Jeremiah 28 - Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Bible Comments
  • Jeremiah 28:1 open_in_new

    In the beginning ... Zedekiah - Probably a gloss put into the margin to explain “the same year,” from where it has crept into the text.

    Gibeon - A city of priests Joshua 21:17. Hananiah was probably a priest as well as a prophet. He chose either a Sabbath or a new moon, that he might confront Jeremiah not only in the presence of the priests, but also of all the people. He used Jeremiah 28:2 the solemn formula which claims direct inspiration.

  • Jeremiah 28:3 open_in_new

    Within two full years - literally, In yet two years even days. Hananiah probably was induced to fix this date by the expectation that the confederacy then on foot would defeat Nebuchadnezzar.

  • Jeremiah 28:4 open_in_new

    Jeconiah - Zedekiah not being popular, the people would have preferred the young king, who had not reigned long enough to make enemies. Probably also Zedekiah had started for Babylon Jeremiah 51:59.

  • Jeremiah 28:6-9 open_in_new

    Jeremiah’s own wishes concurred with Hananiah’s prediction, but asserts that that prediction was at variance with the language of the older prophets.

    Jeremiah 28:9

    Then shall the prophet ... - Or, “shall be known as the prophet whom the Lord hath truly sent.”

  • Jeremiah 28:16 open_in_new

    I will cast thee - Rather, I send thee away. God had not sent Hananiah to prophesy, but He does now send him away to die.

    Taught rebellion - As Nebuchadnezzar was Yahweh’s servant, to teach rebellion against him was to teach rebellion against his Master.