Jeremiah 29:7

KJV

And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.

KJV (with Strong's)

And seek {H1875} the peace {H7965} of the city {H5892} whither I have caused you to be carried away captives {H1540}, and pray {H6419} unto the LORD {H3068} for it: for in the peace {H7965} thereof shall ye have peace {H7965}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Seek the welfare of the city to which I have caused you to go in exile, and pray to ADONAI on its behalf; for your welfare is bound up in its welfare.'

Berean Standard Bible

Seek the prosperity of the city to which I have sent you as exiles. Pray to the LORD on its behalf, for if it prospers, you too will prosper.”

American Standard Version

And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray unto Jehovah for it; for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 29:7 delivers a pivotal message from God to the Jewish exiles in Babylon, instructing them to actively seek the holistic well-being and prosperity of the very city that holds them captive. This divine command, conveyed through the prophet Jeremiah, emphasizes that the exiles' own peace and flourishing are intimately intertwined with the peace and prosperity of their adopted home, urging them to contribute positively to their new societal context rather than fostering rebellion or despair.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a central part of a crucial letter (Jeremiah 29) sent by the prophet Jeremiah from Jerusalem to the first wave of Jewish exiles who had been forcibly taken to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar in 597 BC. The letter directly counters the false prophets in Babylon who were promising a swift return, instead conveying God's true message that the exile would be long, lasting seventy years as explicitly stated in [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - The Seventy-Year Prophecy"). Against the natural inclination to resist or despair, God commands His people to settle down, build homes, plant gardens, marry, and crucially, to seek the welfare of Babylon. This seemingly counter-intuitive instruction sets the stage for God's larger, long-term [plan for their future and hope](/jeremiah/29-11 "Jeremiah 29:11 - God's Plan for Hope and a Future"), revealing His sovereign hand even in their suffering.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Jewish exiles in Babylon found themselves in a foreign land, under the rule of a pagan empire that had destroyed their temple and nation. They were a displaced people, likely experiencing profound grief, disorientation, and a strong desire for immediate return to Jerusalem. In such a context, the natural human response would be resentment, resistance, or withdrawal. God's command in [Jeremiah 29:7](/jeremiah/29-7 "Jeremiah 29:7 - Seek the Peace of the City") was radical: instead of plotting rebellion or living in passive despair, they were to integrate responsibly into Babylonian society. This directive challenged their understanding of God's presence and activity outside the promised land and called them to be a distinct, yet contributing, community within a hostile environment.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 29:7 contributes significantly to several major themes within the book of Jeremiah and broader biblical theology. It underscores God's **sovereignty** over all nations and circumstances, demonstrating that even the exile was part of His divine plan, not an abandonment. The command to "seek the peace of the city" highlights the theme of **active engagement and responsibility** for God's people, even in difficult or foreign contexts. It introduces the profound concept of **intercessory prayer** for those in authority and for the well-being of the wider society, a theme echoed in later biblical texts like [1 Timothy 2:1-2](/1_timothy/2-1 "1 Timothy 2:1-2 - Prayer for All People"). Most importantly, the verse powerfully articulates the theme of **mutual well-being**, where the flourishing of God's people is directly linked to the flourishing of the community they inhabit, emphasizing that God's people are called to be a blessing to the places they dwell, even if those places are not their ultimate home.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **seek (Hebrew, _dârash'_):** H1875 - This primitive root means "to tread or frequent," but more commonly "to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship." In this context, it implies an active, diligent, and intentional pursuit, not a passive hope. It suggests an earnest inquiry and application of effort towards the desired outcome. The exiles were not merely to wish for peace but to actively work towards it.
* **carried away captives (Hebrew, _gâlâh'_):** H1540 - This primitive root means "to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal." The phrase "whither I have caused you to be carried away captives" uses the causative form, emphasizing God's direct agency in their exile. It underscores that their displacement was not merely a political or military defeat but a divine act, thereby framing their new reality as part of God's sovereign plan, not outside of it.
* **peace (Hebrew, _shâlôwm'_):** H7965 - This rich word, derived from a root meaning "to be complete" or "to be sound," signifies far more than the absence of conflict. _Shâlôwm_ encompasses wholeness, completeness, well-being, prosperity, health, safety, and harmony. To "seek the _shâlôwm_ of the city" means to strive for its holistic flourishing—its economic stability, social justice, spiritual health, and overall prosperity. It implies a desire for the city to thrive in every aspect, recognizing that true peace is comprehensive.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And seek the peace of the city":** This is a direct, imperative command to the exiles. They are not to withdraw or rebel, but to actively pursue the comprehensive well-being (_shalom_) of Babylon, the very city that conquered them. This involves contributing positively to its civic, economic, and social life.
* **"whither I have caused you to be carried away captives":** This crucial clause provides the theological foundation for the command. It reminds the exiles that their captivity was not an accident or a defeat of God, but a sovereign act of God Himself. Understanding their exile as divinely ordained was essential for them to accept and obey the subsequent instructions.
* **"and pray unto the LORD for it":** This instruction grounds their civic engagement in their spiritual life. Seeking the city's peace is not merely a secular endeavor but a spiritual one, requiring intercession to Yahweh. It emphasizes that true peace ultimately comes from God and that His people are to be instruments of His peace through prayer.
* **"for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace":** This concluding phrase provides the motivation and consequence. It establishes a profound principle of mutual well-being: the exiles' own _shalom_ (their safety, prosperity, and flourishing) is directly and inextricably linked to the _shalom_ of the city they inhabit. Their destiny, for the duration of the exile, was tied to Babylon's.

