Jeremiah 29:1
New International Version
This is the text of the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders among the exiles and to the priests, the prophets and all the other people Nebuchadnezzar had carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon.

New Living Translation
Jeremiah wrote a letter from Jerusalem to the elders, priests, prophets, and all the people who had been exiled to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar.

English Standard Version
These are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders of the exiles, and to the priests, the prophets, and all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon.

Berean Standard Bible
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.

King James Bible
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;

New King James Version
Now these are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the remainder of the elders who were carried away captive—to the priests, the prophets, and all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon.

New American Standard Bible
Now these are the words of the letter which Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the rest of the elders of the exile, the priests, the prophets, and all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon.

NASB 1995
Now these are the words of the letter which Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the rest of the elders of the exile, the priests, the prophets and all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon.

NASB 1977
Now these are the words of the letter which Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the rest of the elders of the exile, the priests, the prophets, and all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now these are the words of the letter which Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the rest of the elders of the exile, the priests, the prophets, and all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken away into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon.

Amplified Bible
Now these are the words of the letter which Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the rest of the elders in exile and to the priests, the prophets and all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into captivity from Jerusalem to Babylon.

Christian Standard Bible
This is the text of the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the remaining exiled elders, the priests, the prophets, and all the people Nebuchadnezzar had deported from Jerusalem to Babylon.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
This is the text of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the rest of the elders of the exiles, the priests, the prophets, and all the people Nebuchadnezzar had deported from Jerusalem to Babylon.

American Standard Version
Now these are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem unto the residue of the elders of the captivity, and to the priests, and to the prophets, and to all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon,

English Revised Version
Now these are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem unto the residue of the elders of the captivity, and to the priests, and to the prophets, and to all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The prophet Jeremiah sent a letter from Jerusalem to the rest of the leaders among the captives. He also sent it to the priests, the prophets, and all the people that Nebuchadnezzar took away as captives from Jerusalem to Babylon.

Good News Translation
I wrote a letter to the priests, the prophets, the leaders of the people, and to all the others whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken away as prisoners from Jerusalem to Babylonia.

International Standard Version
These are the words of the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the remaining elders among the exiles, to the priests, to the prophets, and to all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon,

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
The prophet Jeremiah sent a letter to the exiles Nebuchadnezzar had carried off from Jerusalem to Babylon. It was addressed to the elders who were left among the exiles, to the priests, to the prophets, and to all the other people who were exiled in Babylon.

New Heart English Bible
Now these are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the residue of the elders of the captivity, and to the priests, to the prophets, and to all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon,

Webster's Bible Translation
Now these are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the residue of the elders who 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;

World English Bible
Now these are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the residue of the elders of the captivity, and to the priests, to the prophets, and to all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And these [are] the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the remnant of [the] elderly of the expulsion, and to the priests, and to the prophets, and to all the people—whom Nebuchadnezzar removed from Jerusalem to Babylon,

Young's Literal Translation
And these are words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem unto the remnant of the elders of the removal, and unto the priests, and unto the prophets, and unto all the people -- whom Nebuchadnezzar removed from Jerusalem to Babylon,

Smith's Literal Translation
And these the words of the writing which Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the remnant of the old men of the captivity, and to the priests and to the prophets, and to all the people which Nebuchadnezzar carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babel;
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Now these are the words of the letter which Jeremias, the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the residue of the ancients that were carried into captivity, and to the priests, and to the prophets, and to all the people, whom Nabuchodonosor had carried away from Jerusalem to Babylon:

Catholic Public Domain Version
And these are the words of the letter which Jeremiah, the prophet, sent from Jerusalem to the remnant of the elders of the transmigration, and to the priests, and to the prophets, and to all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had led away from Jerusalem to Babylon,

New American Bible
These are the words of the scroll which Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the remaining elders among the exiles, to the priests, the prophets, and all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar exiled from Jerusalem to Babylon.

