Jeremiah 29 Commentary

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"Jeremiah on the Ruins of Jerusalem"
(Horace Vernet, 1844)

'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD,
'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.
-- Jeremiah 29:11
(Play beautiful related song by Marty Goetz and Misha)

Click chart to enlarge

Click chart to enlarge
Chart from recommended resource Jensen's Survey of the OT - used by permission
Jeremiah Chart from Charles Swindoll

JEREMIAH: "PROPHET TO THE NATIONS" Sin - "I Will Punish" (Jer 9:25) Hope - "I Will Restore" (Jer 30:17) Judah & Jerusalem
Prophet Called Jer 1:1-1:19	Prophecies to Judah Jer 2:1-45:5				Prophecies to the Gentiles Jer 46:1-51:64	Prophet's Appendix Jer 52:1-52:34
Prophet's Commission Jer 1:1-19	Judah Condemned Jer 2:1-25:38	Jeremiah's Conflicts Jer 26:1-29:32	Jerusalem's Future Jer 30:1-33:26	Jerusalem's Fall Jer 34:1-45:5	Nations Condemned Jer 46:1-51:64	Historic Conclusion Jer 52:1-52:34
Before The Fall Of Jerusalem Jer 1:1-38:28				The Fall Jer 39:1-18	After The Fall
Call	Ministry					Retrospect
Nation of Judah					Surrounding Nations	Future of Babylon
627-582 BC Ministered 40+ Years!

Map of Israel at Time of Jeremiah
Source: ESV Global Study Bible

Source: ESV Global Study Bible

Jeremiah 29:1 Now these are the words of the letter which Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the rest of the elders of the exile, the priests, the prophets and all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon.

• Now: This transaction is supposed to have taken place in the first or second year of Zedekiah.
• of the letter: Jer 29:25-29 2Ch 30:1-6 Es 9:20 Ac 15:23 2Co 7:8 Ga 6:11 Heb 13:22 Rev 2:1-3:22 
• the elders: Jer 24:1-7 28:4 

Related Passages: 

2 Kings 24:14-16 Then he led away into exile all Jerusalem and all the captains and all the mighty men of valor, ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and the smiths. None remained except the poorest people of the land.  15So he led Jehoiachin away into exile to Babylon; also the king’s mother and the king’s wives and his officials and the leading men of the land, he led away into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. 16All the men of valor, seven thousand, and the craftsmen and the smiths, one thousand, all strong and fit for war, and these the king of Babylon brought into exile to Babylon.

Ezekiel 11:16  “Therefore say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “Though I had removed them far away among the nations and though I had scattered them among the countries, yet I was a sanctuary for them a little while in the countries where they had gone.”’

INTRODUCTION - Part I of the book of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1–29) unfolds in a largely chronological sequence, recording prophetic messages delivered during the reigns of Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah, and culminating in Jeremiah 29 which turns its focus to those already exiled in Babylon, exhorting them to remain content in their circumstances and faithful to the Lord even in a foreign land (Jer 29:4–7). Part II (Jer 30–36) gathers various prophecies without strict chronological order, and the whole book may be viewed in six major divisions: Jer 1–29; 30–36; 37–39; 40–42; 43–44; and 45–52. Jeremiah 29 specifically contains letters sent by the prophet to the exiles in Babylon, likely written after the deportation of Jeconiah (Jehoiachin) in 597 BC, addressed to the Jews carried away at that time (3,023  in Jer 52:28; 10,000 in 2Ki 24:14 - difference in these numbers is uncertain), urging them to live normal, settled lives in exile, to wait patiently for the Lord’s promised restoration after seventy years (Jer 29:10–14), and to reject the deceptive assurances of false prophets such as Ahab and Zedekiah (Jer 29:21).

Now - This is a time marker, designating a precise historical shift and specifically pointing to the period after the second deportation in 597 BC, when Jehoiachin (Jeconiah) was taken to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar (2Ki 24:12–16) along with a significant portion of its leadership, craftsmen, and elites. Now marks the fact that the exile had begun but was not yet complete. Jerusalem still stood, albeit already judged. Jeremiah is speaking from Jerusalem to the exiles in Babylon, declaring that though they are far from the Promised Land, they are not beyond the reach of Yahweh the Promise Keeping God. . 

