Jeremiah 29:24
Jeremiah 29:24 in Multiple Translations
You are to tell Shemaiah the Nehelamite that
¶ Thus shalt thou also speak to Shemaiah the Nehelamite, saying,
And concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite thou shalt speak, saying,
About Shemaiah the Nehelamite.
Tell Shemaiah the Nehelamite
Thou shalt also speake to Shemaiah the Nehelamite, saying,
'And unto Shemaiah the Nehelamite thou dost speak, saying,
Concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite you shall speak, saying,
Thus shalt thou also speak to Shemaiah the Nehelamite, saying,
And to Semeias the Nehelamite thou shalt say:
Yahweh told me to send this message to Shemaiah, a man from Nehelam town who was living in Babylon:
Berean Amplified Bible — Jeremiah 29:24
BAB
Word Study
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Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Jeremiah 29:24 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/אֶל
שְׁמַעְיָ֥הוּ
הַ/נֶּחֱלָמִ֖י
תֹּאמַ֥ר
לֵ/אמֹֽר
וְ/אֶל
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Conj | Prep
שְׁמַעְיָ֥הוּ
Shᵉmaʻyâh
H8098
Shemaiah
N-proper
הַ/נֶּחֱלָמִ֖י
Nechĕlâmîy
H5161
Nehelam
Art | Ngmsa
תֹּאמַ֥ר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
לֵ/אמֹֽר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Jeremiah 29:24
וְ/אֶל
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Conj | Prep
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
שְׁמַעְיָ֥הוּ
Shᵉmaʻyâh
H8098
"Shemaiah"
N-proper
Shemaiah means heard by God, the name of 25 Israelites, including a prophet in King Rehoboam's time and a false prophet in Jeremiah's time. He is mentioned in Jeremiah 36:12. Shemaiah was also the father of Delaiah, a prince of Judah.
Definition: A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at Jer.36.12; father of: Delaiah (H1806K) § Shemaiah = "heard by Jehovah" 1) a prophet of the Lord in the reign of king Rehoboam of Judah 2) the Nehelamite, a false prophet in the time of the prophet Jeremiah 3) father of Delaiah, one of the princes of Judah in the time of the prophet Jeremiah 4) an inhabitant of Kirjathjearim and father of Urijah, a prophet of the Lord in the time of the prophet Jeremiah 5) a Judaite, son of Shechaniah, father of Hattush, and descendant of Zerubbabel 6) a Simeonite, father of Shimri 7) a Reubenite, son of Joel and father of Gog 8) a Merarite Levite, son of Hasshub in the time of Nehemiah 9) a Levite, son of Galal and father of Obadiah 10) a Levite and head of the family of the sons of Elizaphan who were commissioned to bring the ark to Jerusalem in the time of David 11) a Levite and scribe, son of Nethaneel in the time of David 12) a Levite, 1st son of Obed-Edom in the time of David 13) a Levite, descendant of Jeduthun the singer in the time of king Hezekiah of Judah 14) a Levite, one of the messengers of Ezra to Iddo 15) a Levite in the time of king Jehoshaphat of Judah 16) a Levite, one of several in charge of distributing the free will offerings brought to God to their Levite brethren in the time of king Hezekiah of Judah 17) a Levite in the time of king Josiah of Judah 18) head of a family of exiles who returned with Ezra 19) a priest, of the sons of Harim who had a foreign wife in the time of Ezra 20) an Israelite of the sons of Harim who had a foreign wife in the time of Ezra 21) son of Delaiah, grandson of Mehetabeel, and a false prophet hired by Tobiah and Sanballat to give false guidance to Nehemiah 22) a priest who sealed the covenant with Nehemiah and participated in the dedication of the wall 23) a priest who returned from exile with Zerubbabel 24) a leader of the people at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem in the time of Nehemiah 25) grandfather of the priest Zechariah who participated in the dedication of the wall in the time of Nehemiah 26) another of the priests who along with 25 took part in the dedication of the wall in the time of Nehemiah
Usage: Occurs in 39 OT verses. KJV: Shemaiah. See also: 1 Kings 12:22; 2 Chronicles 35:9; Jeremiah 26:20.
הַ/נֶּחֱלָמִ֖י
Nechĕlâmîy
H5161
"Nehelam"
Art | Ngmsa
A Nechelamite is someone from the family line of Nechlam, with the name possibly meaning 'he of the dream'. The term appears in Jeremiah 29, referring to a false prophet named Shemaiah. The Nechelamites were part of the community in Babylon during the exile.
