Jeremiah 29:28

KJV

For therefore he sent unto us [in] Babylon, saying, This [captivity is] long: build ye houses, and dwell [in them]; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them.

KJV (with Strong's)

For therefore he sent {H7971} unto us in Babylon {H894}, saying {H559}, This {H1931} captivity is long {H752}: build {H1129} ye houses {H1004}, and dwell {H3427} in them; and plant {H5193} gardens {H1593}, and eat {H398} the fruit {H6529} of them.

Complete Jewish Bible

He even sends word to us in Bavel saying that the exile will last a long time; so build houses and live in them, plant gardens and eat what they produce."

Berean Standard Bible

For he has sent to us in Babylon, claiming: Since the exile will be lengthy, build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat their produce.’”

American Standard Version

forasmuch as he hath sent unto us in Babylon, saying, The captivity is long: build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 29:28 encapsulates a critical message from the prophet Jeremiah to the Jewish exiles in Babylon, reiterating God's command for them to settle into their prolonged captivity. This instruction directly countered the false prophecies of a swift return, urging the exiles to build homes, plant gardens, and establish lives in their foreign land, thereby embracing a long-term perspective of faithfulness and productivity during the divinely appointed seventy-year period of exile.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 29:28 is situated within a pivotal letter (Jeremiah 29) sent by the prophet Jeremiah from Jerusalem to the Jewish exiles who had been deported to Babylon following Nebuchadnezzar's initial siege of Jerusalem. This particular verse quotes Jeremiah's earlier, divinely inspired message, specifically echoing the instructions found in [Jeremiah 29:5-7](/jeremiah/29-5 "Jeremiah 29:5-7 - God's Instructions to the Exiles"). The "he" in the verse refers to Jeremiah himself, recounting the content of the message he had dispatched. This message directly provoked the ire of false prophets like Shemaiah, who is explicitly mentioned in the preceding verses ([Jeremiah 29:26-27](/jeremiah/29-26 "Jeremiah 29:26-27 - Shemaiah's Opposition to Jeremiah")), because Jeremiah's true prophecy of a "long" captivity (specifically [seventy years](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - The Prophecy of Seventy Years")) contradicted their popular but deceitful assurances of an imminent return to Judah.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop is the Babylonian Exile, a traumatic period for the Judahites. After the first deportation in 597 BC, many prominent citizens, including King Jehoiachin and various prophets and priests, were taken to Babylon. Life in exile was disorienting, and there was a strong desire among the exiles to return home quickly. This environment was ripe for false prophets who offered comforting, yet misleading, messages of a swift end to their suffering. Jeremiah's letter, delivered through messengers, was a direct intervention from God, challenging the prevailing cultural expectation of immediate restoration and calling the exiles to a counter-intuitive act of settling down in a foreign land. The commands to "build houses," "dwell," "plant gardens," and "eat their fruit" were practical instructions for establishing a sustainable existence, implying a long-term stay, rather than a temporary encampment.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several major theological and narrative themes within Jeremiah and the broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it underscores the **Divine Mandate for Endurance**, emphasizing that God's plan for His people included a prolonged period of discipline in exile, not a quick rescue. This challenged their immediate desires and called for steadfastness. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Embracing a Long-Term Perspective**, urging the exiles to invest in their present circumstances rather than living in perpetual anticipation of an immediate, unfulfilled promise. The actions of building and planting symbolize an active, productive engagement with their reality, fostering stability and a sense of normalcy despite their displacement. Thirdly, the verse serves as a direct **Confrontation of False Hope**, distinguishing God's difficult truth from the comforting lies propagated by false prophets. This theme is crucial throughout Jeremiah, as the prophet consistently battles against those who offer peace when there is no peace. Finally, it subtly introduces the theme of **Finding Purpose in Adversity**, demonstrating that even in a state of captivity, God commanded His people to live purposefully and contribute to their environment, a concept further expanded in [Jeremiah 29:7](/jeremiah/29-7 "Jeremiah 29:7 - Seek the Welfare of the City"), where they are instructed to seek the welfare of Babylon.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **long (Hebrew, _ʼârôk'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to be long" or "to extend," this word here describes the duration of the captivity. Its use is a direct and forceful refutation of the false prophets' assurances of a swift return. It signifies a significant, extended period, necessitating a fundamental shift in the exiles' mindset from temporary displacement to a prolonged stay, as prophesied to be [seventy years](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - The Prophecy of Seventy Years").
* **build (Hebrew, _bânâh'_):** This primitive root means "to build" literally and figuratively. In this context, it refers to the construction of physical "houses" (H1004, _bayith_). The command to "build" implies an act of permanence, stability, and investment in the future, directly contradicting the idea of a transient existence. It's an instruction to establish roots and create a settled environment, rather than merely living in temporary shelters.
* **dwell (Hebrew, _yâshab'_):** A primitive root meaning "to sit down," "to abide," or "to remain," and by implication, "to dwell." This word reinforces the command to settle permanently. It goes beyond merely constructing a house; it signifies inhabiting it, living life within it, and establishing a stable presence. This was a call to accept their new reality and live faithfully within it, rather than resisting or passively waiting for an immediate change.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For therefore he sent unto us [in] Babylon, saying,"**: This opening clause establishes the context of the verse as a direct quotation of Jeremiah's message, which had been sent to the exiles already in Babylon. The "he" refers to Jeremiah, acting as God's messenger, highlighting the prophetic authority behind the instructions.
* **"This [captivity is] long:"**: This is the core, declarative statement of the message. It directly addresses the exiles' primary concern and the false hope being propagated. The term "long" (Hebrew, _ʼârôk'_) is crucial, emphasizing the extended duration of their exile and necessitating a profound adjustment in their expectations and plans.
* **"build ye houses, and dwell [in them];"**: This is the first set of practical commands. "Build ye houses" instructs them to construct permanent dwellings, not temporary shelters. "And dwell in them" reinforces this, commanding them to inhabit these homes and establish stable lives, signifying a commitment to their present circumstances rather than a constant readiness for immediate departure.
* **"and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them."**: This second set of commands further elaborates on the call to establish a settled, productive life. "Plant gardens" implies long-term agricultural investment, as gardens take time to yield produce. "And eat the fruit of them" signifies enjoying the results of their labor and finding sustenance and blessing within their current environment, rather than despairing or living in idleness.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 29:28 employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. The most prominent is **Repetition** and **Parallelism** in the series of commands: "build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them." This rhythmic structure emphasizes the active and comprehensive nature of the instruction to settle. Each pair of commands (build/dwell, plant/eat) reinforces the idea of investing in a stable, productive life. There is also significant **Contrast** at play, as Jeremiah's message stands in stark opposition to the comforting but false prophecies of a quick return. The reality of a "long" captivity is juxtaposed with the exiles' natural desire for immediate liberation, highlighting the tension between divine truth and human wishful thinking. Furthermore, the actions of "building houses," "planting gardens," and "eating their fruit" function as **Symbolism**. These are not merely literal instructions but symbolic representations of establishing a sense of normalcy, finding stability, and flourishing even in adverse and foreign circumstances. They symbolize a call to active engagement with life, trusting in God's long-term plan, rather than succumbing to despair or idleness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 29:28 profoundly reveals God's sovereign control over history and His people's destiny, even in the midst of their rebellion and subsequent judgment. It demonstrates that God's plans are often long-term and require patience and active obedience from His people, even when those plans contradict human desires or comforting lies. The command to "build" and "plant" in Babylon was not an abandonment of hope for restoration, but a divinely ordained way to live faithfully within the disciplinary period, preparing them for a future return on God's terms. It highlights the importance of discerning true prophecy from false, and of finding purpose and productivity even in undesirable circumstances, trusting that God is working His purposes through all of life's seasons.

* [Jeremiah 29:7](/jeremiah/29-7 "Jeremiah 29:7 - Seek the Welfare of the City")
* [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - The Prophecy of Seventy Years")
* [Lamentations 3:25-26](/lamentations/3-25 "Lamentations 3:25-26 - The Lord is Good to Those Who Wait")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 29:28 offers profound lessons for believers navigating prolonged challenges, uncertain futures, or periods of "exile" in their own lives. It challenges the human tendency to seek immediate gratification or quick fixes, instead calling us to embrace God's often longer timeline. We are encouraged to discern carefully between comforting falsehoods and the sometimes difficult truth of God's Word, rooting our hope in His reality rather than wishful thinking. This verse is a powerful call to active faithfulness: instead of passively waiting for circumstances to change, we are commanded to "build" and "plant"—to invest in our current reality, to be productive, to find purpose, and to contribute positively to our environment, even if it is not our ideal. It reminds us that spiritual maturity often involves patience, endurance, and finding peace and productivity in the present, trusting that God has a good plan for our future, even through seasons of adversity.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I typically respond when faced with prolonged difficulties or unfulfilled expectations in my life?**
* **Am I more prone to seeking comforting, but potentially false, assurances, or to embracing God's sometimes challenging truth?**
* **In what specific ways can I "build houses" and "plant gardens"—that is, invest productively and faithfully—in my current circumstances, even if they are not ideal?**
* **How does the concept of living purposefully as a "sojourner" or "exile" in this world resonate with my daily life and choices?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jeremiah tell the exiles to settle down instead of prepare for immediate return?**

