Revised Literal Translation

Jeremiah 29

1Now these arethe wordsדִּבְרֵ֣יdiv.ReiH1697of the letterהַסֵּ֔פֶרha.Se.ferH5612that Jeremiahיִרְמְיָ֥הyir.me.YahH3414the prophetהַנָּבִ֖יאha.na.Vi'H5030sentשָׁלַ֛חsha.LachH7971from Jerusalemמִירוּשָׁלִָ֑םmi.ru.sha.LimH3389unto the residueיֶ֜תֶרYe.terH3499of the eldersזִקְנֵ֣יzik.NeiH2205which were carried away captivesהַגּוֹלָ֗הha.go.LahH1473,and to the priestsהַכֹּהֲנִ֤יםha.ko.ha.NimH3548,and to the prophetsהַנְּבִיאִים֙ha.ne.vi.'ImH5030,and to all the peopleהָעָ֔םha.'AmH5971whom Nebuchadnezzarנְבֽוּכַדְנֶאצַּ֛רne.vu.khad.ne.TzarH5019had carried away captiveהֶגְלָ֧הheg.LahH1540from Jerusalemמִירוּשָׁלִַ֖םmi.ru.sha.LimH3389to Babylonבָּבֶֽלָה׃ba.Ve.lahH894;

2(Afterאַחֲרֵ֣י'a.cha.ReiH310that Jeconiahיְכָנְיָֽה־ye.kha.ne.yah-H3204the kingהַ֠מֶּלֶךְHa.Me.lekhH4428,and the queenוְהַגְּבִירָ֨הve.ha.ge.vi.RahH1377,and the eunuchsוְהַסָּרִיסִ֜יםve.ha.sa.ri.SimH5631,the princesשָׂרֵ֨יsa.ReiH8269of Judahיְהוּדָ֧הye.hu.DahH3063and Jerusalemוִירוּשָׁלִַ֛םvi.ru.sha.LimH3389,and the carpentersוְהֶחָרָ֥שׁve.he.cha.RashH2796,and the smithsוְהַמַּסְגֵּ֖רve.ha.mas.GerH4525,were departedצֵ֣אתtzetH3318from Jerusalemמִירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃mi.ru.sha.LimH3389;)

3By the handבְּיַד֙be.YadH3027of Elasahאֶלְעָשָׂ֣ה'el.'a.SahH501the sonבֶן־ven-H1121of Shaphanשָׁפָ֔ןsha.FanH8227,and Gemariahוּגְמַרְיָ֖הu.ge.mar.YahH1587the sonבֶּן־ben-H1121of Hilkiahחִלְקִיָּ֑הchil.ki.YahH2518, (whom Zedekiahצִדְקִיָּ֣הtzid.ki.YahH6667kingמֶֽלֶךְ־Me.lekh-H4428of Judahיְהוּדָ֗הye.hu.DahH3063sentשָׁלַ֜חsha.LachH7971unto Babylonבָּבֶ֖לba.VelH894to Nebuchadnezzarנְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּ֛רne.vu.khad.ne.TzarH5019kingמֶ֥לֶךְMe.lekhH4428of Babylonבָּבֶ֥לָהba.Ve.lahH894)sayingלֵאמֹֽר׃ סle.MorH559,

4Thus saithאָמַ֛ר'a.MarH559Yhwhיְהוָ֥הYah.wehH3068of Armiesצְבָא֖וֹתtze.va.'otH6635,the Godאֱלֹהֵ֣י'e.lo.HeiH430of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֑לYis.ra.'ElH3478,unto all that are carried away captivesהַ֨גּוֹלָ֔הha.go.LahH1473,whom I have caused to be carried awayהִגְלֵ֥יתִיhig.Lei.tiH1540from Jerusalemמִירוּשָׁלִַ֖םmi.ru.sha.LimH3389unto Babylonבָּבֶֽלָה׃ba.Ve.lahH894;

5Buildבְּנ֥וּbe.NuH1129ye housesבָתִּ֖יםva.TimH1004,and dwellוְשֵׁ֑בוּve.She.vuH3427in them;and plantוְנִטְע֣וּve.nit.'UH5193gardensגַנּ֔וֹתga.NotH1593,and eatוְאִכְל֖וּve.'ikh.LuH398the fruitפִּרְיָֽן׃pir.YanH6529of them;

