Jeremias 29
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Jeremias 29
JEREMIAH 29 CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS This is a rare example of personal correspondence during the period of the invasion and fall of the kingdom of Judah. This represents letters between the Jewish exiles in Babylon and the Jews in Jerusalem. There were two previous deportations by Nebuchadnezzar II (605 and 597 B.C.) before the city was completely destroyed in 586 B.C. There is some conjecture as to how many letters are combined in this chapter. The theories are: there is only one letter there are two letters: Jer. 29:1-14 and 29:15-32 there are three letters: Jer. 29:1-15; 29:21-23; 29:31-32 there are four letters: Jer. 29:1-14; 29:15-20; 29:21-23; 29:31-32 It seems to me that there are probably four pieces of correspondence either being alluded to or comprising this chapter. Some see the date of this chapter as around 594 B.C.. for the following reasons. We know from secular literature (i.e. Babylonian Chronicles) that there were internal problems within the Neo-Babylonian Empire. Some prophets among the Jewish exiles seem to have been killed because they advocated rebellion, Jer. 29:21-22. This is the year that Zedekiah was required to show loyalty to Nebuchadnezzar II and this may be reflected in the coming of the officials to Babylon, Jer. 29:3. King Jeconiah, mentioned in Jer. 29:2, is really King Jehoiachin. His father, King Jehoiakim, had paid tribute to Nebuchadnezzar II for three years and then had rebelled. Before Nebuchadnezzar II could come militarily, Jehoiakim died. His son replaced him and apparently ruled with the help of his queen-mother. Nebuchadnezzar II arrived and exiled him to captivity after he had reigned only three months. He was replaced by another relative (uncle) of Josiah, Zedekiah. SPECIAL TOPIC: KINGS OF NE0-BABYLON This chapter clearly presents YHWH's sovereignty in the actions of history. Notice the string of "I have. . ." or "I will . .." statements. I have sent into exile, Jer. 29:4,14,18,20 I have not sent them (i.e. the false prophets in Babylon), Jer. 29:9 I will visit you (i.e. in Babylon), Jer. 29:10 I will fulfill My good word (i.e. to bring you back to Palestine), Jer. 29:10 I have plans for you (two emphatic "I's"), Jer. 29:11 I will listen to you (see note at Jer. 29:11-14), Jer. 29:12 I will restore your fortunes, Jer. 29:14 I will gather you from all the nations. . .where I have driven you, Jer. 29:14 I will send upon them the sword, famine, and pestilence (i.e. the Jews still in Judah), Jer. 29:17 I will make them like rotten fruit (i.e. the Jews still in Judah), Jer. 29:17 I will pursue them with the sword, Jer. 29:18 I sent to them again and again My servants (i.e. the prophets), Jer. 29:19 I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar (i.e. false prophets killed in Babylon), Jer. 29:21 I did not command them (i.e. the false prophets to speak), Jer. 29:23 I am He who knows and am a witness, Jer. 29:23 I am about to punish Shemaiah (i.e. false prophet), Jer. 29:32 I am about to do (good) to My people (i.e. the Jews in Babylon), Jer. 29:32 YHWH, unlike the lifeless idols, is active in the lives of His people for His larger redemptive purposes! SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN
Jeremias 29:1-9
29:1 "to the rest of the elders of the exile" The term "rest" (BDB 451 #1,2) can mean "remnant" or "residue," but also "preeminence" (#3, cf. Gen. 49:3). Some believe that many of the elders or leaders of the Jewish community had already been killed by Nebuchadnezzar II because of their treasonous activity, along with prophets (cf. Jer. 29:21-23; see UBS Text Project, p. 258). 