Jeremiah 45 5

Jeremiah 45:5 kjv

And seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not: for, behold, I will bring evil upon all flesh, saith the LORD: but thy life will I give unto thee for a prey in all places whither thou goest.

Jeremiah 45:5 nkjv

And do you seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them; for behold, I will bring adversity on all flesh," says the LORD. "But I will give your life to you as a prize in all places, wherever you go." ' "

Jeremiah 45:5 niv

Should you then seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them. For I will bring disaster on all people, declares the LORD, but wherever you go I will let you escape with your life.'?"

Jeremiah 45:5 esv

And do you seek great things for yourself? Seek them not, for behold, I am bringing disaster upon all flesh, declares the LORD. But I will give you your life as a prize of war in all places to which you may go."

Jeremiah 45:5 nlt

Are you seeking great things for yourself? Don't do it! I will bring great disaster upon all these people; but I will give you your life as a reward wherever you go. I, the LORD, have spoken!'"

Jeremiah 45 verses

Jeremiah 45 5 Meaning

This verse addresses Baruch, Jeremiah's scribe, who was seeking personal prominence or comfort during a time of great national distress and divine judgment. God rebukes his ambition, declaring that He will bring widespread disaster upon all humanity. However, amidst this universal calamity, God promises Baruch a singular act of preservation: his very life will be spared as a precious trophy, wherever he goes, emphasizing divine protection for those who serve God, not based on their personal seeking for greatness but on God's sovereign grace.

Jeremiah 45 5 Context

Jeremiah chapter 45 serves as a brief, personal oracle from the Lord to Baruch, the prophet Jeremiah's loyal scribe. It is strategically placed in the biblical narrative, following the dramatic account of Jeremiah dictating his prophecies to Baruch, the scroll being read to King Jehoiakim, and then burned (Jeremiah 36). Baruch's distress (Jer 45:3) stems from the burdens of his faithful service to Jeremiah during a perilous time for Judah. The nation is on the brink of Babylonian conquest, facing God's severe judgment. Baruch is "weary with groaning," implying both the general anxiety of the era and potentially personal frustration, perhaps wishing for recognition, security, or relief from the hardship associated with serving an unpopular prophet during a period of divine judgment. This verse provides God's direct, stern, yet comforting response, challenging Baruch's implied seeking for personal aggrandizement ("great things") and refocusing him on the bigger picture of God's global judgment while promising him personal salvation—a valuable lesson on priorities in chaotic times.

Jeremiah 45 5 Word analysis

• And do you seek great things for yourself? (וְאַתָּה מְבַקֵּשׁ־לְךָ גְדֹלוֹת - v’attah mevakesh-lekha gedolot):
  • אתה (attah - you): Emphasis on Baruch himself, a direct, personal address.
  • מבקש (mevakesh - seek, desire): From the root bāqash (בָּקַשׁ), meaning to seek earnestly, diligently, or intently. This implies active, perhaps ambitious or self-serving pursuit.
  • לך (lekha - for yourself): Emphasizes the self-centered nature of his seeking, focusing on personal gain or comfort.
  • גדולות (gedolot - great things): From the root gadal (גָּדַל), meaning to be great, large, important. In this context, it refers to worldly prestige, personal security, wealth, power, recognition, or a position of prominence, especially given the socio-political turmoil. It can be a polemic against common human aspirations that often overshadow divine purpose.
• Do not seek them; (אַל־תְּבַקֵּשׁ - al-tevakesh):
  • A direct divine prohibition, a command from God Himself. It negates the previous phrase, cutting off any pursuit of worldly ambition.
• for behold, I will bring disaster upon all flesh, says the LORD; (כִּי־הִנְנִי מֵבִיא רָעָה עַל־כָּל־בָּשָׂר נְאֻם־יְהוָה - ki-hinneni mevi ra’ah ‘al-kol-basar n’um-YHWH):
  • כי הנני (ki hinneni - for behold I): "For" introduces the reason for the command. "Behold I" signals an imminent and certain divine action.
  • מביא (mevi - bringing): Emphasizes God as the active agent of judgment.
  • רעה (ra’ah - disaster/evil): Can mean evil, harm, calamity, trouble, or disaster. Here, it signifies the comprehensive, devastating judgment to be executed by God.
  • על כל בשר (‘al kol-basar - upon all flesh): "All flesh" signifies humanity in its entirety, indicating the universal scope of the impending calamity, not just limited to Judah. This sets Baruch's small "great things" in stark contrast to God's grand, destructive plan.
  • נאם יהוה (n’um-YHWH - says the LORD): The divine oracle formula, stamping the declaration with absolute authority, truthfulness, and divine certainty. YHWH is the covenant name of God, emphasizing His faithfulness even in judgment.
• but your life I will give you as a prize in all places wherever you go. (וְנָתַתִּי לְךָ אֶת־נַפְשְׁךָ לְשָׁלָל עַל־כָּל־הַמְּקֹמוֹת אֲשֶׁר תֵּלֶךְ־שָׁם - v’natati lekha et-nafshekha leshalal ‘al-kol-hamekómot asher telekh-sham):
  • ונתי (v’natati - but I will give): Introduces a strong contrast. God is not only destructive but also preserver.
  • נפשך (nafshekha - your life, your soul): Refers to his very essence, his existence.
  • לשלל (leshalal - as a prize/booty/spoil): From shālāl (שָׁלָל), meaning plunder or spoil taken in battle. This striking and unique metaphor (used frequently by Jeremiah for promised survival in desperate times) implies that Baruch's life will be rescued miraculously, snatched from the overwhelming destruction as one snatches valuable goods from a conquered enemy. His very survival will be a trophy, a visible testament to God's exceptional grace and protection in the midst of global catastrophe, where virtually all else is lost.
  • על כל המקומות אשר תלך־שם (‘al kol-hamekómot asher telekh-sham - in all places wherever you go): Emphasizes God's pervasive protection, extending to any location Baruch might find himself, reinforcing the absolute nature of the promise, highlighting God's omnipresent care beyond geographical limits.

