Jeremiah 29:3

“By the hand of Elasah the son of Shaphan, etc.] Perhaps the brother of Ahikam, and of Jaazaniah, (<242624>Jeremiah 26:24 <260811>Ezekiel 8:11); and Gemariah the son of Hilkiah; to distinguish him from Gemariah the son of Shaphan the scribe, (<243610>Jeremiah 36:10); whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent unto Babylon, to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; as his ambassadors, on what account it is not certain; perhaps to pay the tribute money to him; or to treat with him about the restoration of some of the captives; or to cultivate friendship, and promise submission, and that he would faithfully keep the covenant he had made with him: and perhaps he might be jealous of Jeconiah using his interest…”

“Zedekiah . . . sent unto Babylon--In Jer 51:59, Zedekiah himself goes to Babylon; here he sends ambassadors. Whatever was the object of the embassy, it shows that Zedekiah only reigned at the pleasure of the king of Babylon, who might have restored Jeconiah, had he pleased. Hence, Zedekiah permitted Jeremiah's letter to be sent, not only as being led by Hananiah's death to attach greater credit to the prophet's words, but also as the letter accorded with his own wish that the Jews should remain in Chaldea till Jeconiah's death. Hilkiah--the high priest who found the book of the law in the house of the Lord, and showed it to "Shaphan" the scribe (the same Shaphan probably as here), who showed…”

“Elasah - Probably brother of Ahikam Jeremiah 26:24, and therefore an acceptable person at the Chaldaean court. As Zedekiah had to go in person to Babylon in his fourth year Jeremiah 51:59, this embassy was probably sent two or three years earlier. Its date, however, was subsequent to the vision in Jeremiah 24:1-10. It is appended therefore to Jeremiah 28:0, not as later in point of time, but because of the similarity of subject. return to 'Top of Page'”

“By the hand - Zedekiah having some occasion to send two messengers to Babylon. Jeremiah knowing that as there were false prophets at Jerusalem, who fed people with hopes of a speedy return, so there were some with them in Babylon, writes the following letter, and sends it by these two messengers, to quiet the peoples minds. Jeremiah 29:10”

“Shaphan: Jer 26:24, Jer 39:14; Kg2 22:8; Eze 8:11 Gemariah: Jer 36:25; Kg2 22:12; Ch2 34:20 Jeremiah 29:4”