For therefore he sent unto us in Babylon, saying, This captivity is long: build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them.

JEREMIAH 29:28KJV
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Jeremiah 29:28 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 29:28 mean?

Jeremiah 29:28 reports that a message was sent to the exiles in Babylon, telling them their captivity would last a long time, so they should settle in—build houses, live in them, plant gardens, and eat what they grow. The verse highlights the instruction for the exiles to make a life for themselves in Babylon rather than waiting for a quick return.

Jeremiah is speaking about the message he sent to the Jewish people who had been taken from Jerusalem to Babylon. The situation is that some false prophets were claiming the exile would be short, but Jeremiah’s message, as quoted here, tells the people to prepare for a long stay. The verse encourages the exiles to invest in their new surroundings and live normal lives, reflecting God’s guidance through Jeremiah.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 29:28

  • "Long" (אָרְכָה, ʼārḵāh): This word means "long" or "prolonged," emphasizing that the exile will not be brief. Jeremiah uses it to counter the false hope that the captivity would soon end.
  • "Build" (בָּנָה, bānāh) and "houses" (בַּיִת, bayit): These words stress the instruction to establish permanent homes, not temporary shelters, showing the exiles should expect to stay for many years.
  • "Plant" (נָטַע, nāṭaʿ) and "gardens" (גַּן, gan): Planting gardens is a long-term investment, reinforcing the message to settle in and plan for the future.
  • "Eat" (אָכַל, ʼāḵal) and "fruit" (פְּרִי, perī): The command to eat the fruit of their gardens shows they should expect to be there long enough to enjoy the results of their labor.

Why Jeremiah 29:28 matters

  • Jeremiah 29:28 clears up the misunderstanding that the exile would be short, directly challenging the false prophets who promised a quick return.
  • The verse emphasizes God’s instruction for the exiles to build stable lives in Babylon, which would have been a surprising and difficult command for people longing to go home.
  • This verse connects to the wider passage where Jeremiah urges the exiles to seek the welfare of the city where they live, showing that God’s plans for them include hope and a future, even in a foreign land.

Where else these words appear

“long” Hebrew H752 · used in 3 verses

  • 2 Samuel 3:1 Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.
  • Job 11:9 The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.

“gardens” Hebrew H1593 · used in 12 verses

  • Numbers 24:6 As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river's side, as the trees of lign aloes which the LORD hath planted, and as cedar trees beside the waters.
  • Isaiah 1:29 For they shall be ashamed of the oaks which ye have desired, and ye shall be confounded for the gardens that ye have chosen.
  • Isaiah 66:17 They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one tree in the midst, eating swine's flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the LORD.

“This” Hebrew H1931 · used in 39 verses

  • Genesis 2:11 The name of the first is Pison: that is it which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold;
  • Genesis 14:17 And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king's dale.
  • Joshua 10:13 And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day.

“plant” Hebrew H5193 · used in 55 verses

  • Genesis 2:8 And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.
  • Psalms 94:9 He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see?
  • Jeremiah 11:17 For the LORD of hosts, that planted thee, hath pronounced evil against thee, for the evil of the house of Israel and of the house of Judah, which they have done against themselves to provoke me to anger in offering incense unto Baal.