Jeremiah 17:15

KJV

Behold, they say unto me, Where [is] the word of the LORD? let it come now.

KJV (with Strong's)

Behold, they say {H559} unto me, Where is the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068}? let it come {H935} now.

Complete Jewish Bible

They keep asking me, "Where is the word of ADONAI? Let it come now."

Berean Standard Bible

Behold, they keep saying to me, “Where is the word of the LORD? Let it come now!”

American Standard Version

Behold, they say unto me, Where is the word of Jehovah? let it come now.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 17:15 vividly captures the profound spiritual resistance and outright mockery faced by the prophet Jeremiah. As he faithfully delivered the LORD's messages of impending judgment and exile, the people of Judah, deeply entrenched in their sin and a false sense of security, scoffed at his warnings. Their sarcastic and impatient demand, "Where is the word of the LORD? let it come now," reveals not only a deep-seated spiritual blindness and cynicism towards divine authority but also a dangerous presumption that the absence of immediate fulfillment invalidated God's prophetic declarations. This verse encapsulates the painful reality of a prophet's ministry to a rebellious nation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within a section of Jeremiah's prophetic ministry that highlights both his personal anguish and the nation's stubborn rebellion. Immediately preceding this passage, Jeremiah has powerfully contrasted the blessedness of trusting in the LORD with the curse of relying on human strength ([Jeremiah 17:5-8](/jeremiah/17-5-8 "Jeremiah 17:5-8 - Trusting in the Lord vs. Man")). He has also laid bare the profound deceitfulness of the human heart, asserting that it is "desperately sick" and unfathomable to human understanding, known only to the LORD who searches the mind and tests the heart ([Jeremiah 17:9-10](/jeremiah/17-9-10 "Jeremiah 17:9-10 - The Deceitful Heart")). The people's taunt in verse 15 serves as a direct, scornful response to Jeremiah's unwavering pronouncements of judgment, demonstrating their refusal to believe or repent. It underscores the severity of their spiritual condition, which has been described earlier in the chapter as sin "written with a pen of iron" and engraved on the tablets of their hearts ([Jeremiah 17:1](/jeremiah/17-1 "Jeremiah 17:1 - Judah's Sin Inscribed")). This public challenge also sets the stage for Jeremiah's subsequent prayer for vindication and deliverance from those who mock him, found in [Jeremiah 17:16-18](/jeremiah/17-16-18 "Jeremiah 17:16-18 - Jeremiah's Prayer for Vindication"), revealing the prophet's personal struggle amidst the nation's unbelief.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah prophesied during a profoundly turbulent and morally corrupt period in Judah's history, spanning the reigns of the last kings before the Babylonian exile (late 7th to early 6th century BCE). The nation was deeply steeped in idolatry, social injustice, and a superficial, ritualistic religion that failed to produce genuine repentance. Despite repeated warnings from God's true prophets, including Jeremiah, the people clung to a false sense of security, believing that their covenant relationship with God or the presence of the Temple in Jerusalem would protect them from any real harm. This era was also rife with false prophets who contradicted Jeremiah's messages, promising peace and prosperity, thereby validating the people's sinful ways and making Jeremiah's dire predictions seem unfounded or even unpatriotic. In this cultural climate, a prophet whose prophecies of disaster did not immediately materialize was often dismissed as a charlatan or a pessimist. The people's demand for the "word of the LORD" to "come now" reflects a cultural expectation for immediate divine intervention, or more cynically, a desire for Jeremiah's prophecies to fail so they could continue in their rebellion unmolested. This challenge was a common tactic used to discredit true prophets throughout Israel's history.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 17:15 powerfully encapsulates several critical theological and narrative themes. Firstly, it starkly illustrates **Skepticism and Scorn** directed not merely at the prophet Jeremiah, but, more profoundly, at the very word and authority of God Himself. The people's question is not a sincere inquiry but a cynical challenge to divine veracity. Secondly, the verse exposes a deep-seated **Impatience with God's Timing**, revealing humanity's persistent desire for immediate gratification or refutation, failing to comprehend the depth of God's sovereign patience and long-suffering that allows time for repentance. Thirdly, it underscores the blatant **Rejection of Prophetic Authority**, as the people's challenge to the fulfillment of Jeremiah's words implicitly denies his legitimacy as a true spokesman for the LORD. This rejection highlights the spiritual blindness that permeated Judah. Finally, the verse powerfully sets the stage for the theme of **Divine Vindication**, as the eventual Babylonian invasion and exile served as irrefutable proof that God's word, though seemingly delayed to human perception, ultimately accomplishes its purpose with perfect precision, a truth echoed in passages like [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Accomplishes Its Purpose").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Word (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** This term (H1697) is far more comprehensive than a mere spoken utterance. It encompasses a message, a decree, a matter, an affair, or a thing. In this context, "the word of the LORD" refers to God's authoritative pronouncements, His revealed will, and specifically, the prophecies of judgment and coming calamity delivered through Jeremiah. The people are not just asking about a sound, but about the manifestation and fulfillment of God's powerful, consequential declarations that carry divine weight and certainty.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the sacred, covenantal name of God (H3068), often transliterated as Jehovah or Yahweh, signifying "the self-Existent One" or "the Eternal." It emphasizes God's unchanging, sovereign nature and His absolute faithfulness to His covenants and promises. By questioning "the word of the LORD," the people are directly challenging the integrity, power, and very character of the one true God, implying He is either unable or unwilling to fulfill His declared intentions, thereby undermining His divine essence.
* **Say (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** The verb (H559) means "to say" or "to speak," but its usage here, in conjunction with the rhetorical question and imperative, conveys a strong sense of mockery, challenge, and derision. It's not a neutral statement but an expression of disbelief and contempt from a hardened heart, indicating a deliberate and defiant questioning of Jeremiah's prophetic message.
* **Come (Hebrew, _bôwʼ'_):** This primitive root (H935) means "to go or come," but in this context, it signifies "to happen," "to be fulfilled," or "to manifest." The imperative "let it come now" is a sarcastic demand for immediate proof or disproof of Jeremiah's prophecies. It highlights their impatience and their desire for God's word to conform to their timeline, rather than trusting in His sovereign timing and ultimate purpose.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Behold, they say unto me,"**: This opening phrase immediately sets a dramatic scene, drawing attention to the direct and public nature of the confrontation Jeremiah is enduring. The interjection "Behold" (הִנֵּה, _hinnēh_) functions to emphasize the collective voice of the people, highlighting the widespread scorn and opposition directed at the prophet. It underscores the personal anguish Jeremiah experiences as he faces the defiant unbelief of his own countrymen.
* **"Where [is] the word of the LORD?"**: This is a deeply cynical and rhetorical question, laden with doubt and scorn. It is not a genuine inquiry seeking understanding, but rather a taunt implying that because Jeremiah's prophecies of immediate judgment have not yet materialized to their satisfaction, his words—and by extension, God's word—are false, impotent, or merely empty threats. This question directly challenges the authority, veracity, and power of divine revelation itself.
* **"let it come now."**: This is an impatient and sarcastic imperative, revealing the people's hardened hearts and their refusal to heed the call to repentance. It expresses a desire for immediate fulfillment, either to see the promised judgment so they can believe, or more likely, for it to fail to materialize so they can definitively dismiss Jeremiah and his inconvenient warnings, thereby justifying their continued sin without fear of consequence. It underscores their audacious attempt to dictate God's timing and test His faithfulness on their own terms.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 17:15 effectively employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message of human rebellion and divine patience. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, "Where [is] the word of the LORD?", which is posed not to elicit information but to express profound doubt, scorn, and a direct challenge to divine authority. This question is imbued with deep **Irony**, as the very "word of the LORD" they mock will indeed come to pass, bringing the judgment they deny, albeit in God's perfect and sovereign timing. There is a clear **Antithesis** between the people's demand for immediate gratification and God's patient, sovereign timing, which allows for repentance but also ensures ultimate justice. Furthermore, the verse serves as a subtle **Foreshadowing** of the eventual vindication of Jeremiah's prophecies through the devastating Babylonian exile, proving beyond doubt that God's word never returns void, even when doubted, delayed, or dismissed by human perception.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 17:15 serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of divine patience, human impatience, and the unwavering faithfulness of God's word. It highlights the inherent tension between God's sovereign timing, which often appears slow or delayed to human perception, and humanity's desire for immediate results or gratification. The people's taunt reveals a deep spiritual blindness and a failure to grasp that God's delays are often opportunities for repentance, a demonstration of His long-suffering, or part of a larger, perfect plan that transcends human understanding. This verse underscores the truth that God's word, unlike human promises, is always true, eternally reliable, and will ultimately accomplish its intended purpose, regardless of the skepticism, scorn, or impatience it faces. It reminds us that genuine faith often requires enduring patience, trusting in God's unchanging character and the certainty of His declarations even when circumstances seem to contradict His promises or when His timetable differs from our own.

