Jeremiah 13:3

KJV

And the word of the LORD came unto me the second time, saying,

KJV (with Strong's)

And the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068} came unto me the second time {H8145}, saying {H559},

Complete Jewish Bible

Then the word of ADONAI came to me a second time:

Berean Standard Bible

Then the word of the LORD came to me a second time:

American Standard Version

And the word of Jehovah came unto me the second time, saying,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 13:3 serves as a pivotal transitional verse, marking the continuation and amplification of a divine message from the LORD to the prophet Jeremiah. It signals a new phase in the unfolding symbolic act involving the linen girdle, emphasizing the deliberate and progressive nature of God's revelation and preparing the audience for further instructions and the deeper theological implications of the prophetic sign. This verse underscores the direct and authoritative source of Jeremiah's ministry, reiterating that his pronouncements are not his own, but the very words of the Almighty.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the initial divine command given to Jeremiah in [Jeremiah 13:1-2](/jeremiah/13-1 "Jeremiah 13:1-2 - The First Command Regarding the Linen Girdle"), where he was instructed to acquire and wear a linen girdle. The phrase "the second time" explicitly connects this new communication to the preceding one, indicating that the prophetic action is unfolding in stages. The girdle, initially symbolizing the close covenant relationship God desired with Judah, is about to undergo a transformation that will visually represent the nation's spiritual decay and God's impending judgment. This sequential revelation builds narrative tension and prepares the reader for the subsequent command to hide the girdle by the Euphrates, as detailed in [Jeremiah 13:4](/jeremiah/13-4 "Jeremiah 13:4 - The Command to Hide the Girdle").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah's ministry occurred during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, spanning the reigns of the last kings before the Babylonian exile (late 7th and early 6th centuries BCE). The nation had consistently departed from the covenant with Yahweh, engaging in idolatry, social injustice, and spiritual apostasy. Prophets like Jeremiah were God's primary means of communicating warnings, calls to repentance, and pronouncements of judgment to a rebellious people. Symbolic acts, such as the linen girdle, were common prophetic tools, designed to powerfully convey abstract spiritual truths through tangible, memorable actions that resonated with the cultural understanding of the time. The very act of God speaking "the word of the LORD" to a prophet was a hallmark of divine intervention in the life of the nation, signifying a direct address from the sovereign ruler of Israel.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 13:3 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Jeremiah. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Communication**, emphasizing that God actively speaks to His people through chosen vessels, ensuring His will and warnings are made known. The repetition of "the word of the LORD came unto me" reinforces the divine origin and authority of Jeremiah's message, a central element of his prophetic calling as seen from [Jeremiah 1:4](/jeremiah/1-4 "Jeremiah 1:4 - Jeremiah's Prophetic Call"). Secondly, the mention of "the second time" underscores the **Continuity and Progressive Nature of Revelation**. God's plan often unfolds in distinct phases, building upon prior instructions and insights, preparing the audience for deeper understanding or further action. This progressive revelation is crucial for understanding the full scope of God's judgment and restoration, as seen throughout Jeremiah's prophecies. Lastly, the verse reinforces **Prophetic Authority and Obedience**, as Jeremiah's role is to faithfully receive and convey God's precise instructions, regardless of their difficulty or the people's resistance.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **word (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** This term, used frequently in prophetic literature, signifies more than a mere utterance; it denotes a direct, authoritative, and active communication from God. It carries inherent power, representing God's will, decree, and often, His active intervention in human affairs. In this context, it emphasizes the divine origin and certainty of the message Jeremiah is about to receive and deliver.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the sacred, covenantal name of God, often translated as "Yahweh" or "Jehovah." It speaks to God's self-existence, eternal nature, and His covenant faithfulness to Israel. The use of this name here underscores that the message is not from a lesser deity or human source, but from the sovereign, covenant-keeping God of Israel, the one who holds ultimate authority and power.
* **second time (Hebrew, _shênîy'_):** Derived from a root meaning "double," this word literally signifies "a second instance" or "again." Its inclusion here is crucial for understanding the narrative flow, indicating that the divine communication is not a new, isolated event but a continuation and elaboration of a previously given instruction. It highlights the progressive nature of God's revelation and the deliberate unfolding of the symbolic act.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the word of the LORD came unto me":** This opening clause immediately establishes the divine source and authority of the message. It is not Jeremiah's own thoughts or opinions, but a direct, active communication from Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. This phrase is a common prophetic formula, lending immense weight and certainty to the subsequent revelation.
* **"the second time":** This phrase serves as a crucial narrative link, explicitly connecting the current divine communication to the initial instruction given in [Jeremiah 13:1-2](/jeremiah/13-1 "Jeremiah 13:1-2 - The First Command Regarding the Linen Girdle"). It indicates that God's plan is unfolding in stages, building upon previous commands and preparing Jeremiah and the audience for further details concerning the symbolic act of the girdle. It underscores the deliberate and progressive nature of God's revelation.
* **"saying":** This participle introduces the content of the divine message that follows. It signifies that the communication is direct speech, a precise command or declaration that Jeremiah is to receive and transmit. It sets the stage for the specific instructions regarding the next phase of the symbolic act, which will be revealed in the subsequent verses.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 13:3, though brief, employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is **Repetition**, specifically the recurring prophetic formula "the word of the LORD came unto me." This repetition, a hallmark of prophetic literature, serves to emphasize the divine origin and authoritative nature of Jeremiah's message, reinforcing that his words are not his own but God's. The phrase "the second time" also acts as a form of **Anaphora** (though not strictly at the beginning of a clause, it marks a clear progression), signaling a continuation and building upon previous divine instructions, creating a sense of unfolding narrative and deliberate divine action. Furthermore, the verse functions as a **Transition**, bridging the initial command about the girdle in [Jeremiah 13:1-2](/jeremiah/13-1 "Jeremiah 13:1-2 - The First Command Regarding the Linen Girdle") to the subsequent, more elaborate instructions in [Jeremiah 13:4ff](/jeremiah/13-4 "Jeremiah 13:4 - The Command to Hide the Girdle"). This transitional quality prepares the reader for the next phase of the symbolic act and its deeper theological implications.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 13:3 profoundly underscores the active and personal nature of God's communication with humanity, particularly through His chosen prophets. It highlights that God is not silent but consistently reveals His will, warnings, and purposes. The "word of the LORD" is portrayed as dynamic and authoritative, not merely informative but transformative, carrying the power to bring about what it declares. The fact that it came "the second time" illustrates God's patience and persistence in communicating with a rebellious people, unfolding His message in stages to ensure its clarity and impact. This divine initiative in speaking to His people is foundational to the entire biblical narrative, demonstrating His desire for relationship and His unwavering commitment to His covenant purposes, even in the face of human unfaithfulness.