#### Literary Devices
The verse powerfully employs **Repetition** of the word "peace" (_shalom_) to underscore its central importance and comprehensive meaning. Appearing three times, the repetition emphasizes that the exiles' active pursuit of the city's holistic well-being is directly and causally linked to their own experience of peace. This creates a clear **Cause and Effect** relationship: the action of seeking the city's peace is presented as the prerequisite for the exiles' personal and communal peace. Furthermore, the phrase "whither I have caused you to be carried away captives" functions as a **Divine Mandate**, highlighting God's direct agency and authority behind the seemingly counter-intuitive command, elevating it from a mere suggestion to a non-negotiable divine instruction.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 29:7 stands as a profound theological statement on God's sovereignty, the nature of His people's calling, and the expansive meaning of "peace." It reveals that God's plan extends beyond the immediate circumstances of His people, encompassing the welfare of the broader world, even those who might be considered enemies. This verse challenges the notion of isolationism or passive resistance, instead calling God's people to be agents of blessing and stability wherever they are placed. It underscores that true peace, _shalom_, is not merely an internal spiritual state but a holistic condition of flourishing that God desires for all communities, and that His people are called to participate in bringing about.

* [1 Timothy 2:1-2](/1_timothy/2-1 "1 Timothy 2:1-2 - Prayer for All People and Authorities")
* [Matthew 5:13-16](/matthew/5-13 "Matthew 5:13-16 - Salt and Light of the World")
* [Romans 13:1-7](/romans/13-1 "Romans 13:1-7 - Submission to Governing Authorities")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 29:7 holds enduring relevance for believers today, regardless of their circumstances. It calls us to be responsible and engaged citizens in the communities and nations where God has sovereignly placed us. This involves actively contributing to the common good, participating in civic life, upholding justice, and working for the holistic well-being of our cities and societies, even when we may disagree with prevailing cultural or political norms. Our spiritual calling is not to retreat from the world, but to be salt and light within it, understanding that our own flourishing, and the freedom to practice our faith, are often intertwined with the overall stability and peace of the society around us. This verse reminds us that even in challenging or "exilic" situations, God remains sovereign, and He can use His people to bring blessing and peace, transforming adversity into opportunities for His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what tangible ways can I actively "seek the peace" of my local community or city?**
* **How does my prayer life reflect the command to intercede for those in authority and for the well-being of my society?**
* **What does it mean for my personal "peace" to be connected to the "peace" of my broader community?**
* **How can I embody the spirit of a "resident alien" who blesses the land I inhabit, even if it's not my ultimate home?**

