New International Version “Send this message to all the exiles: ‘This is what the LORD says about Shemaiah the Nehelamite: Because Shemaiah has prophesied to you, even though I did not send him, and has persuaded you to trust in lies, New Living Translation “Send an open letter to all the exiles in Babylon. Tell them, ‘This is what the LORD says concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite: Since he has prophesied to you when I did not send him and has tricked you into believing his lies, English Standard Version “Send to all the exiles, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD concerning Shemaiah of Nehelam: Because Shemaiah had prophesied to you when I did not send him, and has made you trust in a lie, Berean Standard Bible “Send a message telling all the exiles what the LORD says concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite. Because Shemaiah has prophesied to you—though I did not send him—and has made you trust in a lie, Berean Literal Bible “Send to all those of the captivity, saying, thus says YHWH concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite: Because Shemaiah has prophesied to you⁺, and I have not send him, and he has made you⁺ trust in a lie, King James Bible Send 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: New King James Version Send to all those in captivity, saying, Thus says the LORD concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite: Because Shemaiah has prophesied to you, and I have not sent him, and he has caused you to trust in a lie— New American Standard Bible “Send word to all the exiles, saying, ‘This is what the LORD says concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite: “Because Shemaiah has prophesied to you, although I did not send him, and he has made you trust in a lie,” NASB 1995 “Send to all the exiles, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite, “Because Shemaiah has prophesied to you, although I did not send him, and he has made you trust in a lie,” NASB 1977 “Send to all the exiles, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite, “Because Shemaiah has prophesied to you, although I did not send him, and he has made you trust in a lie,” Legacy Standard Bible “Send to all the exiles, saying, ‘Thus says Yahweh concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite, “Because Shemaiah has prophesied to you, although I did not send him, and he has made you trust in a lie,” Amplified Bible “Send [this message] to all the exiles, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD concerning Shemaiah of Nehelam, “Because Shemaiah has prophesied to you, although I did not send him, and he has made you trust in a lie,” Berean Annotated Bible “Send a message telling all the exiles what the LORD {YHWH} says concerning Shemaiah (heard by YHWH) the Nehelamite (he of the dream). Because Shemaiah has prophesied to you⁺—though I did not send him—and has made you⁺ trust in a lie, Christian Standard Bible “Send a message to all the exiles, saying, ‘This is what the LORD says concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite. Because Shemaiah prophesied to you, though I did not send him, and made you trust a lie, Holman Christian Standard Bible “Send a message to all the exiles, saying: This is what the LORD says concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite. Because Shemaiah prophesied to you, though I did not send him, and made you trust a lie, American Standard Version Send 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; Contemporary English Version to the people of Judah who had been taken to Babylonia. In this letter, I wrote that the LORD had said: I, the LORD, have not chosen Shemaiah to be one of my prophets, and he has misled you by telling lies in my name. English Revised Version Send 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 hath caused you to trust in a lie; GOD'S WORD® Translation "Send this message to all the captives: 'This is what the LORD says about Shemaiah from Nehelam: Shemaiah prophesied to you, but I didn't send him. He has made you believe a lie. International Standard Version "Send a message to all the exiles: 'This is what the LORD says about Shemaiah from Nehelam, "Because Shemaiah has prophesied to you, even though I didn't send him, and has made you trust a lie," NET Bible "Send a message to all the exiles in Babylon. Tell them, 'The LORD has spoken about Shemaiah the Nehelamite. "Shemaiah has spoken to you as a prophet even though I did not send him. He is making you trust in a lie. New Heart English Bible "Send to all them of the captivity, saying, 'Thus says the LORD concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite: "Because Shemaiah has prophesied to you, and I did not send him, and he has caused you to trust in a lie; Webster's Bible Translation Send to all them of the captivity, saying, Thus saith the LORD concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite; Because Shemaiah hath prophesied to you, and I sent him not, and he caused you to trust in a lie: Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bible“Send a message telling all the exiles what the LORD says concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite. Because Shemaiah has prophesied to you—though I did not send him—and has made you trust in a lie, World English Bible “Send to all of the captives, saying, ‘Yahweh says concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite: “Because Shemaiah has prophesied to you, and I didn’t send him, and he has caused you to trust in a lie,” Literal Translations Literal Standard Version“Send to all the expulsion, saying, Thus said YHWH concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite: Because that Shemaiah prophesied to you, and I have not sent him, and he causes you to trust on falsehood, Berean Literal Bible “Send to all those of the captivity, saying, thus says YHWH concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite: Because Shemaiah has prophesied to you⁺, and I have not send him, and he has made you⁺ trust in a lie, Young's Literal Translation '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, Smith's Literal Translation Send to all the captivity, saying, Thus said Jehovah to Shemaiah the Nehelamite; Because Shemaiah prophesied to you, and I sent him not, and he will cause you to trust in falsehood: Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleSend 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 : Catholic Public Domain Version “Send to all those of the transmigration, saying: