Jeremiah 29:3

KJV

By the hand of Elasah the son of Shaphan, and Gemariah the son of Hilkiah, (whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent unto Babylon to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon) saying,

KJV (with Strong's)

By the hand {H3027} of Elasah {H501} the son {H1121} of Shaphan {H8227}, and Gemariah {H1587} the son {H1121} of Hilkiah {H2518},(whom Zedekiah {H6667} king {H4428} of Judah {H3063} sent {H7971} unto Babylon {H894} to Nebuchadnezzar {H5019} king {H4428} of Babylon {H894}) saying {H559},

Complete Jewish Bible

The letter was entrusted to El'asah the son of Shafan and G'maryah the son of Hilkiyah; Tzidkiyah king of Y'hudah sent them to Bavel, to N'vukhadnetzar king of Bavel. The letter said:

Berean Standard Bible

The letter was entrusted to Elasah son of Shaphan and Gemariah son of Hilkiah, whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent to King Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon. It stated:

American Standard Version

by the hand of Elasah the son of Shaphan, and Gemariah the son of Hilkiah, (whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent unto Babylon to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon), saying,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 29:3 serves as a crucial logistical detail within Jeremiah's prophetic ministry, identifying the royal emissaries—Elasah son of Shaphan and Gemariah son of Hilkiah—dispatched by King Zedekiah of Judah to Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. These individuals were the official carriers of Jeremiah's momentous letter, which contained God's instructions and promises for the Jewish exiles already in Babylon, thereby setting the stage for one of the most significant prophetic communications in the Old Testament.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 29:3 is an integral part of Jeremiah's letter to the exiles in Babylon, immediately following the introductory verses that establish the letter's recipients and its origin. The preceding verses, [Jeremiah 29:1-2](/jeremiah/29-1 "Jeremiah 29:1-2 - Introduction to Jeremiah's Letter"), specify that the letter was sent to the remnant of the elders, priests, prophets, and all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive from Jerusalem. This verse then precisely names the trusted individuals who facilitated the delivery of this vital message, bridging the geographical and political divide between Jerusalem and Babylon. The letter's content, which begins in [Jeremiah 29:4](/jeremiah/29-4 "Jeremiah 29:4 - God's Command to Build and Prosper in Exile"), subsequently unfolds God's surprising command for the exiles to settle down, build homes, plant gardens, and seek the welfare of Babylon, culminating in the well-known promise of a future and a hope in [Jeremiah 29:11](/jeremiah/29-11 "Jeremiah 29:11 - God's Plans for Hope and a Future").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting for this verse is the tumultuous period following the first major deportation of Judeans to Babylon in 597 BC, after Nebuchadnezzar's initial siege of Jerusalem. King Zedekiah, a puppet king installed by Nebuchadnezzar, ruled over the diminished kingdom of Judah. Sending envoys to Babylon was a common diplomatic practice in the ancient Near East, signifying official communication between rulers, even when one was a vassal. The selection of Elasah and Gemariah, sons of highly respected and influential figures (Shaphan and Hilkiah, respectively, who were instrumental in King Josiah's reforms—see [2 Kings 22](/2_kings/22 "2 Kings 22 - Josiah's Reforms and the Discovery of the Law")), would have lent significant credibility and authority to their mission. Their journey from Jerusalem to Babylon would have been arduous and dangerous, underscoring the importance attached to Jeremiah's message.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several key themes prevalent in the book of Jeremiah. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **God's sovereignty over nations and kings**, as even the actions of a vassal king like Zedekiah and the powerful Nebuchadnezzar are ultimately part of God's plan to convey His word to His people in exile. Secondly, it emphasizes the **importance of prophetic communication** and the divine imperative for God's word to reach its intended audience, regardless of the circumstances. The meticulous detail of naming the messengers underscores the authenticity and authority of the message. Thirdly, it subtly introduces the theme of **God's enduring care for His scattered people**, demonstrating that even in captivity, God was actively engaging with His covenant people, providing guidance and hope through His prophet, a message profoundly articulated in [Jeremiah 29:7](/jeremiah/29-7 "Jeremiah 29:7 - Seek the Welfare of the City") and [Jeremiah 29:10-14](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10-14 - The Promise of Return and Restoration").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hand (Hebrew, _yâd'_):** (H3027) This word signifies not merely a physical limb but often denotes power, means, agency, or direction. In the phrase "By the hand of Elasah," it indicates that Elasah and Gemariah were the **agents** or **means** through which Jeremiah's letter was conveyed. It emphasizes their role as official representatives and the trusted instruments for this crucial communication, implying the authority and authenticity of the message they carried.
* **Son (Hebrew, _bên'_):** (H1121) This term, appearing twice, is more than a simple genealogical marker. While literally meaning "son," it also carries the connotation of being a "builder of the family name" or representing the lineage and character of one's father. By identifying Elasah as "the son of Shaphan" and Gemariah as "the son of Hilkiah," the text immediately establishes their prominent and respected family backgrounds. This detail signals that these were not random individuals but men from influential and trustworthy households, adding weight and legitimacy to their diplomatic mission.
