Jeremiah 29:31
What does Jeremiah 29:31 mean?
A plain-English look at Jeremiah 29:31 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Jeremiah 29:31 means
God instructs Jeremiah to send another message to the exiles, specifically concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite. God unequivocally declares, "Because that Shemaiah hath prophesied unto you, and I sent him not, and he hath caused you to trust in a lie." This highlights Shemaiah's twin offenses: presumptuously prophesying without divine commission and deliberately leading the people into deception. God explicitly states He did not send Shemaiah, making clear that Shemaiah's messages were not just mistaken, but a deliberate fabrication intended to mislead God's people.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Send to all them of the captivity, saying, Thus saith Jehovah concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite: Because that Shemaiah hath prophesied unto you, and I sent him not, and he hath caused you to trust in a lie;
KJV
King James Version · 1611Send to all them of the captivity, saying, Thus saith the Lord concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite; Because that Shemaiah hath prophesied unto you, and I sent him not, and he caused you to trust in a lie:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Send to all them of the captivity, saying, Thus saith Jehovah concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite: Because that Shemaiah hath prophesied unto you, and I sent him not, and he hath caused you to trust in a lie;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Send to all those who have been taken away, saying, This is what the Lord has said about Shemaiah the Nehelamite: Because Shemaiah has been acting as a prophet to you, and I did not send him, and has made you put your faith in what is false;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`Send unto all the removal, saying, Thus said Jehovah concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite, Because that Shemaiah prophesied to you, and I--I have not sent him, and he doth cause you to trust on falsehood,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Send to all them of the captivity, saying: Thus saith the Lord to Semeias the Nehelamite: Because Semeias hath prophesied to you, and I sent him not: and hath caused you to trust in a lie:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Send to all them of the captivity, saying, Thus saith Jehovah concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite: Because that Shemaiah hath prophesied unto you, and I sent him not, and he hath caused you to trust in falsehood;
Context
This verse relays God’s instruction to Jeremiah to deliver a message specifically condemning Shemaiah. It explicitly states Shemaiah’s two major transgressions: prophesying without divine commission and deceiving the people with lies. This provides the direct basis for the severe punishment that follows, establishing the justice and necessity of God’s impending judgment against Shemaiah’s false prophecy.
v.30Then came the word of Jehovah unto Jeremiah, saying,
v.31This passage
v.32therefore thus saith Jehovah, Behold, I will punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite, and his seed; he shall not have a man to dwell among this people, neither shall he behold the good that I will do unto my people, saith Jehovah, because he hath spoken rebellion against Jehovah.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Jeremiah 29:23
because they have wrought folly in Israel, and have committed adultery with their neighbors’ wives, and have spoken words in my name falsely, which I commanded them not; and I am he that knoweth, and am witness, saith Jehovah.
- Jeremiah 28:15
Then said the prophet Jeremiah unto Hananiah the prophet, Hear now, Hananiah: Jehovah hath not sent thee; but thou makest this people to trust in a lie.
- Ezekiel 13:8
Therefore thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Because ye have spoken falsehood, and seen lies, therefore, behold, I am against you, saith the Lord Jehovah.
- Jeremiah 29:9
For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them, saith Jehovah.
- Ezekiel 13:22
Because with lies ye have grieved the heart of the righteous, whom I have not made sad, and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, and be saved alive;
- 2 Peter 2:1
But there arose false prophets also among the people, as among you also there shall be false teachers, who shall privily bring in destructive heresies, denying even the Master that bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.
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