Bible Commentaries
Jeremiah 28

Verse 1

the same year. As Jeremiah 27:12 , when Jeremiah spoke to Zedekiah; not Jeremiah 27:1 , when he received the message which was to be delivered. The same year in which Jeremiah had counseled Zedekiah not to hearken to the false prophets (Jeremiah 27:14 ).

Hananiah. A false prophet. Compare Jeremiah 27:12 , Jeremiah 27:14 .

Gibeon. A city of the priests (Joshua 21:17 ). Hananiah was therefore probably a priest as Jeremiah was.

in the house. Compare Jeremiah 26:2 .

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah.

Verse 2

the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel. See note on Jeremiah 7:3 .

I have broken. This was proved to be a false promise.

Verse 3

two full years. Hebrew two years in days [measured in] days: i.e. complete years. Compare Genesis 41:1 . a Samaritan Pentateuch Jeremiah 13:23 . Not years of days (a day for a year).

Nebuchadnezzar. See note on Jeremiah 27:6 .

Verse 4

captives. Hebrew captivity. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject), for the people in captivity.

saith the LORD = [is] Jehovah's oracle.

Verse 5

Jeremiah. Spelled here, and in this chapter only (except Jeremiah 27:1 .Ezra 1:1 .Daniel 9:2; Daniel 9:2 ), in an abbreviated form, " Yirmeyah" instead of " Yirmeyahu ", as elsewhere. This may be to bring the true prophet into stronger contrast with the false " Hananeyah".

Verse 6

Amen. Interpreted in the words which follow.

words. Some codices, with three early printed editions, Aramaean, and Septuagint, read "word" (singular)

Verse 8

evil = calamity. Hebrew. ra'a'. Some codices, with one early printed edition, read "famine". Compare Jeremiah 27:8 , and Jeremiah 29:17 .

Verse 9

shall come to pass. Accusative case to the test laid down in Deuteronomy 18:21 , Deuteronomy 18:22 (reference to Pentateuch) App-92 .

Verse 10

the yoke. See Jeremiah 27:2 . Made of wood (Jeremiah 28:13 ).

from off. So that Jeremiah was still wearing it (Jeremiah 27:2 ).

Verse 11

went his way. Having no further word from Jehovah.

Verse 12

Jeremiah's Nineteenth Prophecy (see book comments for Jeremiah).

Then = And. Evidently shortly after this.

Verse 13

for = instead of.

yokes of iron. These are never used. No stronger symbol could have been given.

Verse 14

I have put, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 28:48 , the same words).

Verse 15

not sent thee. The test applied (Deuteronomy 18:21 , Deuteronomy 18:22 ).

trust = confide.

Verse 16

the earth = the ground, or soil.

die. According to Deuteronomy 18:20 . Reference to Pentateuch

taught = spoken. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 13:5 ). App-92 .

rebellion, &c. Zedekiah had taken an oath of allegiance to Nebuchadnezzar (2 Kings 24:17 . 2 Chronicles 36:13 .Ezekiel 17:15 , Ezekiel 17:18 ). So it was a double rebellion.

Verse 17

seventh month: i.e. two months after, instead of "two years" (Jeremiah 28:3 ).