Hananiah's False Prophecy
Study note
In the fourth year of King Zedekiah, the prophet Hananiah from Gibeon speaks in the temple. He claims that within two years, God will break the yoke of Babylon, bring back the temple treasures, and restore King Jehoiachin and all the exiles.
1 It was the fifth month of Zedekiah's fourth year. A prophet spoke to me that same year. His name was Hananiah son of Azzur, from Gibeon. He spoke in the Lord's Temple. The priests and all the people heard him. And it came to pass the same year, in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the fourth year, and in the fifth month, that Hananiah the son of Azur the prophet, which was of Gibeon, spake unto me in the house of the LORD, in the presence of the priests and of all the people, saying,
2 "The Lord of Armies, the God of Israel, says: 'I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.'" Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon.
3 "'Before two full years go by, I will bring back every treasure to this place. King Nebuchadnezzar took them from the Lord's Temple and carried them off to Babylon.'" Within two full years will I bring again into this place all the vessels of the LORD's house, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took away from this place, and carried them to Babylon:
4 "'I will also bring King Jehoiachin son of Jehoiakim of Judah back to this place. I will bring back all the exiles from Judah who were taken to Babylon,' says the Lord. 'I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.'" And I will bring again to this place Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, with all the captives of Judah, that went into Babylon, saith the LORD: for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.
Jeremiah's Response
Study note
Jeremiah responds to Hananiah, saying he wishes it were true. But he points out that throughout history, the prophets who came before them prophesied war and disaster. A prophet of peace is only proven true when his prophecy comes to pass.
5 Then the prophet Jeremiah answered the prophet Hananiah. He spoke there in front of the priests and all the people standing in the Lord's Temple. Then the prophet Jeremiah said unto the prophet Hananiah in the presence of the priests, and in the presence of all the people that stood in the house of the LORD,
6 Jeremiah said, "I wish that were true! May the Lord do exactly that! May the Lord make your words come true and bring back the Temple treasures and all the exiles from Babylon to this place." Even the prophet Jeremiah said, Amen: the LORD do so: the LORD perform thy words which thou hast prophesied, to bring again the vessels of the LORD's house, and all that is carried away captive, from Babylon into this place.
7 "But listen to what I need to say to you and everyone here." Nevertheless hear thou now this word that I speak in thine ears, and in the ears of all the people;
8 "Think about history. The prophets before you and me spoke of war and disaster. They warned of disease against many lands and great kingdoms." The prophets that have been before me and before thee of old prophesied both against many countries, and against great kingdoms, of war, and of evil, and of pestilence.
9 "But when a prophet predicts peace, how can you know he is from the Lord? Only when his words come true." The prophet which prophesieth of peace, when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, then shall the prophet be known, that the LORD hath truly sent him.
Hananiah Breaks the Yoke
Study note
Hananiah takes the yoke from Jeremiah's neck and breaks it, declaring that God will break the yoke of Babylon from all nations within two years. Jeremiah walks away.
10 Then the prophet Hananiah grabbed the yoke off Jeremiah's neck and broke it. Then Hananiah the prophet took the yoke from off the prophet Jeremiah's neck, and brake it.
11 Hananiah told all the people, "The Lord says: 'In the same way, within two years I will break the yoke of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon from the neck of every nation.'" After that, Jeremiah walked away. And Hananiah spake in the presence of all the people, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Even so will I break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon from the neck of all nations within the space of two full years. And the prophet Jeremiah went his way.
The Iron Yoke and Hananiah's Death
Study note
God sends Jeremiah back with a new message: the wooden yoke has been replaced with an iron yoke. God has put an iron yoke on all these nations to serve Nebuchadnezzar. Jeremiah tells Hananiah that he was not sent by God and has caused the people to trust in lies. As punishment, Hananiah will die that same year. Two months later, Hananiah dies.
12 Some time after Hananiah broke the yoke off Jeremiah's neck, the Lord gave Jeremiah a message. Then the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah the prophet, after that Hananiah the prophet had broken the yoke from off the neck of the prophet Jeremiah, saying,
13 "Go tell Hananiah, 'The Lord says: You broke a wooden yoke, but in its place I will make a yoke of iron.'" Go and tell Hananiah, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Thou hast broken the yokes of wood; but thou shalt make for them yokes of iron.
14 "The Lord of Armies, the God of Israel, says: 'I will put an iron yoke on the neck of every one of these nations, forcing them to serve King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. They will serve him. I have even put the wild animals under his control.'" For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; I have put a yoke of iron upon the neck of all these nations, that they may serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; and they shall serve him: and I have given him the beasts of the field also.
15 Then Jeremiah told Hananiah, "Listen, Hananiah! The Lord never sent you. You have given these people false confidence by making them believe lies." Then said the prophet Jeremiah unto Hananiah the prophet, Hear now, Hananiah; The LORD hath not sent thee; but thou makest this people to trust in a lie.
16 "So the Lord says: 'I am going to remove you from this earth. You will die this very year, because you have encouraged rebellion against the Lord.'" Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will cast thee from off the face of the earth: this year thou shalt die, because thou hast taught rebellion against the LORD.
17 The prophet Hananiah died that same year, in the seventh month. So Hananiah the prophet died the same year in the seventh month.