Jeremiah 28:13 Meaning and Explanation
“Go and tell Hananiah, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Thou hast broken the yokes of wood; but thou shalt make for them yokes of iron.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God commands Jeremiah to tell Hananiah that he has broken wooden yokes, but will face iron yokes—a harsher judgment.
The Context of Jeremiah 28:13
God reframes Hananiah's symbolic victory: he broke wooden symbols, but real iron bondage awaits.
What Does Jeremiah 28:13 Mean?
The word-play is cutting. Hananiah broke a wooden yoke—a symbol, a prop. But the real yoke of Babylon is iron, not wood. By breaking Jeremiah's symbolic yoke, Hananiah has made the real situation worse. He will be forced to forge iron yokes—to manufacture the very chains that will bind Judah more tightly. The statement assumes his defeat: he will end up serving the very judgment he tried to deny.
This is mercy dressed as judgment. God is saying: You cannot cancel my word by breaking a stick. The reality on the ground—Babylon's iron grip—is far more durable than any symbol. By denying the judgment, Hananiah does not escape it; he only delays its acceptance and deepens its weight.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 28:13
What does Jeremiah 28:13 mean?
God commands Jeremiah to tell Hananiah that he has broken wooden yokes, but will face iron yokes—a harsher judgment.
What is the context of Jeremiah 28:13?
God reframes Hananiah's symbolic victory: he broke wooden symbols, but real iron bondage awaits.