Jeremiah 29:16

Translation
King James Version
Know that thus saith the LORD of the king that sitteth upon the throne of David, and of all the people that dwelleth in this city, and of your brethren that are not gone forth with you into captivity;
Ask
KJV (with Strong's)
Know that thus saith H559 the LORD H3068 of the king H4428 that sitteth H3427 upon the throne H3678 of David H1732, and of all the people H5971 that dwelleth H3427 in this city H5892, and of your brethren H251 that are not gone forth H3318 with you into captivity H1473;
Ask
Complete Jewish Bible
But here is what ADONAI says about the king occupying David's throne and about all the people living in this city, your kinsmen who did not go into exile with you -
Ask
Berean Standard Bible
this is what the LORD says about the king who sits on David’s throne and all the people who remain in this city, your brothers who did not go with you into exile—
Ask
American Standard Version
thus saith Jehovah concerning the king that sitteth upon the throne of David, and concerning all the people that dwell in this city, your brethren that are not gone forth with you into captivity;
Ask
World English Bible Messianic
thus says the LORD concerning the king who sits on the throne of David, and concerning all the people who dwell in this city, your brothers who haven’t gone with you into captivity;
Ask
Geneva Bible (1599)
Therefore thus saith the Lord of the King, that sitteth vpon the throne of Dauid, and of all the people, that dwell in this citie, your brethren that are not gone forth with you into captiuitie:
Ask
Young's Literal Translation
Surely thus said Jehovah concerning the king who is sitting on the throne of David, and concerning all the people that is dwelling in this city, your brethren who went not forth with you in the removal;
Ask
See also
Jeremiah 38:17Jeremiah 38:23Jeremiah 38:2Jeremiah 38:3Ezekiel 22:31Ezekiel 6:1Ezekiel 6:9
In the KJVVerse 19,652 of 31,102

Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Jeremiah 29:16 presents a sobering prophetic declaration from the LORD, delivered through Jeremiah, specifically addressing the remnant of the Judean population who remained in Jerusalem after the initial Babylonian deportation. This verse starkly contrasts their impending fate with that of their brethren already in exile, underscoring God's certain judgment upon King Zedekiah, who occupied the Davidic throne, and all the inhabitants of the city. It serves as a stern warning against false hopes and continued rebellion, affirming the inevitability of divine retribution for persistent disobedience to God's warnings.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: Jeremiah 29:16 is a pivotal verse within a crucial letter (Jeremiah 29:1-23) dispatched by the prophet Jeremiah from Jerusalem to the Jewish exiles already settled in Babylon. The primary intent of this letter was to counteract the deceptive messages of false prophets, both among the exiles and those still in Judah, who were promising an immediate return from captivity. While the preceding verses of the chapter, particularly Jeremiah 29:4-7 and Jeremiah 29:10-14, offer a profound message of hope and future restoration for the exiles—albeit after a lengthy period of seventy years—verse 16 sharply pivots to pronounce a severe judgment upon those who stubbornly remained in Jerusalem. This distinct pronouncement clarifies that God's judgment was not yet complete for Judah and that a more devastating phase was still to come for the rebellious remnant within the city walls.
  • Historical & Cultural Context: The historical backdrop for Jeremiah 29:16 is the tumultuous era following the first major Babylonian deportation in 597 BC. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had successfully besieged Jerusalem, capturing King Jehoiachin and exiling him along with a significant portion of Judah's elite, including nobles, skilled craftsmen, and the prophet Ezekiel, as detailed in 2 Kings 24:10-16. Following this, Zedekiah, Jehoiachin's uncle, was installed as a puppet king by Nebuchadnezzar. Despite this clear act of divine judgment, many in Jerusalem, including King Zedekiah himself, continued to defy God's warnings delivered through Jeremiah. They clung to the false prophecies of a swift deliverance and persisted in their idolatrous practices and political intrigues. The prevailing cultural context reveals a deep-seated resistance among the Judean leadership and populace to acknowledge God's sovereign control over their national destiny, fostering a dangerous reliance on human wisdom and unreliable political alliances rather than divine counsel.
  • Key Themes: This verse profoundly contributes to several overarching themes within the prophetic book of Jeremiah. Firstly, it powerfully highlights the theme of Divine Judgment, unequivocally demonstrating God's unwavering resolve to punish sin and disobedience, even when committed by His chosen people and their leadership. The "king that sitteth upon the throne of David" and "all the people that dwelleth in this city" are explicitly designated for impending doom, a direct and severe consequence of their continued rebellion and their persistent rejection of Jeremiah's prophetic warnings. Secondly, the verse reinforces the crucial theme of Authentic Prophecy, drawing a sharp contrast between Jeremiah's difficult but divinely true message and the comforting but ultimately false words disseminated by other prophets. Jeremiah's unpopular message, though met with resistance, proved to be from the LORD, a truth tragically confirmed by the subsequent fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC, as recorded in Jeremiah 39:1-10. Finally, Jeremiah 29:16 underscores the dire Consequences of Disobedience, illustrating that while God's covenant promises are eternal, they often carry conditional aspects tied to human faithfulness. The abject failure of King Zedekiah and the people to uphold their covenant obligations led directly to the severe judgment described here, serving as a stark and enduring warning about the gravity of rejecting God's revealed will.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • LORD (Hebrew, Yᵉhôvâh', H3068): This is the sacred, covenantal name of God, often transliterated as "Jehovah" or "Yahweh." Its prominent use here emphasizes that the pronouncement is not merely Jeremiah's human opinion, but a direct, authoritative declaration from the self-existent, eternal God who is faithful to His covenant, even in the execution of judgment. It underscores the divine origin, unalterable nature, and absolute certainty of the prophecy.
  • throne (Hebrew, kiççêʼ', H3678): This term refers to a covered seat, specifically a royal seat or a throne. In this context, "the throne of David" signifies the royal lineage and the enduring authority established by God through the Davidic covenant, as detailed in 2 Samuel 7:12-16. The mention of the king "sitteth upon the throne of David" highlights that even the divinely ordained institution of kingship in Judah was not immune to God's judgment when its occupants failed to uphold their covenant responsibilities and walked in disobedience.
  • captivity (Hebrew, gôwlâh', H1473): This term, derived from the root meaning "to roll away" or "to uncover," refers to exile or the state of being carried away, often used collectively to refer to the exiles themselves. Its inclusion in the phrase "your brethren that are not gone forth with you into captivity" serves to sharply distinguish the fate of those still in Jerusalem from those already experiencing the initial wave of exile. It subtly emphasizes that the "captivity" experienced by the exiles, though undeniably harsh, was a distinct, and in some ways more merciful, form of judgment compared to the utter destruction and subsequent, more severe deportation awaiting those who defiantly remained in Jerusalem.

Verse Breakdown

  • "Know that thus saith the LORD": This opening phrase, "כֹּה אָמַר יְהוָה" (koh amar Yahweh), is the quintessential prophetic formula, asserting the divine authority and absolute certainty behind the message that follows. It serves as a solemn command to pay close attention and believe, indicating that the subsequent words are not human conjecture or mere political analysis, but a direct, unadulterated revelation from God Himself, carrying His full weight and authority.
  • "of the king that sitteth upon the throne of David": This clause specifically refers to King Zedekiah, who had been installed as a puppet king by Babylon after the first deportation of Jehoiachin. The mention of the "throne of David" deliberately invokes the sacred covenant God made with David, promising an enduring dynasty. However, Zedekiah's profound unfaithfulness, his persistent rebellion against God's explicit word delivered by Jeremiah, and his defiance of Babylonian authority meant that even this divinely established kingship would face severe and devastating judgment, culminating in its temporary cessation.
  • "and of all the people that dwelleth in this city": This phrase significantly broadens the scope of the impending judgment beyond the unfaithful king to encompass all the inhabitants of Jerusalem. It signifies that the entire society, from the highest leadership down to the common citizen, was deeply implicated in the pervasive sin, idolatry, and rebellion that had provoked God's righteous wrath. Their continued presence within the seemingly secure city walls, rather than being a sign of divine favor or protection, was a grim prelude to further, more comprehensive, and devastating judgment.
  • "and of your brethren that are not gone forth with you into captivity;": This final clause directly addresses the exiles in Babylon, to whom Jeremiah's letter is sent. It serves as a stark reminder of the distinct and far more severe fate awaiting those left behind in Jerusalem, contrasting their situation with that of the exiles. It highlights the profound difference between the two groups: the exiles, though suffering in a foreign land, had been preserved through an initial act of judgment, while those who remained in the seemingly secure city were destined for utter destruction and a more severe form of captivity, precisely because they had stubbornly refused to "go forth" into the initial, lesser judgment.

