Jeremiah 29:26

24 You are to tell Shemaiah the Nehelamite that

25 this 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:

‘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.

27 So now, why have you not rebuked Jeremiah of Anathoth, who poses as a prophet among you?

28 For he has sent to us in Babylon, claiming: Since the exile will be lengthy, build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat their produce.’”

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
‘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.
KJV
The LORD hath made thee priest in the stead of Jehoiada the priest, that ye should be officers in the house of the LORD, for every man that is mad, and maketh himself a prophet, that thou shouldest put him in prison, and in the stocks.
WEB
“The LORD has made you priest in the place of Jehoiada the priest, that there may be officers in the LORD’s house, for every man who is crazy and makes himself a prophet, that you should put him in the stocks and in shackles.
ASV
Jehovah hath made thee priest in the stead of Jehoiada the priest, that there may be officers in the house of Jehovah, for every man that is mad, and maketh himself a prophet, that thou shouldest put him in the stocks and in shackles.
DARBY
Jehovah hath made thee priest in the stead of Jehoiada the priest, that there should be officers [in] the house of Jehovah, over every madman and self-made prophet, that thou shouldest put him in the stocks and in the shackles.
BLB
‘YHWH has made you priest in place of Jehoiada the priest, that you should be officers [in] the house of YHWH over every man [who is] mad and makes himself a prophet, that you should put him in prison and in the stocks.
ÅB
Herren har satt deg til prest i presten Jojadas sted, for at det skal være tilsynsmenn i Herrens hus over alle som er fra vettet og gir seg av med å profetere, så du kan legge dem i blokk og bånd.
OTB
‘Herren har gjort deg til prest i stedet for Jojada, til å være tilsynsmann i Herrens hus, for å sette enhver gal mann som profeterer i stokken og halsjernet.
B1930
Herren har satt dig til prest i presten Jojadas sted, forat det skal være tilsynsmenn i Herrens hus over alle som er fra vettet og gir sig av med å profetere, så du kan legge dem i blokk og bånd.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Jeremiah 20:1–2

    When Pashhur the priest, the son of Immer and the chief official in the house of the LORD, heard Jeremiah prophesying these things,

    Read in context
  • 2 Kings 9:11

    When Jehu went out to the servants of his master, they asked, “Is everything all right? Why did this madman come to you?” “You know his kind and their babble,” he replied.

    Read in context
  • John 10:20

    Many of them said, “He is demon-possessed and insane. Why would you listen to Him?”

    Read in context
  • Hosea 9:7

    The days of punishment have come; the days of retribution have arrived— let Israel know it. The prophet is called a fool, and the inspired man insane, because of the greatness of your iniquity and hostility.

    Read in context
  • Acts 26:24

    At this stage of Paul’s defense, Festus exclaimed in a loud voice, “You are insane, Paul! Your great learning is driving you to madness!”

    Read in context
  • Deuteronomy 13:1–5

    If a prophet or dreamer of dreams arises among you and proclaims a sign or wonder to you,

    Read in context
  • Acts 16:24

    On receiving this order, he placed them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.

    Read in context
  • Mark 3:21

    When His family heard about this, they went out to take custody of Him, saying, “He is out of His mind.”

    Read in context