Jeremiah – Chapter 28

Old Testament17 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 28 of Jeremiah begins: "And it came to pass in that year, in the beginning of the reign of Sedecias king of Juda, in the fourth year, in the fifth month, that…" The chapter centers on Jeremiah and Nebuchadnezzar. Across its 17 verses, two threads run through the text: God's kingdom and kingship and family and covenant relationships. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1And it came to pass in that year, in the beginning of the reign of Sedecias king of Juda, in the fourth year, in the fifth month, that Hananias the son of Azur, a prophet of Gabaon spoke to me, in the house of the Lord before the priests, and all the people, saying:

2Thus saith the Lord of hosts the God of Israel: I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon.

3As yet two years of days, and I will cause all the vessels of the house of the Lord to be brought back into this place, which Nabuchodonosor king of Babylon took away from this place, and carried them to Babylon.

4And I will bring back to this place Jechonias the son of Joakim king of Juda, and all the captives of Juda, that are gone to Babylon, saith the Lord: for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.

5And Jeremiah the prophet said to Hananias the prophet in the presence of the priests, and in the presence of all the people that stood in the house of the Lord:

6And Jeremiah the prophet said: Amen, the Lord do so: the Lord perform thy words, which thou hast prophesied: that the vessels may be brought again into the house of the Lord, and all the captives may return out of Babylon to this place.

7Nevertheless hear this word that I speak in thy ears, and in the ears of all the people:

8The prophets that have been before me, and before thee from the beginning, and have prophesied concerning many countries, and concerning great kingdoms, of war, and of affliction, and of famine.

9The prophet that prophesied peace: when his word shall come to pass, the prophet shall be known, whom the hath sent in truth.

10And Hananias the prophet took the chain from the neck of Jeremiah the prophet, and broke it.

11And Hananias spoke in the presence of all the people, saying: Thus saith the Lord: Even so will I break the yoke of Nabuchodonosor the king of Babylon after two full years from off the neck of all the nations.

12And Jeremiah the prophet went his way. And the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah, after that Hananias the prophet had broken the chain from off the neck of Jeremiah the prophet, saying:

13Go, and tell Hananias: Thus saith the Lord: Thou hast broken chains of wood, and thou shalt make for them chains of iron.

14For thus saith the Lord of hosts the God of Israel: I have put a yoke of iron upon the neck of all these nations, to serve Nabuchodonosor king of Babylon, and they shall serve him: moreover also I have given him the beasts of the earth.

15And Jeremiah the prophet said to Hananias the prophet: Hear now, Hananias: the Lord hath not sent thee, and thou hast made this people to trust in a lie.

16Therefore thus saith the Lord: Behold I will send thee away from off the face of the earth: this year shalt thou die: for thou hast spoken against the Lord.

17And Hananias the prophet died in that year, in the seventh month.

Important Verses in Jeremiah 28

Thus saith the Lord of hosts the God of Israel: I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon.

Jeremiah 28:2

And Jeremiah the prophet said to Hananias the prophet in the presence of the priests, and in the presence of all the people that stood in the house of the Lord:

Jeremiah 28:5

And Hananias spoke in the presence of all the people, saying: Thus saith the Lord: Even so will I break the yoke of Nabuchodonosor the king of Babylon after two full years from off the neck of all the nations.

Jeremiah 28:11

For thus saith the Lord of hosts the God of Israel: I have put a yoke of iron upon the neck of all these nations, to serve Nabuchodonosor king of Babylon, and they shall serve him: moreover also I have given him the beasts of the earth.

Jeremiah 28:14

Historical Context

As a Old Testament book, Jeremiah was written with judah on the brink of destruction, called to repentance in view. Chapter 28 of 52 stands in the central portion of the book, where decisive events or teachings take shape. It is a prophetic oracle addressed to Israel in a moment of covenant crisis or renewal with 17 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter focuses on Jeremiah and Nebuchadnezzar, whose actions and words drive the passage forward. It opens with the line: "And it came to pass in that year, in the beginning of the reign of Sedecias king of Juda, in the fourth year, in the…" It concludes: "And Hananias the prophet died in that year, in the seventh month. " In terms of historical background, Jeremiah prophesied through Judah's final decades, warning of Babylon's coming judgment while priests and false prophets promised peace. Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: Jeremiah's ministry about 627-580 BC.

Who Wrote It

The prophet Jeremiah, with his scribe Baruch

When It Was Written

Jeremiah's ministry about 627-580 BC

Catholic Commentary

At the literal level, this oracle names the sins, judgments, or promises relevant to its original hearers. A pivotal line is verse 2: "Thus saith the Lord of hosts the God of Israel: I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon." The passage repeatedly touches on God's kingdom and kingship.

Catholic exegesis reads Jeremiah 28 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. Jeremiah's new covenant prophecy is fulfilled in Christ (CIC 1965). St. Augustine and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 1095).

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.. The Church invites us to receive this word not as antiquarian information but as living Scripture proclaimed at Mass and prayed in lectio divina.

Main Teachings

  • God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.
  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • Faith is a gift and a decision: entrusting ourselves entirely to God and to His promises.

People in This Chapter

Jeremiah7 mentionsNebuchadnezzar3 mentions

Reflection for Today

When the Church proclaims Jeremiah Chapter 28 at Mass or in the Liturgy of the Hours, she treats this text as the living voice of God.

In the four senses of Scripture—literal, allegorical, moral, and anagogical—the Church finds rich meaning in Jeremiah Chapter 28. At the moral level, stewardship of creation challenges us to examine conscience and amend our lives (CIC 791).

Entrust your meditation to Mary, who pondered God's Word in her heart. Through her intercession, may the message of stewardship of creation bear fruit in humility, courage, and charity this day.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Jeremiah Chapter 28 about?

Jeremiah 28 contains 17 verses. It opens with "And it came to pass in that year, in the beginning of the reign of Sedecias king of Juda, in the fourth year, in the…" and closes with "And Hananias the prophet died in that year, in the seventh month. ". The book as a whole is prophetic oracles, biography, and laments.

What is a key verse in Jeremiah 28?

One of the most significant verses is verse 2: "Thus saith the Lord of hosts the God of Israel: I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Jeremiah Chapter 28?

This chapter mentions Jeremiah, Nebuchadnezzar.

Who wrote Jeremiah and when?

The prophet Jeremiah, with his scribe Baruch. Jeremiah's ministry about 627-580 BC.

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