These are the words of the letter  This opening signals that this is not casual correspondence but authoritative revelation, for though it comes in the form of a letter, it bears the full weight of prophetic Scripture. The message is not merely Jeremiah’s—it is God’s, for “men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God” (2 Peter 1:21), and thus the human instrument does not diminish the divine authority. The medium is a letter, but the source is the Lord Himself, who speaks with certainty and purpose even into the place of exile, demonstrating that His word is not bound by geography or circumstance (2 Timothy 2:9) and that even in judgment He continues to reveal, instruct, and call His people to Himself (Jeremiah 29:10–13).

Which Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem  Jeremiah remains in Jerusalem while others are in Babylon which naturally creates a bit of a geographic tension. Yet distance does not limit divine communication and Yahweh will use the mouthpiece of his servant (in this case in the form of a written communication) to speak to the Chosen People in distress and discouragment in exile.  As Ps 139:7 declares, “Where can I go from Your Spirit?” Even in Babylon, God’s Word would reach His people. (And wherever you are beloved, physically or spiritually, God's Word is able to reach you and minister to your soul!) 

To the rest of the elders of the exile, the priests, the prophets and all the people This comprehensive list shows that the message is for the entire covenant community, leaders and laity alike. The elders represent civil leadership (which is still somehow in place in exile). The priests are apparently  allowed some degree of religious freedom. While they could not offer sacrifices, since worship was centralized in the temple in Jerusalem (Dt 12:5–6), they were able to gather, teach, pray, and seek the Lord. And though the altar was absent, the presence of God was not (Ezekiel 11:16). We see elders repeatedly coming to Ezekiel to inquire of God (Ezekiel 8:1; 14:1; 20:1), indicating organized spiritual life even in exile. In short, no group is exempt from hearing God’s Word. Compare Deuteronomy 29:10–11, where all Israel stands together before the LORD.

Whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar is the human instrument, but God is the ultimate agent as Jeremiah makes clear in Jeremiah 29:4. On one hand there was clearly political conquest, but on the unseen hand the exile wass divine discipline (cf 2Ch 36:17). 

🙏 THOUGHT - Are you experiencing the disiplining hand of Yahweh? Then the encouraging principle you can glean from this verse is that even in discipline, God’s children are never beyond the reach of His Word or the purposes of His hand (cf Ro 8:28+). Hebrews 12:11+ says "All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness."

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Bob Utley makes an interesting observation that "This chapter clearly presents YHWH's sovereignty in the actions of history. Notice the string of "I have. . ." or "I will . .." statement

1. I have sent into exile, Jer. 29:4,14,18,20
2. I have not sent them (i.e. the false prophets in Babylon), Jer. 29:9
3. I will visit you (i.e. in Babylon), Jer. 29:10
4. I will fulfill My good word (i.e. to bring you back to Palestine), Jer. 29:10
5. I have plans for you (two emphatic "I's"), Jer. 29:11
6. I will listen to you (see note at Jer. 29:11-14), Jer. 29:12
7. I will restore your fortunes, Jer. 29:14
8. I will gather you from all the nations. . .where I have driven you, Jer. 29:14
9. I will send upon them the sword, famine, and pestilence (i.e. the Jews still in Judah), Jer. 29:17
10. I will make them like rotten fruit (i.e. the Jews still in Judah), Jer. 29:17
11. I will pursue them with the sword, Jer. 29:18
12. I sent to them again and again My servants (i.e. the prophets), Jer. 29:19
13. I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar (i.e. false prophets killed in Babylon), Jer. 29:21
14. I did not command them (i.e. the false prophets to speak), Jer. 29:23
15. I am He who knows and am a witness, Jer. 29:23
16. I am about to punish Shemaiah (i.e. false prophet), Jer. 29:32
17. I am about to do (good) to My people (i.e. the Jews in Babylon), Jer. 29:32
    YHWH, unlike the lifeless idols, is active in the lives of His people for His larger redemptive purposes!

Jeremiah 29:2 (This was after King Jeconiah and the queen mother, the court officials, the princes of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen and the smiths had departed from Jerusalem.)

