Jeremiah 29:21
What does Jeremiah 29:21 mean?
A plain-English look at Jeremiah 29:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Jeremiah 29:21 means
God pronounces specific judgment on two prominent false prophets among the exiles in Babylon: Ahab, the son of Kolaiah, and Zedekiah, the son of Maaseiah. He states, "Behold, I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon; and he shall slay them before your eyes." These men, who had been prophesying lies in God's name, would face a public and gruesome execution by the very king who held the exiles captive. This divine decree served as a powerful, terrifying object lesson, validating Jeremiah's true prophecy and warning against false claims.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Thus saith Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel, concerning Ahab the son of Kolaiah, and concerning Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah, who 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;
KJV
King James Version · 1611Thus 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;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Thus saith Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel, concerning Ahab the son of Kolaiah, and concerning Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah, who 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;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949This is what the Lord of armies, the God of Israel, has said about Ahab, the son of Kolaiah, and about Zedekiah, the son of Maaseiah, who are saying to you what is false in my name: See, I will give them up into the hands of Nebuchadrezzar, king of Babylon, and he will put them to death before your eyes.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Thus said Jehovah of Hosts, God of Israel, concerning Ahab son of Kolaiah, and concerning Zedekiah son of Maaseiah, who are prophesying to you in My name falsehood: Lo, I am giving them into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and he hath smitten them before your eyes,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Thus saith the Lord of hosts the God of Israel, to Achab the son of Colias, and to Sedecias the son of Maasias, who prophesy unto you in my name falsely: Behold I will deliver them up into the hands of Nabuchodonosor the king of Babylon: and he shall kill them before your eyes.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Thus saith Jehovah of hosts, theGod of Israel, concerning Ahab the son of Kolaiah, and concerning Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah, who prophesy falsehood unto you in my name: Behold, I will give them into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and he shall smite them before your eyes.
Context
Following the general re-emphasis to the exiles, this verse initiates specific judgment against particular false prophets *within* the Babylonian exile. It names Ahab and Zedekiah and details their grim fate at the hands of Nebuchadrezzar. This immediate, severe consequence provides a tangible warning for the exiles against listening to false messages, directly fulfilling Jeremiah's condemnations.
v.20Hear ye therefore the word of Jehovah, all ye of the captivity, whom I have sent away from Jerusalem to Babylon.
v.21This passage
v.22and of them shall be taken up a curse by all the captives of Judah that are in Babylon, saying, Jehovah make thee like Zedekiah and like Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire;
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Jeremiah 29:8
For thus saith Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel: Let not your prophets that are in the midst of you, and your diviners, deceive you; neither hearken ye to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed.
- Lamentations 2:14
Thy prophets have seen for thee false and foolish visions; And they have not uncovered thine iniquity, to bring back thy captivity, But have seen for thee false oracles and causes of banishment.
- Jeremiah 14:14
Then Jehovah said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name; I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake I unto them: they prophesy unto you a lying vision, and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their own heart.
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