Even the prophet Jeremiah said, Amen: the LORD do so: the LORD perform thy words which thou hast prophesied, to bring again the vessels of the LORD'S house, and all that is carried away captive, from Babylon into this place.

JEREMIAH 28:6KJV
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Jeremiah 28:6 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 28:6 mean?

Jeremiah 28:6 shows the prophet Jeremiah responding to another prophet’s hopeful message by saying “Amen,” expressing agreement in principle and wishing that the LORD would indeed fulfill the good promise of returning the temple vessels and the exiles from Babylon. Jeremiah’s words, however, also carry a tone of caution, as he does not outright confirm the other prophet’s prediction but rather leaves its fulfillment up to God.

In this scene, Jeremiah is speaking to Hananiah, another prophet who has just prophesied that God will soon restore Jerusalem’s treasures and people from Babylon. Jeremiah’s response is both polite and measured—he hopes for this outcome, but he subtly reminds everyone that only the LORD (יהוה, Yahweh) can truly make such things happen. This moment highlights Jeremiah’s faithfulness to God’s word and his carefulness not to promise what God has not clearly spoken.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 28:6

  • “Amen” (אָמֵן, ’amen): This Hebrew word means “so be it” or “truly.” Jeremiah uses it here to express a sincere wish that Hananiah’s prophecy would come true, but it also signals that he is not guaranteeing it himself.
  • “LORD” (יְהוָה, Yahweh): Jeremiah repeats God’s personal name, emphasizing that only the LORD has the power to fulfill such promises. This repetition draws attention to God’s authority over the situation.
  • “Perform” (יָקוּם, yaqûm): This word means “to establish” or “to make happen.” Jeremiah is careful to say that it is up to God to actually bring about the restoration, not just to speak of it.

Why Jeremiah 28:6 matters

  • Jeremiah 28:6 helps clear up that Jeremiah is not opposing hope or restoration, but he is careful not to speak beyond what God has revealed. He wishes for good, but he does not presume to declare it as certain unless God has spoken.
  • The verse highlights the difference between true and false prophecy. Jeremiah’s response models humility and faithfulness, showing that even a prophet must wait on God’s word rather than simply agreeing with popular or optimistic predictions.
  • This verse connects to the wider passage by setting up the contrast between Jeremiah and Hananiah, which becomes important as the chapter unfolds and God’s true message is revealed.

Where else these words appear

“Amen” Hebrew H543 · used in 24 verses

  • Numbers 5:22 And this water that causeth the curse shall go into thy bowels, to make thy belly to swell, and thy thigh to rot: And the woman shall say, Amen, amen.
  • Deuteronomy 27:21 Cursed be he that lieth with any manner of beast. And all the people shall say, Amen.
  • Nehemiah 5:13 Also I shook my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labour, that performeth not this promise, even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. And all the congregation said, Amen, and praised the LORD. And the people did according to this promise.

“captive” Hebrew H1473 · used in 41 verses

  • 2 Kings 24:15 And he carried away Jehoiachin to Babylon, and the king's mother, and the king's wives, and his officers, and the mighty of the land, those carried he into captivity from Jerusalem to Babylon.
  • Ezra 10:8 And that whosoever would not come within three days, according to the counsel of the princes and the elders, all his substance should be forfeited, and himself separated from the congregation of those that had been carried away.
  • Ezekiel 1:1 Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.

“prophesied” Hebrew H5012 · used in 102 verses

  • Numbers 11:25 And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease.
  • Jeremiah 20:1 Now Pashur the son of Immer the priest, who was also chief governor in the house of the LORD, heard that Jeremiah prophesied these things.
  • Ezekiel 13:16 To wit, the prophets of Israel which prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and which see visions of peace for her, and there is no peace, saith the Lord GOD.

“Jeremiah” Hebrew H3414 · used in 133 verses

  • 2 Kings 23:31 Jehoahaz was twenty and three years old when he began to reign; and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.
  • Jeremiah 29:1 Now these are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem unto the residue of the elders which were carried away captives, and to the priests, and to the prophets, and to all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon;
  • Jeremiah 38:9 My lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet, whom they have cast into the dungeon; and he is like to die for hunger in the place where he is: for there is no more bread in the city.