Jeremiah 45 5 Bonus section

• The "Life as a Prize" Motif: This distinctive phrase appears only four times in the Hebrew Bible, all within the book of Jeremiah (21:9, 38:2, 39:18, and 45:5). Its repeated use reinforces a central theme in Jeremiah's prophecies: that in an era of unprecedented national judgment and destruction, survival itself—bare life—is the ultimate gift and proof of divine favor. It's salvaged, like war plunder, from what is otherwise totally lost.
• Addressing Baruch's Personal Anguish: The broader context of Jeremiah 45:3 indicates Baruch was "weary with my groaning." His quest for "great things" might have been a search for an easier life, an escape from the profound emotional and physical toll of being Jeremiah's scribe, despised and persecuted alongside the prophet. God's message directly responds to this fatigue, reminding him that seeking worldly relief or prominence in such an hour is misguided, but spiritual endurance and bare survival are the true treasures God offers.
• Universal Application: While specifically for Baruch, the principle is universally applicable. In any period of crisis or instability, individuals may be tempted to prioritize personal advancement or security over humble obedience and trust in God. The verse warns against such ambition and assures that God's preservation, not worldly achievements, is the ultimate good for His faithful ones. It teaches reliance on God's protection and provision rather than self-striving.

Jeremiah 45 5 Commentary

Jeremiah 45:5 delivers a powerful and direct message from God to Baruch, His weary and perhaps ambitious servant. At its core, the verse confronts the human tendency to seek self-aggrandizement ("great things") and security, especially during times of crisis. Baruch's unarticulated aspirations are challenged by God's sweeping declaration of universal judgment ("I will bring disaster upon all flesh"). This stark contrast underscores the futility of seeking earthly comfort or recognition when the very foundations of the world are being shaken by divine decree.

The divine instruction, "Do not seek them," is a call to humility and abandonment of selfish ambition. It signifies that God's purpose for His servants is not worldly gain but faithful obedience, irrespective of external rewards or comfort. The ultimate "prize" is redefined from worldly achievement to sheer survival, gifted by God's sovereign grace. The unique metaphor of "life as a prize" (שָׁלָל - shālāl) emphasizes that Baruch's survival amidst impending widespread death and destruction will be a miraculous deliverance, a sign of God's covenant faithfulness and unique favor, not something earned through his "greatness." This divine assurance transforms his understanding of true value and provides genuine comfort despite the ongoing hardships. The promise of preservation "wherever you go" further assures Baruch of God's pervasive care, offering a security far greater than any he could seek for himself. This passage teaches that true life is found not in seeking personal gain, but in submission to God's greater plan, even amidst overwhelming trials.