Jeremiah 29:24 kjv
Thus shalt thou also speak to Shemaiah the Nehelamite, saying,
Jeremiah 29:24 nkjv
You shall also speak to Shemaiah the Nehelamite, saying,
Jeremiah 29:24 niv
Tell Shemaiah the Nehelamite,
Jeremiah 29:24 esv
To Shemaiah of Nehelam you shall say:
Jeremiah 29:24 nlt
The LORD sent this message to Shemaiah the Nehelamite in Babylon:
Jeremiah 29 24 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremiah 29:24 | "Of Shemaiah of Nehelam..." | Identified as a false prophet in exile |
| Jeremiah 29:30-32 | "Then came the word of the LORD to Jeremiah, saying... " | Outlines God's judgment on Shemaiah for lying |
| Deuteronomy 18:20-22 | "But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in My name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die." | Sets the standard for true prophecy and consequence of false prophecy |
| Ezekiel 13:2-3 | "Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who prophesy..." | Condemns false prophets who deceive with flattering words |
| Matthew 7:15 | "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves." | Warns against deceptive leaders and their dangerous influence |
| 2 Peter 2:1-3 | "But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false prophets among you..." | Describes characteristics and eventual doom of false teachers |
| Revelation 19:20 | "Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image..." | Depicts the ultimate fate of false prophets |
| 1 Kings 22:11-12 | "And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made horns of iron for himself..." | Another instance of a false prophet mimicking true prophetic signs |
| Jeremiah 23:31-32 | "Indeed, I am against the prophets," says the LORD, "who use their tongues and say, 'He says.'" | Pronounces judgment on prophets who fabricate messages |
| Galatians 1:6-7 | "I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ." | Warns against altering the true message of God |
| 1 John 4:1 | "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world." | Exhorts discernment regarding prophetic claims |
| Acts 5:3-4 | "But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land?" | Shows the severity of lying within the spiritual community |
| 1 Samuel 15:23 | "For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry..." | Links stubborn resistance to God's word with sin |
| Jeremiah 14:14 | "Then the LORD said to me, “The prophets prophesy lies in My name. I have not sent them, nor commanded them, nor spoken to them; they prophesy to you a false vision, divination, worthless things, and the deceit of their heart.”" | Parallel statement on false prophecy in Jeremiah |
| Ezekiel 34:2-10 | "Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel..." | Condemns unfaithful shepherds who harm the flock |
| John 8:44 | "You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning..." | Jesus identifies the devil as the father of lies |
| Titus 1:10-11 | "For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain." | Warns against deceivers who cause disruption |
| Romans 10:14 | "How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?" | Emphasizes the need for true messengers |
| Acts 20:30 | "Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves." | Predicts the emergence of divisive leaders within the church |
| Psalm 78:56 | "Yet they tested and grieved the Most High God, And did not keep His testimonies," | Describes the Israelites' repeated failure to obey God's commands |
Jeremiah 29 verses
Jeremiah 29 24 Meaning
Jeremiah 29:24 speaks of Shemaiah of Nehelam, a false prophet in Babylon who opposed Jeremiah's prophecy of return to Jerusalem. This verse highlights divine knowledge of private actions and words, and pronounces judgment upon those who mislead God's people with false prophecy. God’s awareness extends to the thoughts and actions of His people, particularly those who usurp prophetic authority.
Jeremiah 29 24 Context
Jeremiah 29 is a letter from the prophet Jeremiah sent to the elders, priests, prophets, and all the people who had been exiled to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar. The letter’s primary purpose was to counteract false hopes of immediate return, emphasizing that their exile would be long (70 years). This verse specifically addresses Shemaiah, a false prophet within the exile community, who opposed Jeremiah’s message by writing letters and falsely prophesying against him. Shemaiah's actions were fueled by deceit and a desire to disrupt God’s plan. God’s message in this chapter, including the specific mention of Shemaiah, was intended to provide accurate guidance and establish true spiritual leadership amidst the confusion and despair of exile.
Jeremiah 29 24 Word Analysis
"Of": Indicates origin or belonging, signifying Shemaiah as the subject.
"Shemaiah": Hebrew: שְׁמַעְיָה (Shĕma'yāh), meaning "Yahweh has heard." This is ironic given his false prophecies.
"of Nehelam": Hebrew: נְחֵלָמִי (Neḥĕlāmī), indicating his lineage or place of origin, Nehelam. Its exact location is unknown.
"a Nehelamite": Reinforces his association with Nehelam.
"who prophesied": Hebrew: נִבָּא (nib'ba'), meaning to speak forth, to predict or reveal under divine inspiration. However, the context here implies a false prophecy.
"against you": Directed towards the exiles receiving Jeremiah's letter.
"in Babylon": The location of the exiled Judeans and where Shemaiah was active.
"in the writing": Refers to the letter he sent.
"saying": Introduces the content of his false message.
"Thus says the LORD of hosts": A formulaic declaration of divine authority, which Shemaiah falsely claims.
Word Group Analysis:
- "Shemaiah of Nehelam, a Nehelamite": Identifies the individual and his origin, distinguishing him within the exiled community.
- "who prophesied against you in the writing, saying": Links his false prophetic act to a written message sent to deceive.
- "Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel": Shemaiah misappropriates God's divine title and pronouncements to lend false authority to his deceptive words, thereby impersonating a true prophet.
Jeremiah 29 24 Bonus Section
The specific details provided by God about Shemaiah's actions (writing a letter, claiming divine authority) highlight God's intimate knowledge of human affairs, even private communications and intentions. This verse serves as a foundational example in Scripture demonstrating that God judges not only overt actions but also the hearts and motives behind them, particularly when it involves the distortion or misuse of His divine word. The mention of "LORD of hosts" (Yahweh Tsebaoth) emphasizes God's omnipotence and sovereignty, underscoring His authority over all heavenly armies and earthly affairs, and thus over all prophetic pronouncements. Shemaiah's sin was compounded by his opposition to Jeremiah, God’s chosen vessel to communicate His will to the exiles, positioning him as a rival claimant to divine revelation.
Jeremiah 29 24 Commentary
Shemaiah, despite his name suggesting God's hearing, actively opposed Jeremiah, God's true prophet. His deceitful words were sent in writing to the exiles in Babylon, falsely claiming divine authority ("Thus says the LORD of hosts"). This was a deliberate attempt to mislead the people who were already in a vulnerable spiritual state. God’s immediate knowledge and pronouncement against Shemaiah underscore the seriousness of false prophecy and the protection He extends to His true messengers. Shemaiah’s motivation, as indicated in later verses (Jer 29:31-32), was likely personal ambition and opposition to Jeremiah.
- Practical Usage:
- Be discerning about spiritual leadership and messages that contradict clear biblical teaching.
- Recognize that divine truth is often opposed by deception, especially during challenging times.
- Trust that God sees and addresses false teachings within His people.