Jeremiah 45:1

1 The word that Jeremiah the prophet spoke unto Baruch the son of Neriah, when he had written these words in a book out of the mouth of Jeremiah, in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, saying,

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 unto Baruch the son of Neriah, when he had written these words in a book out of the mouth of Jeremiah, in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, saying,

2 "Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, unto thee, O Baruch:

3 Thou didst say, `Woe is me now! For the LORD hath added grief to my sorrow; I fainted in my sighing, and I find no rest.'

4 Thus shalt thou say unto him, `The LORD saith thus: Behold, that which I have built will I break down, and that which I have planted I will pluck up, even this whole land.

5 And seekest thou great things for thyself? Seek them not; for behold, I will bring evil upon all flesh, saith the LORD, but thy life will I give unto thee for a prey in all places whither thou goest.'"