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H

Hananiah

The False Prophet

Late Kingdom of Judah (c. 597 BC)

Name Information

Meaning
"The Lord is gracious"
Language of Origin
Hebrew
Gender Usage
Masculine

Hananiah opposed Jeremiah’s warnings about Babylon, falsely prophesying that God would break Babylon’s yoke and return the exiles within two years. His lies gave false hope and defied God’s true word.

Roles

False Prophet

Relationships

Enemy
Jeremiah

Story

During the reign of Zedekiah, Hananiah confronted Jeremiah in the temple.

Broke the wooden yoke Jeremiah wore as a symbol of submission to Babylon.

Prophesied falsely that within two years the temple articles and exiles would return.

Jeremiah pronounced God’s judgment, and Hananiah died within the year.

Spiritual Significance

  1. 1Contradicted Jeremiah’s message from God.
  2. 2Gave the people false assurance of a quick deliverance.
  3. 3Was judged by God with death for his rebellion.

What We Can Learn

  1. 1Not all who claim to speak for God are true messengers.
  2. 2False hope can lead people further from God’s will.
  3. 3God defends His word and vindicates His true servants.

Memory Verses

Listen, Hananiah! The Lord has not sent you, yet you have persuaded this nation to trust in lies.

Jeremiah 28:15

Key Passages

Jeremiah 28

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