Bible Strands
Jeremiah 29:7
Seek the prosperity of the city to which I have sent you as exiles. Pray to the LORD on its behalf, for if it prospers, you too will prosper.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — God speaks through Jeremiah to the Israelite exiles in Babylon. The command follows a directive to establish families and multiply in their new location.
The words — וְדִרְשׁוּ (ve-dirshu) means "and seek," paired with שְׁלֹם (shelom) for "welfare" or "prosperity." Together they command active pursuit of the city's well-being.
The thread — The command to pray for a foreign city's welfare aligns with the New Testament instruction to offer prayers for everyone, including governing authorities (1 Timothy 2:1). It also parallels the Old Testament pattern of interceding for the lives of kings and their realms (Ezra 6:10).
Why it lands — The text demands practical engagement with the surrounding society rather than withdrawal or hostility. It establishes a direct link between the exiles' fate and the civic health of their place of captivity.
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
And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the Lord for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.
Cross-references
- 1 Timothy 2:1 First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for everyone—
- Ezra 6:10 Then they will be able to offer sacrifices of a sweet aroma to the God of heaven and to pray for the lives of the king and his sons.
- Ezra 7:23 Whatever is commanded by the God of heaven must be done diligently for His house. For why should wrath fall on the realm of the king and his sons?
- 1 Peter 2:13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to the king as the supreme authority,
- Daniel 4:27 Therefore, may my advice be pleasing to you, O king. Break away from your sins by doing what is right, and from your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed. Perhaps there will be an extension of your prosperity.”
- Romans 13:1 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God.
- Romans 13:5 Therefore it is necessary to submit to authority, not only to avoid punishment, but also as a matter of conscience.
- Daniel 4:19 For a time, Daniel, who was also known as Belteshazzar, was perplexed, and his thoughts alarmed him. So the king said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its interpretation alarm you.” “My lord,” replied Belteshazzar, “may the dream apply to those who hate you, and its interpretation to your enemies!
- Daniel 6:4 Thus the administrators and satraps sought a charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom, but they could find no charge or corruption, because he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him.