When Was the Book of Jeremiah Written and Who Was the Original Audience?

Jeremiah began to prophecy during the 13th year of Josiah in 627 BC (1:2) and continued past the fall of Jerusalem in 582 BC. Thus, like Moses, he prophesied 40 years. He was a contemporary of Zephaniah, Habakkuk, Daniel, and Ezekiel. There were three phases of his prophetic ministry: (1) while Judah was under the threat of Assyria and Egypt, 627–605 BC; (2) while Babylon was threatening and laying siege to Judah, including the fall of Jerusalem, 605–586 BC; (3) while staying with the survivors in Jerusalem until the assassination of Gedaliah, and then forced to go with the exiles to Egypt, where he died 585–580(?) BC.

During Jeremiah’s ministry his primary audience was Judah and Jerusalem. He spoke to the population in general (2:2; 3:17; 7:2; 18:11); and also directly addressed Judah’s kings (13:18; 21:3, 11; 22:1-2, 11, 18, 24); her priests (20:3-6); and her prophets (23:9; 28:15). In addition, Jeremiah served as God’s messenger to those nations surrounding Judah responsible for persecuting her (chaps. 46–51). The book in its final form, as gathered by Baruch, addressed the faithful remnant of Israel in captivity. However, the writer of Scripture knew the message was profitable for all who read it (2Tm 3:16).