Jeremiah 29:21 kjv
Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, of Ahab the son of Kolaiah, and of Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah, which prophesy a lie unto you in my name; Behold, I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon; and he shall slay them before your eyes;
Jeremiah 29:21 nkjv
Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, concerning Ahab the son of Kolaiah, and Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah, who prophesy a lie to you in My name: Behold, I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and he shall slay them before your eyes.
Jeremiah 29:21 niv
This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says about Ahab son of Kolaiah and Zedekiah son of Maaseiah, who are prophesying lies to you in my name: "I will deliver them into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and he will put them to death before your very eyes.
Jeremiah 29:21 esv
'Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, concerning Ahab the son of Kolaiah and Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah, who are prophesying a lie to you in my name: Behold, I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and he shall strike them down before your eyes.
Jeremiah 29:21 nlt
This is what the LORD of Heaven's Armies, the God of Israel, says about your prophets ? Ahab son of Kolaiah and Zedekiah son of Maaseiah ? who are telling you lies in my name: "I will turn them over to Nebuchadnezzar for execution before your eyes.
Jeremiah 29 21 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremiah 14:14 | "...The prophets prophesy falsely to you; I did not send them, nor command them..." | God states He did not send false prophets. |
| Jeremiah 23:16 | "Thus says the LORD of hosts: 'Do not listen to the words of the prophets who...'" | Warning against listening to false prophets. |
| Jeremiah 23:21 | "'I did not send these prophets, yet they ran. I did not speak to them, yet they prophesied.'" | Direct parallel statement about God not sending prophets. |
| Jeremiah 23:25 | "'I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy lies in my name...'" | God hearing the lies spoken in His name. |
| Jeremiah 23:26 | "'I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy lies in my name...'" | God reiterating the sin of prophesying lies. |
| Jeremiah 23:32 | "...who prophesy lies from their own hearts. I did not send them nor commanded them..." | More emphasis on self-generated prophecy. |
| Ezekiel 13:6 | "'They have seen false visions and divined lies.'" | Similar accusation against false prophets. |
| Ezekiel 13:7 | "'Have you not seen a false vision and spoken a lying divination...'" | Direct questioning of false prophets. |
| Ezekiel 13:8 | "'Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Because you have uttered falsehood and...'" | Consequence for falsehood. |
| Ezekiel 22:28 | "...They have plastered and daubed with untempered mortar, seeing false visions..." | Description of deceitful prophetic practices. |
| Micah 3:5 | "'Thus says the LORD concerning the prophets who lead my people astray...'" | Condemnation of prophets who deceive. |
| Matthew 7:15 | "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are..." | New Testament warning against false prophets. |
| Matthew 7:22 | "'Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name?'..." | False prophets claiming to prophesy in Jesus' name. |
| 2 Corinthians 11:13 | "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into..." | Falsehood can be disguised as legitimate ministry. |
| Galatians 1:8 | "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to..." | Warning against any gospel that contradicts God's word. |
| 1 Timothy 4:1-2 | "Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith..." | Prophecy of departing from faith, driven by lies. |
| 2 Peter 2:1-3 | "But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be..." | False teachers leading to destruction. |
| 1 John 4:1 | "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they..." | Importance of discerning spirits and teachings. |
| Revelation 16:14 | "...for they are demonic spirits, working signs, that go out to the kings of the..." | False prophecy associated with demonic influence. |
| Revelation 19:20 | "...This is the beast that was set up to deceive the nations with their signs..." | Deception through signs and false prophecies. |
| Acts 5:3-4 | "But Peter said, 'Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit..." | Lying against God is ultimately against God. |
| Deuteronomy 18:22 | "When the prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the word does not come to pass..." | A test for a true prophet. |
| Jeremiah 27:10 | "For they prophesy lies to you in my name, that I may drive you out, and that I..." | Lies leading to exile. |
| Proverbs 19:9 | "A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever breathes out lies will perish." | Consequences for lies. |
Jeremiah 29 verses
Jeremiah 29 21 Meaning
This verse condemns the prophets who have been falsely prophesying in the Lord's name. It states that their actions will be brought to light, and they will face consequences for their deceitful prophecies, which are declared to be mere lies and unfounded visions.