* **Saying (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** (H559) This primitive root means "to say," but its usage is broad, encompassing declaring, commanding, appointing, or speaking with authority. Here, it introduces the direct discourse of Jeremiah's letter, indicating that the preceding details about the messengers are preparatory to the actual divine message that follows. It highlights the transition from identifying the carriers to presenting the content of the prophetic word itself, underscoring that the primary purpose of their journey was to *deliver* this authoritative declaration.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"By the hand of Elasah the son of Shaphan":** This clause identifies the first of the two royal envoys. The phrase "by the hand of" signifies that Elasah was the instrument or agent through whom the message was delivered. His lineage, "the son of Shaphan," connects him to a highly respected and influential family, whose patriarch, Shaphan, served as a trusted scribe under King Josiah, involved in the discovery of the Book of the Law. This connection would have lent significant credibility to Elasah's mission.
* **"and Gemariah the son of Hilkiah":** This introduces the second envoy, Gemariah, also identified by his prominent lineage, "the son of Hilkiah." Hilkiah was the high priest during Josiah's reign, equally pivotal in the rediscovery of the Book of the Law. The selection of these two individuals, both from such distinguished and religiously significant families, underscores the official and weighty nature of the diplomatic mission and the message they carried.
* **"(whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent unto Babylon to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon)":** This parenthetical clause clarifies the authority behind the mission and its destination. King Zedekiah, the vassal king of Judah appointed by Nebuchadnezzar, was the sender. The destination was Babylon, specifically to Nebuchadnezzar, the powerful emperor of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. This detail confirms the official, state-sanctioned nature of the journey, emphasizing that Jeremiah's letter was not a private communication but a message conveyed through the highest political channels of the time.
* **"saying,":** This single word acts as a crucial transitional element. It signals that the preceding information about the messengers and their journey is merely the introduction to the actual content of the message itself. What follows this word in the subsequent verses of Jeremiah 29 is the direct and authoritative prophetic word from God, delivered through Jeremiah, to the exiles in Babylon.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 29:3, though seemingly a simple logistical detail, employs several subtle literary devices. The most prominent is **Metonymy**, where "By the hand of Elasah" uses "hand" to represent the agency or instrumentality of the messengers. It's not just their physical hands carrying the letter, but their entire person and official capacity. The verse also utilizes **Apposition** by immediately identifying Elasah and Gemariah with their fathers' names ("the son of Shaphan," "the son of Hilkiah"). This provides crucial background information, leveraging the established reputations of Shaphan and Hilkiah to imbue their sons' mission with immediate credibility and significance. The detailed naming of individuals and their roles (Zedekiah, Nebuchadnezzar, Judah, Babylon) also serves as a form of **Verisimilitude**, lending an air of historical accuracy and realism to the narrative, grounding the divine message in concrete historical events and political realities.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 29:3, by meticulously detailing the messengers and their royal commission, underscores the divine commitment to ensuring God's word reaches its intended audience, even across vast distances and under oppressive political circumstances. It highlights the principle that God often uses human agents, even those within secular or political structures, to accomplish His redemptive purposes. The integrity and standing of Elasah and Gemariah, rooted in their fathers' faithful service, implicitly affirm the trustworthiness and authority of the message they carried, demonstrating God's care in selecting credible conduits for His truth. This act of sending a letter to exiles, rather than abandoning them, speaks volumes about God's faithfulness to His covenant people, even in judgment.

* [2 Chronicles 36:22-23](/2_chronicles/36-22 "2 Chronicles 36:22-23 - Cyrus's Edict and God's Fulfillment of Prophecy")
* [Ezra 1:1-4](/ezra/1-1 "Ezra 1:1-4 - Cyrus's Decree for the Temple's Reconstruction")
* [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Accomplishes Its Purpose")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This seemingly administrative verse holds profound lessons for believers today. It reminds us that God's communication with humanity is intentional, often utilizing specific individuals and circumstances to convey His truth. Just as Jeremiah's letter was carefully entrusted to reliable messengers to reach a people in crisis, so too is God's Word today a vital message for a world in need. We are called to be faithful stewards and carriers of this divine message, ensuring its accurate and timely delivery to those who desperately need its guidance, hope, and comfort. The integrity and background of Elasah and Gemariah, though not explicitly stated as their personal faith, suggest that God often uses those recognized for their trustworthiness and influence, challenging us to live lives of integrity that commend the message we bear. Our willingness to serve as "hands" for God's purposes, navigating challenging circumstances to share His truth, is a powerful act of obedience and love.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the detail of the messengers in Jeremiah 29:3 encourage or challenge your understanding of God's intentionality in communicating His will?**
* **In what ways can you, like Elasah and Gemariah, be a faithful carrier of God's message in your own sphere of influence today?**
* **Considering the political complexities of Zedekiah sending envoys to Nebuchadnezzar, how does this verse speak to the ways God can work through secular or even adversarial systems to achieve His divine purposes?**