29:2 The NASB and NKJV show Jer. 29:2 as a parenthesis, probably related in 2 Kgs. 24:12-16. The JPSOA has a dash separating Jer. 29:1 from Jer. 29:4. This may be an editorial addition to specify the exact historical setting. The group of exiled leadership would match the exile of 596 B.C. (cf. 2 Kgs. 24:10-17). King Jeconiah (i.e. Jehoiachin) the queen mother (i.e. Nehushta, cf. 2 Kgs. 24:8) court officials children of Jeconiah (possibly 605 B.C., cf. Dan. 1:3) children of powerful families in Jerusalem (possibly 605 B.C., cf. Dan. 1:3) craftsmen (possibly taken into exile in 605 B.C.) smiths (possibly taken into exile in 605 B.C.) ▣ "the court officials" This literally is "eunuchs" (BDB 710). It is an Akkadian word which means "the one at the head." Usually this refers to those who had been castrated and put into public service. But, since Potiphar (Gen. 39:1) was married and has this same title, this term may have come to mean simply "a government official." SPECIAL TOPIC: EUNUCHS ▣ "the craftsmen and the smiths" It is obvious that the first term means "craftsmen" or "artisan" (BDB 360), but the second term (BDB 689) in Hebrew is very uncertain (see note at Jer. 24:1). There is no unanimity about its meaning or origin. We know that this exile occurred in 597 B.C. (2 Kgs. 24:14) and is alluded to in Jer. 52:28. The number of the exiles is somewhat different in these two passages and scholars are not exactly sure why. 29:3 "Elasah the son of Shaphan" This is probably Ahikam's brother of Jer. 26:24, who helped Jeremiah during the royal reaction to his temple sermon. The father mentioned here was probably the scribe of Josiah (cf. 2 Kgs. 22:3,8,12). ▣ "Gemariah the son of Hilkiah" Although we know nothing about this man, his father may have been the high priest who is referred to in 2 Kgs. 22:4, but this is only conjecture. ▣ "whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent to Babylon" The purpose for this may have been to pay tribute to assure Nebuchadnezzar II of Zedekiah's loyalty These two men are supportive of Jeremiah and willingly, enthusiastically brought his letter to the exiles. This VERB "send" (BDB 1018, KB 1511; Qal PERFECT) is used an unusual number of times in this chapter. letter sent, Jer. 29:1 people sent, Jer. 29:3 prophets YHWH did not send, Jer. 29:9,25,31 YHWH sends the sword, famine, and pestilence, Jer. 29:17 YHWH's word sent by His prophets, Jer. 29:19 (twice), 28,31 It is a common VERB but its repetition shows the problem—who speaks for God? 29:4 "whom I have sent into exile" Again, throughout the account of this period God claims to be in control of history (i.e. Isa. 10:5; Jer. 25:9; 27:6). The exile is His judgment on Judah in order to bring His people back to personal faith in Him (cf. Jer. 29:7). SPECIAL TOPIC: BELIEVE, TRUST, FAITH AND FAITHFULNESS (OT) 29:5-8 "build houses. . .plant gardens. . .take wives" Jeremiah's advice is to settle down and make life as normal as possible. Apparently the exiled Judeans were living in makeshift houses and some were even refusing to unpack. Jeremiah advises them to settle down for a long wait (i.e. 70 years). This very message is referred to in the letter by Shemaiah, a false prophet mentioned in Jer. 29:24,31-32. It must have seemed like treason to Judah's leaders. Notice the commands in Jeremiah's letter (i.e. Jer. 29:5-8; also note Jer. 29:28). build houses ‒ BDB 124, KB 139, Qal IMPERATIVE live in them ‒ BDB 442, KB 444, Qal IMPERATIVE plant gardens ‒ BDB 642, KB 694, Qal IMPERATIVE eat their produce ‒ BDB 37, KB 46, Qal IMPERATIVE take wives ‒ BDB 542, KB 534, Qal IMPERATIVE beget (i.e. have children) ‒ BDB 408, KB 441, Hiphil IMPERATIVE take wives for your sons ‒ same as #5 give your daughters ‒ BDB 678, KB 733, Qal IMPERATIVE that they may bear ‒ BDB 408, KB 441, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense multiply there ‒ BDB 915, KB 1176, Qal IMPERATIVE do not decrease ‒ BDB 589, KB 611, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense seek the welfare of the city ‒ BDB 205, KB 233, Qal IMPERATIVE pray to the Lord on its behalf ‒ BDB 813, KB 933, Hithpael IMPERATIVE do not let your prophets. . .deceive you ‒ BDB 674, KB 728, Hiphil IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense do not listen to the dreams ‒ BDB 1033, KB 150, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense The whole point is, resume a normal as possible life. You will not be back in Judah until the 70 year prophecy (cf. Jer. 29:10) is fulfilled. 29:7 "seek the welfare of the city. . .and pray to the Lord on its behalf" This is the only example in the OT of praying for one's enemies, particularly a Gentile city(s) of exile. Some have said that this refers to prayer at the local synagogue, which would be the beginning of this institution during the exilic period (see SPECIAL TOPIC: SYNAGOGUE) this may form the basis of the rabbinical admonition, followed by the NT, of praying for civil government (cf. Matt. 22:21; Rom. 13:1) 29:8 "let your prophets. . .your diviners. . .the dreams which they dream" This is referring to false prophets among the exiles. Most of the letters recorded in this chapter are either about false prophets or are from false prophets. The list of what the prophets were doing is condemned in Lev. 19:26,31; 20:6; Deut. 18:9-13 (cf. Jer. 27:9-10). For a good discussion of dream interpretation, see John H. Walton, ANE Thought and the OT, p. 243. It is important to note the biblical material on how to test a true prophet. OT, Deut. 13:1-5; 18:14-22 NT, Matt. 7:15-27; 1 John 4:1-3) SPECIAL TOPIC: DIVINATION SPECIAL TOPIC: MAGIC
