The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests that were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin:

JEREMIAH 1:1KJV
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Jeremiah 1:1 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 1:1 mean?

Jeremiah 1:1 introduces the book by stating that these are the words of Jeremiah, who was the son of Hilkiah and came from a family of priests living in Anathoth, a town in the territory of Benjamin. This verse sets the stage by identifying the prophet’s background and his priestly heritage.

Jeremiah 1:1 serves as the opening line of the book, letting the reader know who is speaking and where he comes from. Jeremiah is presented as both a prophet and someone with priestly roots, which is significant because it shows he was familiar with the religious life of Israel. The mention of Anathoth in Benjamin places him in a specific community, giving context for the rest of his message.

Where else these words appear

“Anathoth” Hebrew H6068 · used in 15 verses

  • Joshua 21:18 Anathoth with her suburbs, and Almon with her suburbs; four cities.
  • Ezra 2:23 The men of Anathoth, an hundred twenty and eight.
  • Jeremiah 11:21 Therefore thus saith the LORD of the men of Anathoth, that seek thy life, saying, Prophesy not in the name of the LORD, that thou die not by our hand:

“Hilkiah” Hebrew H2518 · used in 31 verses

  • 2 Kings 18:18 And when they had called to the king, there came out to them Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, which was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder.
  • 1 Chronicles 6:13 And Shallum begat Hilkiah, and Hilkiah begat Azariah,
  • 2 Chronicles 35:8 And his princes gave willingly unto the people, to the priests, and to the Levites: Hilkiah and Zechariah and Jehiel, rulers of the house of God, gave unto the priests for the passover offerings two thousand and six hundred small cattle, and three hundred oxen.

“Jeremiah” Hebrew H3414 · used in 133 verses

  • 2 Kings 23:31 Jehoahaz was twenty and three years old when he began to reign; and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.
  • Jeremiah 29:1 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;
  • Jeremiah 38:9 My lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet, whom they have cast into the dungeon; and he is like to die for hunger in the place where he is: for there is no more bread in the city.