Jeremiah 29:3

3 The letter was sent by the hand of Elasah the son of ¹Shaphan and Gemariah the son of ²Hilkiah, whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent to Babylon to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. It said:

Jeremiah 29:3 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 29:3

By the hand of Elasah the son of Shaphan
Perhaps the brother of Ahikam, and of Jaazaniah, ( Jeremiah 26:24 ) ( Ezekiel 8:11 ) ; and Gemariah the son of Hilkiah;
to distinguish him from Gemariah the son of Shaphan the scribe, ( Jeremiah 36:10 ) ; whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent unto Babylon, to Nebuchadnezzar king
of Babylon;
as his ambassadors, on what account it is not certain; perhaps to pay the tribute money to him; or to treat with him about the restoration of some of the captives; or to cultivate friendship, and promise submission, and that he would faithfully keep the covenant he had made with him: and perhaps he might be jealous of Jeconiah using his interest with the king of Babylon for his restoration, which could not be acceptable to Zedekiah; and this might be one reason why he admitted his messengers to carry Jeremiah's letter to the captives, if he knew of it, or saw it; since it exhorted them not to think of a returns, but provide for a long continuance where they were; however, by the hand of these messengers Jeremiah sent his letter to them: saying;
as follows:

Jeremiah 29:3 In-Context

1 These are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders of the exiles, and to the priests, the prophets, and all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon.

2 This was after King Jeconiah and the queen mother, the eunuchs, the officials of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen, and the metal workers had departed from Jerusalem.

3 The letter was sent by the hand of Elasah the son of Shaphan and Gemariah the son of Hilkiah, whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent to Babylon to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. It said:

4 "Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon:

5 Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce.

Cross References

• 1. 2 Chronicles 34:8
• 2. 1 Chronicles 6:13