Jeremiah 29:2

2 I wrote it after King Jehoiachin, his mother, the palace officials, the leaders of Judah and of Jerusalem, the engravers, and the skilled workers had been taken into exile.

Jeremiah 29:2 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 29:2

After that Jeconiah the king
Of Judah; the same with Jehoiachin, who was carried captive into Babylon when he had reigned but three months: and the queen;
not Jeconiah's wife, for he had none; but his mother, whose name was Nehushta, and who was carried captive with him, ( 2 Kings 24:8 2 Kings 24:12 ) ; and the eunuchs;
or "chamberlains" to the queen; the Targum calls them princes; these were of the king's household, his courtiers; and such persons have been everywhere, and in all ages, court favourites: and the princes of Judah and Jerusalem;
the noblemen and grandees of the nation: and the carpenters, and the smiths, were departed from Jerusalem;
whom Nebuchadnezzar took with him, partly for his own use in his own country; and partly that the Jews might be deprived of such artificers, that could assist in fortifying their city, and providing them with military weapons; (See Gill on Jeremiah 24:1).

Jeremiah 29:2 In-Context

1 I wrote a letter to the priests, the prophets, the leaders of the people, and to all the others whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken away as prisoners from Jerusalem to Babylonia.

2 I wrote it after King Jehoiachin, his mother, the palace officials, the leaders of Judah and of Jerusalem, the engravers, and the skilled workers had been taken into exile.

3 I gave the letter to Elasah son of Shaphan and to Gemariah son of Hilkiah, whom King Zedekiah of Judah was sending to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylonia. It said:

4 "The Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those people whom he allowed Nebuchadnezzar to take away as prisoners from Jerusalem to Babylonia:

5 "Build houses and settle down. Plant gardens and eat what you grow in them.