Shemaiah's Letter and Its Condemnation
Jeremiah 29:24-32
Jer.29.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- שמעיהו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הנחלמי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- תאמר: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
Parallels
- Jeremiah 29:25-32 (structural): Immediate literary continuation that identifies and confronts Shemaiah the Nehelamite; these verses develop the message introduced in 29:24 and show the prophetic dispute and judgment against him.
- Jeremiah 28:15-17 (thematic): Accounts of Hananiah’s false prophecy promising a quick return from exile—parallels Shemaiah’s optimistic, unauthorized pronouncements and Jeremiah’s prophetic refutation.
- Jeremiah 23:21-22 (thematic): God’s criterion for distinguishing true and false prophets and the consequences for those not sent by him; thematically relates to the indictment of Shemaiah as a false/unauthorized prophet.
- Deuteronomy 18:20-22 (verbal): Lays down the rule for identifying a false prophet (if a prediction does not come to pass), a legal/prophetic standard applied implicitly and explicitly in Jeremiah’s dealings with Shemaiah and other prophets.
Alternative generated candidates
- And to Shemaiah the Nehelamite say—
- And to Shemaiah the Nehelamite say this:
Jer.29.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כה: ADV
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- צבאות: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- יען: CONJ
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- שלחת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- בשמכה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs,2,m
- ספרים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אל: NEG
- כל: DET
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בירושלם: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- צפניה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מעשיה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- הכהן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- כל: DET
- הכהנים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
Parallels
- Jeremiah 29:1 (structural): Both verses concern written messages sent in connection with Jeremiah’s ministry; 29:1 introduces the letter-communication motif that frames the chapter.
- Jeremiah 29:26 (verbal): Immediate pericope parallel — 29:26 continues the same address, pronouncing judgment on those who sent letters and prophesied, directly linked to 29:25’s accusation.
- Jeremiah 36:20-26 (thematic): Describes prophetic writings read to officials and priests and the hostile official response (scroll seized/burned), paralleling the conflict over prophetic letters and communications with priests/authorities.
- Ezekiel 13:2-3 (thematic): Denounces false prophets who speak from their own heart and give messages of false peace to the people — thematically parallel to Jeremiah’s condemnation of those sending misleading messages/letters to the people and priests.
Alternative generated candidates
- Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Because you sent letters in your name to all the people in Jerusalem and to Zephaniah son of Maaseiah the priest and to all the priests, saying,
- Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Because you have, in your own name, sent letters to all the people who are in Jerusalem and to Zephaniah son of Maaseiah the priest and to all the priests, saying,
Jer.29.26 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- נתנך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg+obj2ms
- כהן: NOUN,m,sg,const
- תחת: PREP
- יהוידע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הכהן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- להיות: VERB,qal,inf,NA,NA,NA
- פקדים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לכל: PREP
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- משגע: VERB,piel,ptc,3,m,sg
- ומתנבא: VERB,hitp,ptc,m,sg
- ונתתה: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- אל: NEG
- המהפכת: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- הצינק: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Jeremiah 29:24 (structural): Immediate context: introduces Shemaiah (the prophet/agent) whose letters and prophetic activity set up the episode referenced in 29:26; helps explain who is being charged and why.
- Jeremiah 29:32 (structural): Contextual parallel within the same unit giving the prophetic judgment against Shemaiah — shows the outcome and divine assessment of the false/insubordinate prophetic activity mentioned in 29:26.
- Jeremiah 23:25-32 (thematic): Extended Jeremiah critique of false prophets whose words and visions mislead the people; echoes the charge against a prophet/priest who causes turmoil and speaks without divine commission.
- Ezekiel 13:3-9 (thematic): Condemnation of prophets who prophesy out of their own heart and seduce the people — parallels the denunciation of unauthorized or misleading prophetic figures and their social disordering effect.
- Deuteronomy 18:20-22 (verbal): Provides the prophetic test and sanction for false prophecy (a prophet who speaks presumptuously shall die); undergirds the principle behind punishing or restraining prophetic impostors as in Jeremiah 29.
Alternative generated candidates
- “The LORD has made you priest in place of Jehoiada the priest, to be over the affairs of the house of the LORD for every man who raves and prophesies,”—and you have handed him over to the tormentors and into the stocks.
- “The LORD has made you priest in place of Jehoiada the priest, to be overseer of the house of the LORD for every man who is mad and who prophesies; and you have put him into the stocks and into the dungeon.”
Jer.29.27 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ועתה: CONJ
- למה: ADV
- לא: PART_NEG
- גערת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בירמיהו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הענתתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- המתנבא: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לכם: PREP,2,m,pl
Parallels
- Jeremiah 7:25 (verbal): Same prophet-sending motif within Jeremiah: God says he sent prophets early and often, but the people did not listen — parallels the charge that Jeremiah was sent by God and was not rebuked.
