Devine Scripture

Jeremiah 29:5

What does Jeremiah 29:5 mean?

A plain-English look at Jeremiah 29:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Jeremiah 29:5 means

Against the popular hope among exiles for an imminent return, God's command here through Jeremiah is striking: "Build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them." Rather than preparing for a quick departure, the exiles were told to establish permanent residency. This instruction fostered a mindset of long-term settlement and active participation in their new environment, encouraging them to find stability and sustenance where they were, contradicting the false prophets' promises of a speedy return.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Go on building houses and living in them, and planting gardens and using the fruit of them;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Build ye houses, and abide; and plant ye gardens, and eat their fruit;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Build ye houses, and dwell in them: and plant orchards, and eat the fruit of them.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

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

Context

This verse delivers the first practical instruction from God to the exiles, directly countering widespread false hopes of a quick return. It commands them to settle down and invest in their new surroundings. This directive sets the stage for further instructions about their conduct in Babylon, emphasizing that their time there would be extended, not brief.

v.4Thus 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:

v.5This passage

v.6Take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters: and multiply ye there, and be not diminished.

Cross references

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

  • Ezekiel 28:26

    And they shall dwell securely therein; yea, they shall build houses, and plant vineyards, and shall dwell securely, when I have executed judgments upon all those that do them despite round about them; and they shall know that I am Jehovah their God.

  • 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 29:28

    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?

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