Bible Overview Jeremiah
Mike Ervin
Jeremiah: Overview
Authorship
Traditional View:
• Jeremiah, son of Hilkiah, a prophet from Anathoth (Jer. 1:1).
• Dictated much of his prophecy to Baruch, his scribe (Jer. 36:4).
• Written between 626–586 BC, covering Judah’s final years before the Babylonian
exile.
Modern Scholarly View:
• While Jeremiah and Baruch are primary sources, later redactors (editors) may
have shaped the text, especially the Greek Septuagint (LXX) and Hebrew
Masoretic Text (MT) versions, which have notable differences.
• Some scholars argue that certain sections (e.g., historical narratives in
Jer. 37–45) were added later.
Date of Authorship
• Traditional: 7th–6th century BC, during Jeremiah’s prophetic ministry.
• Modern Scholarship: The core was composed in Jeremiah’s time, but final
editing may have occurred during or after the exile (6th–5th century BC).
Intended Audience
• The people of Judah, warning them of impending judgment.
• Later audiences, including exiles in Babylon, offering hope for restoration.
Major Themes
1. Judgment & Exile – Judah’s sins bring Babylonian destruction.
2. Covenant Faithfulness – Calls for repentance and obedience to God.
3. False Prophets vs. True Prophets – Warnings against deceptive leaders.
4. The New Covenant – A future spiritual renewal (Jer. 31:31–34).
5. Hope & Restoration – A promise of return from exile and a Messianic
future.
Chapter-by-Chapter Summary
I. Call & Warnings (Chapters 1–25)
• Ch. 1 – Jeremiah’s prophetic call.
• Ch. 2–6 – Judah’s unfaithfulness; impending judgment.
• Ch. 7–10 – Temple sermon; idolatry condemned.
• Ch. 11–20 – Jeremiah’s personal struggles and prophecies of disaster.
• Ch. 21–25 – Warnings to kings; Babylon as God’s instrument of judgment.
II. Conflicts & Prophecies of Exile (Chapters 26–45)
• Ch. 26–29 – Jeremiah vs. false prophets; letter to exiles in Babylon.
• Ch. 30–33 – Book of Consolation: hope and the New Covenant (Jer. 31).
• Ch. 34–39 – Fall of Jerusalem; Jeremiah imprisoned.
• Ch. 40–45 – Aftermath of destruction; Jeremiah’s fate.
III. Oracles Against Nations (Chapters 46–51)
• Ch. 46–51 – Prophecies against Egypt, Babylon, and other nations.
IV. Fall of Jerusalem & Historical Appendix (Chapter 52)
• Ch. 52 – The destruction of Jerusalem (parallel to 2 Kings 25)