Therefore hearken not ye to your prophets, nor to your diviners, nor to your dreamers, nor to your enchanters, nor to your sorcerers, which speak unto you, saying, Ye shall not serve the king of Babylon:

JEREMIAH 27:9KJV
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Jeremiah 27:9 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 27:9 mean?

Jeremiah 27:9 warns the people not to listen to anyone—prophets, diviners, dreamers, enchanters, or sorcerers—who tells them they will not have to serve the king of Babylon. The verse is a clear instruction to ignore messages that contradict what God, through Jeremiah, has already said about Babylon’s coming rule.

Jeremiah is speaking to the people of Judah and the surrounding nations during a time when Babylon is rising in power. Many voices in the land are claiming that God will protect them and that they will not fall under Babylon’s control. Jeremiah, however, insists that these reassuring messages are false and that God’s plan is for Babylon to rule for a time as a consequence of the people’s actions.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 27:9

  • "Hearken" (שָׁמַע, shamaʿ): This word means to listen attentively or obey, not just to hear sounds. Jeremiah is telling the people to actively refuse to follow the guidance of these other voices.
  • "Diviners" (קָסַם, qasam): This refers to those who claim to predict the future through supernatural means. Their predictions are being called out as unreliable in this context.
  • "Dreamers" (חֲלוֹם, chalom): This word points to people who claim to have dreams with special meaning or messages from God. Jeremiah is warning that not every dream is a true message from God.
  • "Enchanters" (נָחַשׁ, nachash) and "sorcerers" (כָּשַׁף, kashaf): These terms refer to those who use spells or occult practices. Jeremiah groups them with false prophets and dreamers, showing that any message contradicting God’s word—no matter how it comes—is not to be trusted.

Why Jeremiah 27:9 matters

  • Jeremiah 27:9 makes it clear that not every spiritual message or messenger is trustworthy, even if they use religious language or claim supernatural insight.
  • The verse highlights the pressure the people faced from multiple sources telling them what they wanted to hear, and it shows Jeremiah’s role as a lone voice insisting on God’s actual message.
  • This warning connects to the larger theme in Jeremiah of discerning true prophecy from false, especially in times of crisis when people are desperate for good news.

Where else these words appear

“enchanters” Hebrew H6049 · used in 11 verses

  • Genesis 9:14 And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud:
  • Deuteronomy 18:14 For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the LORD thy God hath not suffered thee so to do.
  • 2 Chronicles 33:6 And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.

“diviners” Hebrew H7080 · used in 20 verses

  • Deuteronomy 18:10 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,
  • Isaiah 3:2 The mighty man, and the man of war, the judge, and the prophet, and the prudent, and the ancient,
  • Ezekiel 21:23 And it shall be unto them as a false divination in their sight, to them that have sworn oaths: but he will call to remembrance the iniquity, that they may be taken.

“dreamers” Hebrew H2472 · used in 55 verses

  • Genesis 20:3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man's wife.
  • Genesis 41:11 And we dreamed a dream in one night, I and he; we dreamed each man according to the interpretation of his dream.
  • 1 Kings 3:15 And Solomon awoke; and, behold, it was a dream. And he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and offered up burnt offerings, and offered peace offerings, and made a feast to all his servants.