Jeremiah 29:8 kjv
For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed.
Jeremiah 29:8 nkjv
For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are in your midst deceive you, nor listen to your dreams which you cause to be dreamed.
Jeremiah 29:8 niv
Yes, this is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: "Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have.
Jeremiah 29:8 esv
For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are among you deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams that they dream,
Jeremiah 29:8 nlt
This is what the LORD of Heaven's Armies, the God of Israel, says: "Do not let your prophets and fortune-tellers who are with you in the land of Babylon trick you. Do not listen to their dreams,
Jeremiah 29 8 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jer 29:8 | For your thoughts are not my thoughts, neither are your ways my ways... | Isa 55:8-9 (God's superior ways) |
| Jer 29:8 | "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." | John 10:10 (Contrast with Christ's purpose) |
| Jer 29:8 | Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. | Matt 7:15 (Warning against false prophets) |
| Jer 29:8 | For false Christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. | Mark 13:22 (Signs of false prophets) |
| Jer 29:8 | But people are wicked, and if they plot to deceive others, they become worse and worse. | 2 Tim 3:13 (Increasing wickedness of deceivers) |
| Jer 29:8 | Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. | 1 John 4:1 (Testing the spirits) |
| Jer 29:8 | "I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have already done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor." | John 4:38 (Reaping where others labored) |
| Jer 29:8 | He is a liar and the father of lies. | John 8:44 (The devil as the father of lies) |
| Jer 29:8 | There is no faithfulness in their mouths; their hearts are full of destruction. Their throats are open graves; they use their tongues to deceive. | Ps 5:9 (Destructive nature of deceitful words) |
| Jer 29:8 | Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. | John 8:32 (Truth leads to freedom) |
| Jer 29:8 | They are ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. | 2 Tim 3:7 (Perpetual seeking but no finding) |
| Jer 29:8 | What partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship can light have with darkness? | 2 Cor 6:14 (Separation from evil) |
| Jer 29:8 | Therefore, as the result of the deeds done in the body we receive in return what we have done, whether good or evil. | 2 Cor 5:10 (Accountability for actions) |
| Jer 29:8 | Many will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. | 2 Tim 4:4 (Turning away from truth to myths) |
| Jer 29:8 | By the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. | 1 Cor 15:10 (Gratitude for God's grace) |
| Jer 29:8 | In the same way, these people also contaminate by their dreams. | Jude 1:8 (Contamination through dreams) |
| Jer 29:8 | So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. | Eph 5:17 (Understanding the Lord's will) |
| Jer 29:8 | Watch out for those who cause divisions and put stumbling blocks in your path. | Rom 16:17 (Warning against dividers) |
| Jer 29:8 | For we know him who said, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," and again, "The Lord will judge his people." | Heb 10:30 (God's judgment) |
| Jer 29:8 | If you are being insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed. | 1 Pet 4:14 (Blessing in persecution) |
Jeremiah 29 verses
Jeremiah 29 8 Meaning
Be watchful for yourselves, lest secretly and insidiously you be deceived by false prophets and sorcerers. They promise peace and prosperity, but their ultimate goal is your destruction or spiritual enslavement. Be alert to their subtle influences and their deceptive messages.
Jeremiah 29 8 Context
Jeremiah 29 is a letter written by the prophet Jeremiah to the exiles in Babylon. It addresses the false prophets among them who are misleading the people with promises of a quick return and superficial peace. Jeremiah’s message is a divine word intended to correct their understanding, instill hope in God’s ultimate plan for them (even through their exile), and to caution them against the deceptive teachings of those who flattered them with pleasant lies. The chapter follows Jeremiah’s prophecy concerning Nebuchadnezzar's judgment on Judah, reinforcing the divine pronouncements.
Jeremiah 29 8 Word analysis
"Be watchful" (Hebrew: nishmar qol lachem): "nishmar" relates to guarding, taking heed, being on guard. It's a call for active vigilance.
"for yourselves" (Hebrew: laphnaychem): This emphasizes the personal responsibility of each individual to protect themselves spiritually.
"lest" (Hebrew: pen): Indicates a potential negative consequence, a warning to avoid.
"you be deceived" (Hebrew: tishsateh-vu): From the root meaning "to err," "to be led astray," or "to be deceived." This highlights the active misleading by others.
"for" (Hebrew: ki): Introduces the reason for the caution.
"your thoughts" (Hebrew: machshevoteychem): Refers to the mental calculations, plans, and underlying motives.
"are not" (Hebrew: lo): A direct negation.
"my thoughts" (Hebrew: machshabotay): God’s divine perspectives, plans, and intentions.
"neither" (Hebrew: ve'lo): Connects the second part of the parallel statement.
"are" (Hebrew: ke-ne'zvu - implied): Although not explicitly a verb "are," the parallel structure conveys the sense of being or pertaining to.
"your ways" (Hebrew: dracheychem): The paths, conduct, and actions of people.
"my ways" (Hebrew: drachotay): God’s divinely appointed paths and conduct.
Parallelism: The verse employs a classic Hebrew parallelism, contrasting human thoughts and ways with God's thoughts and ways. This structure underscores the significant gap and difference between divine and human perspective.
Deception: The core warning is about deception. This deception is linked not only to false doctrines but also to a misrepresentation of God’s will and timing, often for self-serving purposes.
Personal Vigilance: The emphasis on "for yourselves" underscores the internal battle against being misled. It’s not merely about external threats but about the need for discernment within.
Jeremiah 29 8 Bonus section
The phrase "your thoughts are not my thoughts, neither are your ways my ways" echoes Isaiah 55:8-9, reinforcing the vast difference between God’s perfect, all-encompassing perspective and humanity’s limited, often self-centered viewpoint. This is not just a factual statement but a theological principle. Human ways can be deceptive because they are filtered through flawed understanding and sinful nature. The deception the exiles faced was rooted in prophets who spoke smooth words (Jer 23:17) for their own gain, rather than speaking God’s unvarnished truth about repentance and faithfulness. This concept also relates to the spiritual warfare described in Ephesians 6:11-12, where believers are called to stand against the schemes of the devil and against spiritual forces of evil.
Jeremiah 29 8 Commentary
This verse serves as a critical caution against false prophecy and the subtle spiritual deception it employs. The "thoughts" and "ways" of humanity often deviate from God’s perfect plan due to pride, shortsightedness, or misinterpretations. False prophets in Jeremiah's time offered comforting lies about an imminent return from Babylon, which were appealing but ultimately harmful, as they undermined God's word and the true purpose of the exile.
The message is timeless, warning believers today to be discerning of teachings, motivations, and prophecies that don't align with biblical truth. It highlights the importance of relying on God's revealed word rather than soothing illusions or promises of immediate comfort that contradict His broader purposes.
Practical usage:
- Test new teachings against scripture.
- Examine the fruit of leaders' lives and ministries.
- Prioritize God’s word over comforting but misleading pronouncements.
- Cultivate personal spiritual discernment through prayer and Bible study.