Tahpanhes
Tahpanhes (43:7) was a fortified city in the eastern part of the Nile delta, near what is now the Suez Canal. Archaeologists have found a… Read More »Tahpanhes
Articles History & Religion Facts
Jeremiah
Geruth Chimham
The town of Geruth Chimham (41:17) may have been named after the Chimham mentioned in 2 Sam. 19:37–40 (see also “sons of Barzillai,” 1 Kings… Read More »Geruth Chimham
Free vineyards
Free vineyards. After they conquered Judah and shipped all the leading citizens to Babylon, the Babylonians gave vineyards to some of the poor Judeans who… Read More »Free vineyards
Dungeon cells or cisterns
The dungeon cells or cisterns in which Jeremiah was imprisoned (chs. 37–38) were most likely dark, damp rooms without enough room to stand up in.… Read More »Dungeon cells or cisterns
Rechabites
The Lord commanded the Rechabites for keeping the commandments of their founder (ch. 35), which included abstaining from wine and not building permanent houses. The… Read More »Rechabites
Burning of spices during funerals
Burning of spices during funerals (34:5) served a number of purposes. If a burial was delayed, spices would mask any unpleasant odors. Since they were… Read More »Burning of spices during funerals
Sealing documents in earthenware vessels
Sealing documents in earthenware vessels (32:14) was a common way to preserve them for future generations. The Dead Sea Scrolls, one of the most important… Read More »Sealing documents in earthenware vessels
from the Tower of Hananel to the Corner Gate
Jeremiah said that Jerusalem would someday be rebuilt from the Tower of Hananel to the Corner Gate (31:38). This is probably where the Babylonian army… Read More »from the Tower of Hananel to the Corner Gate
Books
Books in the OT could refer to any written material (see 30:2). Usually this was in the form of papyrus scrolls. Pages were glued together… Read More »Books
Why were Israel’s craftsmen taken?
Why were Israel’s craftsmen taken? Craftsmen were highly prized by conquering kings (29:2). They could provide assistance with the king’s projects as well as offer… Read More »Why were Israel’s craftsmen taken?
Jeremiah’s unpopular message
Jeremiah’s unpopular message. While all the other prophets were predicting victory over Babylon, Jeremiah told the people it was God’s will that they serve Babylon… Read More »Jeremiah’s unpopular message
Carchemish
When Nebuchadnezzar defeated the Egyptian army at Carchemish in 605 b.c., it marked the beginning of Egypt’s decline as a power in the region and… Read More »Carchemish
Seventy years in Babylon
Seventy years in Babylon. Jeremiah saw many of his fellow Judeans exiled to Babylon during his lifetime. He predicted that they would remain there for… Read More »Seventy years in Babylon
The faithful remnant
The faithful remnant. In many places, the Bible speaks of a “remnant,” that is, a relatively small group of people, who will remain faithful to… Read More »The faithful remnant
Mind or kidneys?
Mind or kidneys? The word translated “mind” in 20:12 is actually the Hebrew word for “kidneys” (see esv footnote). Because the kidneys were hidden deep… Read More »Mind or kidneys?