ירמיהו, פרק כ״ח, פסוק ט״ז

A severe and immediate sentence is directed at a false prophet, sealing his removal from the world for inventing messages in the name of God. This fatal outcome is a direct result of his decision to spread false prophecies [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The divine decree acts as a total expulsion, driving him away [מצודת ציון]. Being removed from the face of the earth is understood quite literally as being lowered beneath the ground; it represents a burial that permanently erases a person's presence from the surface of the world [רד"ק].

The timing of this death sentence is absolute, declaring that he will die within the year. This specific timeframe creates a fascinating discussion regarding the exact moment of his passing. One perspective notes that he indeed died during that year but was not buried until the following year [רש"י]. The tradition of the Sages reveals a hidden drama surrounding this deadline. The false prophet actually died on the very eve of the new year. However, before passing, he ordered his family to conceal his death until the new year had officially begun. His intention was to deceive the public into believing that the true prophecy had failed to materialize within the stated timeframe. Alternatively, another approach suggests that the timeline does not refer to the general calendar year at all, but rather to the specific year of the false prophet's own life [חומת אנך].

Ultimately, the reason for this punishment is that he spoke falsely against God [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. By speaking in His name and sharing messages that God never commanded, the false prophet was struck down by the very lies he chose to spread [ביאור שטיינזלץ].