Jeremiah Chapter 29 · Verse 10

Authorized King James Version

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For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.

Original Language Analysis

כִּֽי H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 1 of 22
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
כֹה֙ H3541
כֹה֙
Strong's: H3541
Word #: 2 of 22
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
אָמַ֣ר For thus saith H559
אָמַ֣ר For thus saith
Strong's: H559
Word #: 3 of 22
to say (used with great latitude)
יְהוָ֔ה the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֔ה the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 4 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כִּ֠י H3588
כִּ֠י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 5 of 22
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לְפִ֞י That after H6310
לְפִ֞י That after
Strong's: H6310
Word #: 6 of 22
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
מְלֹ֧את be accomplished H4390
מְלֹ֧את be accomplished
Strong's: H4390
Word #: 7 of 22
to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)
לְבָבֶ֛ל at Babylon H894
לְבָבֶ֛ל at Babylon
Strong's: H894
Word #: 8 of 22
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
שִׁבְעִ֥ים seventy H7657
שִׁבְעִ֥ים seventy
Strong's: H7657
Word #: 9 of 22
seventy
שָׁנָ֖ה years H8141
שָׁנָ֖ה years
Strong's: H8141
Word #: 10 of 22
a year (as a revolution of time)
אֶפְקֹ֣ד I will visit H6485
אֶפְקֹ֣ד I will visit
Strong's: H6485
Word #: 11 of 22
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
אֶתְכֶ֑ם H853
אֶתְכֶ֑ם
Strong's: H853
Word #: 12 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וַהֲקִמֹתִ֤י you and perform H6965
וַהֲקִמֹתִ֤י you and perform
Strong's: H6965
Word #: 13 of 22
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
עֲלֵיכֶם֙ H5921
עֲלֵיכֶם֙
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 14 of 22
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 15 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
דְּבָרִ֣י word H1697
דְּבָרִ֣י word
Strong's: H1697
Word #: 16 of 22
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
הַטּ֔וֹב my good H2896
הַטּ֔וֹב my good
Strong's: H2896
Word #: 17 of 22
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
לְהָשִׁ֣יב toward you in causing you to return H7725
לְהָשִׁ֣יב toward you in causing you to return
Strong's: H7725
Word #: 18 of 22
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
אֶתְכֶ֔ם H853
אֶתְכֶ֔ם
Strong's: H853
Word #: 19 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 20 of 22
near, with or among; often in general, to
הַמָּק֖וֹם to this place H4725
הַמָּק֖וֹם to this place
Strong's: H4725
Word #: 21 of 22
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
הַזֶּֽה׃ H2088
הַזֶּֽה׃
Strong's: H2088
Word #: 22 of 22
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

Analysis & Commentary

God now reveals His specific timeline: seventy years. This precise number served multiple purposes. First, it dashed false hopes of immediate return—this would be a long exile, outlasting most of the current generation. Second, it provided genuine hope—the exile would not be permanent; God would keep His covenant promises. Third, it demonstrated God's sovereign control over history—He ordained both the duration of judgment and the timing of restoration.

The seventy years is calculated from either 605 BC (when Daniel and the first captives were taken) to 536 BC (Cyrus's decree allowing return), or from 586 BC (Jerusalem's destruction) to 516 BC (temple completion). Either way, God's word proved reliable. The promise 'I will visit you' uses the same Hebrew verb (paqad, פָּקַד) used earlier for judgment—but now in its gracious sense of attending to with favor, remembering, and acting on behalf of.

The phrase 'perform my good word toward you' emphasizes God's faithfulness to His promises. Despite judgment, God's ultimate purpose for His people is good. The exile was discipline, not abandonment; temporal judgment, not eternal rejection. This established hope for the remnant and demonstrated that God's redemptive purposes cannot be thwarted by human sin or earthly powers. Romans 8:28 echoes this truth—God works all things together for good for those who love Him.

Historical Context

The seventy years proved precisely accurate, vindicating Jeremiah's prophecy. Daniel, studying Jeremiah's prophecy in Babylon, recognized when the time was fulfilled and interceded for its accomplishment (Daniel 9:2). Cyrus issued his decree in 538 BC, and exiles began returning. This historical fulfillment established Jeremiah's reliability and demonstrated God's sovereign control over empires—Babylon rose and fell exactly according to His timeline.

Questions for Reflection