Jeremiah 29:1-7

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Jeremiah 29:1-7

We are here told, I. That Jeremiah wrote to the captives in Babylon, in the name of the Lord. Jeconiah had surrendered himself a prisoner, with the queen his mother, the chamberlains of his household, called here the eunuchs, and many of the princes of Judah and Jerusalem, who were at that time the most active men; the carpenters and smiths likewise, being demanded, were yielded up, that those who remained might not have any proper hands to fortify their city or furnish themselves with weapons... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 29:1

Now these are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem ,.... The argument and tenor, the sum and substance, of an epistle, which the prophet Jeremiah, being at Jerusalem, wrote, under the inspiration of God, to his countrymen abroad, afterwards described; so the prophets under the Old Testament instructed the people, sometimes by their sermons and discourses delivered by word of mouth to them, and sometimes by letters and epistles; as did the apostles of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 29:2

After that Jeconiah the king ,.... Of Judah; the same with Jehoiachin, who was carried captive into Babylon when he had reigned but three months: and the queen ; not Jeconiah's wife, for he had none; but his mother, whose name was Nehushta, and who was carried captive with him, 2 Kings 24:8 ; and the eunuchs ; or "chamberlains" to the queen; the Targum calls them princes; these were of the king's household, his courtiers; and such persons have been everywhere, and in all ages,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 29:3

By the hand of Elasah the son of Shaphan ,.... Perhaps the brother of Ahikam, and of Jaazaniah, Jeremiah 26:24 ; and Gemariah the son of Hilkiah ; to distinguish him from Gemariah the son of Shaphan the scribe, Jeremiah 36:10 ; whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent unto Babylon, to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon ; as his ambassadors, on what account it is not certain; perhaps to pay the tribute money to him; or to treat with him about the restoration of some of the captives; or to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 29:4

Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel ,.... For the letter was written by the order of the Lord, was endited by him, and was sent in his name, the prophet was only his amanuensis; and the titles which the Lord here takes are worthy of notice: "the Lord of hosts": of the armies above and below, that does according to his pleasure in heaven and in earth, with whom nothing is impossible; who could easily destroy the enemies of his people, and deliver them, either immediately by his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 29:5

Build ye houses, and dwell in them ,.... Intimating hereby that they must not expect a return into their own land in any short time, but that they should continue many years where they were; suggesting also, that as they had ability, so they should have liberty, of building themselves houses; nor should they be interrupted by their enemies; nor would their houses be taken from them, when built; but they should dwell peaceably and quietly in them, as their own; which they might assure... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 29:6

Take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters ,.... That is, such as had no wives, who were either bachelors or widowers; not that they were to take wives of the Chaldeans, but of those of their own nation; for intermarriages with Heathens were forbidden them; and this they were to do, in order to propagate their posterity, and keep up a succession: and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands ; or "men" F19 לאנשים "viris", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 29:7

And seek the peace of the city ,.... The prosperity and happiness of Babylon, or any other city in Chaldea, were they were placed: this they were to do by prayer and supplication to God, and by all other means that might be any ways conducive to the good of the state where they were: whither I have caused you to be carried away captives ; and as long as they continued so; for being under the protection of the magistrates of it, though Heathens, they owed them submission, and were under... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 29:1

Now these are the words of the letter - This transaction took place in the first or second year of Zedekiah. It appears that the prophet had been informed that the Jews who had already been carried into captivity had, through the instigations of false prophets, been led to believe that they were to be brought out of their captivity speedily. Jeremiah, fearing that this delusion might induce them to take some hasty steps, ill comporting with their present state, wrote a letter to them, which... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jeremiah 29:4

Thus saith the Lord of hosts - This was the commencement of the letter. read more

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