Jeremiah 29:1-32

Jeremiah 29. The Future of the Exiles in Babylon (c. 595). Jeremiah sends a letter by royal messengers to tell the exiles in Babylon to settle down there for a lengthy stay, and not to be deceived by those who say otherwise (Jeremiah 29:1). After seventy years (see on Jeremiah 25:11), they shall be restored in accordance with Yahweh's declared purpose (Jeremiah 24:4) and goodwill (Jeremiah 29:1). At this point, an insertion seems to have been made in the original letter. Most of 14 (after I will be found of you) is rightly omitted in LXX; the reference to all the nations does not suit the destination of this particular letter. LXX also omits Jeremiah 29:16, threatening Zedekiah (the king), and those left in Jerusalem (Jeremiah 24:8, f.); this passage also has been added to the Hebrew text. Jeremiah 29:15, which is quite disconnected from its context where it now stands, will then fitly precede Jeremiah 29:21, its first word being rendered because instead of for; the sequel names two of these Babylonian prophets for condemnation. The remaining verses of the chapter (Jeremiah 29:24) are in some confusion. They begin as prophecy in a message to Shemaiah (Jeremiah 29:24 mg.), then pass (Jeremiah 29:26 ff.) into the quotation of a letter from him to Zephaniah, then break off abruptly into narrative in Jeremiah 29:29, and become prophecy again in Jeremiah 29:30. Shemaiah's letter, evidently prompted by Jeremiah's, urges Zephaniah to treat Jeremiah as Pashhur had done (Jeremiah 20:1 ff.), i.e. as a mad prophesier (cf. 2 Kings 9:11; Hosea 9:7; 1 Samuel 10:10 ff; 1 Samuel 19:20 ff.); but Zephaniah simply informs Jeremiah of this advice, with the result that a prophecy is uttered against Shemaiah and his descendants, in accordance with Hebrew ideas of corporate personality (cf., e.g., 2 Kings 5:27).

Jeremiah 29:3. Elasah: brother of Ahikam (Jeremiah 26:24) and of a Gemariah (Jeremiah 36:10) distinct from his present companion.

Jeremiah 29:18 as mg.; cf. Jeremiah 24:9.

Jeremiah 29:19. Read they for ye, as in LXX of Lucian.

Jeremiah 29:22. Nothing further is known of these men or their fate, presumably assigned for treason.

Jeremiah 29:23. folly: senselessness (Driver); cf. 2 Samuel 13:12.

Jeremiah 29:25. Zephaniah: cf. Jeremiah 21:1; Jeremiah 37:3; Jeremiah 52:24. Omit, with LXX, unto all the people that are at Jerusalem and and to all the priests.

Jeremiah 29:26. officers: read singular with VSS.

Jeremiah 29:32. After seed, we should probably continue, with LXX, there shall not be a man of them in the midst of you to see the good, etc. (omitting last clause).