Topical Encyclopedia
Introduction:Jeremiah, often referred to as the "weeping prophet," is a significant figure in the Old Testament. His ministry spanned the reigns of the last five kings of Judah, during a tumultuous period leading up to the Babylonian exile. Jeremiah's life and prophecies are primarily recorded in the Book of Jeremiah, which provides insight into his character, his relationship with God, and his unwavering commitment to delivering God's messages despite severe opposition.
Historical Context:Jeremiah's prophetic ministry began in the 13th year of King Josiah's reign (circa 627 BC) and continued through the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC. This era was marked by political instability, idolatry, and social injustice in Judah. The Assyrian Empire was declining, and the Babylonian Empire was rising to power. Jeremiah's prophecies often addressed the geopolitical shifts of his time, warning Judah of impending judgment due to their covenant unfaithfulness.
Call and Commission:Jeremiah's call to be a prophet is detailed in
Jeremiah 1:4-10. God appointed him as "a prophet to the nations" (
Jeremiah 1:5), emphasizing his role in delivering messages not only to Judah but also to surrounding nations. Despite his initial reluctance, citing his youth and inexperience, God assured Jeremiah of His presence and protection, saying, "Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you" (
Jeremiah 1:8).
Major Themes:1.
Judgment and Restoration: Jeremiah's prophecies predominantly focus on the themes of judgment and restoration. He warned of the coming destruction due to Judah's persistent idolatry and disobedience, famously symbolized by the broken covenant (
Jeremiah 11:10). However, Jeremiah also conveyed messages of hope, promising a future restoration and a new covenant: "I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts" (
Jeremiah 31:33).
2.
Covenant Faithfulness: A central theme in Jeremiah's messages is the call to return to covenant faithfulness. He frequently condemned the people's idolatry and social injustices, urging them to repent and return to the Lord.
Jeremiah 7:23 encapsulates this call: "Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you will be My people."
3.
Suffering and Perseverance: Jeremiah's life was marked by personal suffering and perseverance. He faced opposition, imprisonment, and threats to his life. Despite these challenges, he remained steadfast in his mission. His laments, often referred to as "Jeremiah's confessions," reveal his deep emotional struggles and reliance on God (e.g.,
Jeremiah 20:7-18).
Symbolic Actions:Jeremiah employed symbolic actions to convey God's messages. Notable examples include the wearing of a linen belt (
Jeremiah 13:1-11), the breaking of a clay jar (
Jeremiah 19:1-11), and the purchase of a field during the siege of Jerusalem (
Jeremiah 32:6-15). These actions served as vivid illustrations of his prophecies, reinforcing the certainty of God's words.
Legacy:Jeremiah's influence extends beyond his lifetime. His prophecies about the new covenant are foundational to Christian theology, as they foreshadow the coming of Jesus Christ and the establishment of a new relationship between God and humanity. The Book of Lamentations, traditionally attributed to Jeremiah, further reflects his profound impact, capturing the sorrow and hope of a people in exile.
Conclusion:Jeremiah's life and ministry exemplify unwavering faithfulness to God's call amidst adversity. His messages of judgment and hope continue to resonate, reminding believers of the importance of covenant faithfulness and the promise of restoration through God's enduring love and mercy.
Strong's Hebrew
2601. Chanamel --Jeremiah's cousin... 2600, 2601. Chanamel. 2602 .
Jeremiah's cousin. Transliteration: Chanamel
Phonetic Spelling: (khan-am-ale') Short Definition: Hanamel.
...3376. Yiriyyah -- "Yah sees," an Israelite ofJeremiah's time
... "Yah sees," an Israelite ofJeremiah's time. Transliteration: Yiriyyah or Yiriyyayh
Phonetic Spelling: (yir-ee-yaw') Short Definition: Irijah....
3414. Yirmeyah -- "Yah loosens," the name of a number of Isr.
... Transliteration: Yirmeyah or Yirmeyahu Phonetic Spelling: (yir-meh-yaw') Short
Definition:Jeremiah.... NASB Word UsageJeremiah (146),Jeremiah's (1).Jeremiah....
Library
Jeremiah's Roll Burned and Reproduced
...JEREMIAH'S ROLL BURNED AND REPRODUCED. 'Then tookJeremiah another roll,
and gave it to Baruch ... who wrote therein ... all the...
