Devine Scripture

Jeremiah 29:4

What does Jeremiah 29:4 mean?

A plain-English look at Jeremiah 29:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Jeremiah 29:4 means

This verse marks the direct beginning of the Lord's message within the letter. It establishes divine authority by using the weighty title "Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel." Addressing "all the captivity," God unequivocally states that He Himself was the one who "caused you to be carried away captive from Jerusalem unto Babylon." This declaration is critical, as it reframes the exile not as a random misfortune or a defeat of their God, but as a deliberate act of divine judgment and sovereign purpose.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Thus saith Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel, unto all the captivity, whom I have caused to be carried away captive from Jerusalem unto Babylon:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, unto all that are carried away captives, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem unto Babylon;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Thus saith Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel, unto all the captivity, whom I have caused to be carried away captive from Jerusalem unto Babylon:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

This is what the Lord of armies, the God of Israel, has said to all those whom I have taken away prisoners from Jerusalem to Babylon:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`Thus said Jehovah of Hosts, God of Israel, to all the removal that I removed from Jerusalem to Babylon,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Thus saith the Lord of hosts the God of Israel, to all that are carried away captives, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem to Babylon:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Thus saith Jehovah of hosts, theGod of Israel, unto all the captivity, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem unto Babylon:

Context

After the introductory details about the letter and its couriers, this verse launches into the actual divine message. It firmly establishes God's authority over the circumstances. This direct address is vital for setting the tone of the entire letter, revealing that the exile was not arbitrary but ordained by God, which helps the exiles understand His subsequent commands.

v.3by the hand of Elasah the son of Shaphan, and Gemariah the son of Hilkiah, (whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent unto Babylon to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon), saying,

v.4This passage

v.5Build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them.

Cross references

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

  • Isaiah 5:5

    And now I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; I will break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down:

  • 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.

  • Isaiah 59:1

    Behold, Jehovah’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:

  • Amos 3:6

    Shall the trumpet be blown in a city, and the people not be afraid? shall evil befall a city, and Jehovah hath not done it?

  • Isaiah 10:5

    Ho Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, the staff in whose hand is mine indignation!

  • Isaiah 45:7

    I form the light, and create darkness; I make peace, and create evil; I am Jehovah, that doeth all these things.

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