Jeremiah 1:2

KJV

To whom the word of the LORD came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign.

KJV (with Strong's)

To whom the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068} came in the days {H3117} of Josiah {H2977} the son {H1121} of Amon {H526} king {H4428} of Judah {H3063}, in the thirteenth {H7969}{H6240} year {H8141} of his reign {H4427}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The word of ADONAI came to him during the days of Yoshiyahu the son of Amon, king of Y'hudah, in the thirteenth year of his reign.

Berean Standard Bible

The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah in the thirteenth year of the reign of Josiah son of Amon king of Judah,

American Standard Version

to whom the word of Jehovah came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 1:2 serves as a pivotal historical and theological anchor, precisely dating the commencement of Jeremiah's prophetic ministry. It establishes that God's authoritative word came to Jeremiah during the reign of King Josiah of Judah, specifically in his thirteenth year, thereby grounding divine revelation firmly within the concrete realities of human history and political leadership. This precision underscores the intentionality of God's communication and sets the stage for the challenging messages Jeremiah was commissioned to deliver to a nation on the brink of judgment, highlighting the divine initiative behind his prophetic call.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the opening superscription of the book, which identifies the prophet Jeremiah and his lineage in [Jeremiah 1:1](/jeremiah/1-1 "Jeremiah 1:1 - Jeremiah's Identity"). Jeremiah 1:2-3 then functions as a temporal frame for his entire prophetic career, specifying the precise period during which "the word of the LORD came" to him. By providing these chronological details before the account of Jeremiah's divine call, which begins in [Jeremiah 1:4](/jeremiah/1-4 "Jeremiah 1:4 - Jeremiah's Divine Call"), the text emphasizes the historical reality and divine authority behind his subsequent prophecies. It transitions from simply naming the prophet to establishing the specific historical moment of his divine commissioning, setting the stage for the profound messages that follow.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah's ministry began in the thirteenth year of King Josiah's reign, approximately 627/626 BC. This was a critical juncture in Judah's history. Josiah (640-609 BC) was a righteous king who initiated significant religious reforms, seeking to purge idolatry and restore the worship of Yahweh after decades of apostasy under his predecessors, Manasseh and Amon. These reforms, detailed in [2 Kings 22-23](/2_kings/22 "2 Kings 22-23 - Josiah's Reforms") and [2 Chronicles 34-35](/2_chronicles/34 "2 Chronicles 34-35 - Josiah's Reforms"), were spurred by the discovery of the Book of the Law in the Temple. Despite Josiah's earnest efforts, the spiritual revival was largely superficial for many, and the people's hearts remained prone to idolatry and disobedience. Geopolitically, the mighty Assyrian Empire was in decline, creating a power vacuum that would soon be filled by the rising Babylonian Empire. Jeremiah's prophetic voice emerged into this complex environment of attempted reform, deep-seated national sin, and impending international upheaval, setting the stage for his unpopular messages of judgment and exile.
* **Key Themes:** The verse introduces several foundational themes central to the book of Jeremiah. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Initiative and Revelation**, emphasizing that Jeremiah's ministry was not self-appointed but a direct result of "the word of the LORD came" to him. This underscores God's sovereignty in choosing and commissioning His messengers, a truth echoed in passages like [Jeremiah 20:7](/jeremiah/20-7 "Jeremiah 20:7 - Jeremiah's Complaint"). Secondly, the precise dating establishes the theme of **Historical Anchoring of Prophecy**, demonstrating that God's active involvement in human affairs is not abstract but unfolds within specific times, places, and political realities. This lends credibility and urgency to Jeremiah's message, as seen in the historical precision of other prophetic books like [Isaiah](/isaiah/1 "Isaiah 1 - The Book of Isaiah"). Lastly, it implicitly introduces the **Burden of Prophecy**, as Jeremiah's calling would involve delivering difficult and often rejected messages of warning, repentance, and judgment to a stubbornly rebellious people, a theme that resonates throughout his laments and struggles (e.g., [Jeremiah 15:10](/jeremiah/15-10 "Jeremiah 15:10 - Woe is me, my mother!")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **word (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** From H1697, this term signifies more than just spoken utterances. It encompasses a "matter," "thing," "affair," or "decree." In the context of "the word of the LORD," it denotes an authoritative, active, and living communication directly from God. It is not merely human opinion or abstract thought, but a divine reality that carries power, truth, and the capacity to bring about what it declares, often involving a divine command or message.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** From H3068, this is the sacred, covenantal name of God, often transliterated as Yahweh. It signifies "the self-Existent One" or "the Eternal." The use of this specific name emphasizes that the message Jeremiah received originated from the covenant God of Israel, the one who revealed Himself to Moses and remained faithful to His promises, even when His people were unfaithful.
* **Josiah (Hebrew, _Yôʼshîyâh'_):** From H2977, this name means "founded of Jah" or "Yahweh supports." It is significant that Jeremiah's ministry began under a king whose very name subtly points to divine establishment and support, even as the nation was drifting away from the God who founded them. This king, despite his personal piety, ruled over a people whose spiritual foundation was crumbling, setting the stage for Jeremiah's challenging prophetic work.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"To whom the word of the LORD came":** This opening clause immediately establishes the divine origin and authoritative nature of Jeremiah's ministry. It highlights God's initiative; the word "came" to Jeremiah, rather than Jeremiah seeking it out or initiating the prophetic process himself. This passive construction underscores Jeremiah's role as a recipient and messenger, not the originator, of the divine message, emphasizing divine sovereignty in revelation.
* **"in the days of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah":** This phrase firmly anchors Jeremiah's prophetic activity within a specific historical epoch and royal lineage. It situates the divine revelation within the context of the Davidic monarchy in Judah, providing a precise political and dynastic framework for understanding the events and messages that follow. It connects the spiritual state of the nation to its leadership, indicating that God's word is relevant to the highest echelons of society.
* **"in the thirteenth year of his reign":** This provides an exact chronological marker, allowing for the precise dating of the commencement of Jeremiah's prophetic call to approximately 627/626 BC. This historical precision is crucial for understanding the socio-political and religious climate into which Jeremiah was called, particularly the ongoing reforms of Josiah and the looming geopolitical threats from Assyria and Babylon, underscoring the timeliness and urgency of God's message.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 1:2 employs several key literary devices that enhance its meaning and impact. The most prominent is **Historical Framing**, where the precise dating by king and regnal year situates the divine message within a verifiable historical context. This technique lends authenticity and authority to the prophetic book, asserting that God's revelation is not a mythical tale but an intervention in real human history. Another device is the **Divine Passive** in "the word... came," which subtly emphasizes God as the primary, active agent in initiating Jeremiah's ministry. Jeremiah is presented as the recipient of a sovereign divine act, underscoring God's ultimate control and purpose in commissioning His prophets. Finally, the phrase "the word of the LORD" functions as a form of **Metonymy**, where "word" stands in for God's active presence, His authoritative will, and His very being. It implies that God Himself is communicating, not merely a message, imbuing the prophetic pronouncements with ultimate divine weight and power.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 1:2 serves as a foundational statement regarding the nature of divine revelation. It affirms that God is not a distant deity but an actively engaged sovereign who communicates His will to humanity at specific junctures in history. The "word of the LORD" is presented as a dynamic, authoritative force that initiates prophetic ministry and shapes the course of nations. This concept of God speaking through His chosen messengers is a consistent theme throughout the Old Testament, demonstrating His desire to relate to His people, warn them of impending judgment, and call them back to covenant faithfulness. Jeremiah's call, rooted in this historical moment, highlights God's unwavering commitment to His covenant with Israel, even in their rebellion.