6Takeקְח֣וּke.ChuH3947ye wivesנָשִׁ֗יםna.ShimH802,and begetוְהוֹלִידוּ֮ve.ho.li.DuH3205sonsבָּנִ֣יםba.NimH1121and daughtersH1323;and takeוּקְח֨וּu.ke.ChuH3947wivesנָשִׁ֗יםna.ShimH802for your sonsלִבְנֵיכֶ֜םliv.nei.KhemH1121,and giveתְּנ֣וּte.NuH5414your daughtersH1323to husbandsלַֽאֲנָשִׁ֔יםla.'a.na.ShimH582,that they may bearוְתֵלַ֖דְנָהve.te.Lad.nahH3205sonsבָּנִ֣יםba.NimH1121and daughtersH1121;that ye may be increasedוּרְבוּ־u.re.vu-H7235there, and not diminishedתִּמְעָֽטוּ׃tim.'A.tuH4591.

7And seekוְדִרְשׁ֞וּve.dir.ShuH1875the peaceשְׁל֣וֹםshe.LomH7965of the cityהָעִ֗ירha.'IrH5892whither I have caused you to be carried away captivesהִגְלֵ֤יתִיhig.Lei.tiH1540,and prayוְהִתְפַּֽלְל֥וּve.hit.pa.LuH6419unto Yhwhיְהוָ֑הYah.wehH3068for it: for in the peaceבִשְׁלוֹמָ֔הּvish.lo.MahH7965thereof shall ye have peaceשָׁלֽוֹם׃ פsha.LomH7965.

8For thus saithאָמַ֜ר'a.MarH559Yhwhיְהוָ֤הYah.wehH3068of Armiesצְבָאוֹת֙tze.va.'OtH6635,the Godאֱלֹהֵ֣י'e.lo.HeiH430of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֔לYis.ra.'ElH3478;Let not your prophetsנְבִֽיאֵיכֶ֥םne.vi.'ei.KhemH5030and your divinersוְקֹֽסְמֵיכֶ֑םve.ko.se.mei.KhemH7080, that bein the midstבְּקִרְבְּכֶ֖םbe.kir.be.KhemH7130of you, deceiveיַשִּׁ֧יאוּya.Shi.'uH5377you, neither hearkenתִּשְׁמְעוּ֙tish.me.'UH8085to your dreamsחֲלֹמֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔םcha.lo.Mo.tei.KhemH2472which ye cause to be dreamedמַחְלְמִֽים׃mach.le.MimH2492.

9For they prophesyנִבְּאִ֥יםni.be.'ImH5012falselyבְשֶׁ֔קֶרve.She.kerH8267unto you in my nameבִּשְׁמִ֑יbish.MiH8034:I have not sentשְׁלַחְתִּ֖יםshe.lach.TimH7971them, saithנְאֻם־ne.'um-H5002Yhwhיְהוָֽה׃ סYah.wehH3068.

10For thus saithאָמַ֣ר'a.MarH559Yhwhיְהוָ֔הYah.wehH3068,That afterלְפִ֞יle.FiH6310seventyשִׁבְעִ֥יםshiv.'ImH7657yearsשָׁנָ֖הsha.NahH8141be accomplishedמְלֹ֧אתme.LotH4390at Babylonלְבָבֶ֛לle.va.VelH894I will visitאֶפְקֹ֣ד'ef.KodH6485you, and performוַהֲקִמֹתִ֤יva.ha.ki.mo.TiH6965my goodהַטּ֔וֹבha.TovH2896wordדְּבָרִ֣יde.va.RiH1697toward you, in causing you to returnלְהָשִׁ֣יבle.ha.ShivH7725to this placeהַמָּק֖וֹםha.ma.KomH4725.