* [Hosea 1:1](/hosea/1-1 "Hosea 1:1 - The Word of the LORD to Hosea")
* [Ezekiel 1:3](/ezekiel/1-3 "Ezekiel 1:3 - The Word of the LORD to Ezekiel")
* [Luke 3:2](/luke/3-2 "Luke 3:2 - The Word of God Came to John")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 13:3, though brief, offers profound insights for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God is a speaking God who desires to communicate with His people. While we do not typically receive direct audible words or specific prophetic commands in the same manner as Jeremiah, God's primary means of revelation to us is through His written Word, the Bible. This verse calls us to cultivate a posture of attentive listening and obedience to Scripture, recognizing that it is the very "word of the LORD" for our lives. Just as Jeremiah received instructions in stages, we too may find God's guidance unfolding progressively, requiring patience, faith, and continued engagement with His truth. Our spiritual growth and understanding are often a journey of receiving and applying God's word, step by step, trusting that He will reveal what we need to know in His perfect timing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do I actively seek to hear "the word of the LORD" in my daily life?**
* **How does understanding God's progressive revelation encourage me when I don't immediately grasp His full plan or purpose?**
* **What specific areas of my life need to be brought into greater alignment with the authoritative "word of the LORD" as revealed in Scripture?**

### FAQ
**Why is it significant that the word of the LORD came "the second time" to Jeremiah?**

Answer: The phrase "the second time" is highly significant because it emphasizes the continuity and progressive nature of God's revelation and plan. It indicates that the divine communication is not a one-off event but an ongoing dialogue, building upon previous instructions. In the context of [Jeremiah 13](/jeremiah/13 "Jeremiah 13 - The Linen Girdle and Judah's Pride"), it signals that the symbolic act of the linen girdle, initially introduced in [Jeremiah 13:1-2](/jeremiah/13-1 "Jeremiah 13:1-2 - The First Command Regarding the Linen Girdle"), is entering a new phase. God is deliberately unfolding His message step by step, allowing Jeremiah (and by extension, the people of Judah) to grasp the full weight and implications of the prophetic sign as it develops. It underscores God's patience and thoroughness in conveying His will.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 13:3, with its emphasis on "the word of the LORD" coming to the prophet, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ. While Jeremiah was a conduit for God's spoken word, Jesus *is* the living Word of God made flesh, as declared in [John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God") and [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"). All of God's communication, revelation, and redemptive purposes culminate in Him. The "word of the LORD" that came to Jeremiah was a partial and progressive unveiling of God's truth, but in Christ, the fullness of God's character and plan is revealed ([Colossians 2:9](/colossians/2-9 "Colossians 2:9 - The Fullness of Deity in Christ")). Jesus is not merely a messenger but the message itself, the perfect embodiment of God's will and wisdom ([Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Has Spoken by His Son")). Through His life, death, and resurrection, God has spoken His final and decisive word of salvation and judgment to humanity, inviting all to respond to the ultimate revelation of Himself in the person of His Son ([John 3:16-17](/john/3-16 "John 3:16-17 - 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

Jeremiah 13:8

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