* [Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1-2 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Has Spoken Through His Son")
* [Amos 3:7](/amos/3-7 "Amos 3:7 - God Reveals His Secret to His Servants")
* [2 Peter 1:20-21](/2_peter/1-20-21 "2 Peter 1:20-21 - Prophecy Came by the Holy Spirit")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 1:2 reminds us that God is deeply invested in human history and that His divine purposes unfold within specific times and contexts. Just as Jeremiah was called to deliver God's message in a challenging and turbulent era, so too are believers today called to discern and respond to God's voice within their own historical and cultural settings. This verse encourages us to pay close attention to the specific circumstances in which God's word comes to us, whether through Scripture, prayer, or the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It challenges us to consider how our personal and communal contexts influence our reception and application of divine truth, and to cultivate the courage to speak God's truth, even when it is unpopular or confronts prevailing norms. Understanding the historical anchoring of God's word provides a robust foundation for our faith, assuring us that God is sovereign over all times and seasons, and that His word is always relevant, powerful, and ultimately true.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding the specific historical context of Jeremiah's call deepen your appreciation for God's sovereignty and timing in human affairs?**
* **In what ways does "the word of the LORD" come to us today, and how are we called to respond to it in our own specific historical and cultural contexts?**
* **What challenges might arise when God's message runs counter to prevailing cultural or spiritual norms, as it did in Jeremiah's time, and how can we faithfully navigate them?**

### FAQ
**Why is the specific date of Jeremiah's call so important?**

Answer: The specific date—"in the thirteenth year of his reign" of King Josiah—is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it grounds Jeremiah's prophecy in real, verifiable history, lending credibility and authority to his message. It demonstrates that God's actions and revelations are not mythical but deeply interwoven with the fabric of human events. Secondly, it allows us to understand the precise socio-political and spiritual climate that shaped Jeremiah's ministry. His call occurred during Josiah's reforms, a period of attempted spiritual renewal, yet also one where deep-seated idolatry and moral decay persisted. This context helps explain the nature and urgency of Jeremiah's often harsh messages of judgment and his subsequent laments, as seen throughout the book of [Jeremiah](/jeremiah/1 "Jeremiah - The Book of Jeremiah").

**What does "the word of the LORD came" signify?**

Answer: This phrase signifies divine initiative and absolute authority. It means that Jeremiah's prophetic ministry was not a self-appointed task or a product of human wisdom, but a direct, unsolicited revelation from God Himself. The "word of the LORD" (Hebrew: *dâbâr Yᵉhôvâh*) is a powerful theological concept throughout the Old Testament, denoting a living, active, and authoritative communication from the covenant God of Israel. It carries His power, truth, and purpose, often acting as a creative force (e.g., [Genesis 1:3](/genesis/1-3 "Genesis 1:3 - God said, Let there be light")) or a judicial decree. For Jeremiah, it was the irresistible, compelling force that propelled him into a challenging and often painful ministry, as he himself attests in [Jeremiah 20:9](/jeremiah/20-9 "Jeremiah 20:9 - His word was in my heart as a burning fire").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 1:2, by emphasizing "the word of the LORD" coming to a prophet in a specific historical moment, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate and final revelation of God in Jesus Christ. While Jeremiah received the word, Jesus *is* the Word (Greek: *Logos*), the very embodiment of God's self-revelation. As [John 1:1-3](/john/1-1-3 "John 1:1-3 - In the beginning was the Word") declares, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... All things were made by him." The Old Testament prophets, like Jeremiah, spoke God's word in fragments and shadows, but in Christ, God has spoken definitively and completely (as affirmed in [Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1-2 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Has Spoken Through His Son")). Moreover, just as Jeremiah's ministry was anchored in the specific historical context of Josiah's reign, so too was Christ's incarnation and ministry firmly rooted in a precise historical and cultural setting, "when the fullness of the time was come" ([Galatians 4:4](/galatians/4-4 "Galatians 4:4 - God sent forth His Son")). Jesus, the Living Word, came to a rebellious people, much like Jeremiah's Judah, but offered not just a message of judgment, but the ultimate salvation through His sacrificial life, death, and resurrection, embodying the very essence of God's covenant faithfulness and redemptive purpose ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God so loved the world")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Micah 1:1

¶ The word of the LORD that came to Micah the Morasthite in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, [and] Hezekiah, kings of Judah, which he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem.

Jeremiah 1:11

¶ Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou? And I said, I see a rod of an almond tree.

Jonah 1:1

¶ Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,

Jeremiah 1:4

¶ Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

1 Kings 13:20

And it came to pass, as they sat at the table, that the word of the LORD came unto the prophet that brought him back:

Hosea 1:1

¶ The word of the LORD that came unto Hosea, the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, [and] Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel.

2 Kings 21:24

And the people of the land slew all them that had conspired against king Amon; and the people of the land made Josiah his son king in his stead.