11For I knowיָדַ֜עְתִּיya.Da'.tiH3045the thoughtsהַמַּחֲשָׁבֹ֗תha.ma.cha.sha.VotH4284that I thinkחֹשֵׁ֥בcho.ShevH2803toward you, saithנְאֻם־ne.'um-H5002Yhwhיְהוָ֑הYah.wehH3068,thoughtsמַחְשְׁב֤וֹתmach.she.VotH4284of peaceשָׁלוֹם֙sha.lOmH7965,and not of evilלְרָעָ֔הle.ra.'AhH7451,to giveלָתֵ֥תla.TetH5414you hopeוְתִקְוָֽה׃ve.tik.VahH8615and a futureאַחֲרִ֥ית'a.cha.RitH319.

12Then shall ye callוּקְרָאתֶ֤םu.ke.ra.TemH7121upon me, and ye shall goוַֽהֲלַכְתֶּ֔םva.ha.lakh.TemH1980and prayוְהִתְפַּלַּלְתֶּ֖םve.hit.pa.lal.TemH6419unto me, and I will hearkenוְשָׁמַעְתִּ֖יve.sha.ma'.TiH8085unto you.

13And ye shall seekוּבִקַּשְׁתֶּ֥םu.vi.kash.TemH1245me, and findוּמְצָאתֶ֑םu.me.tza.TemH4672me,when ye shall searchתִדְרְשֻׁ֖נִיtid.re.Shu.niH1875for me with all your heartלְבַבְכֶֽם׃le.vav.KhemH3824.

14And I will be foundוְנִמְצֵ֣אתִיve.nim.Tze.tiH4672of you, saithנְאֻם־ne.'um-H5002Yhwhיְהוָה֒Yah.wehH3068:and I will turn awayוְשַׁבְתִּ֣יve.shav.TiH7725your captivityשְׁבוּתְכֶ֗םshe.vi.te.khemH7622,and I will gatherוְקִבַּצְתִּ֣יve.ki.batz.TiH6908you from all the nationsהַגּוֹיִ֞םha.go.YimH1471,and from all the placesהַמְּקוֹמ֗וֹתha.me.ko.MotH4725whither I have drivenהִדַּ֧חְתִּיhi.Dach.tiH5080you, saithנְאֻם־ne.'um-H5002Yhwhיְהוָ֑הYah.wehH3068;and I will bring you againוַהֲשִׁבֹתִ֣יva.ha.shi.vo.TiH7725into the placeהַ֨מָּק֔וֹםha.ma.KomH4725whence I caused you to be carried away captiveהִגְלֵ֥יתִיhig.Lei.tiH1540.

15Because ye have saidאֲמַרְתֶּ֑ם'a.mar.TemH559,Yhwhיְהוָ֛הYah.wehH3068hath raised us upהֵקִ֨יםhe.KimH6965prophetsנְבִאִ֖יםne.vi.'ImH5030in Babylonבָּבֶֽלָה׃ סba.Ve.lahH894;

16Knowthat thus saithאָמַ֣ר'a.MarH559Yhwhיְהוָ֗הYah.wehH3068of the kingהַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ha.Me.lekhH4428that sittethהַיּוֹשֵׁב֙hai.yo.ShevH3427upon the throneכִּסֵּ֣אki.Se'H3678of Davidדָוִ֔דda.VidH1732,and of all the peopleהָעָ֔םha.'AmH5971that dwellethהַיּוֹשֵׁ֖בhai.yo.ShevH3427in this cityבָּעִ֣ירba.'IrH5892, andof your brethrenאֲחֵיכֶ֕ם'a.chei.KhemH251that are not gone forthיָצְא֥וּya.tze.'UH3318with you into captivityבַּגּוֹלָֽה׃ba.go.LahH1473;

17Thus saithאָמַר֙'a.MarH559Yhwhיְהוָ֣הYah.wehH3068of Armiesצְבָא֔וֹתtze.va.'otH6635;Behold, I will sendמְשַׁלֵּ֣חַme.sha.Le.achH7971upon them the swordהַחֶ֖רֶבha.Che.revH2719,the famineהָרָעָ֣בha.ra.'AvH7458,and the pestilenceהַדָּ֑בֶרha.Da.verH1698,and will makeוְנָתַתִּ֣יve.na.ta.TiH5414them like vileהַשֹּׁ֣עָרִ֔יםha.Sho.'a.RimH8182figsכַּתְּאֵנִים֙ka.te.'e.NimH8384,that cannot be eatenתֵאָכַ֖לְנָהte.'a.Khal.nahH398,they are so evilמֵרֹֽעַ׃me.Ro.a'H7455.

