Jeremiah versus Hananiah (28:1–17)

Early in the reign of Zedekiah (28:1). Though there is some question as to the exact time frame mentioned here (see comments on 21:1 and 27:1), most agree this event occurs in 594–593 B.C. This verse also mentions that it takes place in the fifth month. The reason for mentioning this fact may be that Hananiah’s death happens in the seventh month of the same year (28:17).

Gibeon water system tunnel

Todd Bolen/www.BiblePlaces.com

Hananiah son of Azzur (28:1). Hananiah is a prophet who represents the Jerusalem prophets, who are against Jeremiah and his message. As with previous names mentioned, Hananiah is a common name in Judah at this time. It not only appears several times in the Hebrew Bible but also in extrabiblical sources, such as on the Arad ostraca225 and on the Khirbet El-Meshash ostracon.226 In addition, it is written on twenty-two jar handles from Gibeon and on seals and bullae from Jerusalem, Tell Beit Mirsim, and other places.227

Gibeon (28:1). Gibeon is a Benjaminite town located close to Anathoth, Jeremiah’s hometown. It is identified with el-Jib, which lies about six miles north of Jerusalem. Much like Anathoth, Gibeon was a priestly town and a major cultic site. Solomon received the gift of wisdom from Yahweh in a dream he had at Gibeon, where he had gone to offer sacrifices (1 Kings 3:4–5). Excavations at el-Jib have revealed that Gibeon had a large and impressive water system built in two stages during the Iron Age (1200–332 B.C.). This water system included a tunnel that led to a water chamber, which in turn had a feeder tunnel connecting it to an underground spring. This water system would be the one mentioned in the conflict between the men of Abner and the men of Joab (2 Sam. 2:12–17). It would also be the one that enabled the town to have an important winery that belongs to the eighth and seventh centuries B.C.228

Broke it (28:10). As mentioned above, we consider that Jeremiah only used the yoke collar formed by the cords and yoke pegs (27:2). Therefore what is being broken are the yoke pegs that hold the yoke in place on either side of the neck of the ox. Given the language that is used both here and in chapter 27 regarding the yoke, we suggest that it was not the crossbar of the yoke that was broken. See also comments on 5:5.

Yoke of iron (28:13). The mention of replacing the broken wooden yoke with an iron yoke certainly has dramatic effect. This obviously points toward a much harsher kind of servitude that will be imposed on Judah. This kind of metaphor is reminiscent of the curse articulated in Deuteronomy 28:47–48: “Because you did not serve the LORD your God joyfully … you will serve the enemies the LORD sends against you. He will put an iron yoke on your neck until he has destroyed you.” It should be clarified that a literal iron yoke would not have been at all practical because of its excessive weight.

Give him control over the wild animals (28:14). See comments on 27:6.