Ἰερεμίας

Jeremiah

Definition

Ἰερεμίας is the Greek form of the name of the Hebrew prophet Jeremiah, who authored the Old Testament book bearing his name. In the New Testament, the name refers directly to this historical prophet, as when Jesus asks his disciples who people say he is, and some answer 'Jeremiah' (Matthew 16:14). However, the name is also used in a literary sense to refer to his prophetic writings, as seen when Matthew cites 'what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet' (Matthew 2:17, 27:9). This usage treats 'Jeremiah' as a shorthand for the prophetic tradition and scriptural authority associated with him.

Biblical Usage

The name Ἰερεμίας is used three times in the New Testament, exclusively in the Gospel of Matthew. It is used to identify the prophet himself in a historical context (Matthew 16:14). More significantly, it is used in formulaic citation introductions ('that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet') to attribute prophetic scripture to him, even when the referenced text is from Zechariah (Matthew 27:9) or a composite (Matthew 2:17-18). This pattern shows Matthew using Jeremiah's name as an authoritative label for prophetic tradition.

Etymology

The Greek name Ἰερεμίας (Ieremias) is a direct transliteration of the Hebrew name יִרְמְיָהוּ (Yirmeyahu), meaning 'Yahweh exalts' or 'Yahweh establishes.' It entered the Greek language through the Septuagint (LXX), the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, where it is used consistently for the prophet. The New Testament usage follows this established LXX convention.

Semantic Range

The references to Jeremiah in Matthew's Gospel are theologically significant for understanding the New Testament's use of the Old. By citing 'Jeremiah,' Matthew connects Jesus's life and mission—including the massacre of infants (Matthew 2:17) and the betrayal for thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 27:9)—to the prophetic tradition of judgment, exile, and hope for restoration. This frames Jesus as the fulfillment of Israel's prophetic history. Understanding that 'Jeremiah' can represent his entire prophetic corpus enriches our reading of how the New Testament authors interpreted and applied Scripture.

In first-century Jewish and early Christian culture, Jeremiah was a major prophetic figure associated with the Babylonian exile, the promise of a new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34), and lamentation. Citing him by name carried significant weight, invoking his authority and the themes of his ministry. The apparent misattribution in Matthew 27:9 (citing Zechariah) may reflect a contemporary Jewish practice of grouping prophetic books, with Jeremiah sometimes considered the 'head' of the prophetic writings, or it may refer to a lost tradition.

προφήτης (prophētēs, G4396) — A general term for 'prophet'; Jeremiah is a specific instance of a προφήτης.

Word Details

Scripture References