I. Prophetic and Divine Communication Terms:;xNLx;;xNLx;Prophet (Hebrew: navi) (e.g., Jeremiah 1:5; 2:8, 26, 30; 4:9; 5:13, 31; 6:13; 7:25; and frequently throughout): An individual called by God to be His spokesperson, delivering divine messages to the people. These messages often included warnings of judgment for sin, calls to repentance, and announcements of God's future plans. Jeremiah is a quintessential example of a prophet who suffered for his faithfulness.;xNLx;Word of the LORD (Frequently throughout Jeremiah, e.g., Jeremiah 1:2, 4, 11, 13; 2:1, 4; 7:1; 9:20; 11:1; 13:3, 8; 14:1; 16:1; 17:15, 20; etc.): The divine message, instruction, command, promise, or judgment received by Jeremiah from God, which he was commissioned to deliver. It is portrayed as powerful and certain to be fulfilled.;xNLx;Vision (e.g., Jeremiah 1:11, 13; 14:14; 23:16, 25-26): A supernatural revelation or inspired insight given by God to the prophet, often involving symbolic imagery that conveyed a divine message. Jeremiah distinguishes true visions from false, self-generated ones.;xNLx;Oracle / Burden (Hebrew: massa) (e.g., Jeremiah 23:33-38): A prophetic utterance, often a weighty pronouncement of judgment or doom, especially against nations. Jeremiah discusses the misuse of this term by false prophets.;xNLx;Thus says the LORD (A common introductory formula for prophetic speech, e.g., Jeremiah 2:2, 5; 4:3, 27; 5:14; 6:6, 9, 16, 21-22; 7:3, 20-21; etc.): Indicates that the message following is a direct communication from God through the prophet, emphasizing its divine authority.;xNLx;False prophets (e.g., Jeremiah 5:31; 6:13-14; 8:10-11; 14:13-16; 23:9-40; Chapters 27-29): Individuals who claimed to speak for God but delivered messages of false hope, peace (when judgment was imminent), or their own imaginings, often for personal gain or popularity. Jeremiah fiercely confronted them.;xNLx;II. Theological Concepts:;xNLx;;xNLx;Covenant (Hebrew: berit) (e.g., Jeremiah 2:20 [broken]; 3:16 [ark of the covenant]; 11:2-10; 14:21; 22:9; 31:31-34 [new covenant]; 32:40; 33:20-21, 25; 34:8, 10, 13, 15, 18; 50:5): The solemn, binding agreement between God and Israel, established at Sinai. Jeremiah emphasizes Judah's breaking of this covenant through idolatry and disobedience, leading to judgment. He also famously prophesies a "new covenant" that God will make with His people, written on their hearts.;xNLx;Steadfast love / Lovingkindness (Hebrew: chesed) (e.g., Jeremiah 2:2; 9:24; 16:5; 31:3; 32:18; 33:11): God's loyal, faithful, and merciful love for His people, despite their unfaithfulness. It is a basis for hope and restoration.;xNLx;Righteousness (Hebrew: tsedeq or tsedaqah) (e.g., Jeremiah 4:2; 9:24; 11:20; 22:3, 13, 15; 23:5-6; 31:23; 33:15-16; 50:7; 51:10): God's moral perfection, justice, and faithfulness to His promises. For humans, it means living according to God's law, acting justly, and maintaining right relationships. Jeremiah looks forward to a "righteous Branch" from David's line.;xNLx;Justice (Hebrew: mishpat) (e.g., Jeremiah 4:2; 5:1, 4-5, 28; 7:5-6; 8:7; 9:24; 10:24; 12:1; 17:11; 21:12; 22:3, 13, 15-16; 23:5; 26:15; 30:11, 18; 