Jeremiah 29

Chapter 29 of the Book of Jeremiah continues the previous chapter's theme of conflict between true and false prophecy. In Jeremiah 28, Hananiah prophesied that the exiles would return within two years, and he subsequently died. In this chapter, Jeremiah writes directly to those who had already been carried into captivity.

Outline

• Verses 1–3 After King Jeconiah, along with the princes and craftsmen, has been carried away, Jeremiah sends a letter to the exiles in Babylon. The letter is delivered by Elasah and Gemariah, whom King Zedekiah had sent to Nebuchadnezzar.
• Verses 4–7 The exiles are told to build houses, plant gardens, marry, and multiply in the land of their captivity. They are also to seek the peace of the city to which they have been carried and to pray for it.
• Verses 8–9 A warning not to be deceived by false prophets, diviners, or dreams.
• Verses 10–14 God promises that after seventy years are accomplished in Babylon, He will visit the exiles and bring them back. Those who seek Him with all their heart will find Him.
• Verses 15–19 The king and the people remaining in Jerusalem will suffer sword, famine, and pestilence; they will become like vile figs that cannot be eaten and will be scattered.
• Verses 20–23 Ahab the son of Kolaiah and Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah, because of their false prophecies and adultery, will be burned to death by the king of Babylon.
• Verses 24–28 Shemaiah the Nehelamite writes to Zephaniah the priest, demanding that Jeremiah be put in the stocks and restrained.
• Verses 29–32 Zephaniah reads the letter to Jeremiah. God declares that He will punish Shemaiah and his descendants.

Key Verses

• Jeremiah 29:7 "And seek the peace of the city" — the exiles are commanded to pray for the city of their enemies.
• Jeremiah 29:11 "Thoughts of peace, and not of evil" — reveals God's purpose beyond judgment.
• Jeremiah 29:13 "And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart" — links restoration to seeking God.

People and Places

• Jeconiah Jehoiachin, king of Judah, who was carried away to Babylon.
• Elasah and Gemariah The sons of Shaphan and Hilkiah, respectively; the envoys who delivered the letter.
• Ahab and Zedekiah False prophets active among the exiles. This Zedekiah is not the king of the same name.
• Shemaiah A Nehelamite who accused Jeremiah.
• Zephaniah A priest, the son of Maaseiah; not the prophet Zephaniah.
• Jerusalem, Babylon, Anathoth (Jeremiah's hometown)

Points for Reflection

• The context of verse 11 Verse 11 is often quoted as a promise to individuals. Some point out, however, that in the text this word is addressed to the exilic community and that the promise looks ahead to the end of seventy years, and that both points should be kept in view when reading it.
• Reckoning the seventy years One view counts the seventy years from the first deportation (around 605 B.C.) to the return; another counts them from the destruction of the temple to its rebuilding. Within Scripture, Daniel reads this prophecy and prays in Daniel 9:1–3.
• The vile figs The fig imagery in verse 17 connects with Jeremiah 24.
• Connection to the New Testament Some read the New Testament's description of believers as scattered strangers (1 Peter 1:1–2) in connection with the exilic community of this chapter.

In the Korean Church

• Jeremiah 29:11 is widely used on Scripture cards and as a verse of blessing exchanged at the New Year and at school entrances and graduations.
• Verse 7 is frequently cited in sermons on the church's responsibility for the peace of its local community.