Literary Devices

Jeremiah 29:16 masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey its stark and authoritative message. The most prominent is Prophetic Oracle, immediately signaled by the authoritative and formulaic declaration "thus saith the LORD," which unequivocally establishes the divine origin and undeniable truth of the pronouncement. This opening sets a tone of ultimate authority and certainty, demanding the listener's attention and belief. There is also a powerful Contrast at play, sharply distinguishing the fate of the exiles (to whom the letter is addressed, and who received promises of future hope in Jeremiah 29:11) from the impending doom of those remaining in Jerusalem. This contrast amplifies the severity of the judgment. The phrase "throne of David" functions as a form of Metonymy, where the physical throne represents the entire Davidic dynasty, its covenant promises, and the divinely established institution of kingship. Its mention emphasizes that even this sacred and foundational institution was not immune to God's judgment due to the unfaithfulness of its current occupant. Finally, the verse contains a strong element of Foreshadowing, subtly but clearly hinting at the devastating siege, famine, and ultimate destruction of Jerusalem that would soon follow, thereby fulfilling the consistent warnings Jeremiah had faithfully delivered for decades.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Jeremiah 29:16 powerfully articulates God's unwavering justice, His absolute sovereignty over nations and kings, and the profound consequences of human rebellion. It reveals that divine judgment is never arbitrary but is a direct, righteous consequence of persistent disobedience and the rejection of His revealed will. The Lord, as the self-existent and eternal God, holds all people accountable, regardless of their position, power, or perceived security. This verse underscores the critical distinction between true and false prophecy, validating Jeremiah's difficult but divinely inspired message over the comforting but ultimately deceptive lies of those who promised peace and prosperity where there was none. The theological implication is clear: genuine hope, restoration, and security are found not in human schemes, political alliances, or deceptive assurances, but in humbly submitting to God's truth, even when that truth involves enduring hardship, acknowledging severe judgment, or embracing a path of exile.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

Jeremiah 29:16 serves as a sobering and timeless reminder that God's word is utterly reliable and true, whether it brings comforting promises or pronounces severe judgment. In a world saturated with appealing but ultimately empty promises, deceptive narratives, and self-serving ideologies, this verse calls us to cultivate profound spiritual discernment. It challenges us to ground our hope, understanding, and actions firmly in the unchanging truth of God's inspired Word, rather than in fleeting popular opinions, human assurances, or what feels comfortable. It compels us to confront the uncomfortable reality that persistent disobedience carries severe consequences, and that no position of power, privilege, or perceived security exempts anyone from divine accountability. For believers today, this passage encourages a posture of humility, repentance, and faithful obedience, recognizing that true security and flourishing lie not in outward circumstances or human guarantees, but in a steadfast and obedient relationship with God. It also prompts us to critically consider where our true allegiances lie and to whom we listen for guidance, ensuring that our hope is anchored in God's eternal truth, even when that truth is challenging, unpopular, or calls for endurance through difficult seasons.

Questions for Reflection

  • In what areas of my life might I be clinging to false assurances or actively ignoring difficult truths revealed in God's Word?
  • How does the stark contrast between the fate of the exiles and those who remained in Jerusalem challenge or deepen my understanding of God's judgment and His multifaceted mercy?
  • What does this verse teach me about the critical importance of discerning true spiritual guidance from deceptive voices in my own contemporary context, and how can I practically apply this discernment?