- Jeremiah 25:4-7 (thematic): God recounts sending all his servants the prophets to warn Israel and calls out their refusal to heed — closely parallels 29:27’s theme of a divinely sent prophet being rejected.
- Deuteronomy 18:18-19 (structural): God’s promise to raise a prophet like Moses and the warning that those who do not heed the prophet’s words will be held accountable — provides the legal/theological basis for holding the people responsible for ignoring Jeremiah.
- 2 Chronicles 36:15-16 (thematic): God continually sent prophets to Jerusalem but they mocked and persecuted them; a parallel account of divine messengers being rejected and the leaders’ failure to rebuke them.
- Acts 7:52 (allusion): Stephen’s indictment that the fathers persecuted and killed God’s prophets echoes the long biblical pattern (including Jeremiah) of rejecting God’s messengers.
Alternative generated candidates
- And now why did you not rebuke Jeremiah the prophet, who prophesies to you?
- And now why have you not rebuked Jeremiah the prophet, who prophesies to you?
Jer.29.28 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- על: PREP
- כן: ADV
- שלח: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אלינו: PREP+PRON,1,pl
- בבל: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- ארכה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- היא: PRON,dem,3,f,sg
- בנו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- בתים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ושבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- ונטעו: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- גנות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- ואכלו: VERB,qal,imp,2,mp
- את: PRT,acc
- פריהן: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,f,pl
Parallels
- Isaiah 65:21 (verbal): Near-verbatim parallel language: both passages speak of building houses, inhabiting them, planting vineyards/gardens, and eating their fruit as signs of settled life and blessing.
- Ezekiel 36:34-35 (thematic): Themes of restoration and settling the land—desolate/ruined land made like a garden, people building, planting and enjoying the produce, echoing the exile-to-settlement motif.
- Amos 9:14 (thematic): Promise of restoration where the people rebuild and inhabit cities, plant vineyards and eat their fruit—similar assurance of return and agricultural stability.
- Jeremiah 29:5 (verbal): Immediate parallel/duplicate wording within the same letter to the exiles: explicit instruction to build houses, live in them, plant gardens and eat their produce.
- Jeremiah 29:7 (thematic): Closely related instruction in the same context: exiles are told to seek the welfare/peace of the city where they reside—complementary to the command to settle, build and plant.
Alternative generated candidates
- For he sent to us in Babylon, saying, ‘It will be long; build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat their fruit.’ ”
- For he has sent to us in Babylon, saying, ‘The time is long; build houses and settle down, and plant gardens and eat their fruit.’ ”
Jer.29.29 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקרא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- צפניה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- הכהן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- את: PRT,acc
- הספר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- באזני: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,cstr
- ירמיהו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הנביא: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Jeremiah 36:4–8 (verbal): Baruch reads (calls out) Jeremiah’s written words aloud; a close verbal/functional parallel of a written prophetic book being read publicly.
- 2 Kings 22:8–20 (structural): Hilkiah the priest finds a book of the law and it is read to the king and prophets; similar instance of a priest-associated discovery/reading of a sacred book that prompts prophetic response.
- Ezekiel 2:9–3:4 (allusion): A written scroll is presented to the prophet (who is told to eat it) — parallel motif of a prophetic message embodied in a book and formally delivered to the prophet.
- Nehemiah 8:2–8 (thematic): Ezra the scribe (with Levites) reads the law aloud to the assembled people; thematically related as a public, authoritative reading of scripture by religious leaders.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Zephaniah the priest read this letter in the hearing of Jeremiah the prophet.
- And Zephaniah the priest read this letter aloud in the hearing of Jeremiah the prophet.
Jer.29.30 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- ירמיהו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
Parallels
- Jeremiah 1:4 (verbal): Same prophetic introductory formula: 'And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying'—directly parallels wording and function as commissioning/communication to Jeremiah.
- Jonah 3:1 (verbal): Uses the identical formula 'And the word of the LORD came unto Jonah' (here, 'the second time'), showing the common prophetic device of divine speech introducing a message.
- Zechariah 1:1 (structural): Begins with the same structural notice—'the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah'—serving the same role of situating a prophetic oracle in its historical time and audience.
- 1 Kings 17:2 (verbal): 'And the word of the LORD came unto Elijah, saying'—another example of the formula applied to a prophet to introduce specific divine instructions, highlighting the recurring commission speech across the narrative tradition.
