prophet · Old Testament
Jeremiah
The Weeping Prophet
Strong's H3414 — original-language name study
Jeremiah prophesied during Judah's final years, warning of coming judgment. Despite persecution and rejection, he faithfully delivered God's messages.
Jeremiah was called to be a prophet before his birth. When God first spoke to him as a young man, Jeremiah protested that he was too young and didn't know how to speak. God touched his mouth and said, "Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth." His ministry would span forty years, covering the reigns of Judah's last five kings.
Jeremiah's message was deeply unpopular: Judah would fall to Babylon as judgment for her sins, and resistance was futile. He was beaten, put in stocks, thrown into a cistern to die, and constantly threatened. False prophets contradicted him, promising peace. Yet Jeremiah persevered, his tender heart breaking for the people who rejected both God and him. The book of Lamentations, attributed to Jeremiah, captures his grief over Jerusalem's destruction.
Despite his message of judgment, Jeremiah also proclaimed hope. He prophesied a new covenant written on hearts rather than stone tablets, the restoration of Israel, and the coming of a righteous Branch from David's line. He purchased a field even as Babylon was besieging the city, demonstrating faith that the land would be restored.
After Jerusalem fell in 586 BC, the Babylonians treated Jeremiah well, allowing him to remain in Judah. When Jewish refugees forced him to accompany them to Egypt against God's command, Jeremiah continued prophesying there. Tradition says he died in Egypt, possibly martyred by his own countrymen.
Key Scriptures
"Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations."
"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end."
"But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be my God, and they shall be my people."
Also linked to: Rachel
Lessons from Jeremiah's Life
- 1.God calls and equips us before we feel ready.
- 2.Faithfulness may bring persecution rather than popularity.
- 3.Genuine love for people means telling them hard truths.
- 4.Even in judgment, God maintains His plans for hope and restoration.
Books Featuring Jeremiah
Related Characters
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The Lawgiver
Moses led the Israelites out of Egyptian slavery, received the Ten Commandments from God, and guided the people through the wilderness for forty years.
Elijah
The Prophet of Fire
Elijah was a powerful prophet who confronted the prophets of Baal, experienced God's still small voice, and was taken to heaven in a chariot of fire.
Elisha
The Prophet of Miracles
Elisha inherited a double portion of Elijah's spirit and performed twice as many miracles, serving as God's prophet through the reigns of several kings.
Isaiah
The Messianic Prophet
Isaiah prophesied during a turbulent period of Israel's history and wrote extensively about the coming Messiah, earning him the title 'the evangelical prophet.'
Ezekiel
The Watchman Prophet
Ezekiel prophesied to the Jewish exiles in Babylon through dramatic visions and symbolic actions, warning of Jerusalem's destruction and promising future restoration.
Daniel
The Faithful Exile
Daniel served with integrity in the courts of Babylon and Persia while remaining faithful to God, receiving remarkable visions of future kingdoms and the Messiah.
Jonah
The Reluctant Prophet
Jonah famously fled from God's call to preach to Nineveh, was swallowed by a great fish, and ultimately witnessed one of history's greatest revivals.
John the Baptist
The Forerunner
John the Baptist was the prophet who prepared the way for Jesus, calling Israel to repentance and baptizing the Son of God in the Jordan River.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Free KJV Bible quizzes featuring this character — every answer cites a verse.
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Jeremiah Quiz
The weeping prophet who warned Judah of the Babylonian captivity.
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Nathan the Prophet Bible Quiz
The prophet who confronted David with 'Thou art the man.'
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