FAQ

What was the specific fate of the king and people mentioned in Jeremiah 29:16?

Answer: The king mentioned, Zedekiah, ultimately suffered a horrific and tragic fate. When Jerusalem finally fell to the Babylonians in 586 BC, he attempted to flee the city but was captured on the plains of Jericho. His sons were executed before his very eyes, a final, agonizing sight, and then his own eyes were put out. He was subsequently bound in bronze chains and taken as a prisoner to Babylon, where he eventually died in prison (2 Kings 25:6-7). The people remaining in Jerusalem faced widespread death by sword, famine, and pestilence, exactly as prophesied by Jeremiah. The survivors who endured these calamities were then taken into a second, much larger wave of Babylonian captivity, and the city itself, including the revered Temple of the LORD, was utterly destroyed (Jeremiah 39:1-10).

How does this verse relate to the more hopeful message in Jeremiah 29:11?

Answer: Jeremiah 29:16 provides a crucial and sobering counterpoint to the widely known and often quoted promise of hope found in Jeremiah 29:11. While verse 11 indeed offers a future of hope, welfare, and a plan for the exiles (those already in Babylon), verse 16 clarifies that this hopeful promise was not universally applicable to everyone in Judah. It explicitly states that those who defiantly remained in Jerusalem, including the unfaithful king and the city's inhabitants, would face further, severe judgment because of their continued rebellion, their rejection of God's prophetic word through Jeremiah, and their false hopes. This juxtaposition highlights God's unwavering justice and underscores the conditional nature of His covenant blessings, which are often contingent upon human obedience and faithfulness. It powerfully demonstrates that God's plans for different groups within His people could vary dramatically based on their response to His warnings and their posture towards His revealed will.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

Jeremiah 29:16, with its grim pronouncement of judgment upon the unfaithful king and the rebellious people of Jerusalem, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The "throne of David" mentioned here, which was occupied by an unfaithful monarch leading his people deeper into sin and ultimately to destruction, ultimately points forward to the true and eternal King who would sit upon that very throne—Jesus, the Son of David, whose lineage and claim to the throne are affirmed in Matthew 1:1. Unlike Zedekiah, who failed to uphold God's covenant and led his people into deeper sin and judgment, Jesus perfectly fulfilled the righteous demands of God's law and established an everlasting kingdom built not on human power or fleeting alliances, but on divine faithfulness, grace, and truth (Luke 1:32-33). Furthermore, the stark contrast between those facing judgment in Jerusalem and those preserved in exile powerfully foreshadows the spiritual distinction between those who reject Christ and those who find refuge and salvation in Him. Jesus, as the true Prophet, delivered God's ultimate word of both judgment and salvation. He warned of coming judgment for those who rejected Him and His message (Matthew 23:37-39), yet He also offered a path to escape spiritual captivity and eternal death through His atoning sacrifice (John 3:16-18). The judgment prophesied in Jeremiah 29:16 ultimately points to the greater, eternal judgment that will fall upon all who refuse to acknowledge Christ as King and Lord. Conversely, those who are "gone forth" from the dominion of sin and death into His liberating grace find true hope, spiritual freedom, and an eternal dwelling in His unshakable kingdom (Colossians 1:13-14). Thus, Jesus is the faithful King who secures the true Davidic throne, the ultimate Prophet whose words bring either life or judgment, and the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, offering a definitive way out of spiritual captivity for all who believe (John 1:29).

