Jeremiah maps & timelines

Geographic Context

Jeremiah’s ministry is centered in Jerusalem and his nearby hometown of Anathoth, a priestly village a few miles north in the territory of Benjamin. From the capital he addresses the kings, priests, and people of Judah, and his oracles reach out to the surrounding nations — Egypt to the southwest, the Philistine cities on the coast, Moab, Ammon, and Edom across the Jordan and to the southeast, Damascus to the north, and the desert tribes of Arabia. Looming over all is Babylon, far to the east on the Euphrates, the rising empire that God raises up as His instrument of judgment and to which the exiles are carried.

The book’s final chapters trace the tragic geography of the fall: the siege and burning of Jerusalem, the flight of the remnant to Mizpah under Gedaliah, and their forced descent into Egypt, where Jeremiah spent his last days. Thus the prophet who was called to a single land ended by speaking God’s word from Judah to Babylon to Egypt, over the whole stage of his people’s ruin and hope.

Timeline of Major Events

• c. 627 BC - Jeremiah is called in the thirteenth year of King Josiah.
• 609 BC - Josiah dies; Jehoiakim reigns; the temple sermon is delivered.
• 605 BC - Babylon defeats Egypt at Carchemish; the first deportation, including Daniel.
• 597 BC - Jehoiachin and many exiles carried to Babylon; Zedekiah installed as king.
• 588-586 BC - The final siege and fall of Jerusalem; the temple burned and the people exiled.
• 586 BC - Gedaliah governs the remnant and is assassinated; the remnant flees to Egypt with Jeremiah.
• c. 585-580 BC - Jeremiah’s last prophecies in Egypt.