Jeremiah 28:4

“And I will bring again to this place Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, etc.] This he knew would please the people, who looked upon Zedekiah only as a deputy of the king of Babylon, and not properly their king; but Jeconiah, as he is here called; and he knew that Zedekiah dared not resent this, but was obliged to feigned a desire of Jeconiah’s return, though otherwise not agreeable to him: with all the captives of Judah that went into Babylon, saith the Lord; the princes, officers, and others, that should be living at the time fixed: for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon; weaken his power over other nations, and particularly deliver the king of Judah from his bondage,…”

“bring again . . . Jeconiah--not necessarily implying that Hananiah wished Zedekiah to be superseded by Jeconiah. The main point intended was that the restoration from Babylon should be complete. But, doubtless, the false prophet foretold Jeconiah's return (Kg2 24:12-15), to ingratiate himself with the populace, with whom Jeconiah was a favorite (see on Jer 22:24).”

“Jeconiah - Zedekiah not being popular, the people would have preferred the young king, who had not reigned long enough to make enemies. Probably also Zedekiah had started for Babylon Jeremiah 51:59. return to 'Top of Page'”

“28:4 The false prophet’s message claimed that Jehoiachin would return, which implied that Zedekiah held a lower status as ruler over the kingdom of Judah (see study note on Ezek 1:2). • I, the Lord, have spoken: Hananiah closed with the same strong appeal to divine authority that Jeremiah often used.”

“I will bring: This was doubtless grateful news to the people, who looked upon Zedekiah only as Nebuchadnezzar's deputy. Hananiah seems to have been more desirous of popular than regal favour; for this prediction could not be altogether agreeable to Zedekiah. But he was evidently a weak as well as a wicked prince, and very generally despised. Jeconiah: Jer 22:24, Jer 22:28, Coniah, Jer 24:1, Jer 52:31-34; Kg2 25:27-30, Jehoiachin captives: Heb. captivity, Jer 24:5 \*marg. I will break: Jer 28:2, Jer 28:10, Jer 2:20, Jer 30:8; Gen 27:40; Isa 9:4; Nah 1:13 Jeremiah 28:5”