King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 45:5 Mean?

Jeremiah 45:5 in the King James Version says “And seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not: for, behold, I will bring evil upon all flesh, saith the LORD:... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 45 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not: for, behold, I will bring evil upon all flesh, saith the LORD: but thy life will I give unto thee for a prey in all places whither thou goest.

Jeremiah 45:5 · KJV


Context

3

Thou didst say, Woe is me now! for the LORD hath added grief to my sorrow; I fainted in my sighing, and I find no rest.

4

Thus shalt thou say unto him, The LORD saith thus; Behold, that which I have built will I break down, and that which I have planted I will pluck up, even this whole land.

5

And seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not: for, behold, I will bring evil upon all flesh, saith the LORD: but thy life will I give unto thee for a prey in all places whither thou goest.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God's word to Baruch addresses the temptation to seek personal greatness during national catastrophe. The rhetorical question 'seekest thou great things for thyself?' rebukes ambition when God is bringing judgment. Yet God promises Baruch his life as 'a prey' - survival amid destruction. Contentment with God's preservation rather than advancement is wisdom during judgment. Christ later taught similar principles about seeking first God's kingdom (Matt 6:33).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Baruch, as Jeremiah's faithful scribe, apparently struggled with discouragement about his limited impact and lack of recognition. This personal word addresses his internal battle.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you respond when God calls you to faithfulness without recognition or advancement?
  2. What does it mean to have your life as 'a prey' in times of God's judgment?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 26 words
וְאַתָּ֛ה1 of 26
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

תְּבַקֵּ֑שׁ2 of 26

And seekest

H1245

to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after

לְךָ֥3 of 26
H0
גְדֹל֖וֹת4 of 26

thou great things

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

אַל5 of 26
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תְּבַקֵּ֑שׁ6 of 26

And seekest

H1245

to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after

כִּ֡י7 of 26
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

הִנְנִי֩8 of 26
H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

מֵבִ֨יא9 of 26

them not for behold I will bring

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

רָעָ֤ה10 of 26

evil

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

עַל11 of 26
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כָּל12 of 26
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

בָּשָׂר֙13 of 26

upon all flesh

H1320

flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man

נְאֻם14 of 26

saith

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָ֔ה15 of 26

the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וְנָתַתִּ֨י16 of 26

will I give

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לְךָ֤17 of 26
H0
אֶֽת18 of 26
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

נַפְשְׁךָ֙19 of 26

but thy life

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

לְשָׁלָ֔ל20 of 26

unto thee for a prey

H7998

booty

עַ֥ל21 of 26
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כָּל22 of 26
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַמְּקֹמ֖וֹת23 of 26

in all places

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

אֲשֶׁ֥ר24 of 26
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

תֵּֽלֶךְ25 of 26
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

שָֽׁם׃26 of 26
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 45:5 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 45:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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