Jeremiah’s Ministry Chronology

Jeremiah was a prophet to the southern kingdom of Judah who wrote the book of Jeremiah.  His name means “exaltation of the Lord.”   Below is a basic chronology of his 40+ year ministry, a list of his oracles by the reign of the king, and a list by event.

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Jump to: by King; ** By Event **

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Chronology

BC 640	Josiah becomes king of Judah at age 8- the last godly king	2Chron 34:1.
628	Josiah begins to purge Judah of idols in his 12th year	2Chron 34:3.
627	The Lord first speaks to Jeremiah in 13th year of Josiah.	Jer 1:1.
622	Book of the Law found in House of God	2Chr 34:8; 2Chr 34:14
612	Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, is sacked
609	King Josiah killed at Megiddo by Neco of Egypt Jehoahaz king for 3 months Jehoiakim made king by Pharah Neco	2Chr 35:20-25; 2Chr 36:1-3; 2Chr 36:4.
605	Battle of Carchemish Nebuchadnezzar defeats Egypt & Assyria 1st deportation of Jews to Babylon – Daniel in this group	Jer 46:2; Dan 1:1-7.
604	Jeremiah’s scroll read to Jehoiakim and burnt	Jer 36.
601	Jehoiakim rebels against Babylon	2Ki 24:1.
598	2nd deportation; Babylonian invasion takes Jerusalem, deports Ezekiel & 10,000; Zedekiah replaces Jehoiachin	2Ki 24:12-17; 2Chr 36:6.
593	Zedekiah summoned to Babylon	Jer 51:59.
588	Fall of Jerusalem. Gedaliah appointed governor of Judah. Gedaliah assissinated by Ishael Refuges flee to Egypt, taking Jeremiah with them 3rd deportation to Babylon	Jer 39:1-18; Jer 40:5-6; Jer 41:2; Jer 42-43; Jer 52:30.
561	Jehoiachin released from prison	Jer 52:31-34.
539/8	Babylon falls to the Medes and Persians Cyrus the Persian liberates the captives	Dan 5:30; Ezra 1:1-4

This chart is gratefully compiled from 2 sources: preceptaustin.org & Jeremiah by Derek Kidner

By King

By ruling King

Reign	King of Judah	Scripture
640-609 BC	Josiah	Most of Jeremiah chapters 1-6
609 BC	Jehoahaz (Shallum)	3 months; Jeremiah 22:10-12
609-598 BC	Jehoiakim (Jeconiah, Coniah)	Jer 7-20; Jer 25-26; Jer 35-36; Jer 46:1-12; Jer 47:1-7; Jer 49:1-39.
598-597 BC	Jehoiachin	Jer 22-23
597-586	Zedekiah	Jer 21; Jer 24; Jer 27-34; Jer 37-44; Jer 46:13-28; Jer 50:1-46; Jer 51:1-64.

Event

By Event

Event	Kings	Jeremiah	Lamentations
Siege of Jerusalem	2Ki 25:1-2	Jer 39:1-3; Jer 52:4-5.	Lam 2:20-22; Lam 3:5-7.
Famine	2Ki 25:3	Jer 37:21; Jer 52:6.	Lam 1:11 Lam 1:19; Lam 2:11-12; Lam 2:19-20; Lam 4:4-5; Lam 4:9-10; Lam 5:9-10.
Flight of army and king	2Ki 25:4-7	Jer 39:4-7; Jer 52:8-11.	Lam 1:3; Lam 1:6; Lam 2:2; Lam 4:19-20.
Burning of palace, temple, city	2Ki 25:8-9	Jer 39:8; Jer 52:13.	Lam 2:3-5; Lam 4:11; Lam 5:18.
Breaching of city walls	2Ki 25:10	Jer 33:4-5; Jer 52:7.	Lam 2:7-9.
Exile of people	2K 25:11-12	Jer 28:3-4; Jer 39:9-10.	Lam 1:1; Lam 1:4-5; Lam 1:18; Lam 2:9; Lam 2:14; Lam 3:2; Lam 3:19; Lam 4:22; Lam 5:2.
Temple looted	2Ki 25:13-15	Jer 51:51	Lam 1:10; Lam 2:6-7.
Execution of leaders	2Kings 25:18-21	Jer 39:6	Lam 1:15; Lam 2:2; Lam 2:20.
Vassal status of Judah	2Ki 25:22-25	Jer 40:9	Lam 1:1; Lam 5:8-9.
Failure expected foreign help	2Ki 24:7	Jer 27:1-11; Jer 37:5-10.	Lam 4:17; Lam 5:6.

Series: Questions Jeremiah Answered

Resources: Jeremiah Resources

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