• Jeconiah: Jer 22:24-28, Coniah, Jer 27:20 28:4 2Ki 24:12-16 2Ch 36:9,10,
•  court officials- KJV = eunuchs: or, chamberlains, 2Ki 9:32 *marg: 2Ki 20:18 Da 1:3-21 

Related Passages: 

2 Kings 24:12-16+ (JECONIAH'S SURRENDER TO NEBUCHADNEZZAR - 597 BC)  Jehoiachin the king of Judah went out to the king of Babylon, he and his mother and his servants and his captains and his officials. So the king of Babylon took him captive in the eighth year of his reign. 13 He carried out from there all the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king’s house, and cut in pieces all the vessels of gold which Solomon king of Israel had made in the temple of the LORD, just as the LORD had said. 14 Then he led away into exile all Jerusalem and all the captains and all the mighty men of valor, ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and the smiths. None remained except the poorest people of the land.  15 So he led Jehoiachin away into exile to Babylon; also the king’s mother (QUEEN MOTHER) and the king’s wives (NOTE POLYGAMY) and his officials and the leading men of the land, he led away into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. 16 All the men of valor, seven thousand, and the craftsmen and the smiths, one thousand, all strong and fit for war, and these the king of Babylon brought into exile to Babylon.

JEREMIAH'S LETTER IS BEFORE
THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM

This was after King Jeconiah (Jehoiachin 2Ki 24:8, Coniah Jer 22:24) - To what does "this" refer? Some suggest it refers to the exile, but others like the NET Bible translation see "this" as referring to Jeremiah's letter rendering it "He sent it after King Jeconiah..." In context, the "this" seems to be more accurately interpreted as anchoring the timing of the letter, i.e., ater the 597 deportation. In sum, Jeremiah 29:1 explains that a letter is being sent “to the rest of the elders of the exile,” and Jer 29:2 inserts a parenthetical reminder of which exile movement we are talking about. 

The word "after" places the timing in the second deportation (597 BC). Jeconiah, a Davidic king, was taken to Babylon after only three months on the throne. This is significant because it shows that even the line of David was not exempt from discipline. God had promised a Davidic dynasty (2 Samuel 7:16), yet disobedience brought immediate judgment upon the throne.

and the queen mother, the court officials, the princes of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen and the smiths had departed from Jerusalem

NET NOTE  on court (palace) officials - This term is often mistakenly understood to refer to a "eunuch." It is clear, however, in Gen 39:1 that "eunuchs" could be married. On the other hand it is clear from Isa 59:3–5 that some who bore this title could not have children. In this period, it is possible that the persons who bore this title were high officials like the rab saris who was a high official in the Babylonian court (cf. Jer 39:3 , 13; 52:25). 

Bob Utley adds "the court officials" "literally is "eunuchs" (BDB 710). It is an Akkadian word which means "the one at the head." Usually this refers to those who had been castrated and put into public service. But, since Potiphar (Gen. 39:1) was married and has this same title, this term may have come to mean simply "a government official."

Jeremiah 29:3 The letter was sent by the hand of Elasah the son of Shaphan, and Gemariah the son of Hilkiah, whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent to Babylon to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, saying,

• Shaphan: Jer 26:24 39:14 2Ki 22:8 Eze 8:11 
• Gemariah: Jer 36:25 2Ki 22:12 2Ch 34:20 

The letter was sent by the hand of Elasah the son of Shaphan, and Gemariah the son of Hilkiah, whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent to Babylon to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, saying,

BSB - The couriers were from priestly families connected with the reform of Josiah. It is possible that Gemariah was the son of Hilkiah, the famous priest of Josiah's day. Their mission almost certainly included the carrying of tribute or payment to Nebuchadnezzar from Zedekiah, showing the latter's loyalty.
 

Jeremiah 29:4 “Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon,

• whom: Jer 24:5 Isa 5:5 10:5,6 45:7 59:1,2 Am 3:6 

Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon,

GOD, Sovereignty--God rules foreign lands as well as the land of His chosen people. Geography does not restrict God. Neither do prophets who preach without receiving words from God. We can trust God in His sovereign rule because we know ultimately His plans give us hope and a future. See note on 14:3-4.

Jeremiah 29:5 ‘Build houses and live in them; and plant gardens and eat their produce.

• Jer 29:10,28 Eze 28:26 

Build houses and live in them; and plant gardens and eat their produce.

Jeremiah 29:6 ‘Take wives and become the fathers of sons and daughters, and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; and multiply there and do not decrease.

• Take: Jer 16:2-4 Ge 1:27,28 9:7 1Ti 5:14 
• take wives: Ge 21:21 24:3,4,51,60 28:1-4 29:19 34:4 Jud 1:12-14 12:9 14:2 1Co 7:36-38 

Take wives and become the fathers of sons and daughters, and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; and multiply there and do not decrease.

