Who was jeremiah before he became a prophet?

Before becoming a prophet, Jeremiah was the son of Hilkiah, a priest from the town of Anathoth in Judah. He was likely raised in a religious environment, steeped in the traditions and practices of the Israelite faith. Jeremiah's background as a priest influenced his prophetic messages, which often addressed issues of faith, morality, and the need for repentance among the people of Judah. He was called by God to deliver messages of warning and judgment, beginning his prophetic ministry around the age of 20.