notes This very insightful article helped much with the writing of this post. Background Jeremiah was a member of the priestly household of Hilkiah. His hometown was Anathoth. Ministry We only know the prophet Jeremiah began prophesying in the 13th year of king Josiah. After discovering a book of law during the construction of a temple, Josiah was one of the only righteous kings over Judah. The other being Hezekaih. King Josiah is killed in a fight against the Egyptians in Megiddo and the following Kings are wicked.