Jeremiah 45:4

4 The LORD said, "Tell Baruch, 'I say, "I will destroy what I have built up. I will pull up by the roots what I have planted. I will do it all through the earth.

Jeremiah 45:4 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 45:4

Thus shalt thou say unto him
This is spoken to Jeremiah, and is an order from the Lord to him, what he should say in his name to Baruch: the Lord saith thus, behold, [that] which I have built will I break
down, and that which I have planted I will pluck up;
the Jewish nation, both as to church and state; which the Lord had built up as a spacious and beautiful house to dwell in, and had planted as a vineyard, and set it with pleasant plants; but now would demolish this building, and destroy this plantation: even this whole land;
not a few cities only, or only Jerusalem the metropolis, but the whole land of Judea; no part of it but what should be left desolate. So the Targum,

``even the whole land of Israel, which is mine.''

Jeremiah 45:4 In-Context

1 I, the prophet Jeremiah, talked to Baruch, the son of Neriah. It was in the fourth year that Jehoiakim, the son of Josiah, was king of Judah. But it was after Baruch had written down on a scroll the words I was telling him to write. I said,

2 "The LORD is the God of Israel. Baruch, he says to you,

3 'You have said, "How terrible it is for me! The LORD has added sorrow to my pain. I'm worn out from all of my groaning. I can't find any rest." ' "

4 The LORD said, "Tell Baruch, 'I say, "I will destroy what I have built up. I will pull up by the roots what I have planted. I will do it all through the earth.

5 So should you long for great things for yourself? Do not long for them. I will bring trouble on everyone," announces the Lord. "But no matter where you go, I will let you escape with your life." ' "