31:23; 32:7-8; 33:15; 39:5; 42:6; 46:28; 48:21, 47; 49:11-12; 50:7; 51:9-10): Fairness, equity, adherence to God's legal and moral standards, and the execution of right judgments. Jeremiah passionately denounces the lack of social justice in Judah.;xNLx;Idolatry / Idols / Other gods (e.g., Jeremiah 1:16; 2:5, 8, 11, 13, 19-20, 23, 25, 27-28, 36; 3:1-2, 6-13, 23; 5:7, 19; 7:6, 9, 18, 30-31; 8:2, 19; 10:1-16; 11:10, 12-13, 17; 13:10, 25, 27; 14:22; 16:11, 13, 18, 20; 17:2; 18:15; 19:4-5, 13; 22:9; 25:6; 32:29, 34-35; 43:12; 44:3, 5, 8, 15-19, 25; 46:25; 48:7, 13, 35; 50:2, 38; 51:17-18, 44, 47, 52; 52:3 [implied by Zedekiah's evil]): The worship of images or deities other than Yahweh, the God of Israel. This is a primary sin condemned by Jeremiah, seen as spiritual adultery and a breach of the covenant. This includes specific deities like:;xNLx;Baal (e.g., Jeremiah 2:8, 23; 7:9; 9:14; 11:13, 17; 12:16; 19:5; 23:13, 27; 32:29, 35): A prominent Canaanite fertility and storm god whose worship was a persistent temptation for Israel.;xNLx;Queen of Heaven (Jeremiah 7:18; 44:17-19, 25): A Mesopotamian goddess (likely Ishtar or Astarte) whose worship, involving baking cakes and offering drink offerings, was popular among Judean women, much to Jeremiah's condemnation.;xNLx;High Places (Hebrew: bamot) (e.g., Jeremiah 7:31; 17:3; 19:5; 26:18 [Micah's prophecy]; 32:35; 48:35): Localized shrines, often on hilltops, used for worship. In Jeremiah, these are almost always sites of idolatrous worship and pagan practices, including child sacrifice.;xNLx;Topheth / Valley of the Son of Hinnom (Jeremiah 7:31-32; 19:2, 6, 11-14; 32:35): A location near Jerusalem where child sacrifices to Molech and other pagan deities occurred. Jeremiah prophesied its defilement and transformation into a place of slaughter.;xNLx;Molech (Jeremiah 32:35): An Ammonite deity to whom children were sacrificed.;xNLx;Apostasy / Forsake / Turn away / Backsliding (e.g., Jeremiah 2:5, 13, 17, 19, 29, 32; 3:1, 6, 8, 11-14, 19, 21-22, 25; 5:6-7, 11, 19, 23; 6:19, 28; 7:24, 29; 8:5; 11:10; 12:11, 16; 14:7, 10; 15:6; 17:5, 13; 19:4; 22:9; 32:33, 40; 34:11, 16; 42:10; 44:10; 46:27; 50:6; 51:5): Turning away from God, abandoning His covenant, and rebelling against His commands. This is a central accusation Jeremiah levels against Judah.;xNLx;Repent / Return (Hebrew: shuv) (e.g., Jeremiah 3:1, 7, 10, 12, 14, 22; 4:1; 5:3; 7:3, 5; 8:4-6; 15:7, 19; 18:8, 11; 23:14, 22; 24:7; 25:5; 26:3, 13; 31:18-19; 34:15-16; 35:15; 36:3, 7; 44:5): To turn back to God from sin and disobedience, involving a change of heart and conduct. Jeremiah repeatedly calls for genuine repentance.;xNLx;Chastisement / Discipline (Hebrew: musar) (e.g., Jeremiah 2:19, 30; 5:3; 6:8; 7:28; 10:24; 17:23; 30:11, 14; 31:18; 32:33; 35:13; 46:28): Corrective punishment or instruction from God intended to lead His people back to obedience.;xNLx;Remnant (e.g., Jeremiah 6:9; 8:3; 11:23; 15:9, 11; 23:3; 24:8; 25:20; 30:11; 31:7; 39:9; 40:6, 11, 15; 41:10, 16; 42:2, 15, 19; 43:5-6; 44:7, 12, 14, 28; 50:20, 26; 51:50; 52:15-16): The portion of the people who would survive God's judgment and through whom God would continue