Jeremiah 29:20

Hear ye therefore the word of the LORD, all ye of the captivity, whom I have sent from Jerusalem to Babylon:

Hear {H8085} ye therefore the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068}, all ye of the captivity {H1473}, whom I have sent {H7971} from Jerusalem {H3389} to Babylon {H894}:

"So pay attention now to the word of ADONAI, all of you in exile, whom I sent away from Yerushalayim to Bavel.

So hear the word of the LORD, all you exiles I have sent away from Jerusalem to Babylon.

Hear ye therefore the word of Jehovah, all ye of the captivity, whom I have sent away from Jerusalem to Babylon.

Jeremiah 29:20 is a pivotal verse within a letter sent by the prophet Jeremiah to the Jewish exiles dwelling in Babylon. It serves as a direct, authoritative call to attention, setting the stage for some of the most comforting and well-known promises in Scripture.

Context of Jeremiah 29:20

This verse is part of a significant letter sent by the prophet Jeremiah to the captives who had been deported from Jerusalem to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar. The people were in a foreign land, facing uncertainty, and being misled by false prophets who promised a swift return. In contrast to these misleading messages, Jeremiah's letter conveyed the Lord's true plan: the exile would be long (seventy years, as mentioned in Jeremiah 29:10), but it was not without divine purpose. Verse 20 specifically addresses the exiles directly, calling them to pay close attention to the authentic word of the LORD, separating it from the deceptive counsel of false prophets.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Sovereignty and Purpose: The phrase "whom I have sent from Jerusalem to Babylon" is profoundly significant. It declares God's active hand in their predicament. Their exile was not merely a political or military defeat, but a divinely ordained consequence of their disobedience, yet also part of a larger redemptive plan. This highlights God's ultimate control over human history and the destinies of nations, even in their suffering.
  • Imperative to Hear God's Word: The opening command, "Hear ye therefore the word of the LORD," underscores the vital importance of listening to God's authentic message, especially during times of crisis and confusion. Amidst the clamor of false hopes and human anxieties, God's word provides clarity, truth, and guidance.
  • Direct Address to the Captives: This verse specifically targets "all ye of the captivity," emphasizing that God's message was personal and direct to those experiencing the hardship of exile. It was a message of both judgment and eventual hope, intended for their spiritual growth and future restoration.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase translated "the word of the LORD" is davar YHWH (דְּבַר יְהוָה). Davar encompasses not just a spoken word, but also an action, a matter, or a decree. Thus, "the word of the LORD" here implies God's authoritative declaration and His decisive action in sending them into exile, as well as His subsequent promises for their future. It's a word that carries both judgment and the potential for a new beginning, as seen in the broader context of Jeremiah 29:11.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 29:20 offers profound lessons for believers today. When we face difficult circumstances, whether personal struggles, societal crises, or periods of uncertainty, this verse reminds us that God is sovereign. Our challenges are not always random; sometimes, they are part of God's larger plan, designed for our refinement, discipline, or to position us for His future purposes. It calls us to actively "hear" and discern God's true voice amidst the noise of the world, trusting that He is at work even when His ways are mysterious. Just as the exiles were to seek the welfare of Babylon (as encouraged in Jeremiah 29:7), we are called to live faithfully and purposefully wherever God has placed us, even in "captivity" or challenging environments, anticipating His ultimate restoration and fulfilling His good plans for our lives, as promised in Romans 8:28.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Jeremiah 24:5

    Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; Like these good figs, so will I acknowledge them that are carried away captive of Judah, whom I have sent out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans for [their] good.

  • Micah 4:10

    Be in pain, and labour to bring forth, O daughter of Zion, like a woman in travail: for now shalt thou go forth out of the city, and thou shalt dwell in the field, and thou shalt go [even] to Babylon; there shalt thou be delivered; there the LORD shall redeem thee from the hand of thine enemies.

  • Ezekiel 3:15

    Then I came to them of the captivity at Telabib, that dwelt by the river of Chebar, and I sat where they sat, and remained there astonished among them seven days.

  • Ezekiel 3:11

    And go, get thee to them of the captivity, unto the children of thy people, and speak unto them, and tell them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear.

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