Jeremiah 28:16
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The gravity here isn't just that Hananiah lied, but that he taught rebellion – essentially, he actively stirred people away from God's declared will through Jeremiah. This wasn't just a mistake; it was an act of spiritual sedition, turning people aside from the truth by speaking what sounded like prophecy but was utter defiance.
Therefore thus says the LORD: ‘Behold, I will remove you from the face of the earth. This year you shall die, because you have uttered rebellion against the LORD.’”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The prophet Jeremiah had just faced off against Hananiah, a false prophet who publicly broke the wooden yoke Jeremiah wore as a symbol of submission to Babylon, claiming God would shatter that yoke and bring all the exiles home within two years. Now, God's word comes through Jeremiah, directly condemning Hananiah for speaking rebellion by contradicting His declared will and misleading the people into defying the divinely appointed Babylonian authority. God declares that Hananiah himself will die within that same year, proving whose prophecy held true and exposing Hananiah's dangerous deception.
False prophets often promise peace, but God's Word declares a stark reality for those who lead others astray. This verse isn't just about a consequence; it's about divine justice.
Hananiah, the false prophet, publicly challenged Jeremiah by breaking the yoke representing submission to Babylon. In response, Jeremiah, empowered by God, delivers a severe judgment against Hananiah.
A Pronounced Sentence
The Lord declares, 'Behold, I will remove you from the face of the earth. This year you shall die.' This is not a gentle suggestion, but a definitive pronouncement of death. God is directly intervening to take Hananiah's life.
The Reason: Rebellion
The core of Hananiah's offense is stated plainly: 'because you have uttered rebellion against the LORD.' He didn't just make a mistake; he deliberately spoke against God's revealed will, as communicated through Jeremiah. This act of speaking against God's truth is defined as rebellion.
Hananiah dared to speak for God, but did he speak for the Lord? This passage highlights the critical distinction between claiming divine authority and actually being sent by God.
Hananiah's error was profound: he presented his own words as God's message. He claimed God was with him, but his prophecy directly contradicted Jeremiah's, who was demonstrably God's chosen messenger at that time.
Ask a follow-up
A Master and His Servant
The commentaries point out that Nebuchadnezzar was, in God's sovereign plan, serving God's purposes, even if unknowingly. Therefore, prophesying rebellion against Nebuchadnezzar was, in effect, prophesying rebellion against God's designated authority.
Divine Vindication
God's judgment on Hananiah served a vital purpose. It vindicated Jeremiah's prophecy and made it clear to the people who truly spoke for the Lord. This divine intervention removed doubt and exposed the lie, leaving no excuse for those who chose to believe the deception.
Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal name of the God of Israel, revealing His covenant faithfulness, eternal self-existence, and holiness. It is the name by which He makes Himself known to His people.
shalach · Hebrew Verb
To be cast out, expelled, or taken away. In a divine judgment context, it signifies the removal of a person from the sphere of life or a place of privilege due to judgment.
adamah · Hebrew Noun
The fundamental state of being alive on Earth. It represents the domain under God's dominion and the physical theater of human history and obedience.
sarah · Hebrew Noun
A conscious and active turning away from God’s authority, word, or commands. It is an act of treason against the covenant relationship, characterized by willful disobedience and apostasy.
The stark contrast between Jeremiah's divinely appointed message and Hananiah's self-serving pronouncements is highlighted by Hananiah's immediate and public death. This event underscores the grave danger of speaking rebellion against God's established authorities and proclaimed will, especially during a time of national crisis and impending judgment.
c. 605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar's first siege of Jerusalem results in the deportation of royal family members and nobles to Babylon. This event marks the beginning of the Babylonian exile and establishes Babylon as a dominant world power.
c. 597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
Following a rebellion, Nebuchadnezzar deports more Judeans, including King Jehoiachin and the prophet Ezekiel, to Babylon. This further diminishes Judah's strength and increases Babylonian control.
c. 593 BC— this verse
Hananiah's False Prophecy
The false prophet Hananiah publicly confronts Jeremiah in the Jerusalem temple, contradicting Jeremiah's message of submission to Babylon. Hananiah boldly claims that the Babylonian exile will last only two years.
c. 593 BC
Hananiah's Death
As Jeremiah prophesied, Hananiah dies within the year, only two months after his public defiance. This event serves as a powerful divine confirmation of Jeremiah's prophetic authority.
c. 587-586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem
Despite Jeremiah's warnings and the death of Hananiah, Jerusalem falls to Nebuchadnezzar's forces. The temple is destroyed, and the majority of the remaining population is exiled to Babylon, fulfilling the prophecies of Jeremiah.
This passage, referenced in commentaries, speaks of punishing those who lead Israel astray to rebellion, highlighting a consistent theme of accountability for false prophecy and inciting disobedience.
Acts 5:4-5The immediate and fatal judgment on Hananiah serves as a powerful Old Testament parallel to the New Testament account of Ananias and Sapphira, both struck dead for lying against the Holy Spirit and God's messengers.
Acts 13:11This story of Elymas the sorcerer being struck blind for opposing God's word and the apostles provides another example of divine judgment against those who actively work against God's truth.
Jeremiah 29:32Jeremiah himself prophesies against another false prophet, Shemaiah, in this chapter, reinforcing the recurring pattern of God's judgment on those who spread deceptive messages in His name.
cambridgeJeremiah 28:16: "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."
16 . because thou hast spoken rebellion against the Lord ] LXX omit. The words seem to have been introduced from Deuteronomy 13:5 , where, however, as Gi. points out, unlike the present passage, idolatry is spoken of.
pooleJeremiah 28:16: "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."
And because by this his doctrine he had made God a liar, contradicting his will revealed by Jeremiah, and by it taught people to hold out against Nebuchadnezzar, and not quietly to yield to him.
The gravity here isn't just that Hananiah lied, but that he taught rebellion – essentially, he actively stirred people away from God's declared will through Jeremiah. This wasn't just a mistake; it was an act of spiritual sedition, turning people aside from the truth by speaking what sounded like prophecy but was utter defiance.
The prophet Jeremiah had just faced off against Hananiah, a false prophet who publicly broke the wooden yoke Jeremiah wore as a symbol of submission to Babylon, claiming God would shatter that yoke and bring all the exiles home within two years. Now, God's word comes through Jeremiah, directly condemning Hananiah for speaking rebellion by contradicting His declared will and misleading the people into defying the divinely appointed Babylonian authority. God declares that Hananiah himself will die within that same year, proving whose prophecy held true and exposing Hananiah's dangerous deception.
The prophet Jeremiah had just faced off against Hananiah, a false prophet who publicly broke the wooden yoke Jeremiah wore as a symbol of submission to Babylon, claiming God would shatter that yoke and bring all the exiles home within two years. Now, God's word comes through Jeremiah, directly condemning Hananiah for speaking rebellion by contradicting His declared will and misleading the people into defying the divinely appointed Babylonian authority. God declares that Hananiah himself will die within that same year, proving whose prophecy held true and exposing Hananiah's dangerous deception.
"Therefore thus says the LORD: ‘Behold, I will remove you from the face of the earth. This year you shall die, because you have uttered rebellion against the LORD.’”" — The gravity here isn't just that Hananiah lied, but that he taught rebellion – essentially, he actively stirred people away from God's declared will through Jeremiah. This wasn't just a mistake;…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026
