Jeremiah 29:2

2 This was after King Jeconi'ah, and the queen mother, the eunuchs, the princes of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen, and the smiths had departed from Jerusalem.

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 These are the words of the letter which Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the elders of the exiles, and to the priests, the prophets, and all the people, whom Nebuchadnez'zar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon.

2 This was after King Jeconi'ah, and the queen mother, the eunuchs, the princes of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen, and the smiths had departed from Jerusalem.

3 The letter was sent by the hand of Ela'sah the son of Shaphan and Gemari'ah the son of Hilki'ah, whom Zedeki'ah king of Judah sent to Babylon to Nebuchadnez'zar 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.