Jeremiah 29:1
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;
Original Language Analysis
דִּבְרֵ֣י
Now these are the words
H1697
דִּבְרֵ֣י
Now these are the words
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
2 of 24
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
הַסֵּ֔פֶר
of the letter
H5612
הַסֵּ֔פֶר
of the letter
Strong's:
H5612
Word #:
3 of 24
properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
4 of 24
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
שָׁלַ֛ח
sent
H7971
שָׁלַ֛ח
sent
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
5 of 24
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
יִרְמְיָ֥ה
that Jeremiah
H3414
יִרְמְיָ֥ה
that Jeremiah
Strong's:
H3414
Word #:
6 of 24
jirmejah, the name of eight or nine israelites
הַנְּבִיאִים֙
and to the prophets
H5030
הַנְּבִיאִים֙
and to the prophets
Strong's:
H5030
Word #:
7 of 24
a prophet or (generally) inspired man
מִירוּשָׁלִַ֖ם
from Jerusalem
H3389
מִירוּשָׁלִַ֖ם
from Jerusalem
Strong's:
H3389
Word #:
8 of 24
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
יֶ֜תֶר
unto the residue
H3499
יֶ֜תֶר
unto the residue
Strong's:
H3499
Word #:
10 of 24
properly, an overhanging, i.e., (by implication) a small rope (as hanging free)
הַגּוֹלָ֗ה
which were carried away captives
H1473
הַגּוֹלָ֗ה
which were carried away captives
Strong's:
H1473
Word #:
12 of 24
exile; concretely and collectively exiles
הַכֹּהֲנִ֤ים
and to the priests
H3548
הַכֹּהֲנִ֤ים
and to the priests
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
14 of 24
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
הַנְּבִיאִים֙
and to the prophets
H5030
הַנְּבִיאִים֙
and to the prophets
Strong's:
H5030
Word #:
16 of 24
a prophet or (generally) inspired man
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
18 of 24
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָעָ֔ם
and to all the people
H5971
הָעָ֔ם
and to all the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
19 of 24
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
20 of 24
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הֶגְלָ֧ה
had carried away captive
H1540
הֶגְלָ֧ה
had carried away captive
Strong's:
H1540
Word #:
21 of 24
to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal
נְבֽוּכַדְנֶאצַּ֛ר
whom Nebuchadnezzar
H5019
נְבֽוּכַדְנֶאצַּ֛ר
whom Nebuchadnezzar
Strong's:
H5019
Word #:
22 of 24
nebukadnetstsar (or nebukadretsts(-ar, or)), king of babylon
Cross References
Esther 9:20And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both nigh and far,Hebrews 13:22And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.Acts 15:23And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:
Historical Context
The letter was sent around 594 BC, about three years after the first deportation. The exiles were settled in various locations in Babylon, including Tel-abib by the river Chebar where Ezekiel prophesied (Ezekiel 3:15). Archaeological evidence shows that some Jewish exiles prospered in Babylon, engaging in business and even owning property. Yet they struggled with the tension between accommodation and assimilation, between faithful presence and losing their distinct identity as God's covenant people.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Jeremiah's letter teach us about how to live faithfully in a culture that does not share biblical values?
- How do we balance seeking our city's welfare while maintaining our distinct identity as God's people?
- In what ways are Christians today 'exiles' living in a foreign land, and how should this shape our engagement with culture?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
This chapter introduces Jeremiah's letter to the Jewish exiles in Babylon—a remarkable document that shaped how God's people should live in a pagan culture. The recipients are carefully identified: 'the residue of the elders...the prophets, and all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive.' This was the elite class of Judah—the first wave of exiles in 597 BC included King Jehoiachin, nobles, craftsmen, and soldiers (2 Kings 24:14-16).
The fact that Jeremiah wrote from Jerusalem to Babylon highlights the divided state of God's people. Those in Jerusalem were tempted to believe the exiles would return quickly, while those in Babylon heard false prophets like Hananiah promising immediate deliverance. Into this confusion, Jeremiah speaks God's true word: the exile will last seventy years (v. 10). This required accepting a difficult present reality rather than grasping at false hope.
This letter establishes a theology of exile that remains relevant for Christians living as 'strangers and pilgrims' in this world (1 Peter 2:11). We are exiled from our true home, living in a culture that does not share our values, yet called to faithfully inhabit that space. Jeremiah's instructions—build houses, plant gardens, marry, multiply, seek the city's welfare—provide a model for faithful presence in a hostile culture.