18And I will persecuteוְרָֽדַפְתִּי֙ve.ra.daf.TiH7291themאַֽחֲרֵיהֶ֔ם'a.cha.rei.HemH310with the swordבַּחֶ֖רֶבba.Che.revH2719,with the famineבָּרָעָ֣בba.ra.'AvH7458,and with the pestilenceוּבַדָּ֑בֶרu.va.Da.verH1698,and will deliverוּנְתַתִּ֨יםu.ne.ta.TimH5414them to be removedלְזַעֲוָ֜הliz.va.'ahH2113 H2189to all the kingdomsמַמְלְכ֣וֹתmam.le.KhotH4467of the earthהָאָ֗רֶץha.'A.retzH776,to be a curseלְאָלָ֤הle.'a.LahH423,and an astonishmentוּלְשַׁמָּה֙u.le.sha.MahH8047,and an hissingוְלִשְׁרֵקָ֣הve.lish.re.KahH8322,and a reproachוּלְחֶרְפָּ֔הu.le.cher.PahH2781,among all the nationsהַגּוֹיִ֖םha.go.YimH1471whither I have drivenהִדַּחְתִּ֥יםhi.dach.TimH5080them:

19Because they have not hearkenedשָׁמְע֥וּsha.me.'UH8085to my wordsדְּבָרַ֖יde.va.RaiH1697,saithנְאֻם־ne.'um-H5002Yhwhיְהוָ֑הYah.wehH3068,which I sentשָׁלַ֨חְתִּיsha.Lach.tiH7971unto them by my servantsעֲבָדַ֤י'a.va.DaiH5650the prophetsהַנְּבִאִים֙ha.ne.vi.'ImH5030,rising up earlyהַשְׁכֵּ֣םhash.KemH7925and sendingוְשָׁלֹ֔חַve.sha.Lo.achH7971them;but ye would not hearשְׁמַעְתֶּ֖םshe.ma'.TemH8085,saithנְאֻם־ne.'um-H5002Yhwhיְהוָֽה׃Yah.wehH3068.

20Hearשִׁמְע֣וּshim.'UH8085ye therefore the wordדְבַר־de.var-H1697of Yhwhיְהוָ֑הYah.wehH3068,all ye of the captivityהַ֨גּוֹלָ֔הha.go.LahH1473,whom I have sentשִׁלַּ֥חְתִּיshi.Lach.tiH7971from Jerusalemמִירוּשָׁלִַ֖םmi.ru.sha.LimH3389to Babylonבָּבֶֽלָה׃ סba.Ve.lahH894:

21Thus saithאָמַר֩'a.MarH559Yhwhיְהוָ֨הYah.wehH3068of Armiesצְבָא֜וֹתtze.va.'otH6635,the Godאֱלֹהֵ֣י'e.lo.HeiH430of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֗לYis.ra.'ElH3478,of Ahabאַחְאָ֤ב'ach.'AvH256the sonבֶּן־ben-H1121of Kolaiahקֽוֹלָיָה֙ko.la.YahH6964,and of Zedekiahצִדְקִיָּ֣הוּtzid.ki.Ya.huH6667the sonבֶן־ven-H1121of Maaseiahמַֽעֲשֵׂיָ֔הma.'a.se.YahH4641,which prophesyהַֽנִּבְּאִ֥יםha.ni.be.'ImH5012a lieשָׁ֑קֶרSha.kerH8267unto you in my nameבִּשְׁמִ֖יbish.MiH8034;Behold, I will deliverנֹתֵ֣ןno.TenH5414them into the handבְּיַד֙be.YadH3027of Nebuchadnezzarנְבֽוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֣רne.vu.khad.re.TzarH5019kingמֶֽלֶךְ־Me.lekh-H4428of Babylonבָּבֶ֔לba.VelH894;and he shall slayוְהִכָּ֖םve.hi.KamH5221them before your eyesלְעֵינֵיכֶֽם׃le.'ei.nei.KhemH5869;