Jeremiah 29 21 Context
Jeremiah 29:21 is part of a larger message addressed to the exiles in Babylon. This section is a critique of the false prophets who were misleading the people. These prophets offered comforting but false assurances of a swift return, contrary to God's message delivered through Jeremiah, which foretold a period of exile and restoration. The immediate context involves specific individuals, Ahab and Zedekiah, sons of Koliah, who are identified as false prophets among the exiles. God, through Jeremiah, exposes their deception and pronounces judgment upon them.
Jeremiah 29 21 Word Analysis
וְהִנֵּה (vehineh): "and behold." This is an emphatic particle, drawing attention to what follows. It introduces a new element or thought forcefully.
עַל (‘al): "upon," "against." It signifies the direction or target of their actions, indicating their prophecies were against or in relation to specific people.
הַנְּבִאִים (hannebi'im): "the prophets." This refers to individuals claiming to speak for God.
הָרֹעִים (haro‘im): "shepherds," "rulers." In this context, it signifies those who are leading or guiding the people, functioning in a leadership capacity.
אֲשֶׁר (‘asher): "who," "which." A relative pronoun.
רוֹעִים (ro‘im): "shepherds," "rulers." Used here reflexively, indicating they are leading themselves or being self-appointed leaders.
בְּעַמִּי (be‘ammi): "in my people." This specifies that their leadership and deceit were directed towards God's chosen people.
לָהֶם (lahem): "for them," "to them."
עָשָׂה (‘asah): "to do," "to make." Refers to the actions or pronouncements of the prophets.
דְּבַר (debar): "word," "matter." Referring to the prophecies spoken.
שֶׂקֶר (sheqer): "a lie," "falsehood," "deceit." The core of their pronouncements.
Word-Group Analysis:
- "who are shepherds in my people" (אֲשֶׁר רוֹעִים בְּעַמִּי - ‘asher ro‘im be‘ammi): This phrase highlights the perversion of leadership. True shepherds (prophets, priests, kings) were meant to care for and guide God's people. These false prophets, however, acted as self-appointed, detrimental leaders, leading the flock astray.
- "to do to them falsehood" (עָשָׂה לָהֶם דְּבַר שֶׂקֶר - ‘asah lahem debar sheqer): This directly indicts their prophecy as being actively made up of lies and deceit, designed to mislead and manipulate the people.
Jeremiah 29 21 Bonus Section
The context in Jeremiah 29 provides a specific historical case of false prophets being identified by name. Ahab and Zedekiah, described here as false prophets leading God's people astray in Babylon, were eventually judged. Historical accounts and rabbinic tradition suggest they were exposed and possibly met a grim end, lending weight to Jeremiah's prophetic word. This condemnation of self-appointed prophets who speak lies serves as a foundational text for understanding discernment within spiritual leadership, a theme echoed throughout Scripture, emphasizing that true prophets align with God’s established Word and will.
Jeremiah 29 21 Commentary
Jeremiah 29:21 is a powerful condemnation of false prophecy. It underscores that those who claim to speak for God but utter falsehoods are acting out of their own sinful nature and rebellious spirit, not by divine commission. The phrase "shepherds who shepherd my people" is a scathing indictment because shepherds are meant to protect and guide, not to lead astray. These false prophets, like Ahab and Zedekiah, are condemned for speaking "words of falsehood" to God’s people, providing comfort that was not from the Lord and ultimately leading them further into danger by masking the reality of God’s judgment. This verse serves as a timeless reminder of the importance of discerning true prophecy from false, and the severe consequences for those who deceive by purporting to speak for God.