Old Testament
Jeremiah 28:8
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
The prophets who came before you and me, long ago, prophesied against many countries and great kingdoms, predicting war, evil, and pestilence.
Compare translations
The prophets that have been before me and before thee of old prophesied both against many countries, and against great kingdoms, of war, and of evil, and of pestilence.
What Jeremiah 28:8 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, the prophet Jeremiah is highlighting a historical pattern among prophets who came before him. They spoke out against various nations and powerful kingdoms, warning them about impending disasters such as war, evil, and disease. This serves to remind the people that prophetic messages often include calls for repentance and warnings about the consequences of turning away from God. The mention of 'war, evil, and pestilence' indicates the serious nature of these warnings, suggesting that the consequences of sin can manifest in various forms of suffering. Jeremiah's reference to past prophets emphasizes the continuity of God's message through time, showing that God has consistently communicated His will and warnings to humanity. This verse serves as a reminder that the role of a prophet is not just to predict the future but also to call people back to righteousness and faithfulness to God.
How to apply Jeremiah 28:8 to your life
This verse encourages us to heed warnings about our actions and their consequences. Just as past prophets called nations to repentance, we should reflect on our lives and seek to align our actions with God's will, avoiding paths that lead to destruction.
Curated for this public verse page. Jeremiah Summary
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.
Illustrated scene from Jeremiah's story: The Yoke (Jeremiah 28:1–17)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Jeremiah
Photo: U.S. Army photo by Spc. Samantha R. Ciaramitaro, via DVIDS and Wikimedia Commons. License: Public domain in the United States — U.S. federal-government work. Source. Location: Great Ziggurat, Ur Archaeological City (Tell el-Mukayyar), Dhi Qar Governorate, Iraq. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Ur
The city Abram's family left to travel toward Canaan.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Jeremiah 28:8
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Jeremiah 28:8
Related Bible verses
Key themes
Related topics
At a Glance — the Book of Jeremiah
- Author
- Jeremiah the prophet, with Baruch
- Written
- Around 600 BC
- Genre
- Prophecy
- Original Audience
- Judah before and during the Babylonian exile
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Jeremiah 28:8 mean?
Jeremiah 28:8 highlights the role of prophets throughout history who warned nations about the consequences of their actions, specifically mentioning disasters like war, evil, and pestilence. It emphasizes that God's messages often include calls for repentance and the seriousness of turning away from Him.
What is the significance of 'war, evil, and pestilence' in Jeremiah 28:8?
The mention of 'war, evil, and pestilence' in Jeremiah 28:8 signifies the severe consequences that can arise from sin and disobedience to God. These terms represent the types of suffering that can result from turning away from God's guidance.
How does Jeremiah 28:8 relate to the role of a prophet?
Jeremiah 28:8 illustrates that the role of a prophet is not only to predict future events but also to call people to righteousness and warn them about the consequences of their actions. This verse emphasizes the responsibility of prophets to convey God's messages of warning and guidance.
What can we learn from Jeremiah 28:8?
From Jeremiah 28:8, we learn the importance of heeding warnings about our actions and their potential consequences. It encourages self-reflection and alignment with God's will to avoid paths that lead to destruction.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.