Definition: Someone descended from Nehel(?), first mentioned at Jer.29.24 § Nehelamite = "he of the dream" the designation of a false prophet Shemaiah taken into captivity to Babylon; name is formed from his native place or his progenitor
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: Nehelamite. See also: Jeremiah 29:24; Jeremiah 29:31; Jeremiah 29:32.
תֹּאמַ֥ר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
לֵ/אמֹֽר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
Study Notes — Jeremiah 29:24
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Jeremiah 29:24 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 29:24
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 29:24
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 29:24
- Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 29:24
- Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 29:24
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 29:24
- Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 29:24
- Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 29:24
- Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 29:24
Context — The Message to Shemaiah
22Because of them, all the exiles of Judah who are in Babylon will use this curse: ‘May the LORD make you like Zedekiah and Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire!’
23For they have committed an outrage in Israel by committing adultery with the wives of their neighbors and speaking lies in My name, which I did not command them to do. I am He who knows, and I am a witness, declares the LORD.”
24You are to tell Shemaiah the Nehelamite that
25this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “In your own name you have sent out letters to all the people of Jerusalem, to the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah, and to all the priests. You said to Zephaniah: 26‘The LORD has appointed you priest in place of Jehoiada, to be the chief officer in the house of the LORD, responsible for any madman who acts like a prophet—you must put him in stocks and neck irons.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremiah 29:31–32 | “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, this 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.’” |
Jeremiah 29:24 Summary
In Jeremiah 29:24, God is instructing Jeremiah to deliver a message to Shemaiah, a false prophet who has been leading others astray. This verse reminds us that God holds leaders and prophets accountable for speaking truth and guiding others according to His will, as seen in Jeremiah 23:1-4 and Matthew 23:1-12. As followers of God, we must be careful to speak truth and guide others according to His will, and to support and encourage leaders who are doing the same, as seen in Ephesians 4:15 and Colossians 3:16. By doing so, we can help to build up the body of Christ and bring glory to God, as seen in Ephesians 4:12-13 and 1 Corinthians 10:31.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Shemaiah the Nehelamite and why is he being addressed in Jeremiah 29:24?
Shemaiah the Nehelamite is a false prophet who has been sending letters to the people of Jerusalem, and God is instructing Jeremiah to deliver a message to him, as seen in Jeremiah 29:25-26, where Shemaiah's actions are condemned by God, similar to the condemnation of false prophets in Deuteronomy 18:20-22.
What is the significance of Jeremiah being told to 'tell Shemaiah' in Jeremiah 29:24?
This verse signifies that God is holding Jeremiah accountable to speak truth and correction to those who are leading others astray, much like the prophet Ezekiel was held accountable in Ezekiel 3:18-20, where God warns Ezekiel of the importance of speaking truth to those who are sinning.
How does this verse relate to the broader context of Jeremiah 29?
This verse is part of a larger section where God is addressing the false prophets and leaders among the exiles in Babylon, as seen in Jeremiah 29:21-23, where God condemns the actions of certain individuals, and in Jeremiah 29:25-26, where God specifically addresses Shemaiah's actions, similar to the condemnation of false prophets in Jeremiah 23:9-40.
What can we learn from God's instruction to Jeremiah to tell Shemaiah something in Jeremiah 29:24?
We can learn that God holds leaders and prophets accountable for speaking truth and guiding others according to His will, as seen in Jeremiah 23:1-4, where God condemns the leaders of Israel for their failure to care for His people, and in Matthew 23:1-12, where Jesus condemns the Pharisees for their hypocrisy and failure to lead others according to God's will.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I may be leading others astray, and how can I ensure that I am speaking truth and guiding them according to God's will, as seen in Ephesians 4:15 and Colossians 3:16?
- How can I balance the need to speak truth and correction with the need to show love and compassion to those who are erring, as seen in Galatians 6:1-2 and Matthew 18:15-17?
- What are some ways that I can support and encourage leaders and prophets who are speaking truth and guiding others according to God's will, as seen in 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 and Hebrews 13:7?
- How can I discern when someone is speaking truth and guiding me according to God's will, and when someone is leading me astray, as seen in 1 John 4:1-6 and 1 Timothy 4:1-3?
Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 29:24
[Thus] shalt thou speak to Shemaiah the Nehelamite,.... Or, "the dreamer" (h); because he pretended to have dreams from the Lord; or because what he delivered as prophecies were mere dreams; as that
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 29:24
Thus shalt thou also speak to Shemaiah the Nehelamite, saying, A second communication which Jeremiah sent to Babylon after the messengers who carried his first letter had brought a letter from the
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 29:24
We have no guidance from any other scripture to teach us who this Shemaiah was, but it is very probable that he was one of those who at this time were in the captivity of Babylon, and so came to the knowledge of Jeremiah’ s letter, mentioned in the beginning of the chapter, and wrote what followeth to Zephaniah, the son of Masseiah the priest, and the rest of the priests, to have Jeremiah punished; but why he is called the Nehelamite is not so evident, for that the word is derived from Mlwx a dreamer, is not very probable; we read of no such place in Judea as Nehelain or Halem, but we cannot imagine that the names of all the towns in Judah are to be found in Scripture: he is thrice in this chapter called the Nehelamite; so as it is probable that there was such a place as Nehelam, from whence he was.
Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 29:24
Jeremiah 29:24 [Thus] shalt thou also speak to Shemaiah the Nehelamite, saying,Ver. 24. Thus shalt thou also speak to Shemaiah the Nehelamite.] Or, Dreamer, dream wright, enthusiast; such as were the Messalanian heretics of old, and some of the same stamp, loaves of the same leaven, today.
Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 29:24
(24) Thus shalt thou also speak to Shemaiah the Nehelamite.—It is clear that this section (Jeremiah 29:24-32) is of the nature of a fragment attached to the Epistle to Babylon on account of its associations with it, but not forming part of it. It gives, in fact (as Jeremiah 29:28 shows), the sequence of events, and so far stands in the same relation to it as the Second Epistle to the Corinthians does to the First. Jeremiah’s letter had naturally roused the indignation of the rival prophets at Babylon, and they organised a movement, of which Shemaiah was the chief instigator, for his destruction. Of Shemaiah himself we know nothing more than is here recorded. The description “Nehelamite” gives us no information, as the name Nehelam does not appear as belonging to any person or place in the Old Testament. It is just possible, as in the marginal reading, that there may be a play upon the Hebrew word (Halam) for “dreamer.”
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Jeremiah 29:24
Verse 24. Speak to Shemaiah] Zephaniah was the second priest, sagan, or chief priest's deputy, and Seraiah, high priest, when Jerusalem was taken. See Jeremiah 52:24. Shemaiah directs his letter to the former, and tells him that God had appointed him to supply the place of the high priest, who was probably then absent. His name was either Azariah or Seraiah his son, but called Jehoiada from the remarkable zeal and courage of that pontiff. See the passages in the margin. - Dodd. After the taking of Jerusalem, Zephaniah was put to death by Nebuchadnezzar at Riblah, see Jeremiah 37:3. The history of Jehoiada may be seen 2Kg 11:3, &c.
Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 29:24
24–32. Shemaiah the Nehelamite rebuked and threatened. On the arrival at Babylon of Jeremiah’s letter, which ends with Jeremiah 29:23, there is much indignation on the part of the false prophets, and one of them, Shemaiah by name, writes to Zephaniah the acting high-priest, urging upon him that he should take severe measures to silence Jeremiah as a madman. This suggestion, however, Zephaniah is so far from following that he shews the letter to the prophet, who writes again to Babylon, this time for the purpose of condemning Shemaiah’s conduct in the severest terms, and announcing its penalty. The narrative forms an interesting supplement to the earlier part of the ch. Its form, it is true, leaves much to be desired, and Du. in fact describes it as exhibiting utter confusion, resulting from successive modifications. It is clearly one of the additions made by Baruch or by later hands. The charge brought by Jeremiah is introduced by the “Because” of Jeremiah 29:25, and continuing to the end of Jer 29:28, remains incomplete. It is thus of the nature of the figure of speech called anacoluthon, and is taken up again by the “Because” of Jeremiah 29:31, a sentence which is carried by the “therefore, etc.” of Jeremiah 29:32 to its logical conclusion. The LXX fail, either from the defective condition of the Hebrew text or otherwise, to see that Jeremiah 29:26-28 consist of Shemaiah’s letter from Babylon.
Thus for “saying … to Jerusalem” (Jeremiah 29:25) they substitute (suggested apparently by Jeremiah 29:31) “I did not send thee in my name,” as though it were a Divine utterance addressed to Shemaiah. Moreover, they are obliged in Jeremiah 29:27 both to omit the negative and to make Jeremiah speak of himself in the 3rd person. Lastly, there is in their rendering no clue to the contents of “the letter” of Jeremiah 29:29.
Barnes' Notes on Jeremiah 29:24
A narrative showing the effects of Jeremiah’s letter. Shemaiah the leader of the false prophets wrote to Zephaniah, urging him to restrain the prophet’s zeal with the prison and the stocks.
Whedon's Commentary on Jeremiah 29:24
OF THE LETTER, Jeremiah 29:24-32. 24. This passage is separated from the preceding by sufficient time for Jeremiah’s letter to be carried to Babylon, and for this retaliatory letter of Shemaiah to reach Jerusalem.