Jeremiah urges the exiles to build lives in Babylon
About this date: Jeremiah 29 is set after Jehoiachin's exile while Zedekiah still rules. The range bounds the setting rather than dating a decade-long delivery.
Jeremiah sends a letter advising deportees to establish households, plant gardens, and seek the welfare of the city where they live.
Historical context
The letter counters expectations of an immediate return. It connects hope for restoration with everyday responsibilities during prolonged displacement.
Key points
- The letter travels with royal envoys.
- Prayer is directed toward the welfare of the host city.
- The promise of return addresses an exiled community, not an individual timetable for prosperity.
People
- Jeremiah
- Zedekiah
- Elasah
- Gemariah
Scripture
- Jeremiah 29:1–14 — Counsel for the exiled community's life in Babylon.
Sources and further reading
- Jeremiah 29:1–14
The letter's carriers, recipients, advice, and promise.