22And of them shall be taken upוְלֻקַּ֤חve.lu.KachH3947a curseקְלָלָ֔הke.la.LahH7045by all the captivityגָּל֣וּתga.LutH1546of Judahיְהוּדָ֔הye.hu.DahH3063which arein Babylonבְּבָבֶ֖לbe.va.VelH894,sayingלֵאמֹ֑רle.MorH559,Yhwhיְהוָה֙Yah.wehH3068makeיְשִֽׂמְךָ֤ye.sim.KhaH7760thee like Zedekiahכְּצִדְקִיָּ֣הוּke.tzid.ki.Ya.huH6667and like Ahabוּכְאֶחָ֔בu.khe.'e.ChavH256,whom the kingמֶֽלֶךְ־Me.lekh-H4428of Babylonבָּבֶ֖לba.VelH894roastedקָלָ֥םka.LamH7033in the fireבָּאֵֽשׁ׃ba.'EshH784;

23Because they have committedH6213villanyנְבָלָ֜הne.va.LahH5039in Israelבְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֗לbe.Yis.ra.'ElH3478,and have committedH6213adulteryוַיְנַֽאֲפוּ֙vay.na.'a.FuH5003with their neighbours’רֵֽעֵיהֶ֔םre.'ei.HemH7453wivesנְשֵׁ֣יne.SheiH802,and have spokenוַיְדַבְּר֨וּvay.da.be.RuH1696lyingשֶׁ֔קֶרShe.kerH8267wordsדָבָ֤רda.VarH1697in my nameבִּשְׁמִי֙bish.MiH8034,which I have not commandedצִוִּיתִ֑םtzi.vi.TimH6680them; even I knowהַיּוֹדֵ֥עַhu.yo.de.a'H3045, and ama witnessוָעֵ֖דva.'EdH5707,saithנְאֻם־ne.'um-H5002Yhwhיְהוָֽה׃ סYah.wehH3068.

24Thusshalt thou also speakתֹּאמַ֥רto.MarH559to Shemaiahשְׁמַעְיָ֥הוּshe.ma'.Ya.huH8098the Nehelamiteהַנֶּחֱלָמִ֖יha.ne.che.la.MiH5161,sayingלֵאמֹֽר׃le.MorH559,

25Thus speakethאָמַ֞ר'a.MarH559Yhwhיְהוָ֧הYah.wehH3068of Armiesצְבָא֛וֹתtze.va.'otH6635,the Godאֱלֹהֵ֥י'e.lo.HeiH430of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֖לYis.ra.'ElH3478,sayingלֵאמֹ֑רle.MorH559,Because thou hast sentשָׁלַ֨חְתָּsha.Lach.taH7971lettersסְפָרִ֗יםse.fa.RimH5612in thy nameבְשִׁמְכָ֜הve.shim.KhahH8034unto all the peopleהָעָם֙ha.'AmH5971that areat Jerusalemבִּירוּשָׁלִַ֔םbi.ru.sha.LimH3389,and to Zephaniahצְפַנְיָ֤הtze.fan.YahH6846the sonבֶן־ven-H1121of Maaseiahמַֽעֲשֵׂיָה֙ma.'a.se.YahH4641the priestהַכֹּהֵ֔ןha.ko.HenH3548,and to all the priestsהַכֹּהֲנִ֖יםha.ko.ha.NimH3548,sayingלֵאמֹֽר׃le.MorH559,

26Yhwhיְהוָ֞הYah.wehH3068hath madeנְתָנְךָ֣ne.ta.ne.KhaH5414thee priestכֹהֵ֗ןkho.HenH3548in the stead of Jehoiadaיְהוֹיָדָ֣עye.ho.ya.Da'H3077the priestהַכֹּהֵ֔ןha.ko.HenH3548,that ye should be officersפְּקִדִים֙pe.ki.DimH6496in the houseבֵּ֣יתbeitH1004of Yhwhיְהוָ֔הYah.wehH3068,for every manאִ֥ישׁ'ishH376that ismadמְשֻׁגָּ֖עme.shu.Ga'H7696,and maketh himself a prophetוּמִתְנַבֵּ֑אu.mit.na.Be'H5012,that thou shouldest putוְנָתַתָּ֥הve.na.ta.TahH5414him in prisonהַמַּהְפֶּ֖כֶתha.mah.Pe.khetH4115,and in the stocksהַצִּינֹֽק׃ha.tzi.NokH6729.

27Now therefore why hast thou not reprovedגָעַ֔רְתָּga.'Ar.taH1605Jeremiahבְּיִרְמְיָ֖הוּbe.yir.me.Ya.huH3414of Anathothהָֽעֲנְּתֹתִ֑יha.'a.ne.to.TiH6069,which maketh himself a prophetהַמִּתְנַבֵּ֖אha.mit.na.Be'H5012to you?

28For therefore he sentשָׁלַ֥חsha.LachH7971unto us inBabylonבָּבֶ֥לba.VelH894,sayingלֵאמֹ֖רle.MorH559,Thisהִ֑יאHi'H1931captivity islongאֲרֻכָּ֣ה'a.ru.KahH752:buildבְּנ֤וּbe.NuH1129ye housesבָתִּים֙va.TimH1004,and dwellוְשֵׁ֔בוּve.She.vuH3427in them;and plantוְנִטְע֣וּve.nit.'UH5193gardensגַנּ֔וֹתga.NotH1593,and eatוְאִכְל֖וּve.'ikh.LuH398the fruitפְּרִיהֶֽן׃pe.ri.HenH6529of them.

29And Zephaniahצְפַנְיָ֥הtze.fan.YahH6846the priestהַכֹּהֵ֖ןha.ko.HenH3548readוַיִּקְרָ֛אvai.yik.Ra'H7121this letterהַסֵּ֣פֶרha.Se.ferH5612in the earsבְּאָזְנֵ֖יbe.'a.ze.NeiH241of Jeremiahיִרְמְיָ֥הוּyir.me.Ya.huH3414the prophetהַנָּבִֽיא׃ פha.na.Vi'H5030.

30Then came the wordדְּבַר־de.var-H1697of Yhwhיְהוָ֔הYah.wehH3068unto Jeremiahיִרְמְיָ֖הוּyir.me.Ya.huH3414,sayingלֵאמֹֽר׃le.MorH559,

31Sendשְׁלַ֤חshe.LachH7971to all them of the captivityהַגּוֹלָה֙ha.go.LahH1473,sayingלֵאמֹ֔רle.MorH559,Thus saithאָמַ֣ר'a.MarH559Yhwhיְהוָ֔הYah.wehH3068concerning Shemaiahשְׁמַעְיָ֖הshe.ma'.YahH8098the Nehelamiteהַנֶּחֱלָמִ֑יha.ne.che.la.MiH5161;Because that Shemaiahשְׁמַעְיָ֗הshe.ma'.YahH8098hath prophesiedנִבָּ֨אni.Ba'H5012unto you, and I sentשְׁלַחְתִּ֔יוshe.lach.TivH7971him not, and he caused you to trustוַיַּבְטַ֥חvai.yav.TachH982in a lieשָֽׁקֶר׃Sha.kerH8267:

32Therefore thus saithאָמַ֣ר'a.MarH559Yhwhיְהוָ֗הYah.wehH3068;Behold, I will punishפֹקֵ֜דfo.KedH6485Shemaiahשְׁמַעְיָ֣הshe.ma'.YahH8098the Nehelamiteהַנֶּחֱלָמִי֮ha.ne.che.la.MiH5161,and his seedזַרְעוֹ֒zar.'OH2233:he shall not have a manאִ֣ישׁ׀'ishH376to dwellיוֹשֵׁ֣ב׀yo.ShevH3427amongבְּתוֹךְ־be.tokh-H8432this peopleהָעָ֣םha.'AmH5971;neither shall he beholdיִרְאֶ֥הyir.'EhH7200the goodבַטּ֛וֹבva.TovH2896that I will doעֹשֶֽׂה־'o.seh-H6213for my peopleלְעַמִּ֖יle.'a.MiH5971,saithנְאֻם־ne.'um-H5002Yhwhיְהוָ֑הYah.wehH3068;because he hath taughtדִבֶּ֖רdi.BerH1696rebellionסָרָ֥הsa.RahH5627against Yhwhיְהוָֽה׃ סYah.wehH3068.

Commentaries on Jeremiah 29