Devine Scripture

Jeremiah 29:20

What does Jeremiah 29:20 mean?

A plain-English look at Jeremiah 29:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Jeremiah 29:20 means

This verse serves as a crucial call to attention for the exiles, reiterating who the message is for: "Hear ye therefore the word of Jehovah, all ye of the captivity, whom I have sent away from Jerusalem to Babylon." After the dire warning concerning Jerusalem, God brings the focus back to those already in Babylon. This reinforces the importance of the preceding instructions and promises, reminding the exiles that they, too, are under God's watchful eye and must heed His true word, especially concerning the false prophets among them.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Hear ye therefore the word of Jehovah, all ye of the captivity, whom I have sent away from Jerusalem to Babylon.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Hear ye therefore the word of the Lord, all ye of the captivity, whom I have sent from Jerusalem to Babylon:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Hear ye therefore the word of Jehovah, all ye of the captivity, whom I have sent away from Jerusalem to Babylon.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And now, give ear to the word of the Lord, all you whom I have sent away prisoners from Jerusalem to Babylon.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`And ye, hear ye a word of Jehovah, all ye of the captivity that I have sent from Jerusalem to Babylon,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Hear ye therefore the word of the Lord, all ye of the captivity, whom I have sent out from Jerusalem to Babylon.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But ye, all ye of the captivity, whom I have sent from Jerusalem to Babylon, hear the word of Jehovah.

Context

After the extended digression explaining the fate of those remaining in Jerusalem, this verse explicitly returns the focus to the targeted audience: the exiles in Babylon. It serves as a re-emphasis and a renewed call to hear God's word. This shift back to the exiles prepares the reader for specific judgments against the false prophets *among them*, making the distinction between true and false prophecy even clearer.

v.19because they have not hearkened to my words, saith Jehovah, wherewith I sent unto them my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them; but ye would not hear, saith Jehovah.

v.20This passage

v.21Thus saith Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel, concerning Ahab the son of Kolaiah, and concerning Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah, who prophesy a lie unto you in my name: Behold, I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon; and he shall slay them before your eyes;

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Ezekiel 3:11

    And go, get thee to them of the captivity, unto the children of thy people, and speak unto them, and tell them, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah; whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear.

  • Ezekiel 3:15

    Then I came to them of the captivity at Tel-abib, that dwelt by the river Chebar, and to where they dwelt; and I sat there overwhelmed among them seven days.

  • Jeremiah 24:5

    Thus saith Jehovah, the God of Israel: Like these good figs, so will I regard the captives of Judah, whom I have sent out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans, for good.

  • Micah 4:10

    Be in pain, and labor to bring forth, O daughter of Zion, like a woman in travail; for now shalt thou go forth out of the city, and shalt dwell in the field, and shalt come even unto Babylon: there shalt thou be rescued; there will Jehovah redeem thee from the hand of thine enemies.

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