29:4 29:4

Jeremiah 29:5

29:6 29:6

Bible Versions

Build ye houses, and dwell [in them]; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them;
Build {H1129} ye houses {H1004}, and dwell {H3427} in them; and plant {H5193} gardens {H1593}, and eat {H398} the fruit {H6529} of them;
'Build yourselves houses, and live in them. Plant gardens, and eat what they produce.
“Build houses and settle down. Plant gardens and eat their produce.
Build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them.

Context of Jeremiah 29:5

Jeremiah 29:5 is part of a pivotal letter sent by the prophet Jeremiah from Jerusalem to the Jewish exiles, including priests, prophets, and elders, who had been deported to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar after the first siege of Jerusalem around 597 BC. Many of the captives, influenced by false prophets, believed their exile would be short-lived. This divine instruction through Jeremiah countered that expectation, commanding them to settle down for a considerable period, signifying that their return would not be immediate.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Embracing Present Reality: The command to "build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them" was a radical call to accept their current circumstances rather than living in constant anticipation of a quick return. It encouraged a mindset of long-term settlement and active engagement with their new environment.
  • Productivity and Stability in Exile: This verse emphasizes productivity and establishing a stable life even in a foreign land. It was a call to live fully, to contribute, and to find sustenance and purpose where they were, rather than succumbing to despair or idleness.
  • Divine Provision and Purpose: Despite being in exile, God's instructions provided a path for the exiles to thrive. It demonstrated God's continued care for His people, even when they were far from their homeland, assuring them that sustenance and a semblance of normalcy were possible.

Linguistic Insights

The verbs in this verse—"build" (Hebrew: בְּנוּ, b'nu), "dwell" (שְׁבוּ, sh'vu), "plant" (נִטְעוּ, nit'u), and "eat" (וְאִכְלוּ, v'ikhlu)—are all in the imperative mood. This indicates strong, direct commands from God, not suggestions. They convey an authoritative divine instruction to actively engage in creating a life of normalcy and productivity, emphasizing that this was God's will for them in their current situation.

Related Scriptures

This verse sets the stage for the broader message of hope and future that follows in Jeremiah's letter. It prepares the exiles to seek the peace of the city where they were exiled and pray for its welfare, as their own well-being was tied to it. This seemingly mundane instruction to build and plant is a prerequisite for the profound promise found later about God's plans to give them a future and a hope, not to harm them. It teaches that faithfulness often involves diligent work and engagement with the present reality, even when it's not ideal.

For believers today, Jeremiah 29:5 offers a powerful lesson on finding purpose and productivity in challenging or unexpected circumstances. It encourages us to be good stewards of our current situations, to invest in our communities, and to live purposefully, trusting that God has a plan for us even amidst uncertainty. It counters the temptation to wait idly for ideal conditions, urging us instead to build, plant, and thrive wherever God has placed us.

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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Ezekiel 28:26

    And they shall dwell safely therein, and shall build houses, and plant vineyards; yea, they shall dwell with confidence, when I have executed judgments upon all those that despise them round about them; and they shall know that I [am] the LORD their God.
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