Prophet · People associated with book · Old Testament
The Story of Jeremiah
Also: Yeremia (Kiswahili)
Prophet called as a youth who warned Judah of judgment before Babylon destroyed Jerusalem, and spoke of a new covenant.
Editorial text in English. Scripture is quoted from the version you choose; references stay the same in every version.
Introduction
Jeremiah, son of Hilkiah, of the priests of Anathoth, was called before birth to be a prophet to the nations. He prophesied from the days of Josiah until Jerusalem was taken. Jeremiah 1:1–10
He warned of judgment, was beaten, imprisoned and thrown into a cistern, and saw Jerusalem fall. He also spoke the LORD's promise of a new covenant written on the heart. Jeremiah 20:1–2Jeremiah 38:6Jeremiah 39:1–2Jeremiah 31:31–34
Told in: Jeremiah
Life at a glance
- Father and home
- Hilkiah, of the priests in Anathoth Jeremiah 1:1
- Scribe
- Baruch son of Neriah Jeremiah 36:4
- Last known place
- Taken to Egypt Jeremiah 43:6–7
Only what Scripture records. Where the Bible is silent, nothing is filled in.
Follow the life of Jeremiah
Events in the order Scripture presents them. Expand an event to read its passage here, or open the chapter in the reader.
The call
The LORD says he knew Jeremiah before he was formed; Jeremiah protests that he is young, and the LORD puts his words in his mouth.
The temple sermon
Jeremiah 7:1–15 · Jeremiah 26:1–24
At the temple gate Jeremiah warns that the temple will not save those who do evil; priests and prophets demand his death, but he is spared.
At the potter's house and the stocks
Jeremiah 18:1–12 · Jeremiah 19:1–15 · Jeremiah 20:1–18
Jeremiah watches the potter and breaks a jar as a sign; Pashhur has him beaten and put in the stocks.
The scroll burned by the king
Baruch writes Jeremiah's words on a scroll; King Jehoiakim cuts it up and burns it, and Jeremiah dictates it again.
The promise of a new covenant
Jeremiah 31:31–34 · Jeremiah 32:6–15
Jeremiah buys a field as a sign of future restoration and speaks of a new covenant in which the LORD will write his law on their hearts.
More about this event
Later recollection of this event: Hebrews 8:8–12
Thrown into a cistern
Officials lower Jeremiah into a muddy cistern; Ebed-melech the Cushite rescues him.
The fall of Jerusalem
Jeremiah 39:1–18 · Jeremiah 40:1–6 · Jeremiah 43:1–7
Babylon captures Jerusalem; Jeremiah is freed and stays in the land, but is later taken to Egypt by those who fled.
Mentioned across the Bible
Later passages that recall, mention or interpret Jeremiah. These are not new events in the person’s lifetime.
Later recollections of these events
- Hebrews 8:8–12 recalls “The promise of a new covenant”
Later recollection
- 2 Chronicles 35:25 — Jeremiah lamented Josiah.
- 2 Chronicles 36:21
- Daniel 9:2 — Daniel reads the seventy years in Jeremiah.
- Matthew 16:14
Teaching or quotation mentioning them
Family and relationships
- BaruchScribeJeremiah 36:4
- Ebed-melechRescued him from the cisternJeremiah 38:7–13
- JosiahConnected: Jeremiah began prophesying in his reign of JeremiahJeremiah 1:2
Books associated with Jeremiah
- Jeremiah Named as author in the text
The book presents Jeremiah's words, written down partly by his scribe Baruch. Jeremiah 1:1Jeremiah 36:4
- Lamentations Traditionally attributed author
Lamentations names no author; tradition links it to Jeremiah.
A book named after someone is not necessarily written by them. Authorship traditions are shown as traditions.
Themes and study
Study prompts written by BibleKenya editors. They are not Scripture.
CallingCovenantSuffering
- What does the LORD promise in Jeremiah 31:33?
- What does Jeremiah 20:9 say about God's word in him?
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