Copy as

Commentary on Jeremiah 29 verses 15–23

Jeremiah, having given great encouragement to those among the captives whom he knew to be serious and well-affected, assuring them that God had very kind and favourable intentions concerning them, here turns to those among them who slighted the counsels and comforts that Jeremiah ministered to them and depended upon what the false prophets flattered them with. When this letter came from Jeremiah they would be ready to say, "Why should he make himself so busy, and take upon him to advise us? The Lord has raised us up prophets in Babylon, Jer 29:15. We are satisfied with those prophets, and can depend upon them, and have no occasion to hear from any prophets in Jerusalem." See the impudent wickedness of this people; as the prophets, when they prophesied lies, said that they had them from God, so the people, when they invited those prophets thus to flatter them, fathered it upon God, and said that it was the Lord that raised them up those prophets. Whereas we may be sure that those who harden people in their sins, and deceive them with false and groundless hopes of God's mercy, are no prophets of God's raising up. These prophets of their own told them that no more should be carried captive, but that those who were in captivity should shortly return. Now, in answer to this, 1. The prophet here foretells the utter destruction of those who remained still at Jerusalem, notwithstanding what those false prophets said to the contrary: "As for the king and people that dwell in the city, who, you think, will be ready to bid you welcome when you return, you are deceived; they shall be followed with one judgment after another, sword, famine, and pestilence, which shall cut off multitudes; and the poor and miserable remains shall be removed into all kingdoms of the earth," Jer 29:16, Jer 29:18. And thus God will make them, or rather deal with them accordingly, as the salt that has lost its savour, which, being good for nothing, is cast to the dunghill, and so are rotten figs. This refers to the vision and the prophecy upon it which we had Jer 24:1-10. And the reason given for these proceedings against them is the same that has often been given and will justify God in the eternal ruin of impenitent sinners (Jer 29:19): Because they have not hearkened to my words. I called, but they refused. 2. He foretells the judgment of God upon the false prophets in Babylon, who deceived the people of God there. He calls upon all the children of the captivity, who boasted of them as prophets of God's raising up (Jer 29:20): "Stand still, and hear the doom of the prophets you are so fond of." The two prophets are named here, Ahab and Zedekiah, Jer 29:21. Observe, (1.) The crimes charged upon them - impiety and immorality: They prophesied lies in God's name (Jer 29:21), and again (Jer 29:23), They have spoken lying words in my name. Lying was bad, lying to the people of God to delude them into a false hope was worse, but fathering their lies upon the God of truth was worst of all. And no marvel if those that had the face to do that could allow themselves in the gratification of those vile affections to which God, in a way of righteous judgment, gave them up. They have done villainy in Israel, for they have committed adultery with their neighbours' wives. Adultery is villainy in Israel, and in such as pretend to be prophets, who by such wickednesses manifestly disprove their own pretensions. God never sent such profligate wretches on his errands. He is the Lord God of the holy prophets, not of such impure ones. Here it appears why they flattered others in their sins - because they could not reprove them without condemning themselves. These lewd practices of theirs they knew how to conceal from the eye of the world, that they might preserve their credit; but I know it and am a witness, saith the Lord. The most secret sins are known to God; he can see the villainy that is covered with the thickest cloak of hypocrisy, and there is a day coming when he will bring to light all these hidden works of darkness and every man will appear in his own colours. (2.) The judgments threatened against them: The king of Babylon shall slay them before your eyes; nay, he shall put them to a miserable death, roast them in the fire, Jer 29:22. We may suppose that it was not for their impiety and immorality that Nebuchadnezzar punished them thus severely, but for sedition, and some attempts of their turbulent spirits upon the public peace, and stirring up the people to revolt and rebel. So much of their wickedness shall then be detected, and in such a wretched manner they shall end their days, that their names shall be a curse among the captives in Babylon, Jer 29:22. When men would imprecate the greatest evil upon one they hated they would think they could not load them with a heavier curse, in fewer words, than to say, The Lord make thee like Zedekiah and like Ahab. Thus were they made ashamed of the prophets they had been proud of, and convinced at last of their folly in hearkening to them. God's faithful prophets were sometimes charged with being the troublers of the land, and as such were tortured and slain; but their names were a blessing when they were gone and their memory sweet, not as these false prophets. As malefactors are attended with infamy and disgrace, so martyrs with glory and honour.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 15–23. Public domain.
Copy as
JeromeAD 420
Commentary on Jeremiah