Jeremiah's Courage in Danger
... THE OLD TESTAMENTJEREMIAH'S COURAGE IN DANGER. The command came toJeremiah
from Jehovah, "Stand in the door of the temple and speak...
Jeremiah's Call to do a Hard Task
... THE OLD TESTAMENTJEREMIAH'S CALL TO DO A HARD TASK.... I have appointed you to be a
prophet to the nations." But I((Jeremiah) said: "O Lord Jehovah!...
And After. (xxx, xxxi, xxxix-Xliv. )
... 4. And After. (XXX, XXXI, XXXIX-XLIV.). There are two separated accounts
of what befelJeremiah when the city was taken. Ch. XXXIX...
Man and the New Covenant.
... In the earliest Oracles ofJeremiah nations are the human units in religion, Israel
as a whole the object of the Divine affection and providence....
Prophets and Prophets. (xxiii. 9-32, xxvii-xxix, Etc. )
...Jeremiah's Letter to the Exiles had its consequences.... Now therefore why hast thou
not curbedJeremiah of Anathoth, who takes on himself to prophesy unto you?...
The Restoration of the Jews.
... BC608 The Jewish captivity."Jeremiah and the book of Chronicles."Incursions of
Nebuchadnezzar."Denunciations ofJeremiah."Predictions ofJeremiah...
Sacrifice.
... But in thus achieving his individuality over against both his nation and his God,
Jeremiah accomplished only half of the work he did for Israel and mankind....
The Release of Hope. (xxiv, xxix. )
... From these rapidly descending years a number of prophecies byJeremiah have come
to us, as well as narratives of the trials which he endured because of his...
Jeremiah and Lamentations.
... For the Outline Study of the Bible by Books. * * * * Chapter XVI.Jeremiah and
Lamentations. Chapter XVI.Jeremiah and Lamentations. The Author....
Thesaurus
Jeremiah's (4 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Jeremiah's (4 Occurrences). Nehemiah 12:12 And in
the days of Joiakim were priests, heads of fathers' houses
...Baruch (24 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Blessed. (1.) The secretary of the prophetJeremiah
(32:12; 36:4). He was of the tribe of Judah (51:59)....
Uruah
... u-ri'-a, u-ri'-ja ('uriyah, inJeremiah 26:20 'uriyahu, "flame of Yahweh" or "my
light is Yahweh"; the Septuagint and the New Testament Our(e)ias, with variants...
Uriah (33 Occurrences)
... u-ri'-a, u-ri'-ja ('uriyah, inJeremiah 26:20 'uriyahu, "flame of Yahweh" or "my
light is Yahweh"; the Septuagint and the New Testament Our(e)ias, with variants...
Book (211 Occurrences)
... Hebrew word sepher, which properly means a "writing," and then a "volume" (Exodus
17:14; Deuteronomy 28:58; 29:20; Job 19:23) or "roll of a book" (Jeremiah 36:2...
Zedekiah (63 Occurrences)
... He was the third son of Josiah, and his mother's name was Hamutal, the daughter
ofJeremiah of Libnah, and hence he was the brother of Jehoahaz (2 Kings 23:31...
Jehudi (3 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary A Jew, son of Nethaniah. He was sent by the princes to
invite Baruch to readJeremiah's roll to them (Jeremiah 36:14, 21). Int....
Elnathan (5 Occurrences)
... who was the mother of king Jehoiachin (2 Kings 24:8). Probably the same who tried
to prevent Jehoiakim from burning the roll ofJeremiah's prophecies (Jeremiah...
Jehoiakim (37 Occurrences)
... On the death of his father his younger brother Jehoahaz (=Shallum,Jeremiah 22:11),
who favoured the Chaldeans against the Egyptians, was made king by the...
Neriah (10 Occurrences)
... ne-ri'-a (neriyah, "whose lamp is Yah"): The father of Seraiah and of Baruch,
Jeremiah's friend and secretary (Jeremiah 32:12, 16;Jeremiah 36:4, 8, 32; 43:3...
Resources
How did Jeremiah die? | GotQuestions.orgWhy is Jeremiah known as the weeping prophet? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the book of Baruch? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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