(the Prophecy of), a canonical book of the Old Testament. This divine writer was of the race of the priests, the son of Hilliah of Anathoth, of the tribe of Benjamin. He was called to the prophetic office when very young, about the 13th year of Josiah, and continued in the discharge of it about 40 years. He was not carried captive to Babylon with the other Jews, but remained in Judea to lament the desolation of his country. He was afterwards a prisoner in Egypt with his disciple Baruch, where it is supposed he died in a very advanced age. Some of the Christian fathers tell us he was stoned to death by the Jews, for preaching against their idolatry; and some say he was put to death by Pharaoh Hophrah, because of his prophecy against him. Part of the prophecy of Jeremiah relates to the time after the captivity of Israel, and before that of Judah, from the first chapter to the 44th; and part of it was in the time of the latter captivity, from the 44th chapter to the end. The prophet lays open the sins of Judah with great freedom and boldness, and reminds them of the severe judgments which had befallen the ten tribes for the same offences. He passionately laments their misfortune, and recommends a speedy reformation to them. Afterwards he predicts the grievous calamities that were approaching, particularly the 70 years captivity in Chaldea. He likewise foretells their deliverance and happy return, and the recompense which Babylon, Moab, and other enemies of the Jews, should meet with in due time. There are likewise several intimations in this prophecy concerning the kingdom of the Messiah; also several remarkable visions, and types, and historical parables relating to those times. The 52nd chapter does not belong to the prophecy of Jeremiah, but probably was added by Ezra, and contains a narrative of the taking of Jerusalem, and of what happened during the captivity of the Jews, to the death of Jehoiachin. St Jerome has observed upon this prophet, that his style is more easy than that of Isaiah and Hosea; that he retains something of the rusticity of the village where he was born; but that he is very learned and majestic, and equal to those two prophets in the sense of his prophecy.