Ἱερεμίας (Hieremias)

Hieremias

Jeremiah

G2408 · Greek · New Testament · 3 verses

Language: Koine Greek
Testament: New Testament
Occurrences: 3 verses
Root: —

Word Overview

The name Hieremias identifies the Old Testament prophet Jeremiah in the New Testament. It is a Greek transliteration of the Hebrew Yirmeyahu, which means "whom Jehovah has appointed." This title reflects his calling as a priest from Anathoth who received his prophetic mission at a young age and served for decades during a turbulent period in Judah’s history.

Although Jeremiah is a major figure in the Hebrew Scriptures, this specific Greek form appears only three times in the New Testament, all within the Gospel of Matthew. The references place him alongside other significant biblical figures such as John the Baptist (Matthew 16:14) and link his ministry to events surrounding Jesus’ birth and death (Matthew 2:17; 27:9).

In Matthew 27:9, the author attributes a prophecy about thirty pieces of silver to Jeremiah. While this specific quote is more closely associated with Zechariah in the Old Testament, early Christian tradition often grouped prophetic texts under the authority of the major prophets. This usage highlights how New Testament writers viewed the Hebrew Scriptures as a unified witness to Christ.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The name Hieremias appears in the New Testament to identify the prophet Jeremiah, whose life and words point toward the work of Jesus. In Matthew’s Gospel, this reference serves as a bridge between the Old Testament promises and their fulfillment in Christ. When the evangelist mentions Jeremiah, he invites readers to see how the history of Israel converges in the person of the Savior.

One notable instance links Jeremiah to the sorrowful events surrounding Jesus’ birth, recalling the weeping in Ramah. This connection reminds us that God is present even in times of deep grief and uncertainty. The biblical narrative shows that divine purposes unfold through human history, bringing hope to those who mourn.

Another reference places Jeremiah among the figures people considered when asking about John the Baptist’s identity. This highlights the enduring influence of prophetic voices in Jewish memory. For believers today, these mentions encourage a trust in God’s faithful plan, which spans generations and brings light into dark seasons.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.

Jeremiah3×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

Ἰερεμίου2×
Ἰερεμίαν1×

Key Verses

Matthew 2:17
Then that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying,

This verse connects Jeremiah to the mourning of Rachel, showing how Jesus’ early life fulfilled ancient patterns of sorrow and hope.
Matthew 16:14
They said, “Some say John the Baptizer, some, Elijah, and others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

Here, people speculate that John might be Elijah or Jeremiah, reflecting the expectation that a great prophet would return before the Messiah.
Matthew 27:9
Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying, “They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him upon whom a price had been set, whom some of the children of Israel priced,

The Gospel attributes the prophecy about thirty pieces of silver to Jeremiah, emphasizing the unity of Scripture in witnessing to Christ’s betrayal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Hieremias mean in the New Testament?

Hieremias is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Jeremiah. It identifies the Old Testament prophet whose writings and life are referenced in the Gospels to show how Jesus fulfilled Scripture.

Why is Jeremiah mentioned in Matthew 27:9?

Matthew cites Jeremiah regarding the thirty pieces of silver used to buy a field. Although the original prophecy appears in Zechariah, early Christian tradition often grouped minor prophets with major ones, highlighting the unified witness of the Old Testament.

How is Hieremias different from other prophets mentioned in the Gospels?

Jeremiah is unique for his role as a priest and his long ministry during Judah’s decline. In the New Testament, he is cited to connect Jesus’ birth and death with specific Old Testament events, showing God’s consistent plan throughout history.

Every Occurrence (3 verses across 1 books)

Matthew 3 verses

Matthew 2:17

Then that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying,

Matthew 16:14

They said, “Some say John the Baptizer, some, Elijah, and others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

Matthew 27:9

Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying, “They took the thirty pieces of silver,…