John Gill Commentary Jeremiah 29:28

"forasmuch as he hath sent unto us in Babylon, saying, [The captivity] is long: build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them?" — Jeremiah 29:28 (ASV)

For therefore he sent unto us [in] Babylon, saying That is, Jeremiah the prophet; and this was the reason, because his mouth was not stopped, and he restrained from prophesying; so that Shemaiah lays all the blame on Zephaniah, and his brethren the priests; who, had they done their duty, would have prevented Jeremiah's letter to the captives, as he suggests;

the purport of which was, this [captivity] is long ; so Kimchi, Abarbinel, and Ben Melech, supply it; or, "it [is] long" ^F13 ; it will be a long time before the captives shall return to their own land; and therefore they should not think of it, or provide for it; but, on the contrary, for their continuance in Babylon; giving the following advice: build you houses, and dwell [in them]; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them ; referring to Jeremiah's letter; (See Gill on Jeremiah 29:5).

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FOOTNOTES:

• F13: (ayh hkra) "longum est", Pagninus, Cocceius, Schmidt.