New Revised Standard Version
These are the words of the letter that the prophet Jeremiah sent from Jerusalem to the remaining elders among the exiles, and to the priests, the prophets, and all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
NOW these are the words of the letter which Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to Babylon, to the rest of the elders who were in exile and to the priests and to the false prophets and to all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had carried captive from Jerusalem to Babylon

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And these are the words of a letter that Jeremiah the Prophet sent from Jerusalem to Babel, to the rest of the Elders of the captivity and to the Priests and to the lying Prophets, and to all the people whom Nebukadnetsar, King of Babel, took captive from Jerusalem to Babel
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Now these are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem unto the residue of the elders of the captivity, and to the priests, and to the prophets, and to all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon,

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And these are the words of the book which Jeremias sent from Jerusalem to the elders of the captivity, and to the priests, and to the false prophets, even an epistle to Babylon for the captivity, and to all the people;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jeremiah's Letter to the Exiles
1This 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. 2(This was after King Jeconiah, the queen mother, the court officials, the officials of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen, and the metalsmiths had been exiled from Jerusalem.)…

Cross References
2 Kings 24:10-16
At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched up to Jerusalem, and the city came under siege. / And Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to the city while his servants were besieging it. / Jehoiachin king of Judah, his mother, his servants, his commanders, and his officials all surrendered to the king of Babylon. So in the eighth year of his reign, the king of Babylon took him captive. ...

2 Chronicles 36:10
In the spring, King Nebuchadnezzar summoned Jehoiachin and brought him to Babylon, along with the articles of value from the house of the LORD. And he made Jehoiachin’s relative Zedekiah king over Judah and Jerusalem.

Daniel 1:1-2
In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. / And the Lord delivered into his hand Jehoiakim king of Judah, along with some of the articles from the house of God. He carried these off to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, where he put them in the treasury of his god.

2 Kings 25:11-12
Then Nebuzaradan captain of the guard carried into exile the people who remained in the city, along with the deserters who had defected to the king of Babylon and the rest of the population. / But the captain of the guard left behind some of the poorest of the land to tend the vineyards and fields.

2 Chronicles 36:20
Those who escaped the sword were carried by Nebuchadnezzar into exile in Babylon, and they became servants to him and his sons until the kingdom of Persia came to power.

Ezra 1:1-4
In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah, the LORD stirred the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia to send a proclamation throughout his kingdom and to put it in writing as follows: / “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: ‘The LORD, the God of heaven, who has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, has appointed me to build a house for Him at Jerusalem in Judah. / Whoever among you belongs to His people, may his God be with him, and may he go to Jerusalem in Judah and build the house of the LORD, the God of Israel; He is the God who is in Jerusalem. ...

Nehemiah 1:1-3
These are the words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah: In the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, / Hanani, one of my brothers, arrived with men from Judah. So I questioned them about the remnant of the Jews who had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem. / And they told me, “The remnant who survived the exile are there in the province, in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.”

Esther 2:5-6
Now there was at the citadel of Susa a Jewish man from the tribe of Benjamin named Mordecai son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish. / He had been carried into exile from Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon among those taken captive with Jeconiah king of Judah.

Ezekiel 1:1-3
In the thirtieth year, on the fifth day of the fourth month, while I was among the exiles by the River Kebar, the heavens opened and I saw visions of God. / On the fifth day of the month—it was the fifth year of the exile of King Jehoiachin— / the word of the LORD came directly to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the River Kebar. And there the LORD’s hand was upon him.

Ezekiel 11:16
Therefore declare that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Although I sent them far away among the nations and scattered them among the countries, yet for a little while I have been a sanctuary for them in the countries to which they have gone.’

Matthew 1:11-12
and Josiah the father of Jeconiah and his brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon. / After the exile to Babylon: Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,

Matthew 2:17-18
Then what was spoken through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: / “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”

Luke 24:44
Jesus said to them, “These are the words I spoke to you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.”

Acts 7:43
You have taken along the tabernacle of Molech and the star of your god Rephan, the idols you made to worship. Therefore I will send you into exile beyond Babylon.’

Acts 13:27
The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning Him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath.


Treasury of Scripture

Now these are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to 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;

Cir A.

of the letter.

Jeremiah 29:25-29
Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, Because thou hast sent letters in thy name unto all the people that are at Jerusalem, and to Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, and to all the priests, saying, …

2 Chronicles 30:1-6
And Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, to keep the passover unto the LORD God of Israel…

Esther 9:20
And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both nigh and far,

the elders.

