Hananiah, son of Shelemiah, is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Jeremiah. He is known for his role as a false prophet during the reign of King Zedekiah of Judah. His account is primarily found in Jeremiah 28, where he directly opposes the prophet Jeremiah.

Historical Context

The events involving Hananiah occur during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, around the early 6th century BC. This was a time when the Kingdom of Judah was under the threat of Babylonian domination. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had already exiled some of the Judean elite, and the kingdom was under significant pressure to submit to Babylonian rule.

Role and Actions

Hananiah is introduced as a prophet from Gibeon, a city with a rich history in Israel. In Jeremiah 28, Hananiah confronts Jeremiah in the temple, delivering a message that directly contradicts Jeremiah's prophecies of impending judgment and exile. Hananiah boldly proclaims that within two years, God would break the yoke of the Babylonian king and restore the exiled Judeans and the temple articles to Jerusalem.

The Berean Standard Bible records Hananiah's words: "This is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: ‘I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon. Within two years I will restore to this place all the articles of the LORD’s house that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took away from this place and carried to Babylon.’" (Jeremiah 28:2-3).

Conflict with Jeremiah

Jeremiah, who had been prophesying the opposite—that Judah would fall to Babylon and that the exile would last seventy years—responds to Hananiah's message with skepticism. Initially, Jeremiah expresses a hope that Hananiah's prophecy might come true but reminds the people that true prophets are validated when their prophecies are fulfilled.

Jeremiah warns Hananiah and the people, saying, "The prophets who preceded you and me from ancient times prophesied war, disaster, and plague against many lands and great kingdoms. As for the prophet who prophesies peace, only when the word of the prophet comes to pass will the prophet be recognized as one truly sent by the LORD." (Jeremiah 28:8-9).

Divine Judgment

In a dramatic act, Hananiah breaks the wooden yoke that Jeremiah had been wearing as a symbol of Babylonian oppression, declaring that God would break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar. However, God instructs Jeremiah to tell Hananiah that he has replaced the wooden yoke with an iron one, signifying an even harsher subjugation.

Jeremiah delivers a stern message from God to Hananiah: "Listen, Hananiah! The LORD has not sent you, but you have persuaded this nation to trust in a lie. Therefore, this is what the LORD says: ‘I am about to remove you from the face of the earth. You will die this year because you have preached rebellion against the LORD.’" (Jeremiah 28:15-16).

True to Jeremiah's prophecy, Hananiah dies within the same year, confirming Jeremiah's status as a true prophet of God and serving as a sobering reminder of the consequences of false prophecy.

Theological Significance

Hananiah's account serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of false prophecy and the importance of discerning God's true message. It underscores the theme of divine sovereignty and the fulfillment of God's word, as well as the responsibility of prophets to faithfully convey God's messages, regardless of popular opinion or personal desire.