Jeremiah

• DatesMinistry about 627–586 BC and after, in Judah and then Egypt (debated)
• GenreMajor Prophets
• AuthorshipJeremiah son of Hilkiah, with Baruch as scribe
• TimelineDivided Kingdom, Exile & Return (including the Second Temple period)
• Key textsJeremiah 1; Jeremiah 7; Jeremiah 29; Jeremiah 31; Jeremiah 36
• Read the textJeremiah in the World English Bible
• Covered in classSession 3, Session 10

What the sources say, and how sure we are

• The text says

  The book dates Jeremiah’s call to the thirteenth year of Josiah, about 627 BC, and carries it to the fall of Jerusalem. Jeremiah dictates his words to Baruch, the king burns the scroll, and Jeremiah has it written again.Jer 1:2–3; Jer 36

• Outside evidence

  Clay seals found in Jerusalem’s City of David name Gemariah son of Shaphan and Jehucal son of Shelemiah, officials who appear in Jeremiah 36–37. The Lachish Letters, written during Babylon’s final attack on Judah, describe the situation Jeremiah addresses.Jer 36:10; Jer 37:3; Lachish Letters

• Debated

  The Greek translation of Jeremiah is about one-eighth shorter than the Hebrew text and arranges some sections in a different order. Dead Sea Scrolls fragments exist in both forms, so scholars debate which is earlier and how the book was edited.4QJerb; 4QJerd

• Christian conclusion

  Jeremiah’s promise of a new covenant is quoted in the New Testament as fulfilled through Jesus.Jer 31:31–34; Luke 22:20; Heb 8:8–12