Thus says the Lord to Shemaiah of Nehelam: Because Shemaiah has prophesied to you, though I did not send him, and because he has caused you to trust in a lie: New American Bible Send to all the exiles: Thus says the LORD concerning Shemaiah, the Nehelamite: Because Shemaiah prophesies to you, although I did not send him, and has led you to rely on a lie, New Revised Standard Version Send to all the exiles, saying, Thus says the LORD concerning Shemaiah of Nehelam: Because Shemaiah has prophesied to you, though I did not send him, and has led you to trust in a lie, Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleSend to all of them who are in captivity, saying, Thus says the LORD concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite: Because Shemaiah has prophesied to you the thing which I did not send him to prophesy and has caused you to trust in a lie; Peshitta Holy Bible Translated “Send to all the captivity, ‘Thus says LORD JEHOVAH to Shemaiah, the Nekhemalite, about what Shemaiah prophesied to you, which thing I did not send, and he has made you trust in falsehood OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Send 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 hath caused you to trust in a lie; Brenton Septuagint Translation Send to the captivity, saying, Thus saith the Lord concerning Samaeas the Aelamite, Since Samaeas has prophesied to you, and I sent him not, and he has made you to trust in iniquity, Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context Shemaiah's Letter Against Jeremiah…30Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah: 31“Send a message telling all the exiles what the LORD says concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite. Because Shemaiah has prophesied to you— though I did not send him— and has made you trust in a lie, 32this is what the LORD says: ‘I will surely punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite and his descendants. He will have no one left among this people, nor will he see the good that I will bring to My people, declares the LORD, for he has preached rebellion against the LORD.’ ”… Cross References Send a message telling all the exiles Ezekiel 3:10-11 “Son of man,” He added, “listen carefully to all the words I speak to you, and take them to heart. / Go to your people, the exiles; speak to them and tell them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says,’ whether they listen or refuse to listen.” Jeremiah 24:5-7 “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Like these good figs, so I regard as good the exiles from Judah, whom I have sent away from this place to the land of the Chaldeans. / I will keep My eyes on them for good and will return them to this land. I will build them up and not tear them down; I will plant them and not uproot them. / I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the LORD. They will be My people, and I will be their God, for they will return to Me with all their heart. what the LORD says concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite. Jeremiah 28:15-17 Then the prophet Jeremiah said to the prophet Hananiah, “Listen, Hananiah! The LORD did not send you, but you have persuaded this people to trust in a lie. / Therefore this is what the LORD says: ‘I am about to remove you from the face of the earth. You will die this year because you have preached rebellion against the LORD.’” / And in the seventh month of that very year, the prophet Hananiah died. Ezekiel 13:2-3 “Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who are now prophesying. Tell those who prophesy out of their own imagination: Hear the word of the LORD! / This is what the Lord GOD says: Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit yet have seen nothing. Because Shemaiah has prophesied to you—though I did not send him— Deuteronomy 18:20-22 But if any prophet dares to speak a message in My name that I have not commanded him to speak, or to speak in the name of other gods, that prophet must be put to death.” / You may ask in your heart, “How can we recognize a message that the LORD has not spoken?” / When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD and the message does not come to pass or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. The prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him. Jeremiah 23:21 I did not send these prophets, yet they have run with their message; I did not speak to them, yet they have prophesied. and has made you trust in a lie, Jeremiah 7:8 But look, you keep trusting in deceptive words to no avail. 1 Kings 22:22-23 And he replied, ‘I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets.’ ‘You will surely entice him and prevail,’ said the LORD. ‘Go and do it.’ / So you see, the LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouths of all these prophets of yours, and the LORD has pronounced disaster against you.” Jeremiah 23:16-17 This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They are filling you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD. / They keep saying to those who despise Me, ‘The LORD says that you will have peace,’ and to everyone who walks in the stubbornness of his own heart, ‘No harm will come to you.’ Ezekiel 13:6-9 They see false visions and speak lying divinations. They claim, ‘Thus declares the LORD,’ when the LORD did not send them; yet they wait for the fulfillment of their message. / Haven’t you seen a false vision and spoken a lying divination when you proclaim, ‘Thus declares the LORD,’ even though I have not spoken? / Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: Because you have uttered vain words and seen false visions, I am against you, declares the Lord GOD. … 2 Peter 2:1-3 Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. / Many will follow in their depravity, and because of them the way of truth will be defamed. / In their greed, these false teachers will exploit you with deceptive words. The longstanding verdict against them remains in force, and their destruction does not sleep. Matthew 7:15-20 Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. / By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? / Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. … 1 John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world. Isaiah 30:9-11 These are rebellious people, deceitful children, children unwilling to obey the LORD’s instruction. / They say to the seers, “Stop seeing visions!” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us the truth! Speak to us pleasant words; prophesy illusions. / Get out of the way; turn off the road. Rid us of the Holy One of Israel!” 