(Verse 14 and following) And I will restore your captivity, and gather you from all the nations and from all the places to which I have driven you, declares the Lord. And I will bring you back to the place from where I sent you into exile. For you have said, 'The Lord has raised up prophets for us in Babylon.' Thus says the Lord concerning the king who sits on the throne of David, and concerning all the people who live in this city, your fellow countrymen who did not go with you into exile. Thus says the Lord of hosts: Behold, I will send against them the sword, famine, and pestilence, and I will make them like rotten figs that cannot be eaten, because they are so bad. And I will pursue them with the sword, famine, and pestilence, and I will give them as a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a curse, a terror, a hissing, and an object of scorn among all the nations where I have driven them, because they did not listen to my words, declares the Lord, that I persistently sent to them by my servants the prophets, but you would not listen, declares the Lord. So hear the word of the Lord, all the exiles whom I sent from Jerusalem to Babylon. + Up to this point, it is not found in the seventy, which I have marked with asterisks. For the rest, in which either individual verses or a few words have been omitted, I did not want to note, so as not to make the reading tedious. But the Lord promises to those who were in exile that after seventy years of captivity he will make them return from all the nations and from all the places to which he has driven them, and after the captivity has been ended, they will regain their former state and homeland. And when I, says he, shall do these things of my own accord, and shall surely return to you at a certain time, you are being deceived in vain, and you think you have prophets in Babylon who promise you false things. So you should know that you should by no means hope for a return now: but build houses, plant orchards, take wives, and give birth to children, and multiply in number, and wait for the promised time. Hear what the Lord speaks to Zedekiah, who now reigns in Jerusalem, and to all the inhabitants of his city, that is, to your brothers, who did not want to obey my advice, and to migrate to Babylon with you, because they can by no means escape captivity, but will die by sword, and hunger, and pestilence. And I will set them like a basket of bad figs, which Theodotio interpreted as rotten figs: the second worst: Symmachus, the last: which in Hebrew are called Suarim (), but due to the mistake of the scribes, instead of the middle syllable or letter Alpha, the Greek Delta is written: so instead of Suarim, it is read as Sudrim. However, just as a basket or a crate, which had good figs, is said to have had first figs: likewise, the other basket, which had bad figs, is written to have had last figs. And I will pursue, he says, those who now dwell in the city of Jerusalem, with sword, famine, and pestilence: so that as soon as they are able to break through the siege and escape, they may be scattered throughout all lands, and may be an example to all of curse, shame, hissing, and reproach: to whom I will cast out (Ah, you), because they did not listen to my words, says the Lord, which I spoke to them through my servants, rising up early and sending them: and I have never ceased warning them, that they should imitate you who now enjoy peaceful leisure in exile, until the promise of the Lord is fulfilled. But you, who have obeyed my command and handed yourselves over to the Babylonian king, listen to what I have to say. And in this place, a delusional Interpreter dreams of the downfall of heavenly Jerusalem and suspects that the prophecy is directed to those who dwell in the region of Babylon in this world: that they willingly descend into these bodies and build homes in the land of the Chaldeans, plant orchards, take wives, bear children, and through good works be restored after seventy years to their original place and to heavenly Jerusalem. But those who refuse of their own will to descend to earthly matters will suffer these things that the Lord threatens to Zedekiah and his people. Those who refuse to imitate their brothers and come to Babylon will be struck by the sword, famine, and pestilence, that is, a scarcity of all things, and they will be like the worst figs that cannot be eaten; and they will be pursued by an eternal sword, and will be a vexation to all the kingdoms of the earth, so that they will not become humans, but demons, aerial powers, and they will be among all the Angels who preside over each province as a curse, astonishment, hissing, and reproach to all nations. And this they will endure for this reason, because they refused to listen to the words of the Prophets in heavenly Jerusalem, who urged them to descend to earthly things and assume a humble body; and after true Sabbath observance, to possess the original place through acts of repentance. He said these things. When his disciples hear them, and the refuse of the Grunnian family, they think they hear divine mysteries. And we who despise these things are regarded as mere animals and called 'mud people,' because being formed in the mud of this body, we are unable to perceive heavenly things.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
Copy as

Continue studying Jeremiah 29:16 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.

Read & Compare

Commentaries

Original Language & Research

Sermons, Hymns & Audio

TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.