Jeremiah 29 1

Jeremiah 29:1 kjv

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 29:1 nkjv

Now these are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the remainder of the elders who were carried away captive?to the priests, the prophets, and all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon.

Jeremiah 29:1 niv

This is the text of the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders among the exiles and to the priests, the prophets and all the other people Nebuchadnezzar had carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon.

Jeremiah 29:1 esv

These are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders of the exiles, and to the priests, the prophets, and all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon.

Jeremiah 29:1 nlt

Jeremiah wrote a letter from Jerusalem to the elders, priests, prophets, and all the people who had been exiled to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar.

Jeremiah 29 verses

Jeremiah 29 1 Meaning

This verse marks the beginning of a prophetic letter sent by Jeremiah to the exiles in Babylon. It records the content of this message, which was divinely inspired to provide instruction and hope to God's people in a foreign land.

Jeremiah 29 1 Context

Jeremiah was prophesying during a turbulent period in Judah's history, leading up to and during the Babylonian exile. Following the capture of Jerusalem and the deportation of many of its citizens, including King Jehoiachin, Jeremiah was commissioned to send a message to those exiled in Babylon. This specific letter addresses the exiles, distinguishing itself from earlier, more general pronouncements and specific interactions with other nations. The content of the letter, as revealed from verse 4 onwards, offers practical advice and a prophecy of future restoration, countering false hopes of an immediate return.

Jeremiah 29 1 Word Analysis

• "Now": The Hebrew word "עתה" (attah) signifies the present moment or a transition to what is about to be stated, indicating the introduction of a specific communication.
• "these": A demonstrative pronoun, "אלה" (elleh), pointing directly to the contents of the letter that follows.
• "are": Implied in the Hebrew, signifying existence or reality.
• "the words": The Hebrew word "דברי" (dibrey) refers to utterances, sayings, or a message.
• "of the letter": "מכתב" (mikhtav) refers to a written document, a letter. This emphasizes the formal and deliberate nature of the communication.
• "that": A relative pronoun introducing the sender and content of the letter.
• "Jeremiah": The name of the prophet, "יִרְמְיָה" (Yirməyāh), meaning "Yahweh exalts."
• "the prophet": "הנביא" (han-nabi'), identifying Jeremiah by his divinely appointed role. This adds authority to the message.
• "sent": "שלח" (shalach) denotes dispatching or sending forth.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Now these are the words of the letter": This introductory phrase clearly sets the stage for the direct communication of Jeremiah's message in written form. It signals a shift from spoken prophecy to a written directive.
• "that Jeremiah the prophet sent": This clause establishes Jeremiah's authorship and prophetic authority for the message being conveyed to the exiles. It clarifies who is speaking and their divinely given mandate.

Jeremiah 29 1 Bonus Section

The fact that the message is in a letter format is significant. Oral prophecies could be misheard or misinterpreted. A written letter provided a more reliable and repeatable transmission of God's word. This also implies that the exiles were capable of receiving and reading such a letter, highlighting a certain level of established infrastructure and literacy within the exiled community. The letter serves as a pastoral document, guiding God’s people through a difficult period of foreign occupation, reminding them of God’s faithfulness and their ultimate destiny.

Jeremiah 29 1 Commentary

This verse functions as an explicit introduction to a crucial written prophecy from Jeremiah to the Jewish exiles in Babylon. The use of a letter format underscores the intentionality and permanence of the message, distinguishing it from ephemeral spoken words. It establishes Jeremiah's role as a divine messenger even to those geographically removed from Jerusalem, carrying God's word of guidance and future hope to a people grappling with displacement and uncertainty. The message contained within this letter will address practical concerns and correct false expectations, offering a divinely sanctioned perspective on their present situation and future.