Jeremias 29:10-14
29:10 "When seventy years have been completed for Babylon" This same round number is mentioned in Jer. 25:11,12. Some see the time span from the fall of Nineveh, the capital of Syria in 612 B.C. to the fall of the capital of Babylon in 539 B.C. from the destruction of the first temple in 586 B.C. to the construction of the second temple in 516 B.C. from Nebuchadnezzar II becoming king in 605 B.C. to the fall of Babylon in 539 B.C. The truth of the matter is that there is no literal seventy-year period about which scholars are unanimous. This seems to be a round number which refers to several generations or the normal life span of one individual. SPECIAL TOPIC: SYMBOLIC NUMBERS IN SCRIPTURE, #4 SPECIAL TOPIC: SEVENTY YEARS ▣ "I will visit you" This visit may be the vision of Ezekiel 1 and 10. YHWH leaves the temple because of its idolatry (Ezekiel 8) and comes to abide with the exiles in Babylon. ▣ "fulfill My good" This is described later in Jer. 29:10 as restoration to the land of promise (cf. Jer. 24:6-7). 29:11-14 This beautiful passage is an affirmation that the covenant has not been totally revoked. God would fulfill His Deuteronomic agreement with His people after this period of judgment (cf. Deuteronomy 27-28,30; Leviticus 26). The emphasis here is that His people must return to Him. Only a spiritually renewed remnant will return and be blessed (see SPECIAL TOPIC: REMNANT [three senses]). Notice the conditions of blessing. you call upon Me ‒ BDB 894, KB 1128, Qal PERFECT with waw (see SPECIAL TOPIC: CALL ON THE NAME) come to Me ‒ BDB 229, KB 246, Qal PERFECT with waw, cf. Jer. 33:3; Isa. 55:6 pray to Me ‒ BDB 813, KB 933, Hithpael PERFECT with waw seek me ‒ BDB 134, KB 152, Piel PERFECT with waw, cf. Deut. 4:29 (see SPECIAL TOPIC: Seek the Lord) search for Me with all your heart ‒ BDB 205, KB 233, Qal IMPERFECT, i.e. total commitment, cf. Deut. 4:29; Jer. 24:7 All of these denote a worship experience that has become a lifestyle relationship. Notice how YHWH responds (possible allusion to Deut. 30:3-5). I will listen to you, Jer. 29:12 ‒ BDB 1033, KB 1570, Qal PERFECT with waw, cf. Jer. 33:3 you will find Me, Jer. 29:13 ‒ BDB 592, KB 619, Qal PERFECT with waw, cf. Deut. 4:29 I will be found by you, Jer. 29:14 ‒ BDB 592, KB 619, Niphal PERFECT with waw I will restore your fortunes ‒ BDB 996, KB 1427, Qal PERFECT with waw (term often used of repenting) I will gather you from all the nations ‒ BDB 867, KB 1062, Piel PERFECT with waw, cf. Jer. 23:3; 31:8 I will bring you back (i.e. to Palestine) ‒ BDB 996, KB 1427 (see #4), Hiphil PERFECT with waw Modern Israel cannot be the fulfillment of prophecy because the vast majority of them are secular, non-observant Jews. Only a repentant and covenant-obedient people can claim the promises of YHWH from the Hebrew Bible. The current theological emphasis on Israel as the "chosen people" is a result of John Darby's (1840's) new theological, eschatological theory called "Dispensationalism." I personally have become a Partial Preterist, which asserts Israel's covenant relationship was once and for all canceled in A.D. 70. If you would like more information on this understanding, please look at my exegetical, verse-by-verse commentaries on: Jesus' Olivet Discourse (i.e. Matt. 24; Mark 13; Luke 17; 21) Paul's discussion on "the man of lawlessness" (2 Thess. 2) John's book of Revelation Also, please look at my free Bible study website, www.freebiblecommentary.org, for the "Special Topics" (second red box on home page). SPECIAL TOPIC: THE SECOND COMING SPECIAL TOPIC: SOON RETURN SPECIAL TOPIC: THE DELAYED SECOND COMING In my opinion, there is no future anti-Christ, no seven year tribulation, and no secret rapture! 