Jeremiah in Chronological Order

by Krisan Marotta | Jul 25, 2024 | 02 Library, Charts OT

If you’ve ever tried to read the book of Jeremiah straight through and felt lost—you’re not alone. Jeremiah doesn’t tell his story in order. The book jumps between events, messages, and reigns of different kings, which can leave readers wondering: ‘When is this happening?’

Unlike many modern biographies or histories, Jeremiah isn’t arranged from start to finish. Instead, it’s grouped by themes, messages, and events, often out of sequence. That can make it tricky to follow what’s happening and when

Understanding when each event happens helps us see how Jeremiah’s message speaks to specific moments in Israel’s history, before, during, and after the exile. It also reminds us that God sent clear warnings and persistent grace, even as judgment approached.

Jeremiah’s Story in the Order It Happened

The Early Years

627–605 BC – Chapters 1–20: Undated, but likely oracles from Jeremiah’s early ministry.
609 or after – Chapter 26: The “Shiloh” sermon.
605 BC – Chapter 25: 70-year exile predicted.
605 BC – Chapter 45; Event: An early message to Baruch
605–604 BC – Chapter 36: The scroll and its burning.
After 601 BC – Chapter 35: A lesson from the Rechabites.

Warnings Before the Fall

598 BC – Chapter 22: Oracles on kings from Josiah to Jeconiah.
597 or after – Chapter 24: Good figs and bad.
After 597 BC – Chapter 29: The letter to the captives.
594 BC – Chapters 27–28: The call to accept the yoke of Babylon.

Jerusalem Falls

588 BC – Chapter 34: Temporary lifting of the siege; exploiting of slaves.
588 BC – Chapter 21: The final siege of Jerusalem begins.
588 BC – Chapter 37: Jeremiah arrested and imprisoned.
588 BC – Chapter 52: Fall of Jerusalem (repeated historical summary).
588/587 BC – Chapters 32–33: Jeremiah buys property while in prison as a sign.
588/587 BC – Chapter 38: The miry pit.
587 BC – Chapter 39: The city falls.
587 BC – Chapter 40: Jeremiah joins Gedaliah at Mizpah.
587 or after – Chapter 41: Gedaliah assassinated.
587 or after – Chapters 42–43: The emigration to Egypt, taking Jeremiah.
585 ? BC – Chapter 44: The emegres defend their apostasy.

Dates Unkown

Undated – Chapter 23; Event: False shepherds; righteous branch; false prophets
Undated – Chapters 30–31: The “book of hope”.
Undated – Chapters 46–51: Oracles on the nations.

The Dates for Jeremiah’s Chapters

Jeremiah 1-20 Part 1

Chapters 1-20; Years: 627-605 BC; undated, but probably oracles from Jeremiah’s early ministry which likely comprised the scroll read to King Jehoiakim in 604 BC.

Jeremiah 21-45 Part 2

Chapter: 21 — Year: 588 BC; Event: The final siege of Jerusalem begins
Chapter: 22 — Year: 598 BC; Event: Oracles on kings form Josiah to Jeconiah
Chapter 23 —No date; Event: False shepherds; righteous branch; false prophets
Chapter 24 — Year: 597 BC or after; Event: Good figs and bad
Chapter 25 — Year: 605 BC; Event: 70 year exile predicted
Chapter 26 — Year: 609 or after BC; Event: The “Shiloh” sermon
Chapter 27-28 — Year: 594 BC; Event: The call to accept the yoke of Babylon
Chapter 29 — Year: After 597 BC; Event: The letter to the captives
Chapter 30-31 — Year: no date BC; Event: The “book of hope”
Chapter 32-33 — Year: 588/7 BC; Event: Jeremiah buys property while in prison as a sign
Chapter 34 –– Year: 588 BC; Event: Temporary lifting of the siege; exploiting of slaves
Chapter 35 — Year: After 601 BC; Event: A lesson from the Rechabites
Chapter 36 — Year: 605-604 BC; Event: The scroll and its burning
Chapter 37 — Year: 588 BC; Event: Jeremiah arrested and imprisoned
Chapter 38 — Year: 588/7 BC; Event: The miry pit
Chapter 39 — Year: 587 BC; Event: The city falls
Chapter 40 — Year: 587 BC; Event: Jeremiah joins Gedaliah at Mizpah
Chapter 41 — Year: 587 or after BC; Event: Gedaliah assassinated
Chapter 42-43 — Year: 587 or after BC; Event: The emigration to Egypt, taking Jeremiah
Chapter 44 — Year 585? BC; Event: The émigrés defend their apostasy
Chapter 45 — Year 605 BC; Event: An early message to Baruch

Jeremiah 46-51 Part 3

Chapter 46-51 — Year: undated; Event: Oracles on the nation
Chapter 52 — Year: 588 BC; Event: Fall of Jerusalem

If you’re studying the book of Jeremiah, this timeline can help you follow the prophet’s journey more clearly. As you read, watch how Jeremiah’s messages shift based on what’s happening in Judah and how God’s faithfulness and justice remain constant through it all

Note: This list was compiled from several sources, but I’m most grateful to Jeremiah by Derek Kidner.