Jeremiah 1:4

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Then the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068} came unto me, saying {H559},

Complete Jewish Bible

Here is the word of ADONAI that came to me:

Berean Standard Bible

The word of the LORD came to me, saying:

American Standard Version

Now the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 1:4 serves as the foundational declaration of Jeremiah's prophetic commission, immediately establishing the divine origin and authority of his forthcoming ministry. This concise statement marks the transition from the introductory verses to the direct account of God's call, emphasizing that the messages Jeremiah is about to deliver are not human pronouncements but direct, authoritative revelations from the sovereign Lord.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the superscription of the book of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:1-3), which identifies the prophet, his lineage, and the historical period of his ministry, spanning the reigns of Josiah, Jehoiakim, and Zedekiah. Jeremiah 1:4 thus transitions from a general introduction to the specific, personal encounter between God and Jeremiah that initiates his prophetic calling. It sets the stage for the detailed account of Jeremiah's divine commission in the subsequent verses, where God reveals His foreknowledge of Jeremiah, His sanctification of him, and His appointment of him as a prophet to the nations, as seen in [Jeremiah 1:5-10](/jeremiah/1-5 "Jeremiah 1:5-10 - God's Call to Jeremiah"). The phrase "Then the word of the LORD came unto me" is a classic prophetic formula, signaling a direct divine revelation and establishing the authoritative basis for all that follows in the book.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah's ministry unfolded during a profoundly turbulent and pivotal period in Judah's history, leading up to and encompassing the Babylonian exile. The nation was in spiritual decline, marked by idolatry, social injustice, and political instability, despite the brief religious reforms under King Josiah (see [2 Kings 22-23](/2_kings/22 "2 Kings 22-23 - Josiah's Reforms")). The people had repeatedly violated their covenant with God, leading to impending divine judgment. In this context, prophets like Jeremiah served as God's spokesmen, delivering messages of warning, repentance, and judgment, often at great personal cost and facing intense opposition from kings, priests, and the populace. The concept of "the word of the LORD" coming to a prophet was a recognized cultural and religious phenomenon, signifying a direct, undeniable communication from the divine realm, distinct from human wisdom or political counsel.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 1:4 introduces several crucial themes that permeate the entire book. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Revelation**, asserting that God is a speaking God who actively communicates His will and purposes to humanity. Jeremiah's message is not human philosophy but a direct utterance from the Almighty, ensuring its truth and power. Secondly, it establishes the theme of **Prophetic Authority**, as the divine source of the word lends ultimate authority to Jeremiah's pronouncements. His ministry is divinely sanctioned, making his warnings, condemnations, and exhortations binding and unavoidable. This is crucial given the resistance he would face, as detailed in [Jeremiah 26](/jeremiah/26 "Jeremiah 26 - Jeremiah's Arrest and Deliverance"). Thirdly, the verse highlights **God's Initiative and Sovereignty** in choosing His messengers and revealing His plans. It is not Jeremiah seeking God, but God sovereignly choosing and speaking to Jeremiah, demonstrating His active involvement in human history and His unwavering commitment to His covenant purposes, even amidst judgment, as reflected in the promises of restoration found in [Jeremiah 31](/jeremiah/31 "Jeremiah 31 - The New Covenant").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **word (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** This term (H1697) is far more expansive than a mere utterance. It encompasses not only a spoken word but also a 'thing,' 'matter,' 'event,' 'decree,' 'report,' 'business,' or 'purpose.' In this context, it signifies that God's communication is not abstract but carries inherent power, consequence, and often leads to action or fulfillment. It implies a divine message that is substantive and effectual.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This (H3068) is the sacred, covenantal name of God, often rendered "Jehovah" or "Yahweh." It denotes God as "the self-Existent" or "Eternal One." Its use here emphasizes the personal, relational, and all-powerful nature of the source of the communication. It is the God who made a covenant with Israel, the God of history, who is now speaking directly to Jeremiah.
* **saying (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** This (H559) is a primitive root meaning "to say," but used with great latitude, including to "speak," "declare," "command," "appoint," or "utter." In this verse, it indicates the direct, intentional, and authoritative nature of God's communication to Jeremiah, setting the stage for the specific content of the prophetic call that follows.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ Then the word":** This phrase signals a direct, immediate divine intervention following the introductory verses. The "word" (dâbâr) here is not just an audible sound but a powerful, active, and purposeful communication from God. It implies a divine message that is substantive and effectual, carrying inherent authority and the power to bring about what it declares.
* **"of the LORD":** Identifies the ultimate source of this powerful "word" as YHWH, the covenant God of Israel. This emphasizes the divine, authoritative, and personal origin of Jeremiah's message, distinguishing it from human wisdom, opinion, or political agenda. It underscores that Jeremiah's pronouncements are God's own declarations.
* **"came unto me":** This signifies a direct, personal, and undeniable revelation to Jeremiah. It highlights God's initiative in choosing and commissioning His prophet, rather than Jeremiah seeking out a message. The phrase emphasizes the prophet's role as a recipient and conduit of divine truth.
* **"saying":** This indicates that the "word" of the LORD was not merely an impression or feeling but a clear, articulate, and verbal communication, preparing the reader for the specific content of God's call to Jeremiah that immediately follows in the subsequent verses.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Direct Divine Speech**, a fundamental literary device in prophetic literature, immediately establishing the authority and origin of Jeremiah's message. The phrase "the word of the LORD came unto me, saying" is a classic **Prophetic Formula** or **Messenger Formula**, frequently used to introduce divine oracles throughout the Old Testament. This formula serves to authenticate the prophet's message, signaling to the audience that what follows is not merely human opinion but a direct communication from God Himself. The use of "Then" at the beginning provides a sense of **Narrative Progression**, marking a pivotal moment where the general introduction gives way to the specific divine encounter that initiates Jeremiah's prophetic ministry.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 1:4 is a foundational statement about the nature of divine revelation and prophetic ministry. It asserts God's active engagement with humanity, demonstrating that He is not a distant deity but one who speaks, intervenes, and reveals His will. This divine initiative underscores the authority of the prophetic word and, by extension, the authority of Scripture as God-breathed truth. The "word of the LORD" is presented as a dynamic, powerful entity that "comes" to the prophet, implying its active, invasive, and transformative nature, rather than a passive communication. This concept of God's word as potent and effective is a recurring theological theme throughout the Bible, signifying its capacity to create, judge, and redeem.

