Jeremiah 28:14

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. I HAVE PUT. Though Hananiah and those like him were secondary instruments in bringing the iron yoke on Judea (), God was the great First Cause (Jeremiah 27:4)....

It would have been a vain spectacle, had Jeremiah brought only his iron band around his neck; but when he added an explanation of the symbol, he no doubt prevailed on many to believe his prophecy, and rendered those inexcusable who had hardened themselves in their wickedness. But it is worthy of being observed, that God replaced the wooden bands with iron bands; and he did this, because the whole people had through their foolish and wicked consent approved of the madness of that impostor, who had dared to profane that symbol, by which God had testified that he did not speak in vain, but seriously by the mouth of his servant. A profitable doctrine may be hence elicited, — that the ungodly by barking against God gain nothing, except that they kindle more and more his wrath, and thus render double their own evils, like a dog, who being ensnared obstinately strives to extricate himself from...

10-17 Hananiah is sentenced to die, and Jeremiah, when he has received direction from God, boldly tells him so; but not before he received that commission. Those have much to answer for, who tell sinners that they shall have peace, though they harden their hearts in contempt of God's word. The servant of God must be gentle to all men. He must give up even his right, and leave the Lord to plead his cause. Every attempt of ungodly men to make vain the purposes of God, will add to their miseries....

EXPOSITION Hananiah's false prophecy; his reprimand from Jeremiah; and his fate. The preciseness of the date in verse 1 is to emphasize the supernatural character of Jeremiah's prediction. The latter was uttered in the fifth month of the fourth year of Zedekiah, and Hananiah died in the seventh month of the same year (verse 17). JEREMIAH 28:1 IN THE BEGINNING OF THE REIGN OF ZEDEKIAH. It seems strange that the fourth year of a reign which only lasted eleven years in all should be called "the beginning. Is it not probable that the clause was interpolated here by a later copyist on account of Jeremiah 27:1, where at present a similar clause (see note) is found? Originally placed in the margin as a gloss upon the words "the same year," it would ve

FOR THUS SAITH THE LORD OF HOSTS, THE GOD OF ISRAEL,.... Under which titles he is often spoken of; and which he uses, when he delivered anything to his prophets to declare in his name to others: I HAVE PUT A YOKE OF IRON UPON THE NECK OF ALL THESE NATIONS: mentioned in Jeremiah 27:3; THAT THEY MAY SERVE NEBUCHADNEZZAR KING OF BABYLON, AND THEY SHALL SERVE HIM; directly contrary to what Hananiah had prophesied, Jeremiah 28:11; that his yoke should be broke off from them; but instead of that, it should become heavier unto them, and they should be obliged to serve him, whether they would or not; and refusing to pay tribute to him, should be carried captive by him, as had been foretold: and I have given him the beasts of the field also

CHAPTER 28 _ 1. Hananiah, the false prophet (Jeremiah 28:1) _ 2. The judgment of Hananiah (Jeremiah 28:12) Jeremiah 28:1. One of these lying prophets became very bold, and declared that he had a message from the Lord that the yoke of the Babylonian king was to be broken, and that within two years the temple vessels would be brought back. Jeremiah said “Amen”--let it be so! But he knew it could not be so, for the Lord had spoken to him; he gives a test. Then Hananiah became still more arrogant. Jeremiah had about his neck the yoke (Jeremiah 27:2). Hananiah took it off and broke it and declared again

JEREMIAH 28. THE PROPHECY AND FATE OF HANANIAH. Whilst Jeremiah still wears the symbolic yoke (Jeremiah 27:2), his testimony concerning it is opposed by another prophet, Hananiah of Gibeon (5 m. NW. of Jerusalem), who declares that the yoke shall be broken, the Temple vessels, the king, and the exiles brought back, within two years (Jeremiah 28:1). Jeremiah wishes it might be true, but points out the predominant pessimism of prophecy hitherto, which throws the onus of proof on the event itself, in case of an exceptional prophecy of peace (Jeremiah 28:5; _cf._ Deuteronomy 18:21 f.). Hananiah reasserts his prophecy, con

I HAVE PUT, &C. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 28:48, the same words)....

Jeremiah's emphatic contradiction of Hananiah's forecast....

4. _The final word to Hananiah_ (Jeremiah 28:12-17) TRANSLATION (12) And the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah after Hananiah the prophet had shattered the yoke from upon the neck of Jeremiah the prophet, saying, (13) Go and say unto Hananiah, Thus says the LORD: You have shattered yokes of wood but you have made instead of them yokes of iron. (14) For thus says the LORD of hosts the God of Israel: I have placed a yoke of iron upon the neck of all these nations that they may serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; and they shall serve him. Also I have given to him the beasts of the field. (15) And Jeremiah the prophet said unto Hananiah the prophet, Hear please, O Hananiah, the LORD has not sent you, but you have caused this people to trust a falsehood! (16) Therefore, thus says the LORD: Behold, I am about to remove you from the face of the earth. This year you