2 Timothy 4:3-4 For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. / So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. Micah 3:5-7 This is what the LORD says: “As for the prophets who lead My people astray, who proclaim peace while they chew with their teeth, but declare war against one who puts nothing in their mouths: / Therefore night will come over you without visions, and darkness without divination. The sun will set on these prophets, and the daylight will turn black over them. / Then the seers will be ashamed and the diviners will be disgraced. They will all cover their mouths because there is no answer from God.” Treasury of Scripture Send to all them of the captivity, saying, Thus said the LORD concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite; Because that Shemaiah has prophesied to you, and I sent him not, and he caused you to trust in a lie: Send. Jeremiah 29:20 Hear ye therefore the word of the LORD, all ye of the captivity, whom I have sent from Jerusalem to Babylon: because. Jeremiah 29:9,23 For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them, saith the LORD… Jeremiah 14:14,15 Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart… Jeremiah 23:21 I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied. Jump to Previous Acting Although Captivity Cause Caused Exiles Falsehood Lie Message Nehel'am Nehelamite Prophesied Prophet Removal Shemaiah Shemai'ah TrustJump to Next Acting Although Captivity Cause Caused Exiles Falsehood Lie Message Nehel'am Nehelamite Prophesied Prophet Removal Shemaiah Shemai'ah TrustJeremiah 29 1. Jeremiah sends a letter to the captives in Babylon to be quiet there,8. and not to believe the dreams of their prophets; 10. and that they shall return with grace after seventy years. 15. He foretells the destruction of the rest for their disobedience. 20. He shows the fearful end of Ahab and Zedekiah, two false prophets. 24. Shemaiah writes a letter against Jeremiah. 30. Jeremiah foretells his doom. “Send a message telling all the exiles God directs Jeremiah to address the Judeans living in Babylon after their deportation. Far from Jerusalem and the temple, they needed reliable instruction from the Lord as they faced uncertainty in a foreign land. Ezk 3:10-11 “Son of man,” He added, “listen carefully…”… what the LORD says concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite. Shemaiah was among the exiles and had gained influence by presenting himself as a prophet. The Lord identifies him publicly because his message opposed the word God had given through Jeremiah. Jer 28:15-17 Then the prophet Jeremiah said to the prophet Hananiah,… Because Shemaiah has prophesied to you—though I did not send him— Shemaiah claimed divine authority without receiving a commission from God. His words directly contradicted Jeremiah’s instruction that the exile would last seventy years and that the people should settle in Babylon. Deu 18:20-22 But if any prophet dares to speak a message in My name… and has made you trust in a lie, His false promises encouraged the exiles to reject God’s revealed purpose for their captivity and to expect a quick return to Judah. By trusting his message, they were being led away from obedience to the Lord’s word. Jer 7:8 But look, you keep trusting in deceptive words to no avail. Persons / Places / Events 1. JeremiahA major prophet in the Old Testament, known for his messages of warning and hope to the people of Judah. 2. Shemaiah the Nehelamite A false prophet who misled the exiles in Babylon by claiming to speak for God without being sent by Him. 3. The Exiles The people of Judah who were taken captive to Babylon, living in a foreign land and longing for God's deliverance. 4. Babylon The place of exile for the people of Judah, representing both a physical and spiritual place of testing and refinement. 5. The LORD (Yahweh) The covenant God of Israel, who communicates His will and truth through His true prophets. Teaching Points Discernment in ProphecyBelievers must exercise discernment and test all teachings against the Word of God to avoid being led astray by false prophets. The Danger of Lies Trusting in lies can lead to spiritual destruction. It is crucial to seek truth and align our beliefs with God's revealed Word. God's Sovereignty in Communication God chooses His messengers and communicates His will through them. We must be attentive to His true voice. The Role of Suffering and Exile Times of exile and suffering can be opportunities for growth and reliance on God, rather than on false hopes. Accountability for Leaders Those who claim to speak for God bear a heavy responsibility and will be held accountable for their words and actions. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Jeremiah 29:31?2. How does Jeremiah 29:31 warn against false prophets in today's context? 3. What does Jeremiah 29:31 teach about discerning truth from deception? 4. How can we apply the warning in Jeremiah 29:31 to our daily lives? 5. What other scriptures emphasize the importance of rejecting false teachings? 6. How can church leaders implement Jeremiah 29:31's message in their ministry? 7. What historical context surrounds Jeremiah 29:31 and its message to the exiles in Babylon? 8. How does Jeremiah 29:31 challenge our understanding of false prophecy? 9. What theological implications arise from God's response in Jeremiah 29:31? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 29? (31) Send to all them of the captivity.--The words imply something in the nature of another epistle to the exiles, sent, probably, like the previous one, by the hands of envoys from one government to the other. We have no record of the fulfilment of the prediction but its insertion implies its fulfilment. This frequent intercourse between Jerusalem and Babylon is noticeable (1) as confirming the literal interpretation of the journey to Euphrates in Jeremiah 13:4, and (2) as accounting for the special instructions given to Nebuzaradan by Nebuchadnezzar in Jeremiah 39:11. Jeremiah 29:31 shows the LORD directing Jeremiah to broadcast a warning to every exile: Shemaiah, a self-appointed prophet, spoke without God’s sending and lured the people into deception. The verse underscores God’s absolute authority, the duty to transmit His Word faithfully, and the necessity for believers to discern and reject teaching that strays from His clear, written revelation. Jeremiah 29:31 NIV |
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