Jeremias 28
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Jeremias 28
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS This chapter is the dialog between two priests who both claim to be YHWH's prophets. The word "say" (BDB 55, KB 65) is used sixteen times. Only an accurate prediction can prove which is the true prophet (cf. Deut. 13:1-3; 18:15-22). Jeremiah's prophecy will be verified within one year. Hananiah predicts (cf. Jer. 28:1-4) a defeat of Babylon and a return of Jeconiah and the exiles temple vessels Jeremiah predicts the fall of Judah, her destruction, and total exile for seventy years! Who is speaking for God? Time will clearly tell! Remember, Jeremiah 27-29 is a literary unit.
Jeremias 28:1-4
28:1 "the prophet" The LXX has "false prophet." ▣ "Gibeon" This was a Levite city (Josh. 21:17). Both of these "prophets" have the same credentials. Jeremiah was from a city of priests and both are called "the prophet" (cf. Jer. 28:5). Both use the same introductory formula, "Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel" (Jer. 28:2; 27:4,21). How does the hearer know which to believe? This is a relevant question for believers in every age. I have several suggestions. my exegetical notes on Deut. 13:3 (second item) Deut. 18:20-22 SPECIAL TOPIC: FALSE TEACHERS SPECIAL TOPIC: THE BIBLE (its uniqueness and inspiration) ▣ "in the presence of the priests and all the people, saying" Hananiah publically confronted Jeremiah, possibly at a yearly or monthly feast at the temple. 28:2 "The Lord of hosts" See SPECIAL TOPIC: Lord of Hosts. ▣ "I have broken the yoke" The TENSE in Hebrew (Qal PERFECT) speaks of the act as already accomplished. There is a sound play between "break," שׁבר ‒ BDB 990, KB 1402 "bring back," שׁוב ‒ BDB 996, KB 1427 Both of these are used together two times (Jer. 28:2-4). 28:3-4 "vessels. . .Jeconiah. . .exiles of Judah. . .in two years" This prophecy was very specific and detailed. It spoke to the nationalistic prejudice of the Judean people. It was a repudiation of Jeremiah's sermon in Jeremiah 17. The people of Judah's reaction to this sermon is recorded in Jer. 26.
Jeremias 28:5-9
28:6 "Amen" Jeremiah wished Hananiah's message was true, but it was not! For "amen" see SPECIAL TOPIC: AMEN. 28:8 This shows that the prophets read/knew the prophets before them. Previous revelation is a great blessing. Much of the biblical imagery and idioms is used again and again. The theological message of Jer. 28:8-9 is that the context of the message (i.e. war or peace) cannot be used to determine if the message is from a true prophet. Only accurate fulfillment (or repentance and God changing His mind) can do that! On the subject of God changing His mind, let me take a moment to clarify. There are biblical texts that emphatically state God's character and purposes do not change. Gen. 6:6-7 (see full note there) Num. 23:19 1 Sam. 15:29 Isa. 31:2 Mal. 3:6 (see full note there) James 1:17 There are biblical texts that clearly affirm that repentance and prayer affect God and His actions. Exod. 32:12 Ps. 106:45 Jer. 18:8; 26:3,13,19 Amos 7:3,6 Jonah 3:9,10; 4:2 SPECIAL TOPIC: REPENTANCE (OT) SPECIAL TOPIC: INTERCESSORY PRAYER This is a good place to assert the often paradoxical nature of Eastern thought. SPECIAL TOPIC: EASTERN LITERATURE (biblical paradoxes) ▣ "ancient times" This is one use of the word 'olam, which has a wide semantic field. SPECIAL TOPIC: FOREVER ('olam) ▣ "of calamity" NKJV, NJB, JPSOA "disaster" NRSV, REB "famine" "of evil" The MT has "of evil" (BDB 949, plus PREPOSITION) but many others suggest an emendation to "famine" (BDB 944). evil ‒ רעע famine ‒ רעב Famine is the normal word used in this triad of plagues for disobedience (cf. Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 28). The UBS Text Project, p. 257, gives the MT a "C" rating (considerable doubt).
Jeremias 28:10-11
28:10 "took the yoke. . .broke it" This was possibly a violent act! 28:11 "Jeremiah went his way" Why we don't know, but possibly because he had to wait for YHWH's reply.
Jeremias 28:12-16
28:12 "Jeremiah. . .Jeremiah" The use of the personal name of the prophet seems to confirm that this section of chapters was penned by Baruch. 28:13 NASB, NKJV "you have made" "he will replace" "I will" "I will make" "you will get" JPSOA, Peshitta "you shall make" The MT has "you" and the UBS Text Project, p. 257, gives it a "B" rating. The LXX seems to catch the meaning better, but usually the more difficult reading is closer to the original (i.e. autogrpah). SPECIAL TOPIC: TEXTUAL CRITICISM, II. B. 28:14 YHWH will replace the wooden symbol with an iron symbol! Jeremiah's prophecy, not Hananiah's, will come to pass (cf. Jer. 28:15). Verses 15-17 are YHWH's response through Jeremiah to Hananiah. He will die in the same year. His prophecy was considered "rebellion against the Lord!"
Jeremias 28:17
28:17 The prophecy of Hananiah's death within one year was a way to refute Hananiah's prophecy of "two years" (v. 3).