- Ezekiel 1:3 (thematic): Though phrased slightly differently ('the word of the LORD was upon Ezekiel'), it functions similarly to indicate divine revelation resting on the prophet and introducing ensuing visions/utterances.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, saying:
- And the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, saying:
Jer.29.31 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- שלח: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- כל: DET
- הגולה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- כה: ADV
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- שמעיה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- הנחלמי: NOUN,prop,m,sg,def
- יען: CONJ
- אשר: PRON,rel
- נבא: VERB,qal,impf,1,pl
- לכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- שמעיה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ואני: PRON,1,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- שלחתיו: VERB,qal,perf,1,*,sg
- ויבטח: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אתכם: PRT+PRON,2,m,pl
- על: PREP
- שקר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Jeremiah 14:14 (verbal): God's declaration that certain prophets 'prophesy lies in my name; I did not send them' echoes Jeremiah's charge that Shemaiah prophesied though the LORD did not send him.
- Jeremiah 23:21-32 (thematic): Extended denunciation of false prophets who give false assurances and speak without divine commission—parallels the rebuke of Shemaiah for prophesying falsely and causing trust in a lie.
- Deuteronomy 18:20-22 (structural): Legal criterion for identifying a false prophet (one who speaks in God's name without being commanded); provides the theological and judicial background for Jeremiah's judgment against Shemaiah.
- Ezekiel 13:6-9 (verbal): Condemns prophets who 'see false visions' and utter 'Thus says the LORD' though He did not send them—language and fault mirror the charge that Shemaiah prophesied without divine commission.
Alternative generated candidates
- “Send to all the exiles, saying: Thus says the LORD concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite: Because Shemaiah prophesied to you, and I did not send him, and he has led you to trust in a lie,
- Send to all the exiles, saying, Thus says the LORD concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite: Because Shemaiah prophesied to you, and I did not send him, he has caused you to put your trust in a lie.
Jer.29.32 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- לכן: ADV
- כה: ADV
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- הנני: PRT+PRON,1,sg
- פקד: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- שמעיה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- הנחלמי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ועל: CONJ+PREP
- זרעו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- לא: PART_NEG
- יהיה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יושב: VERB,qal,ptcp,1,m,sg
- בתוך: PREP
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- ולא: CONJ
- יראה: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- בטוב: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לעמי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs,1cs
- נאם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- סרה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Jeremiah 29:31-33 (structural): Immediate context and continuation of the same oracle against Shemaiah son of Nethanel; repeats the judgment that he and his offspring will have no one dwelling among the people and will not see the good God does.
- Jeremiah 23:30-32 (verbal): Condemns prophets who speak lies in God's name and announces God's opposition to them—language and theme parallel the charge that the prophet 'prophesied against the LORD' and thus merits visitation/judgment.
- Ezekiel 13:9-11, 20-23 (thematic): God declares judgment on false prophets whose words lead the people astray; the motif of God’s hand coming upon false prophets and removing them from the community echoes Jeremiah's verdict of exclusion and punishment.
- Deuteronomy 18:20-22 (quotation): Provides the legal/prophetic criterion for judging a prophet: a false prophet who speaks presumptuously in God's name is to be condemned—background principle for Jeremiah's punishment of one who 'sara davar al-YHWH' (prophesied against the LORD).
- Jeremiah 28:15-17 (thematic): Parallel episode in which a falsely prophesying prophet (Hananiah) is rebuked and receives a divine sign of judgment (death) for speaking contrary to God's true word; exemplifies consequences for false prophecy in Jeremiah's ministry.
Alternative generated candidates
- therefore, thus says the LORD: I will punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite and his offspring—he shall have no one dwelling among this people; he shall not see the good that I will do for my people. Declares the LORD, for he has spoken rebellion against the LORD.”
- Therefore thus says the LORD: Behold, I will visit Shemaiah the Nehelamite and his offspring; he shall have no one dwelling among this people, and he shall not see the good that I will do for my people, declares the LORD; for he has spoken rebellion against the LORD.
As for Shemaiah the Nehelamite, say: Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Because you have sent letters in your name to all the people who are in Jerusalem, and to Zephaniah son of Maaseiah the priest and to all the priests, saying,
'The LORD has made you priest instead of Jehoiada the priest, to be over the officers of the house of the LORD for every man who raves and prophesies; and you have set him over the tumult and handed him over to the dungeon.' And now why have you not rebuked Jeremiah the prophet, whom I sent to you?
For he sent to us in Babylon, saying, "It will be long; build houses and live in them, plant gardens and eat their fruit." And Zephaniah the priest read this letter in the hearing of Jeremiah the prophet.
The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, saying,
Send to all the exiles, saying, Thus says the LORD concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite: Because Shemaiah prophesied to you and I did not send him, and he caused you to trust in falsehood,
therefore thus says the LORD: I will punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite and his offspring—he shall have no one dwelling among this people and shall not see the good that I will do for my people, declares the LORD, for he has spoken against the LORD.