* [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Achieves Its Purpose")
* [Hebrews 4:12](/hebrews/4-12 "Hebrews 4:12 - The Living and Active Word of God")
* [2 Peter 1:20-21](/2_peter/1-20 "2 Peter 1:20-21 - Prophecy from God, Not Human Will")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 1:4 profoundly reminds us that God is a speaking God, actively communicating His truth and will to His creation. For Jeremiah, this meant a direct, audible encounter that irrevocably shaped his life and ministry. For us today, while direct audible pronouncements are rare, God continues to speak authoritatively through His inspired written Word, the Bible, and through the indwelling Holy Spirit who illuminates Scripture. This verse calls us to cultivate a posture of attentive listening and humble submission to God's revealed truth. It challenges us to recognize the divine authority inherent in biblical teachings, trusting that they are not mere human constructs but the very words of God, powerful and relevant for guiding our lives, shaping our worldview, and equipping us for every good work. Our spiritual growth and effectiveness are directly tied to our willingness to receive, internalize, and obey "the word of the LORD."

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does recognizing the divine origin of Scripture impact your approach to reading and studying the Bible?**
* **In what ways do you believe God is speaking to you today, and how are you cultivating an "attentive ear" to His voice?**
* **What practical steps can you take to ensure that "the word of the LORD" truly "comes unto" you and shapes your daily life?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the phrase "the word of the LORD came unto me"?**

Answer: This phrase is a standard prophetic formula used throughout the Old Testament, signifying a direct, authoritative, and undeniable revelation from God to His chosen messenger. It emphasizes that the prophet's message is not a product of human wisdom, speculation, or personal opinion, but originates solely from the divine. For Jeremiah, it marked the formal initiation of his prophetic ministry, establishing the divine mandate and authority behind all his subsequent pronouncements, warnings, and prophecies. It underscores God's initiative in communicating with humanity and His sovereign choice of individuals to deliver His message, similar to the call of other prophets like Samuel in [1 Samuel 3:1-10](/1_samuel/3-1 "1 Samuel 3:1-10 - The Lord Calls Samuel").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Jeremiah 1:4 describes the commissioning of an Old Testament prophet, it profoundly foreshadows the ultimate and perfect "Word of the LORD" who would come into the world: Jesus Christ. The "word" (dâbâr) that came to Jeremiah was a message, a decree, a divine utterance, but in the New Testament, we learn that God's ultimate communication is not merely a word spoken, but a Word incarnate. [John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God") declares, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God," later identifying this Word as Jesus (see [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). Just as the word came to Jeremiah, God Himself, in the person of Jesus, "came unto" humanity, embodying the fullness of divine revelation. Jesus is the living, active, and final word of God, through whom God has definitively spoken to us (see [Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Has Spoken Through His Son")). He is the ultimate fulfillment of God's speaking, not just delivering a message, but being the message, the very embodiment of God's truth, grace, and redemptive purpose for the world, echoing the power and authority of the "word of the LORD" that initiated Jeremiah's call.

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

Ezekiel 3:16

¶ And it came to pass at the end of seven days, that the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

Ezekiel 1:3

The word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the LORD was there upon him.

Jeremiah 1:2

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.