Jeremiah 29:7 ‘Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare.’

• seek: Da 4:27 6:4,5 Ro 13:1,5 1Pe 2:13-17 
• pray: Ezr 6:10 7:23 Da 4:19 1Ti 2:1,2 

Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare

The Lord admonishes His people to submit humbly to His will, making Babylon their home (v. 28), honoring its government, praying God's blessings even upon this foreign land in order that they might share in these blessings (cf. Gen. 18:23-32; Isa. 65:8).

Jeremiah 29:8 “For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, ‘Do not let your prophets who are in your midst and your diviners deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams which they dream.

• Let: Jer 14:14 23:21 27:14,15 28:15 Zec 13:4 Mt 24:4,5,24 Mk 13:5,6,22,23 Lu 21:8 Ro 16:18 2Co 11:13-15 Eph 4:14 5:6 2Th 2:3,9-11 2Ti 3:13 2Jn 1:7-9 Rev 13:14 19:20 
• your dreams: Jer 5:31 Mic 2:11 Lu 6:26 2Pe 2:2,3 

For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, ‘Do not let your prophets who are in your midst and your diviners deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams which they dream.

BSB Another warning is given concerning the false prophets who would create false hope in an early return to Judah. These people-pleasers preached only what the people wanted to hear.

Jeremiah 29:9 ‘For they prophesy falsely to you in My name; I have not sent them,’ declares the LORD.  

• falsely: Heb. in a lie, Jer 29:23,31 27:15 

For they prophesy falsely to you in My name; I have not sent them,’ declares the LORD

Jeremiah 29:10 “For thus says the LORD, ‘When seventy years have been completed for Babylon, I will visit you and fulfill My good word to you, to bring you back to this place.

• after: Jer 25:12 27:7,22 2Ch 36:21-23 Ezr 1:1,2 Da 9:2 Zec 7:5 
• I will: Jer 24:6,7 32:42-44 Zep 2:7 

For thus says the LORD, ‘When seventy years have been completed for Babylon, I will visit you and fulfill My good word to you, to bring you back to this place

 

2Ch36:21  to fulfill the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed its sabbaths. All the days of its desolation it kept sabbath until seventy years were complete. WHY? Because God stands by His word to fulfill it.
God always fulfills His word to Israel bc the gifts and callings of God are irrevocable. Ro11:29  

Jer 25:11 gives the first prophecy of the seventy year captivity and exile. Here is added the promise of a return to Israel after the 70 years (cf 2 Ch36:21 and Da9:2).

This is the promise of the 70 years' duration of captivity read by Daniel the prophet (Da9:2).

REVELATION, History--Revelation for Israel centered on God's actions in their history in response to the people's faith or lack of it. Such revelation was often general, pointing to a future moment of judgment or day of salvation. It could be quite specific as Jeremiah's pointing seventy years ahead. Seventy years could be a normal human life (Ps 90:10; Isa 23:15). In Jer 25:11-12 the seventy years may refer to the period from 605, the date in 25:1, to 538 when Israel first returned from Exile, or from 587, the destruction of the Temple, to 515, the Temple rededication. Later literature used the expression in different ways. Compare 2 Ch 36:20-23; (586 BC); Ezr 1:1 (538 BC); Zec 1:12 (519 BC); Da 9:2 (538 BC); 9:24-27.

29:10-11  SALVATION, Grace--God graciously promised to bring the scattered Jewish exiles in Babylon back to their homeland after seventy years (25:11-12). His plans for His people are always pregnant with grace.

 Jeremiah 25:11 gives the first prophecy of the seventy year captivity and exile. Here is added the promise of a return to Israel after the 70 years (note also the references in 2 Chronicles 36:21 and Daniel 9:2).

This is the promise of the 70 years' duration of captivity read by Daniel the prophet (Dan. 9:10).
 

Jeremiah 29:11 ‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.

• I know: Job 23:13 Ps 33:11 40:5 Isa 46:10,11 55:8-12 Mic 4:12 Zec 1:6 Zec 8:14,15 
• thoughts: Jer 3:12-19 30:18-22 31:1-33:26 Isa 40:1-46:13 Eze 34:11-31 Eze 36:1-37:28 39:1-29 Ho 2:14-23 3:5 14:2-9 Joe 2:28-32 Am 9:8-15 Mic 5:4-7 7:14-20 Zep 3:14-20 Zec 9:9-17 12:5-10 Zec 14:20,21 Rev 14:8-14 
• expected end: Heb. end and expectation, La 3:26 

For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.

