Jeremiah 29:8
What does Jeremiah 29:8 mean?
A plain-English look at Jeremiah 29:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Jeremiah 29:8 means
God issues a stern warning, cautioning the exiles against their own false prophets and diviners. He specifically tells them, "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." Many among the exiles were propagating comforting but deceptive messages of a swift return, which contradicted God's true word through Jeremiah. This warning highlights the spiritual danger of listening to self-proclaimed spiritual guides who offered pleasant lies rather than God's difficult truth.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For this is what the Lord of armies, the God of Israel, has said: Do not let yourselves be tricked by the prophets who are among you, and the readers of signs, and give no attention to their dreams which they may have;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`For thus said Jehovah of Hosts, God of Israel, Let not your prophets who <FI>are<Fi> in your midst, and your diviners, lift you up, nor hearken ye unto their dreams, that ye are causing <FI>them<Fi> to dream;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For thus saith the Lord of hosts the God of Israel: Let not your prophets that are in the midst of you, and your diviners deceive you: and give no heed to your dreams which you dream:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For thus saith Jehovah of hosts, theGod of Israel: Let not your prophets that are in your midst, nor your diviners deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams, which ye like to dream.
Context
Having given instructions for living in Babylon, this verse pivots to a warning against deception. It directly addresses the pervasive influence of false prophets among the exiles who offered contrary messages. This warning is crucial for the exiles to correctly interpret their situation and choose to obey God's true prophet, Jeremiah, rather than succumb to comforting but ultimately destructive lies.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Mark 13:5
And Jesus began to say unto them, Take heed that no man lead you astray.
- 2 Corinthians 11:13
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, fashioning themselves into apostles of Christ.
- Micah 2:11
If a man walking in a spirit of falsehood do lie, saying, I will prophesy unto thee of wine and of strong drink; he shall even be the prophet of this people.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:9
even he, whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
- Luke 21:8
And he said, Take heed that ye be not led astray: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am he; and, The time is at hand: go ye not after them.
- Jeremiah 23:27
that think to cause my people to forget my name by their dreams which they tell every man to his neighbor, as their fathers forgat my name for Baal.
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