Jeremiah 24:1-7
The LORD shewed me, and, behold, two baskets of figs were set before the temple of the LORD, after that Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon had carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, and the princes of Judah, with the carpenters and smiths, from Jerusalem, and had brought them to Babylon…

Jeremiah 28:4
And I will bring again to this place Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, with all the captives of Judah, that went into Babylon, saith the LORD: for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.

Jump to Previous
Babylon Captive Captives Captivity Carried Elders Exile Jeremiah Jerusalem Letter Nebuchadnezzar Priests Prophet Prophets Residue Rest Words
Jump to Next
Babylon Captive Captives Captivity Carried Elders Exile Jeremiah Jerusalem Letter Nebuchadnezzar Priests Prophet Prophets Residue Rest Words
Jeremiah 29
1. Jeremiah sends a letter to the captives in Babylon to be quiet there,
8. and not to believe the dreams of their prophets;
10. and that they shall return with grace after seventy years.
15. He foretells the destruction of the rest for their disobedience.
20. He shows the fearful end of Ahab and Zedekiah, two false prophets.
24. Shemaiah writes a letter against Jeremiah.
30. Jeremiah foretells his doom.














This is the text of the letter
Jeremiah 29:1 begins with a reference to a letter, indicating a written communication. In the ancient Near East, letters were a common means of communication, especially over long distances. This letter is significant as it conveys God's message through Jeremiah to the exiles in Babylon, emphasizing the importance of written prophecy in the transmission of divine will.

that Jeremiah the prophet sent
Jeremiah, known as the "weeping prophet," was called by God to deliver messages of judgment and hope to Judah. His role as a prophet was to be a mouthpiece for God, often delivering unpopular messages. This letter is part of his prophetic ministry, showing his obedience to God's command to communicate with the exiles.

from Jerusalem
Jerusalem, the capital of Judah, was the center of Jewish religious life and the location of the Temple. At this time, it was under threat from Babylonian forces. Jeremiah remained in Jerusalem, symbolizing his commitment to his people and his role as a prophet to those who remained in the land.

to the surviving elders among the exiles
The "surviving elders" refers to the leaders who were taken into exile. Elders held positions of authority and were responsible for maintaining order and tradition among the people. Their survival indicates that not all were killed or left behind, and they played a crucial role in the community's continuity in exile.

and to the priests, the prophets,
The inclusion of priests and prophets highlights the religious leadership among the exiles. Priests were responsible for maintaining worship and religious practices, while prophets were expected to provide divine guidance. This letter addresses both groups, emphasizing the need for spiritual leadership even in a foreign land.

and all the others Nebuchadnezzar had carried into exile
Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, was responsible for the exile of the Jewish people. This phrase underscores the historical context of the Babylonian captivity, a pivotal event in Jewish history. The exile was a fulfillment of prophetic warnings and served as a period of punishment and purification for the nation.

from Jerusalem to Babylon.
The journey from Jerusalem to Babylon was not just a physical relocation but a significant spiritual and cultural shift. Babylon, a symbol of worldly power and idolatry, contrasted sharply with Jerusalem, the city of God. This relocation tested the faith and identity of the Jewish people, challenging them to maintain their covenant relationship with God in a foreign land.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jeremiah
A major prophet in the Old Testament, known for his messages of warning and hope to the people of Judah. He authored the letter in this verse.

2. Jerusalem
The capital city of Judah, from where Jeremiah sent the letter. It was a central place of worship and governance for the Israelites.

3. Exiles
The people of Judah who were taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar and relocated to Babylon. They are the recipients of Jeremiah's letter.

4. Nebuchadnezzar
The king of Babylon who conquered Jerusalem and led the people into exile. His actions fulfilled God's judgment on Judah for their disobedience.

5. Babylon
The empire that conquered Judah and took its people into exile. It represents a place of both judgment and eventual restoration for the Israelites.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty in Exile
Even in difficult circumstances, God remains in control. The exile was part of His divine plan, and He used it to refine and restore His people.

The Role of Prophets
Prophets like Jeremiah were God's messengers, providing guidance and hope. Their messages are relevant for us today as we seek to understand God's will.

Hope in Adversity
Despite the dire situation, Jeremiah's letter contains messages of hope and future restoration. We can trust in God's promises even when facing trials.