29:11 The PRONOUN "I" (אנכי, BDB 59) is repeated twice for emphasis. YHWH will bring about His plans and purposes for His prophet and His people (see SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN). YHWH's plan of restoration is clarified for welfare (BDB 1022, see SPECIAL TOPIC: PEACE [shalom]) not for calamity (BDB 449, such a common word in Jeremiah) give you a future the people's existence posterity, cf. Prov. 23:18; esp. 24:14 give you a hope, cf. Prov. 23:18; 24:14; Ezek. 37:11 I remember years ago a student commented to me that this was her life verse. This is a wonderful promise of YHWH to a stressed prophet. The hermeneutical question is, "Can a modern person claim this promise for one's self?" I remember commenting to this student, "Have you been called by God as a spokesperson? Have you been told not to marry and have children? Have your own family tried to kill you? Have you been rejected by leaders and thrown into a muddy cistern? Proof texting is a modern problem. Modern intepreters must remember that the original intent is foundational. Every text has one and only one meaning, but many applications or significances! "Bible Interpretation Seminar"
Jeremias 29:15-20
29:15-23 These verses seem to involve a second letter. It is interesting that Jer. 29:16-20 is not found in the LXX, which is the Greek translation of the OT (but is in all Hebrew MSS). This section seems to break the sequences between Jer. 29:15 and 21. Possibly these ancient Jewish translators saw this section simply as a repeat of Jer. 24:8-10. There are many repetitious passages in Jeremiah because it is obviously a book later edited around themes, not chronological sequence (an anthology). SPECIAL TOPIC: SEPTUAGINT SPECIAL TOPIC: MASORETIC TEXT 29:15 This verse seems to be an affirmation for the exiled Judeans that YHWH has true prophets among the exiles. But, the reality is that those who advocate a swift return are false prophets! It is so difficult for even covenantly informed people to hear judgment oracles. We all want to claim the positive promises but forget the conditional nature of these divine pronouncements. 29:17 "the sword, famine, and pestilence" This is the threefold horror of ancient warfare (see note at Jer. 14:12). It is extremely significant that God's favor rests with Abraham's descendants in exile and not those remaining in Jerusalem. At this time apparently those left in Jerusalem were claiming spiritual superiority because they had been spared captivity, but in reality the opposite was true. ▣ "split-open" NKJV, NRSV, TEV, NJB, REB "rotten" "loathsome" "bad" This ADJECTIVE (BDB 1045) has several meanings (KB 1613-1615). The NASB gets its translation from KB 1614 II, Syrian "to split" or Arabic "to break open." This ADJECTIVE is found only here in the OT but bad figs are mentioned in Jer. 24:2. The same three consonants are found in the word for "horrible thing" (BDB 1045) in Jer. 5:30; 18:13; 23:14, but it is uncertain if it is related etymologically. As with so many of these rare words, the context is clear even if the word is not. Meaning is not affected! 29:18 See notes at Jer. 24:9-10. 29:19 Here is the recurrent problem. Humans, even covenant humans, do not listen and obey YHWH's words/message/covenant (cf. Jer. 6:19)! Obedience is a marker of devotion (cf. Luke 6:46). SPECIAL TOPIC: KEEP Notice that the same series of words beginning with ש is found in Jer. 25:4 (BDB 1018, 1014, 1033). Also see the note at Jer. 7:13 for the Hebrew idiom "again and again." ▣ "My servants the prophets" See SPECIAL TOPIC: SERVANT LEADERSHIP, I. 29:20 "hear the word of the Lord" This VERB (BDB 1033, KB 1570; Qal IMPERATIVE) can be translated (examples from NIV): hear ‒ Jer. 2:4; 5:21; 6:19; 7:2; 10:1; 13:15; 17:20; 19:3; 21:11; 22:2; 31:10; 42:15; 44:24,26; 49:20; 50:45 obey ‒ Jer. 7:23; 11:4,7; 35:13; 38:20 listen ‒ Jer. 11:2,6 proclaim ‒ Jer. 4:5,16; 5:20; 46:14 (twice); 50:2 summon ‒ Jer. 50:29; 51:27 This is the crucial covenant issue! The Mosaic Covenant was a conditional covenant linked to human obedience. SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT SPECIAL TOPIC: KEEP SPECIAL TOPIC: THE MOSAIC LAW AND THE CHRISTIAN SPECIAL TOPIC: PAUL'S VIEW OF THE MOSAIC LAW
Jeremias 29:21-23
