Jeremiah
Prophet, priest, and lamenter of Judah's kings.
Jeremiah is a figure named in multiple Old Testament books, most prominently as a prophet through whom the word of the LORD came (Jeremiah 1:1, Jeremiah 7:1, Jeremiah 11:1, Jeremiah 14:1, Jeremiah 18:1). He is identified as the son of Hilkiah, of the priests in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin (Jeremiah 1:1). Several other individuals named Jeremiah, including a man whose daughter Hamutal was the mother of kings Jehoahaz and Zedekiah (2 Kings 23:31, 2 Kings 24:18), and various warriors and priests listed in genealogies (1 Chronicles 5:24, 1 Chronicles 12:4, 1 Chronicles 12:10, 1 Chronicles 12:13, Nehemiah 10:2, Nehemiah 12:1, Nehemiah 12:12, Nehemiah 12:34).
Quick Facts
- Father
- Hilkiah (Jeremiah 1:1)
- Priestly origin
- Anathoth in Benjamin (Jeremiah 1:1)
- Prophetic role
- Spoke the word of the LORD (Jeremiah 7:1, Jeremiah 11:1, Jeremiah 14:1, Jeremiah 18:1)
- Opposition
- Smote and put in stocks by Pashur (Jeremiah 20:2)
- Lamented josiah
- Jeremiah lamented for Josiah (2 Chronicles 35:25)
Lore & Background
Jeremiah the prophet is central to the narrative of Judah's final years. He received the word of the LORD concerning a dearth (Jeremiah 14:1) and delivered messages to King Zedekiah (Jeremiah 21:1, Jeremiah 21:3). His ministry faced violent opposition: Pashur the priest smote him and put him in stocks (Jeremiah 20:2), and others devised plans against him (Jeremiah 18:18). The LORD's word through Jeremiah was later cited as fulfilled in the desolation of the land and the decree of Cyrus (2 Chronicles 36:21, 2 Chronicles 36:22, Ezra 1:1).
Reader's Guide
The passages portray Jeremiah as a prophet whose words were directly from the LORD, often delivered in the temple or to kings (Jeremiah 19:14, Jeremiah 21:3). He is shown as a figure of lament, mourning King Josiah (2 Chronicles 35:25). His prophetic authority is underscored by the fulfillment of his words regarding the seventy-year sabbath rest of the land (2 Chronicles 36:21) and the rise of Cyrus (2 Chronicles 36:22, Ezra 1:1). However, the name Jeremiah also appears for other individuals: a maternal grandfather of two kings (2 Kings 23:31, 2 Kings 24:18), a warrior among David's mighty men (1 Chronicles 12:4, 1 Chronicles 12:10, 1 Chronicles 12:13), a head of a father's house (1 Chronicles 5:24), and priests in post-exilic lists (Nehemiah 10:2, Nehemiah 12:1, Nehemiah 12:12, Nehemiah 12:34). The passages do not clarify whether these are the same person or different individuals, and tradition generally distinguishes the prophet from the others.
Elsewhere in Figures of Scripture
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