### FAQ
**Why would God tell exiles to help their captors?**

Answer: God's command for the exiles to seek the peace of Babylon was not an endorsement of their captors' actions, but a demonstration of His sovereign control over history and His desire for the well-being of His people. By commanding them to contribute to Babylon's stability, God was ensuring their own survival and relative peace during the long exile. It was a pragmatic and theological directive: pragmatic because their well-being was tied to the city's, and theological because it showed God's universal concern for _shalom_ and His ability to work His purposes even through pagan nations. It also served as a counter-cultural witness, demonstrating a divine perspective that transcends human enmity, foreshadowing principles like loving one's enemies.

**What does "peace" (shalom) truly mean in this verse?**

Answer: The Hebrew word for "peace" is _shalom_ (H7965), which is far richer than merely the absence of conflict. _Shalom_ encompasses wholeness, completeness, well-being, prosperity, health, safety, and harmony. Therefore, to "seek the _shalom_ of the city" means to strive for its holistic flourishing—its economic stability, social justice, spiritual health, and overall prosperity. It implies a desire for the city to thrive in every aspect, recognizing that true peace is comprehensive and encompasses all dimensions of life.

**Is this verse still relevant for believers today?**

Answer: Absolutely. Jeremiah 29:7 provides a timeless model for how believers should engage with the societies they inhabit, even when those societies are secular or hostile to their faith. It calls Christians to be responsible citizens, to contribute positively to their communities, to pray for their leaders (as seen in [1 Timothy 2:1-2](/1_timothy/2-1 "1 Timothy 2:1-2 - Prayer for All People and Authorities")), and to work for the common good. It reminds us that our own well-being and the freedom to live out our faith are often connected to the overall stability and peace of the society around us. We are called to be salt and light (as taught by Jesus in [Matthew 5:13-16](/matthew/5-13 "Matthew 5:13-16 - Salt and Light of the World")), agents of God's _shalom_ in the world.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 29:7 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus, who embodies and inaugurates the truest _shalom_ for all creation. While the exiles were commanded to seek the peace of an earthly city, Jesus Himself is our [peace](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Our Peace"), breaking down dividing walls and reconciling humanity to God and to one another. His ministry was a radical demonstration of seeking the _shalom_ of a broken world, not by political revolution, but by sacrificial love and humble service. He taught His followers to [love their enemies](/matthew/5-44 "Matthew 5:44 - Love Your Enemies") and pray for those who persecute them, echoing the spirit of Jeremiah's command to the exiles. Furthermore, Jesus' ultimate act of intercession on the cross, praying "[Father, forgive them](/luke/23-34 "Luke 23:34 - Jesus' Prayer for Forgiveness")," exemplifies the highest form of praying for the "city" that rejected Him. Believers, as citizens of God's heavenly kingdom (cf. [Philippians 3:20](/philippians/3-20 "Philippians 3:20 - Our Citizenship is in Heaven")), are simultaneously called to be ambassadors of reconciliation in this present world ([2 Corinthians 5:20](/2_corinthians/5-20 "2 Corinthians 5:20 - Ambassadors for Christ")), actively working for the well-being and spiritual flourishing of the communities they inhabit, all while longing for the [city with foundations](/hebrews/11-10 "Hebrews 11:10 - The City with Foundations") whose architect and builder is God, the New Jerusalem, where perfect and eternal _shalom_ will reign.

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

1 Timothy 2:1

¶ I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, [and] giving of thanks, be made for all men;

1 Timothy 2:2

For kings, and [for] all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

Ezra 6:10

That they may offer sacrifices of sweet savours unto the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king, and of his sons.

1 Peter 2:13

¶ Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;

1 Peter 2:17

Honour all [men]. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

Ezra 7:23

Whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be diligently done for the house of the God of heaven: for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons?

Daniel 4:27

Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity.