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Jeremiah 29:25

Old Testament Major Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Jeremiah 29:25 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Thus speaketh Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, Because thou hast sent letters in thine own name unto all the people that are at Jerusalem, and to Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah, the priest, and to all the priests, saying,” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Thus speaketh Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, Because thou hast sent letters in thine own name unto all the people that are at Jerusalem, and to Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah, the priest, and to all the priests, saying,
Jeremiah 29:25 — American Standard Version

Context — Jeremiah 29

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
22and of them shall be taken up a curse by all the captives of Judah that are in Babylon, saying, Jehovah make thee like Zedekiah and like Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire;
23because they have wrought folly in Israel, and have committed adultery with their neighbors` wives, and have spoken words in my name falsely, which I commanded them not; and I am he that knoweth, and am witness, saith Jehovah.
24And concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite thou shalt speak, saying,
25Thus speaketh Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, Because thou hast sent letters in thine own name unto all the people that are at Jerusalem, and to Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah, the priest, and to all the priests, saying,
26Jehovah hath made thee priest in the stead of Jehoiada the priest, that there may be officers in the house of Jehovah, for every man that is mad, and maketh himself a prophet, that thou shouldest put him in the stocks and in shackles.
27Now therefore, why hast thou not rebuked Jeremiah of Anathoth, who maketh himself a prophet to you,
28forasmuch as he hath sent unto us in Babylon, saying, [The captivity] is long: build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them?
← Jeremiah 29:24Jeremiah 29:26 →
← Full Chapter 29 Jeremiah Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, etc.] (See Gill on “<242904>Jeremiah 29:4”); because thou hast sent letters in thy name unto all the people that [are] at Jerusalem; not in the name of the captives, whom he consulted not; nor with Ezekiel the prophet of the Lord, who was of the captivity; but in his own name, taking upon him to direct and order what should be done in Jerusalem. These letters were sent, very probably, by the hands of the king’s messengers, when they returned, whose names are mentioned, (<242903>Jeremiah 29:3); some of them were sent to the people, to set them against the prophet of the Lord, Jeremiah, that they might not give any heed and credit to…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“in thy name--without sanction of "the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel," which words stand in antithesis to "thy name" (Joh 5:43). Zephaniah--the second priest, or substitute (Sagan) of the high priest. He was one of those sent to consult Jeremiah by Zedekiah (Jer 21:1). Slain by Nebuchadnezzar at the capture of Jerusalem (Kg2 25:18-21). Zephaniah was in particular addressed, as being likely to take up against Jeremiah the prophet's prediction against his brother Zedekiah at Babylon (Jer 29:21). Zephaniah was to read it to the priests, and in the presence of all the people, in the temple.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“A narrative showing the effects of Jeremiah’s letter. Shemaiah the leader of the false prophets wrote to Zephaniah, urging him to restrain the prophet’s zeal with the prison and the stocks. Jeremiah 29:24 To Shemaiah - Rather, concerning. The Nehelamite - Not as in the margin; but one belonging to the village of Nehlam (unknown). Jeremiah 29:26 Officers - Deputy high priests who had the oversight of the temple. Mad - See 2 Kings 9:11 note. Many of the symbolic actions of the prophets, such as that of Jeremiah going about with a yoke on his neck, would be mocked at by the irreverent as passing the line between prophecy and madness. Prisons - Rather, the stocks Jeremiah 20:2. The stocks -…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Because: Kg1 21:8-13; Kg2 10:1-7, Kg2 19:9, Kg2 19:14; Ch2 32:17; Ezr 4:7-16; Neh 6:5, Neh 6:17; Neh 6:19; Act 9:2 Zephaniah: Jer 29:29, Jer 21:1, Jer 21:2, Jer 37:3, Jer 52:24; Kg2 25:18-21 Jeremiah 29:26”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification