Jeremiah 28

1 in the beginning. That is, in the early part of Zedekiah’s reign; for it was the fourth year.

of Gibeon. A priestly city (Josh. xxi. 17). Hananiah was therefore probably a brother-priest to Jeremiah, as well as a rival prophet.

4. I will bring again to this place Jeconiah. The plot was evidently to depose Zedekiah and to restore the banished king, probably by the aid of Egypt.

10 the yoke. Which Jeremiah was wearing by Divine command: see xxvii. 2. The action of Hananiah was intended to impress the people.

11. And the prophet Jeremiah went his way. Further argument would be useless. The prophet calmly awaits the issue of events.

13 for them. That is, instead of them.

14. I have given him the beasts of the field. “The words simply emphasise the absolute sovereignty of the Babylonian king” (Professor H. Wheeler Robinson in Peake’s Commentary).

17 in the seventh month. In the second month after his doom had been denounced: cp, ver. 1.