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 29:1KJV
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Jeremiah 29:1 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 29:1 mean?

Jeremiah 29:1 introduces a letter written by the prophet Jeremiah in Jerusalem to the Jewish elders, priests, prophets, and people who had been taken as captives from Jerusalem to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar. The verse sets the stage for the message Jeremiah is about to deliver to those exiled from their homeland.

Jeremiah is the speaker, and he is addressing his fellow Israelites who have been forcibly relocated to Babylon. The situation is one of displacement and uncertainty, as many leaders and ordinary people have been taken from Jerusalem. This verse serves as the opening to a longer message meant to guide and encourage those living in exile.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 29:1

  • "letter" (סֵפֶר, sefer): This word means a written document or scroll. Its use here emphasizes that Jeremiah's message was carefully composed and officially sent, not just spoken.
  • "residue" (יֶתֶר, yether): This word refers to those who remain, often understood as the surviving or remaining group after a disaster. Here, it highlights that not all were taken, but this letter is for those who were.
  • "captives" (גּוֹלָה, golah): This term refers to people who have been exiled or deported. It underscores the forced nature of their relocation and the hardship they faced.
  • "Nebuchadnezzar" (נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּר, Nevukhadnetzar): Naming the Babylonian king directly roots the historical context of the exile and reminds the reader of the power behind their captivity.

Why Jeremiah 29:1 matters

  • Jeremiah 29:1 clarifies that the following message is directed specifically to those exiled in Babylon, not to those who remained in Jerusalem, which shapes how the rest of the chapter should be read.
  • The verse highlights the organized effort Jeremiah made to reach the exiles, showing pastoral care and the importance of communication even across great distances.
  • By naming Nebuchadnezzar and specifying the recipients, the verse connects the personal struggles of the exiles to the larger political and historical events of their time.

Where else these words appear

“captives” Hebrew H1473 · used in 41 verses

  • 2 Kings 24:15 And he carried away Jehoiachin to Babylon, and the king's mother, and the king's wives, and his officers, and the mighty of the land, those carried he into captivity from Jerusalem to Babylon.
  • Ezra 10:8 And that whosoever would not come within three days, according to the counsel of the princes and the elders, all his substance should be forfeited, and himself separated from the congregation of those that had been carried away.
  • Ezekiel 1:1 Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.

“Nebuchadnezzar” Hebrew H5019 · used in 59 verses

  • 2 Kings 24:1 In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his servant three years: then he turned and rebelled against him.
  • Jeremiah 25:1 The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the people of Judah in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, that was the first year of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon;
  • Jeremiah 44:30 Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will give Pharaohhophra king of Egypt into the hand of his enemies, and into the hand of them that seek his life; as I gave Zedekiah king of Judah into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, his enemy, and that sought his life.

“residue” Hebrew H3499 · used in 95 verses

  • Genesis 49:3 Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:
  • 1 Kings 22:39 Now the rest of the acts of Ahab, and all that he did, and the ivory house which he made, and all the cities that he built, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
  • 2 Chronicles 27:7 Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all his wars, and his ways, lo, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.

“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 28:15 Then said the prophet Jeremiah unto Hananiah the prophet, Hear now, Hananiah; The LORD hath not sent thee; but thou makest this people to trust in a lie.
  • 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.