Devine Scripture

Jeremiah 29:28

What does Jeremiah 29:28 mean?

A plain-English look at Jeremiah 29:28 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Jeremiah 29:28 means

This verse provides Shemaiah's justification for why Jeremiah should be silenced. Shemaiah accuses Jeremiah, "forasmuch as he hath sent unto us in Babylon, saying, The captivity is long: build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them?" Shemaiah cites Jeremiah's actual letter to the exiles (verses 5–6) as proof that Jeremiah was a false prophet, because his message of a long captivity and instructions to settle ran directly counter to the false prophets' popular message of a quick return. To Shemaiah, Jeremiah’s difficult truth was an unacceptable lie.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

forasmuch as he hath sent unto us in Babylon, saying, The captivity is long: build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

forasmuch as he hath sent unto us in Babylon, saying, The captivity is long: build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For he has sent to us in Babylon saying, The time will be long: go on building houses and living in them, and planting gardens and using the fruit of them.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Because that he hath sent unto us to Babylon, saying, It <FI>is<Fi> long, build ye houses, and abide; and plant ye gardens, and eat their fruit.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For he hath also sent to us in Babylon, saying: It is a long time: build ye houses, and dwell in them: and plant gardens, and eat the fruits of them.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Forasmuch as he hath sent unto us in Babylon, saying, It will be long; build houses, and dwell [in them], and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them.

Context

This verse directly quotes Jeremiah’s letter (from verses 5-6), revealing Shemaiah’s primary grievance against Jeremiah. Shemaiah views Jeremiah’s message of a long captivity and settling in Babylon as grounds for his condemnation. This demonstrates the core doctrinal conflict between Jeremiah and the false prophets, clarifying precisely why Shemaiah sought to silence the true prophet.

v.27Now therefore, why hast thou not rebuked Jeremiah of Anathoth, who maketh himself a prophet to you,

v.28This passage

v.29And Zephaniah the priest read this letter in the ears of Jeremiah the prophet.

Cross references

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

  • Jeremiah 29:10

    For thus saith Jehovah, After seventy years are accomplished for Babylon, I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.

  • Jeremiah 29:5

    Build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them.

  • Jeremiah 29:1

    Now these are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem unto the residue of the elders of the captivity, and to the priests, and to the prophets, and to all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon,

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