29:21 "Lord of hosts" See SPECIAL TOPIC: Lord of Hosts. ▣ "Ahab. . .Zedekiah" These were false prophets who were in Babylon and who apparently would be publicly executed by Nebuchadnezzar II. We learn from Ezekiel 13 that there were other false prophets in exile also. This entire literary unit, chapters 26-29, seems to be related by the theme of false prophets. The Expositor's Bible Commentary, vol. 6, p. 556, and the NASB Study Bible, p. 1103, make the interesting comment that there is a purposeful word play between Kolaiah ‒ BDB 877, קוליה curse ‒ BDB 887, קללה roast ‒ BDB 885 I, קלה 29:22 "May the Lord make you like" This verse reflects an ancient proverb and curse formula. ▣ "roasted in fire" We have learned from the Code of Hammurabi (i.e. King of Babylon from 1792-1750 B.C.) that this was a common public means of execution (cf. Section 25:110,157). These prophets betrayed themselves by their lifestyle (cf. Jer. 29:23; 7:15-23; Matt. 7:15-27). 29:23 "acted foolishly" "disgraceful things" "perpetrated outrage" "terrible sins" "scandalous things" "outrage" "vile" "have done wickedness" This NOUN (BDB 615, KB 663) obviously has a wide semantic field, but it denotes some kind of evil thought or act. It denotes someone who acts inappropriately either mentally or morally (cf. Gen. 34:7; Deut. 22:21; Josh. 7:15; Jdg. 19:23-24; 20:6,10; 1 Sam. 25:25; 2 Sam. 13:12; Job 42:8; Isa. 9:17; 32:6). In this context of Jer. 29:23 (its only use in Jeremiah) it describes the actions of two false prophets. adultery (i.e. spiritual adultery, cf. Jer. 23:14) spoken falsely in YHWH's name (cf. Jer. 2:8; 23:13) ▣ "in Israel" This does not speak so much of geographical Israel as genealogical Israel. SPECIAL TOPIC: ISRAEL (the name) ▣ "I am He who knows, and am a witness" This is the affirmation that YHWH judges the heart as well as the deeds (cf. Jer. 7:11; 16:17; 17:10; 32:19; Prov. 5:21; 1 Cor. 4:5; Heb. 4:13). This should be a warning to all those who claim to speak for God!
Jeremias 29:24-28
29:24 "Shemaiah" This is a reference to another false prophet in exile who apparently wrote letters to the priestly leaders in Jerusalem encouraging them to judge and punish Jeremiah for his treasonous statements (cf. Jer. 29:27). ▣ "the Nehelamite" This refers either to the name of a city whose site is unknown or it is a form of the root "to dream" (Niphal PARTICIPLE), which may refer to his being a prophet (i.e. Deuteronomy 13). 29:25 "Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah, the priest" This man is referred to in Jer. 21:1; 37:3; 52:24; 2 Kgs.25:18. 29:26 "Jehoiada" This is possibly the person left in charge of the temple police (cf. 2 Kings 11). ▣ "every madman" The term "madman" (BDB 993), alluding to Jeremiah, was originally used of animal sounds (i.e. pigeon, camel), but came to denote human sounds of a deranged person howling or shouting in anger. It is true that the prophets of the older sections of the OT had these kinds of actions (i.e. 1 Sam. 10:9-13). It was used of prophets in 2 Kgs. 9:11 Hosea 9:7 It was a slur to discredit the actions and words of a speaker for YHWH, here Jeremiah (i.e. in stocks in Jer. 20:2). It disregarded the message because of the way in which it was delivered. Even though part of Jeremiah's prophecy had come true, the vast majority of the leaders of Judah still thought that Jeremiah was a treasonous, insane person. 29:28 This is a reference to Jeremiah's message recorded in Jer. 29:5-6
Jeremias 29:29-32
29:31 "he has made you trust in a lie" This same phrase is used in Jer. 28:15. It is referring to the messages of peace and rapid restoration coming from the false prophets in both the Jewish community in Babylon and the Judean capital of Jerusalem. Ezekiel well describes these false prophets in Ezek. 13:2-3,22; 22:28. The concept of "lie" (BDB 1044) can denote idols (cf. Jer. 10:14; 13:25; 51:17) false messages (cf. Jer. 14:14; 18:8; 20:6; 23:5,6; 27:10,14,16; 28:15; 29:9) false testimony (cf. Jer. 5:2; 37:14) unbelief rejecting YHWH's true message/messenger for a false one (cf. Jer. 28:16) 29:32 "he shall not have anyone living among this people" Jeremiah pronounces judgment on this false prophet in the total eradication of all of his relatives and descendants. To a Jew this was a horrifying prospect. ▣ "because he has preached rebellion against the Lord" Notice that the rejection of YHWH's prophet is the rejection of YHWH.