Jeremiah יִרְמְיָ֫הוּ
Son of Hilkiah, the prophet during Judah's final days.
Who is Jeremiah in the Bible?
Jeremiah, son of Hilkiah, was a major prophet of the Old Testament who ministered during the reigns of Judah's final kings, including Josiah, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah (Jeremiah 1:1). Over a period of more than 40 years, he warned the nation of the impending Babylonian exile and called the people to repentance and faithfulness to God. Despite facing fierce opposition, imprisonment, and even being thrown into a cistern for his unpopular messages (Jeremiah 37:15, 38:6), Jeremiah remained steadfast in delivering God's word. His prophecies, recorded in the book bearing his name, are significant for their unflinching proclamation of judgment balanced with promises of restoration and hope for God's people beyond exile. Jeremiah's faithfulness amid persecution established him as one of Scripture's most important witnesses to God's sovereignty and mercy during a nation's darkest hour.
Biography
Jeremiah, the son of Hilkiah, was one of the major prophets of the Old Testament. He lived and prophesied during the reigns of the last kings of Judah, including Josiah, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah. Jeremiah's ministry spanned over 40 years, during which he warned the people of Judah about the impending Babylonian exile and called them to repentance and faithfulness to God.
Jeremiah faced significant opposition and persecution for his messages, which often contradicted the false hopes and political ambitions of the kings and people of Judah. He was threatened, imprisoned, and even thrown into a cistern. Despite these challenges, Jeremiah remained faithful to his prophetic calling and continued to deliver God's words to the nation.
Jeremiah's prophecies also included messages of hope and restoration, foretelling the eventual return of the exiles to their homeland and the establishment of a new covenant between God and His people. His writings, which include the book of Jeremiah and the book of Lamentations, provide a detailed account of the events leading up to the fall of Jerusalem and the Babylonian captivity, as well as his personal struggles and faith in God.
Jeremiah's prophecies are referenced in the New Testament, and he is considered a significant figure in both Jewish and Christian traditions. His life and message continue to inspire and challenge readers to remain faithful to God in the face of adversity and to trust in His ultimate plan for redemption and restoration.
Family
In Scripture
5 biblical books ; 4 with study content2 Chronicles 4 verses
- 2 Chronicles 35:25
"Then Jeremiah lamented over Josiah, and to this day all the male and female singers recite laments over Josiah. They established them as a statute for Israel, and indeed they are written in the Book of Laments."
- 2 Chronicles 36:12
"And he did evil in the sight of the LORD his God and did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet, who spoke for the LORD."
- 2 Chronicles 36:21
"So the land enjoyed its Sabbath rest all the days of the desolation, until seventy years were completed, in fulfillment of the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah."
- 2 Chronicles 36:22
"In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah, the LORD stirred the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia to send a proclamation throughout his kingdom and to put it in writing as follows:"
Ezra 1 verse
- Ezra 1:1
"In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah, the LORD stirred the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia to send a proclamation throughout his kingdom and to put it in writing as follows:"
Study Ezra →
Jeremiah 5 verses
- Jeremiah 1:1
"These are the words of Jeremiah son of Hilkiah, one of the priests in Anathoth in the territory of Benjamin."
Study Jeremiah → - Jeremiah 1:11
"And the word of the LORD came to me, asking, “Jeremiah, what do you see?” “I see a branch of an almond tree,” I replied."
Study Jeremiah → - Jeremiah 7:1
"This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,"
Study Jeremiah → - Jeremiah 11:1
"This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD:"
Study Jeremiah → - Jeremiah 14:1
"This is the word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah concerning the drought:"
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Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | יִרְמְיָ֫הוּ | — | — |
| Greek | Greek | Ἱερεμίας | Hieremías | Hieremias (i.e. Jermijah), an Israelite |
| (same form as previous) | Greek | Ἱερεμίας | Hieremías | Hieremias (i.e. Jermijah), an Israelite |