So this is initially to Israel even though many Christians claim it because they know that God is faithful to keep His promises. (also cf Ro15:4)

This message was sent in a letter from Jeremiah to the Jews in Babylon who had been taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar. Life couldn’t have looked worse to them - their nation had been defeated and plundered, undoubtedly many of their friends and loved ones had been killed or seriously hurt, and they were prisoners in a foreign land. In the midst of these terrible circumstances, however, God gives a message of hope - he has great plans for them, as individuals and as a nation.

By way of application, God has the same basic message for believers today (and we are not here to the church as the "spiritual Israel" which is grave interpretation error or else God's promises to the Abraham and to his offspring the Jews are void and God is not faithful to His promises) Are you suffering sorrow or loneliness (Maybe your mate has told you they just don't love you anymore). Are you struggling through difficult times? If you are a child of the Living God,take heart and take hope for your Heavenly Father has good thoughts and plans for your life! 

Jeremiah 29:12 ‘Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.

• Jer 31:9 33:3 Ne 2:4-20 Ps 10:17 50:15 102:16,17 Isa 30:19 65:24 Eze 36:37 Da 9:3-19 Zec 13:9 Mt 7:7,8 

Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you

Jeremiah 29:13 ‘You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

• ye shall: Lev 26:40-45 De 4:29-31 30:1-20 1Ki 8:47-50 2Ch 6:37-39 Ps 91:15 Isa 55:6,7 Ho 5:15 6:1-3 Am 5:4-6 Zep 2:1-3 Lu 11:9,10 
• with: Jer 3:10 24:7 De 30:2,10 1Ki 2:4 2Ki 23:3 2Ch 22:9 31:21 Ps 119:2,10,58,69,145 Joe 2:12 Ac 8:37 

You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

HM - Although this promise was given specifically to the Israelites exiled in Babylonia, the principle is universally true (Hebrews 11:6).  29:13 all your heart.  The Lord here confirms His promise in Deuteronomy 30:1-3. A half-hearted repentance and faith will not suffice. This promise to ancient Israel applies in principle to any aspect of our relation to God. The first commandment, according to Jesus, is to love God "with all thy heart" (Matthew 22:37).

BSB - These words renew God's covenant (cf. Deut. 4:29, 30). Finding God is the blessing and joy of restoration (Ps. 51:11, 12). In exile, the people will seek restoration to God, and God will then restore them to the land, renewing the covenant relationship in His eternal faithfulness (v. 12).

Jeremiah 29:14 ‘I will be found by you,’ declares the LORD, ‘and I will restore your fortunes and will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you,’ declares the LORD, ‘and I will bring you back to the place from where I sent you into exile.’  

• I will be: De 4:7 1Ch 28:9 2Ch 15:12-15 Ps 32:6 46:1 Isa 45:19 55:6 Ro 10:20 
• and I will turn: Jer 16:14,15 23:3-8 24:5-7 30:3,10 31:8-14 32:37-44 33:7-26 Jer 46:27,28 50:4,5,19,20,33,34 51:10 Ps 126:1,4 Eze 11:16-20 Eze 34:1-31 36:1-39:29 Am 9:14 Mic 4:12 Zep 3:20 

I will be found by you,’ declares the LORD, ‘and I will restore your fortunes and will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you,’ declares the LORD, ‘and I will bring you back to the place from where I sent you into exile.’  

Jeremiah 29:15 “Because you have said, ‘The LORD has raised up prophets for us in Babylon’–

• Jer 29:8,9 28:1-17 Eze 1:1,3 

Because you have said, ‘The LORD has raised up prophets for us in Babylon’–

Jeremiah 29:16 for thus says the LORD concerning the king who sits on the throne of David, and concerning all the people who dwell in this city, your brothers who did not go with you into exile–

• Jer 29:3 24:2 38:2,3,17-23 Eze 6:1-9:11 17:12-21 21:9-27 22:31 Eze 24:1-14 

for thus says the LORD concerning the king who sits on the throne of David Zedekiah (597-586 B.C.).

and concerning all the people who dwell in this city, your brothers who did not go with you into exile–

Jeremiah 29:17 thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘Behold, I am sending upon them the sword, famine and pestilence, and I will make them like split-open figs that cannot be eaten due to rottenness.

