Jeremiah 45:1

Message to Baruch

1 The word that Jeremiah the prophet spoke to ¹Baruch the son of Neriah, ²when he wrote these words in a book at the dictation of Jeremiah, ³in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah:

Jeremiah 45:1 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 45:1

The word that Jeremiah the prophet spake unto Baruch the son of
Neriah
Who was his amanuensis or scribe; and this word he spake not to him of himself, but in the name of the Lord, as coming from him; so the Targum calls it,

``the word of prophecy which Jeremiah the prophet prophesied concerning Baruch the son of Neriah:''

when he had written these words in a book at the mouth of Jeremiah;
not what immediately precede, concerning the destruction of the Jews in Egypt; which were delivered out many years after the writing of the roll by Baruch here referred to; and which was done, as here said, in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah;
which was eighteen years before the destruction of Jerusalem; so that this prophecy does not stand in order, which would more properly have followed the thirty sixth chapter; where we have an account of what Baruch wrote from the mouth of Jeremiah in a roll, and read to the people, and after that to the princes; which exposed him to danger, and caused the grief expressed by him in this chapter; but it being written to a private person, is postponed to this place: saying;
as follows:

Jeremiah 45:1 In-Context

1 The word that Jeremiah the prophet spoke to Baruch the son of Neriah, when he wrote these words in a book at the dictation of Jeremiah, in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah:

2 “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, to you, O Baruch:

3 You said, ‘Woe is me! For the Lord has added sorrow to my pain. I am weary with my groaning, and I find no rest. ’

4 Thus shall you say to him, Thus says the Lord: Behold, what I have built I am breaking down, and what I have planted I am plucking up—that is, the whole land.

5 And do you seek great things for yourself? Seek them not, for behold, I am bringing disaster upon all flesh, declares the Lord. But I will give you your life as a prize of war in all places to which you may go. ”

Cross References

• 1. 45:1 See ch. 32:12
• 2. 45:1 See ch. 36:4, 18
• 3. 45:1 ch. 36:1