Jeremiah 29:28

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.

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.

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."

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.โ€™โ€

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

Context

Jeremiah 29:28 is a pivotal verse within a letter sent by the prophet Jeremiah to the Jewish exiles in Babylon. This particular verse quotes the very content of Jeremiah's earlier, divinely inspired message (found in Jeremiah 29:5-7) that had caused a significant stir among the false prophets. The "he" in this verse refers to Jeremiah himself, recounting the message he sent. The false prophet Shemaiah, mentioned in the preceding verses (Jeremiah 29:26-27), was upset because Jeremiah's letter contradicted the popular, but false, prophecies of a quick return from the Babylonian captivity. Jeremiah's message was clear: the exile would be "long," lasting seventy years (Jeremiah 29:10), and the exiles should therefore settle in.

Key Themes

  • Divine Mandate for Endurance: This verse reiterates God's direct command through Jeremiah for the exiles to settle into their new reality in Babylon. It emphasized that their captivity would not be brief, challenging any notions of an immediate return propagated by false prophets.
  • Embracing Long-Term Perspective: The instruction to "build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them" was a call to establish lives, fostering a sense of normalcy and productivity despite being in a foreign land. This was not a surrender to their captors but an act of obedience to God's long-term plan for their restoration.
  • Confrontation of False Hope: By quoting his own message about the "long" captivity, Jeremiah directly countered the misleading messages of those who promised a swift end to their suffering. This highlights the crucial difference between God's sometimes difficult truth and comforting lies.
  • Finding Purpose in Adversity: Even in exile, God commanded His people to be fruitful and contribute to the well-being of the city where they were taken captive, a theme echoed in Jeremiah 29:7. This demonstrates that even in challenging circumstances, believers are called to live purposefully.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "This [captivity is] long" translates the Hebrew word ืึธืจึตืšึฐ ('arek), meaning 'long' or 'extended'. This simple but powerful word served as a direct refutation of the prevailing false prophecies that promised a swift end to their exile. It underscored the reality of God's seventy-year plan, which was essential for the exiles to understand and accept in order to live faithfully during their time in Babylon.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 29:28 offers timeless lessons for believers facing prolonged difficulties or uncertain futures:

  • Discerning Truth: We must carefully discern between comforting but false promises and God's often challenging but ultimately true word. True biblical hope is rooted in God's reality, not wishful thinking.
  • Patience and Persistence: God's timing is perfect, even when it extends beyond our preferred timeline. This verse encourages patience and endurance, reminding us that some seasons of life are meant to be "long."
  • Productivity in Waiting: Instead of passively waiting for change, we are called to be productive and purposeful even within unwanted circumstances. Building and planting symbolize investing in the present, trusting God for the future.
  • Finding Peace in the Present: Even in "exile"โ€”whether literal or metaphoricalโ€”God calls us to find peace and contribute positively to our current environment, trusting that He has plans for our welfare and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified 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

    ยถ 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;
โ† Back