• Behold: Jer 29:18 15:2,3 24:8-10 34:17-22 43:11 52:6 Eze 5:12-17 14:12-21 Lu 21:11,23 
• them like: Jer 24:1-3,8 

thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘Behold, I am sending upon them the sword, famine and pestilence, and I will make them like split-open figs that cannot be eaten due to rottenness.

Jeremiah 29:18 ‘I will pursue them with the sword, with famine and with pestilence; and I will make them a terror to all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a curse and a horror and a hissing, and a reproach among all the nations where I have driven them,

• will deliver: Jer 15:4 24:9 34:17 Lev 26:33 De 28:25,64 2Ch 29:8 Ps 44:11 Eze 6:8 12:15 22:15 36:19 Am 9:9 Zec 7:14 Lu 21:24 
• to be a curse: Heb. for a curse, Jer 29:22 19:8 25:9 26:6 42:18 De 29:21-28 1Ki 9:7,8 2Ch 7:19-22 29:8 Isa 65:15 La 2:15,16 

I will pursue them with the sword, with famine and with pestilence; and I will make them a terror to all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a curse and a horror and a hissing, and a reproach among all the nations where I have driven them

Deu 28:25; 2 Chr 29:8; Jer 15:4; 24:9; 34:17 
Jer 25:9,18 

Jeremiah 29:19 because they have not listened to My words,’ declares the LORD, ‘which I sent to them again and again by My servants the prophets; but you did not listen,’ declares the LORD.

• Jer 6:19 7:13,24-26 25:3-7 26:5 32:33 34:17 35:14-16 44:4,5 Zec 1:4-6 7:11-13 Heb 12:25 

because they have not listened to My words,’ declares the LORD, ‘which I sent to them again and again by My servants the prophets; but you did not listen,’ declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 29:20 “You, therefore, hear the word of the LORD, all you exiles, whom I have sent away from Jerusalem to Babylon.  

• hear: Dr. Blayney thinks there were two letters written by the prophet to the captives in Babylon, and the first ends with this verse.  That having heard, on the return of the embassy, that the captives had received his advices favourably, and because they were deceived by false prophets, who promised them a speedier deliverance, he therefore wrote a second letter, beginning with the fifteenth verse, and going on with the twenty-first, etc. (in which order these verses are read in the Septuagint,) in which he denounces God's judgments on the three chief of those, Ahab, Zedekiah, and Shemaiah.
• all ye: Eze 3:11,15 
• whom: Jer 24:5 Mic 4:10 

You, therefore, hear the word of the LORD, all you exiles, whom I have sent away from Jerusalem to Babylon

Jeremiah 29:21 “Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, concerning Ahab the son of Kolaiah and concerning Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah, who are prophesying to you falsely in My name, ‘Behold, I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and he will slay them before your eyes.

• which: Jer 29:8,9 14:14,15 La 2:14 

Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, concerning Ahab the son of Kolaiah and concerning Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah, who are prophesying to you falsely in My name, ‘Behold, I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and he will slay them before your eyes.

Jeremiah 29:22 ‘Because of them a curse will be used by all the exiles from Judah who are in Babylon, saying, “May the LORD make you like Zedekiah and like Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire,

• shall be: Ge 48:20 Ru 4:11 Isa 65:15 1Co 16:22 
• roasted: Da 3:6,21 

Because of them a curse will be used by all the exiles from Judah who are in Babylon, saying, “May the LORD make you like Zedekiah and like Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire

Jeremiah 29:23 because they have acted foolishly in Israel, and have committed adultery with their neighbors’ wives and have spoken words in My name falsely, which I did not command them; and I am He who knows and am a witness,” declares the LORD.’”  

• and have: Jer 7:9,10 23:14,21 Ps 50:16-18 Zep 3:4 2Pe 2:10-19 Jude 1:8-11 
• lying: Jer 29:8,9,21 
• even I: Jer 13:27 16:17 23:23,24 Pr 5:21 Mal 2:14 3:5 Heb 4:13 Rev 1:5 Rev 3:14 

because they have acted foolishly in Israel, and have committed adultery with their neighbors’ wives and have spoken words in My name falsely, which I did not command them; and I am He who knows and am a witness,” declares the LORD

Jeremiah 29:24 To Shemaiah the Nehelamite you shall speak, saying,

• Shemaiah: Jer 29:31,32 
• Nehelamite: or, dreamer, Jer 29:8 

To Shemaiah the Nehelamite you shall speak, saying,

Ryrie Many exiles in Babylon objected to Jeremiah's letter and tried to engineer official reprisals against him by appealing through a false prophet (Shemaiah) to Zephaniah, a deputy to the high priest in Jerusalem (cf. Jer. 52:24), who read Shemaiah's letter to Jeremiah. The true prophet then denounced the false prophet. 
 

Jeremiah 29:25 “Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, ‘Because you have sent letters in your own name to all the people who are in Jerusalem, and to Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah, the priest, and to all the priests, saying,

• Because: 1Ki 21:8-13 2Ki 10:1-7 19:9,14 2Ch 32:17 Ezr 4:7-16 Ne 6:5,17 Ne 6:19 Ac 9:2 
• Zephaniah: Jer 29:29 21:1,2 37:3 52:24 2Ki 25:18-21 

Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, ‘Because you have sent letters in your own name to all the people who are in Jerusalem, and to Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah, the priest, and to all the priests, saying,

Jeremiah 29:26 “The LORD has made you priest instead of Jehoiada the priest, to be the overseer in the house of the LORD over every madman who prophesies, to put him in the stocks and in the iron collar,

• officers: Jer 20:1,2 2Ki 11:15,18 Ac 4:1 5:24 
• for every: 2Ki 9:11 Ho 9:7 Mk 3:21  Joh 10:20 Ac 26:11,24 2Co 5:13-15 
• and maketh: Jer 29:27 De 13:1-5 Zec 13:3-6 Mt 21:23  Joh 8:53 10:33 
• that thou: Jer 20:1,2 38:6,28 2Ch 16:10 18:26 Ac 5:18 16:24 2Co 11:33 Rev 2:10 

The LORD has made you priest instead of Jehoiada the priest, to be the overseer in the house of the LORD over every madman who prophesies, to put him in the stocks and in the iron collar,

Jeremiah 29:27 now then, why have you not rebuked Jeremiah of Anathoth who prophesies to you?

• therefore: 2Ch 25:16 Am 7:12,13  Joh 11:47-53 Ac 4:17-21 5:28,40 
• which: Jer 29:26 43:2,3 Nu 16:3 Mt 27:63 2Ti 3:8 

now then, why have you not rebuked Jeremiah of Anathoth who prophesies to you

Jeremiah 29:28 “For he has sent to us in Babylon, saying, ‘The exile will be long; build houses and live in them and plant gardens and eat their produce.’”’”  

• Jer 29:1-10 

For he has sent to us in Babylon, saying, ‘The exile will be long; build houses and live in them and plant gardens and eat their produce

Jeremiah 29:29 Zephaniah the priest read this letter to Jeremiah the prophet.

• Jer 29:25 

Zephaniah the priest read this letter to Jeremiah the prophet.

Jeremiah 29:30 Then came the word of the LORD to Jeremiah, saying,

Then came the word of the LORD to Jeremiah, saying,

Jeremiah 29:31 “Send to all the exiles, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite, “Because Shemaiah has prophesied to you, although I did not send him, and he has made you trust in a lie,”

• Send: Jer 29:20 
• Because: Jer 29:9,23 14:14,15 23:21 28:15-17 Eze 13:8-16,22,23 2Pe 2:1 

Send to all the exiles, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite, “Because Shemaiah has prophesied to you, although I did not send him, and he has made you trust in a lie,”

Jeremiah 29:32 therefore thus says the LORD, “Behold, I am about to punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite and his descendants; he will not have anyone living among this people, and he will not see the good that I am about to do to My people,” declares the LORD, “because he has preached rebellion against the LORD.”’”

• punish: Jer 20:6 Ex 20:5 Nu 16:27-33 Jos 7:24,25 2Ki 5:27 Ps 109:8-15 Isa 14:20,22 Am 7:17 
• he shall: Jer 22:30 35:19 1Sa 2:30-34 
• behold: Jer 29:10-14 17:6 2Ki 7:2,19,20 
• rebellion: Heb. revolt, Jer 28:16 *marg:

therefore thus says the LORD, “Behold, I am about to punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite and his descendants; he will not have anyone living among this people, and he will not see the good that I am about to do to My people,” declares the LORD, “because he has preached rebellion against the LORD