Answer: Jeremiah's message was a direct divine counter to the false prophets who were promising a swift end to the Babylonian captivity. God's plan, as revealed through Jeremiah, was for a [seventy-year exile](/jeremiah/29-10 "The Prophecy of Seventy Years"). This extended period was intended for the purification and discipline of His people, and to demonstrate His absolute sovereignty over nations and history. Therefore, telling them to "build houses" and "plant gardens" was not an act of surrender to their captors, but an act of obedience and trust in God's long-term plan, encouraging them to live faithfully and productively within the reality of their situation, rather than clinging to a false hope.

**What does "long" mean in this context, and why was it so significant?**

Answer: In Jeremiah 29:28, "long" (Hebrew, _ʼârôk'_) refers specifically to the seventy-year duration of the Babylonian captivity, as prophesied by Jeremiah in [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "The Prophecy of Seventy Years"). This was a profoundly significant period, far longer than the exiles or the false prophets expected. Its significance lay in its direct refutation of any immediate return, forcing the exiles to fundamentally shift their mindset from temporary displacement to establishing a life in exile. It underscored the severity of their judgment and the necessity of a prolonged period of repentance and spiritual renewal before God would bring them back.

**Was Jeremiah's command to "build" and "plant" a call for the exiles to assimilate into Babylonian culture?**

Answer: No, Jeremiah's command was not a call for the exiles to assimilate religiously or culturally into Babylonian paganism. Instead, it was a practical instruction to live productively, establish stability, and contribute to the well-being of the city where they were taken captive, as explicitly stated in [Jeremiah 29:7](/jeremiah/29-7 "Seek the Welfare of the City"). The goal was to maintain their distinct identity as God's people while demonstrating faithfulness and seeking peace in their present circumstances. It was a call to live purposefully and responsibly within a challenging environment, not to compromise their covenant with Yahweh.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 29:28, with its call to settle and thrive in exile while awaiting a future restoration, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Testament understanding of the believer's life. Just as the Israelites were exiles in Babylon, so too are believers in Christ considered "strangers and exiles" in this world ([1 Peter 2:11](/1_peter/2-11 "1 Peter 2:11 - Sojourners and Exiles")). Our true citizenship is in heaven ([Philippians 3:20](/philippians/3-20 "Philippians 3:20 - Our Citizenship in Heaven")), and we await the ultimate return of our King and the establishment of His eternal kingdom. The "long" captivity of Israel foreshadows the "long" wait for Christ's second coming, a period during which believers are not to be idle, but to actively "build" the kingdom of God, "plant" seeds of the Gospel, and "eat the fruit" of righteous living and service. Jesus himself speaks of building His church ([Matthew 16:18](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - Jesus Builds His Church")), and calls His disciples to be fruitful ([John 15:5](/john/15-5 "John 15:5 - Abiding in the Vine")). The promised future of dwelling in a new heaven and new earth, where God Himself will "dwell" with His people and they will "eat" from the tree of life ([Revelation 21:3-4](/revelation/21-3 "Revelation 21:3-4 - God Dwells with His People"); [Revelation 22:1-2](/revelation/22-1 "Revelation 22:1-2 - The River of Life")), is the ultimate fulfillment of the longing for a true home and abundant provision that the exiles experienced. Thus, Jeremiah's message to live faithfully and productively in the present, while looking to a future hope, perfectly prefigures the Christian's journey of faith in Christ, patiently enduring while actively serving, awaiting the glorious return of the Lord.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 29:5

Build ye houses, and dwell [in them]; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them;

Jeremiah 29:10

For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.

Jeremiah 29:1

¶ Now these [are] the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem unto the residue of the elders which were carried away captives, and to the priests, and to the prophets, and to all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon;