Jeremiah 29:28

28 He has sent a message to us in Babylon. It says, 'You will be there a long time. So build houses and settle down. Plant gardens and eat what they produce.' " ' "

Jeremiah 29:28 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 29:28

For therefore he sent unto us [in] Babylon, saying
That is, Jeremiah the prophet; and this was the reason, because his mouth was not stopped, and he restrained from prophesying; so that Shemaiah lays all the blame on Zephaniah, and his brethren the priests; who, had they done their duty, would have prevented Jeremiah's letter to the captives, as he suggests; the purport of which was, this [captivity] is long;
so Kimchi, Abarbinel, and Ben Melech, supply it; or, "it [is] long" ^F13; it will be a long time before the captives shall return to their own land; and therefore they should not think of it, or provide for it; but, on the contrary, for their continuance in Babylon; giving the following advice: build ye houses, and dwell [in them]; and plant gardens, and eat the
fruit of them;
referring to Jeremiah's letter; (See Gill on Jeremiah 29:5).

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FOOTNOTES:

F13 (ayh hkra) "longum est", Pagninus, Cocceius, Schmidt.

Jeremiah 29:28 In-Context

26 "The LORD has appointed you priest in place of Jehoiada. He has put you in charge of the LORD's house. You are supposed to arrest any crazy person who claims to be a prophet. You should put him in prison. You should put iron bands around his neck.

27 " ' "So why haven't you punished Jeremiah from Anathoth? He claims to be a prophet among you.

28 He has sent a message to us in Babylon. It says, 'You will be there a long time. So build houses and settle down. Plant gardens and eat what they produce.' " ' "

29 But the priest Zephaniah read the letter to me.

30 Then a message came to me from the Lord. He said,