to discerning spiritual messages today?**

Answer: Jeremiah 29:31 serves as a timeless warning and a foundational principle for spiritual discernment. It teaches us that not every message claiming to be from God truly is. We are called to critically evaluate all spiritual claims, teachings, and prophecies against the unchanging standard of God's revealed Word, the Bible. If a message contradicts Scripture, promotes a false sense of security, or leads people away from God's established truth and ways, it is to be rejected, regardless of how comforting or popular it may seem. The verse emphasizes that true spiritual guidance comes only from those genuinely sent by God, whose words align with His character and purposes as revealed in His Word.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 29:31, with its stark condemnation of false prophecy and emphasis on divine authorization, finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in Jesus Christ. In a world plagued by deceptive voices and misleading claims, Jesus emerges as the singular, true Prophet, "the Word made flesh" ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "The Word Became Flesh")). Unlike Shemaiah, who was "not sent" by the LORD and caused people to trust in a lie, Jesus was explicitly sent by the Father, bearing the ultimate divine commission and speaking only the truth that He heard from God ([John 8:26](/john/8-26 "Jesus Speaks What He Hears")). He is the embodiment of truth, declaring, "I am the way, the truth, and the life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). The Old Testament prophets, including Jeremiah, pointed forward to a greater Prophet who would fully reveal God's will ([Deuteronomy 18:15](/deuteronomy/18-15 "Prophet Like Moses")). This promise is realized in Christ, through whom God has "spoken to us by His Son" ([Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1 "God Has Spoken by His Son")). While false prophets like Shemaiah offered a lie that led to disappointment and judgment, Jesus offers genuine hope and eternal life, promising that those who follow Him "shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life" ([John 8:12](/john/8-12 "Jesus, the Light of the World")). His words are not merely comforting, but life-giving, providing the true security and hope that no human-spun lie could ever offer ([John 6:68](/john/6-68 "Words of 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 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.