Bible Strands
Jeremiah 29:1
This is the text of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders among the exiles and to the priests, the prophets, and all the others Nebuchadnezzar had carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jeremiah the prophet addresses the surviving elders, priests, prophets, and exiles in Babylon from Jerusalem. This communication follows the deportation of King Jeconiah, the queen mother, court officials, and craftsmen to Babylon.
The words — The text opens with וְ/אֵ֙לֶּ֙ (ve./'E.leh) meaning "and these," paired with דִּבְרֵ֣י הַ/סֵּ֔פֶר (div.Rei ha./Se.fer) meaning "the words of the letter." It identifies the sender as יִרְמְיָ֥ה הַ/נָּבִ֖יא (yir.me.Yah ha./na.Vi') "Jeremiah the prophet" who שָׁלַ֛ח (sha.Lach) "sent" it from מִ/ירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם (mi./ru.sha.Lim) "from Jerusalem."
The thread — The formal letter format mirrors Mordecai’s official correspondence to Persian Jews (Esther 9:20) and the apostolic decree sent to Gentile believers (Acts 15:23). It also stands in direct contrast to the unauthorized correspondence Jeremiah 29:25 records the Lord condemning.
Why it lands — The verse presents a historical document from a prophet to a displaced community, requiring readers to evaluate the subsequent instructions within a specific post-deportation reality rather than as abstract prophecy.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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;
Cross-references
- Esther 9:20 Mordecai recorded these events and sent letters to all the Jews in all the provinces of King Xerxes, both near and far,
- Jeremiah 29:25 this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “In your own name you have sent out letters to all the people of Jerusalem, to the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah, and to all the priests. You said to Zephaniah:
- Acts 15:23 and sent them with this letter: The apostles and the elders, your brothers, To the brothers among the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings.
- Hebrews 13:22 I urge you, brothers, to bear with my word of exhortation, for I have only written to you briefly.
- Revelation 2:1 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of Him who holds the seven stars in His right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands.
- 2 Chronicles 30:1 Then Hezekiah sent word throughout all Israel and Judah, and he also wrote letters to Ephraim and Manasseh inviting them to come to the house of the LORD in Jerusalem to keep the Passover of the LORD, the God of Israel.
- Jeremiah 24:1 After Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had carried away Jeconiah son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, as well as the officials of Judah and the craftsmen and metalsmiths from Jerusalem, and had brought them to Babylon, the LORD showed me two baskets of figs placed in front of the temple of the LORD.
- Jeremiah 28:4 And I will restore to this place Jeconiah son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, along with all the exiles from Judah who went to Babylon,’ declares the LORD, ‘for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.’”
- 2 Corinthians 7:8 Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Although I did regret it—for I see that my letter caused you sorrow, but only for a short time—
- Galatians 6:11 See what large letters I am using to write to you with my own hand!