### FAQ
**Why was it important for Zedekiah to send these specific individuals, Elasah and Gemariah, to Babylon?**

Answer: It was crucial for Zedekiah to send Elasah and Gemariah because they were sons of highly respected and influential officials in Judah: Shaphan, a trusted scribe, and Hilkiah, the high priest. Their fathers had played pivotal roles in King Josiah's religious reforms, particularly in the rediscovery of the Book of the Law ([2 Kings 22:8-10](/2_kings/22-8 "2 Kings 22:8-10 - Shaphan and Hilkiah discover the Book of the Law")). By selecting individuals from such prominent and credible families, Zedekiah ensured that Jeremiah's letter, which carried significant prophetic weight and challenging instructions, would be received with the utmost seriousness and legitimacy by the exiles in Babylon. This official delegation underscored the importance and authenticity of the message, distinguishing it from mere personal correspondence or unauthorized pronouncements.

**What was the primary purpose of Jeremiah's letter that these envoys carried?**

Answer: The primary purpose of Jeremiah's letter, carried by Elasah and Gemariah, was to provide divine instruction and hope to the Jewish exiles in Babylon. Contrary to false prophets who promised an imminent return to Jerusalem, Jeremiah's letter commanded the exiles to settle down, build homes, plant gardens, marry, and have children in Babylon ([Jeremiah 29:5-6](/jeremiah/29-5 "Jeremiah 29:5-6 - God's Command to Settle in Babylon")). Crucially, it also instructed them to "seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare" ([Jeremiah 29:7](/jeremiah/29-7 "Jeremiah 29:7 - Seek the Welfare of the City")). This message was a profound call to embrace their long-term exile as God's will, with the promise that after seventy years, God would visit them and bring them back to their homeland ([Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - The Seventy-Year Prophecy")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 29:3, while seemingly a historical detail, subtly points to the broader biblical narrative of God's meticulous communication with His people, a narrative that finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Just as Elasah and Gemariah were chosen, credible messengers bearing a crucial word from God to His scattered people, so too is Jesus the ultimate and perfect "Word made flesh" ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). He is the definitive messenger, sent by the Father, not merely to carry a letter, but to embody the entire message of salvation and reconciliation. The "hand" of these envoys signified their agency in delivering the message; in Christ, God's very "hand" of power and salvation is extended to humanity ([Isaiah 53:1](/isaiah/53-1 "Isaiah 53:1 - The Arm of the Lord Revealed")). The message carried by the envoys offered hope and a future to the exiles ([Jeremiah 29:11](/jeremiah/29-11 "Jeremiah 29:11 - God's Plans for Hope and a Future")), a promise ultimately secured and surpassed in Christ, who offers eternal hope and a glorious future to all who are exiled from God by sin ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - Christ Died for Us") and [Ephesians 2:12-13](/ephesians/2-12 "Ephesians 2:12-13 - Formerly Far Off, Now Brought Near")). He is the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise to visit and redeem His people, bringing them out of spiritual captivity into the glorious liberty of the children of God ([Galatians 5:1](/galatians/5-1 "Galatians 5:1 - Freedom in Christ")).

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 26:24

Nevertheless the hand of Ahikam the son of Shaphan was with Jeremiah, that they should not give him into the hand of the people to put him to death.

Jeremiah 36:25

Nevertheless Elnathan and Delaiah and Gemariah had made intercession to the king that he would not burn the roll: but he would not hear them.

2 Kings 22:8

And Hilkiah the high priest said unto Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD. And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it.

2 Chronicles 34:20

And the king commanded Hilkiah, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Abdon the son of Micah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah a servant of the king's, saying,

1 Chronicles 6:13

And Shallum begat Hilkiah, and Hilkiah begat Azariah,

Jeremiah 39:14

Even they sent, and took Jeremiah out of the court of the prison, and committed him unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, that he should carry him home: so he dwelt among the people.

2 Kings 22:12

And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Michaiah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asahiah a servant of the king's, saying,