Community and Leadership
The letter was addressed to leaders and the community, highlighting the importance of godly leadership and unity among believers during challenging times.

Faithfulness in Foreign Lands
The exiles were called to remain faithful to God while in Babylon. Similarly, we are called to live out our faith regardless of our circumstances.XXIX.

(1) These are the words.--The prophecy in this chapter was addressed to those whom we may describe as the first of the Babylonian exiles who had been carried into captivity with Jeconiah (see Note on Jeremiah 35:2). Among these also, probably in connection with the projects which we have traced in the preceding chapter, there was a restless disquietude, fostered by false prophets, who urged the people to rebel against their conquerors. Against that policy Jeremiah, in accordance with the convictions on which he had all along acted, enters an earnest protest. The letter was sent by special messengers, of whom we read in Jeremiah 29:3, and shows that Jeremiah had been kept well informed of all that passed at Babylon. The spelling of the prophet's name, in the Hebrew text, as Jeremiah, instead of the form Jeremiahu, which is the more common form throughout the book, is probably an indication that the opening verse which introduces the letter was the work of a later hand. The date of the letter was probably early in the reign of Zedekiah, before the incidents of the previous chapter. It is brought before us as following in almost immediate sequel on the deportation mentioned in Jeremiah 29:2. The term "residue of the elders," in connexion with "priests and prophets," points to the fact that the whole body of counsellors, so named, had not been carried into exile, but only the more prominent members. Such "elders" we find in Ezekiel 8:1; Ezekiel 20:1. Ezekiel himself may be thought of as among the priests and prophets. . . .

Verse 1. - The residue of the elders; i.e. the surviving elders. Some may, perhaps, have died from natural causes, some by violence, some from grief.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
This
וְאֵ֙לֶּה֙ (wə·’êl·leh)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428: These, those

is the text
דִּבְרֵ֣י (diḇ·rê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

of the letter
הַסֵּ֔פֶר (has·sê·p̄er)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5612: A missive, document, writing, book

that
אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

Jeremiah
יִרְמְיָ֥ה (yir·mə·yāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3414: Jeremiah -- 'Yah loosens', the name of a number of Israelites

the prophet
הַנָּבִ֖יא (han·nā·ḇî)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5030: A spokesman, speaker, prophet

sent
שָׁלַ֛ח (šā·laḥ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

from Jerusalem
מִירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם (mî·rū·šā·lim)
Preposition-m | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3389: Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the rest
יֶ֜תֶר (ye·ṯer)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3499: An overhanging, an excess, superiority, remainder, a small rope

of the elders
זִקְנֵ֣י (ziq·nê)
Adjective - masculine plural construct
Strong's 2205: Old

among the exiles,
הַגּוֹלָ֗ה (hag·gō·w·lāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 1473: Exile, exiles

the priests,
הַכֹּהֲנִ֤ים (hak·kō·hă·nîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3548: Priest

the prophets,
הַנְּבִיאִים֙ (han·nə·ḇî·’îm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5030: A spokesman, speaker, prophet

and all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the others
הָעָ֔ם (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

Nebuchadnezzar
נְבֽוּכַדְנֶאצַּ֛ר (nə·ḇū·ḵaḏ·neṣ·ṣar)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5019: Nebuchadnezzar -- 'Nebo, protect the boundary', a Babylonian king

had carried into exile
הֶגְלָ֧ה (heḡ·lāh)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1540: To denude, to exile, to reveal

from Jerusalem
מִירוּשָׁלִַ֖ם (mî·rū·šā·lim)
Preposition-m | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3389: Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel

to Babylon.
בָּבֶֽלָה׃ (bā·ḇe·lāh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 894: Babylon -- an eastern Mediterranean empire and its capital city


Links
Jeremiah 29:1 NIV
Jeremiah 29:1 NLT
Jeremiah 29:1 ESV
Jeremiah 29:1 NASB
Jeremiah 29:1 KJV

Jeremiah 29:1 BibleApps.com
Jeremiah 29:1 Biblia Paralela
Jeremiah 29:1 Chinese Bible
Jeremiah 29:1 French Bible
Jeremiah 29:1 Catholic Bible

OT Prophets: Jeremiah 29:1 Now these are the words (Jer.)
Jeremiah 28:17
Top of Page
Top of Page