His purposes, especially in the context of the exile and future restoration.;xNLx;Exile (e.g., Jeremiah 1:3; 13:19, 24; 15:2; 20:1, 3-6; 22:12, 26-28; 24:1, 5; 25:11-12; Chapters 27-29; 30:3, 10, 18; 31:16, 23; 32:2, 7, 28, 36-37; 33:7, 11, 26; 38:17-23; 39:9; 40:1, 7; 41:2; 42:15-18; 43:5-11; 46:19, 27; 48:7, 11-12, 46; 49:3, 5, 32, 39; 50:8, 17, 33; 51:6, 9, 34, 45, 50; 52:3-30): The forced removal of the people of Judah from their land to Babylon as a consequence of their persistent sin and rebellion against God. This is a major historical event central to Jeremiah's prophecies.;xNLx;Restoration (e.g., Jeremiah 12:15; 16:15; 23:3, 7-8; 24:6; 27:22; 29:10, 14; Chapters 30-33; 37:6-10 [false hope of]; 42:10, 12; 46:27; 48:47; 49:6, 39; 50:19; 51:19 [implied]): God's future act of bringing His people back from exile, renewing His covenant with them, and re-establishing them in their land with blessings.;xNLx;New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34): Jeremiah's prophecy of a future covenant that God would make with Israel and Judah, different from the Mosaic covenant. This new covenant would involve God's law being written on their hearts, an intimate knowledge of God, and the forgiveness of sins.;xNLx;Shepherds (of Israel) (e.g., Jeremiah 2:8; 3:15; 10:21; 12:10; 22:22; 23:1-4; 25:34-36; 50:6; 51:23): Refers to the leaders of Israel—kings, priests, and prophets—who were responsible for guiding and caring for God's people. Jeremiah often condemns them for failing in their duty and leading the people astray. He also speaks of God providing good shepherds in the future.;xNLx;Branch (Righteous Branch) (Jeremiah 23:5; 33:15): A messianic prophecy referring to a future Davidic king who would reign in righteousness and justice.;xNLx;III. Historical, Political, and Military Terms:;xNLx;;xNLx;Babylon / Chaldeans / King of Babylon (Nebuchadnezzar) (e.g., Jeremiah 20:4-6; 21:2-10; Chapters 24-25; 27:6-29:32; 32:1-5, 28-29; 34:1-3; 35:11; 36:29; 37:1-40:16; 41:2, 18; 42:11; 43:3, 10; 44:30; 46:2, 13, 26; Chapters 50-52): The dominant Mesopotamian empire that conquered Judah, destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple, and carried the Judeans into exile. Nebuchadnezzar II was the Babylonian king responsible for these events. The Chaldeans were the ruling ethnic group of Babylon at this time.;xNLx;Egypt / Pharaoh (e.g., Jeremiah 2:16, 18, 36; 9:26; 25:19; 37:5-11; 41:17; Chapters 42-44; Chapter 46): A major ancient power, often seen by Judah as a potential ally against Babylon. Jeremiah warned against relying on Egypt and prophesied its defeat.;xNLx;Assyria (e.g., Jeremiah 2:18, 36; 50:17-18): The Mesopotamian empire that had previously destroyed the northern kingdom of Israel and had been a major power before Babylon's rise.;xNLx;Nations (Hebrew: goyim) (Frequently throughout Jeremiah, especially in oracles against the nations, Chapters 25, 46-51): Non-Israelite peoples or foreign powers. Jeremiah delivered prophecies concerning God's judgment and plans for many surrounding nations.;xNLx;Siege / Besiege (e.g., Jeremiah 4:16; 6:3, 6; 8:14; 10:17; 11:22; 19:9; 21:4, 9; 32:2, 24; 33:4-5; 34:1, 7, 22; 37:5, 11; 38:2-3; 39:1; 52:4-7): The military surrounding and blockading of a city to compel its surrender, a key feature of the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem.;xNLx;Famine / Sword / Pestilence (A recurring triad of judgments, e.g., Jeremiah 5:12; 11:22; 14:12-18; 15:2-3; 16:4; 18:21; 21:7, 9; 24:10; 27:8, 13; 28:8; 29:17-18; 32:24, 36; 34:17; 38:2; 42:16-17, 22; 44:12-13, 27): Common calamities associated with warfare, siege, and divine judgment, which Jeremiah frequently warned would befall Judah.;xNLx;Sackcloth (e.g., Jeremiah 4:8; 6:26; 48:37; 49:3): A coarse material worn as a sign of mourning, repentance, or deep distress.;xNLx;Ashes (Often used with sackcloth as a sign of mourning or humiliation, e.g., Jeremiah 6:26; 25:34 [rolling in ashes]):;xNLx;Yoke (e.g., Jeremiah 2:20; 5:5; Chapters 27-28; 30:8): A wooden frame placed on the necks of draft animals. Jeremiah used a physical yoke as a symbolic act to represent Judah's impending submission to Babylon. The breaking of the yoke symbolized false hope of liberation.;xNLx;Cistern (Jeremiah 2:13; 6:7; 14:3; 38:6-13; 41:7, 9): An artificial reservoir, often underground, for storing water. Jeremiah was imprisoned in a cistern. He also uses the metaphor of "broken cisterns that can hold no water" for forsaking God, the fountain of living waters.;xNLx;Scroll / Book (e.g., Jeremiah 25:13; 29:1; 30:2; 32:10-14, 44; Chapter 36; 45:1; 51:60-63): A roll of parchment or papyrus used for writing. Jeremiah's prophecies were written on scrolls, famously read before King Jehoiakim who cut and burned it.;xNLx;Baruch (son of Neriah) (e.g., Jeremiah Chapters 32, 36, 43, 45): Jeremiah's faithful scribe and companion, who wrote down Jeremiah's prophecies and shared in his sufferings.;xNLx;Gedaliah (Jeremiah Chapters 39-41): A Judean official appointed by the Babylonians as governor over Judah after the fall of Jerusalem. His assassination led to further chaos and the flight of a remnant to Egypt.;xNLx;IV. Figurative and Emotional Language:;xNLx;;xNLx;Circumcise your hearts (Jeremiah 4:4; 9:25-26): A metaphor for an inward spiritual transformation, removing stubbornness and rebellion, and making the heart receptive and obedient to God, going beyond the mere physical ritual.;xNLx;Lament / Wail / Mourn (e.g., Jeremiah 4:8, 28, 31; 6:26; 7:29; 8:18-9:3, 10-12, 17-22; 10:19-20; 11:11; 13:17-18; 14:2-4, 17-18; 15:5, 7, 9; 16:4-7; 20:14-18; 22:10, 18; 25:33-34; 30:12-15; 31:15 [Rachel weeping]; 47:2-3; 48:17, 31-39; 49:3-4; 50:46; 51:8, 29, 48, 55): Expressions of deep sorrow, grief, and distress, often in response to sin, judgment, and suffering. Jeremiah is known as the "weeping prophet" due to the anguished nature of his laments.;xNLx;Potter (and the clay) (Jeremiah 18:1-11; 19:1, 11): A powerful metaphor used by Jeremiah to illustrate God's sovereignty over nations and individuals, His ability to reshape or destroy based on their response to Him.;xNLx;This list aims to clarify key terms and concepts encountered in the Book of Jeremiah (ESV), enhancing comprehension of its profound prophecies, historical context, and enduring theological messages.