Jeremiah 29:26
What does Jeremiah 29:26 mean?
A plain-English look at Jeremiah 29:26 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Jeremiah 29:26 means
This verse reveals the content of Shemaiah's subversive letter to Zephaniah the priest. Shemaiah falsely claimed that God had appointed Zephaniah to replace Jehoiada as a priestly official responsible for maintaining order in the temple. Specifically, Shemaiah instructed Zephaniah to intervene against anyone who acted "mad, and maketh himself a prophet," by putting them "in the stocks and in shackles." This was a thinly veiled attempt to coerce Zephaniah into imprisoning Jeremiah, whom Shemaiah considered a madman and a false prophet, because Jeremiah's messages were unpopular.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Jehovah hath made thee priest in the stead of Jehoiada the priest, that there may be officers in the house of Jehovah, for every man that is mad, and maketh himself a prophet, that thou shouldest put him in the stocks and in shackles.
KJV
King James Version · 1611The Lord hath made thee priest in the stead of Jehoiada the priest, that ye should be officers in the house of the Lord, for every man that is mad, and maketh himself a prophet, that thou shouldest put him in prison, and in the stocks.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Jehovah hath made thee priest in the stead of Jehoiada the priest, that there may be officers in the house of Jehovah, for every man that is mad, and maketh himself a prophet, that thou shouldest put him in the stocks and in shackles.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949The Lord has made you priest in place of Jehoiada the priest, to be an overseer in the house of the Lord for every man who is off his head and is acting as a prophet, to put such men in prison and in chains.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Jehovah hath made thee priest instead of Jehoiada the priest, for there being inspectors of the house of Jehovah, for every one mad and making himself a prophet, and thou hast put him unto the torture and unto the stocks.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752The Lord hath made thee priest instead of Joiada the priest, that thou shouldst be ruler in the house of the Lord, over every man that raveth and prophesieth, to put him in the stocks, and into prison.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Jehovah hath made thee priest in the stead of Jehoiada the priest, that there should be officers [in] the house of Jehovah, over every madman and self-made prophet, that thou shouldest put him in the stocks and in the shackles.
Context
This verse exposes the subversive content of Shemaiah's letter mentioned in the previous verse. It reveals his scheme to manipulate Zephaniah into silencing Jeremiah by framing Jeremiah as a false prophet deserving punishment. This detail is crucial for understanding the depth of Shemaiah’s opposition and his cunning method of attempting to suppress the truth.
v.25Thus speaketh Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, Because thou hast sent letters in thine own name unto all the people that are at Jerusalem, and to Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah, the priest, and to all the priests, saying,
v.26This passage
v.27Now therefore, why hast thou not rebuked Jeremiah of Anathoth, who maketh himself a prophet to you,
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Kings 9:11
Then Jehu came forth to the servants of his lord: and one said unto him, Is all well? wherefore came this mad fellow to thee? And he said unto them, Ye know the man and what his talk was.
- John 10:33
The Jews answered him, For a good work we stone thee not, but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.
- 2 Chronicles 16:10
Then Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in the prison-house; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing. And Asa oppressed some of the people at the same time.
- John 10:20
And many of them said, He hath a demon, and is mad; why hear ye him?
- Deuteronomy 13:1
If there arise in the midst of thee a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and he give thee a sign or a wonder,
- Acts 26:24
And as he thus made his defence, Festus saith with a loud voice, Paul, thou art mad; thy much learning is turning thee mad.
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