Jeremiah 45:5
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.
Original Language Analysis
תְּבַקֵּ֑שׁ
And seekest
H1245
תְּבַקֵּ֑שׁ
And seekest
Strong's:
H1245
Word #:
2 of 26
to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
גְדֹל֖וֹת
thou great things
H1419
גְדֹל֖וֹת
thou great things
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
4 of 26
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
5 of 26
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תְּבַקֵּ֑שׁ
And seekest
H1245
תְּבַקֵּ֑שׁ
And seekest
Strong's:
H1245
Word #:
6 of 26
to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
כִּ֡י
H3588
כִּ֡י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
7 of 26
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מֵבִ֨יא
them not for behold I will bring
H935
מֵבִ֨יא
them not for behold I will bring
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
9 of 26
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
11 of 26
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
12 of 26
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
בָּשָׂר֙
upon all flesh
H1320
בָּשָׂר֙
upon all flesh
Strong's:
H1320
Word #:
13 of 26
flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
15 of 26
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְנָתַתִּ֨י
will I give
H5414
וְנָתַתִּ֨י
will I give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
16 of 26
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אֶֽת
H853
אֶֽת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
18 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
נַפְשְׁךָ֙
but thy life
H5315
נַפְשְׁךָ֙
but thy life
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
19 of 26
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
עַ֥ל
H5921
עַ֥ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
21 of 26
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
22 of 26
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַמְּקֹמ֖וֹת
in all places
H4725
הַמְּקֹמ֖וֹת
in all places
Strong's:
H4725
Word #:
23 of 26
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)
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
24 of 26
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Cross References
Jeremiah 39:18For I will surely deliver thee, and thou shalt not fall by the sword, but thy life shall be for a prey unto thee: because thou hast put thy trust in me, saith the LORD.Hebrews 13:5Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.Jeremiah 21:9He that abideth in this city shall die by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence: but he that goeth out, and falleth to the Chaldeans that besiege you, he shall live, and his life shall be unto him for a prey.Jeremiah 38:2Thus saith the LORD, He that remaineth in this city shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence: but he that goeth forth to the Chaldeans shall live; for he shall have his life for a prey, and shall live.Romans 12:16Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.Jeremiah 25:26And all the kings of the north, far and near, one with another, and all the kingdoms of the world, which are upon the face of the earth: and the king of Sheshach shall drink after them.Genesis 6:12And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.Isaiah 66:16For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many.2 Kings 5:26And he said unto him, Went not mine heart with thee, when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants?Zephaniah 3:8Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.
Historical Context
Baruch, as Jeremiah's faithful scribe, apparently struggled with discouragement about his limited impact and lack of recognition. This personal word addresses his internal battle.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you respond when God calls you to faithfulness without recognition or advancement?
- What does it mean to have your life as 'a prey' in times of God's judgment?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God's word to Baruch addresses the temptation to seek personal greatness during national catastrophe. The rhetorical question 'seekest thou great things for thyself?' rebukes ambition when God is bringing judgment. Yet God promises Baruch his life as 'a prey' - survival amid destruction. Contentment with God's preservation rather than advancement is wisdom during judgment. Christ later taught similar principles about seeking first God's kingdom (Matt 6:33).