* [2 Peter 3:3-9](/2_peter/3-3-9 "2 Peter 3:3-9 - Scoffers and the Lord's Delay")
* [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Accomplishes Its Purpose")
* [Habakkuk 2:3](/habakkuk/2-3 "Habakkuk 2:3 - The Vision Awaits Its Appointed Time")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 17:15 stands as a powerful challenge for us to critically examine our own hearts for any traces of skepticism, impatience, or cynicism when God's promises, warnings, or purposes seem delayed in their fulfillment. In a culture that increasingly demands instant gratification and immediate results, it is remarkably easy to grow weary of waiting for God's timing, whether for personal breakthroughs, the manifestation of prophetic words, or the ultimate return of Christ. This verse serves as a potent reminder that true, biblical faith is not contingent on immediate visible evidence but is firmly rooted in the unchanging character of God and the absolute certainty of His word. It calls us to cultivate a spirit of patient endurance, unwavering perseverance, and steadfast trust, even when faced with the taunts of a doubting world, the whispers of our own impatient hearts, or the apparent slowness of divine providence. Furthermore, it encourages believers to remain courageous and steadfast in proclaiming unpopular biblical truths, knowing that divine vindication, though it may be delayed in human perception, is always sure and will ultimately glorify God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I typically react when God's promises or warnings in Scripture do not seem to materialize according to my desired timeline or expectations?**
* **In what specific areas of my life am I most prone to impatience with God's timing, and what practical steps can I take to cultivate greater trust and perseverance?**
* **What are the spiritual dangers of dismissing, mocking, or disbelieving God's word simply because its fulfillment is not immediate or visibly apparent?**
* **How can I courageously stand firm in proclaiming and living out biblical truth, even when it is unpopular, inconvenient, or met with skepticism and scorn by others?**

### FAQ
**Why did the people mock Jeremiah and demand immediate fulfillment of his prophecies?**

Answer: The people mocked Jeremiah primarily due to their profound spiritual blindness, hardened hearts, and deep-seated unwillingness to repent from their pervasive sins. They were heavily influenced by false prophets who delivered comforting, yet deceptive, messages of peace and prosperity, which directly contradicted Jeremiah's dire warnings of impending judgment and exile. When Jeremiah's prophecies of immediate doom did not instantly materialize, they seized upon this perceived delay as a convenient opportunity to discredit him and, by extension, the God he claimed to represent. Their demand "let it come now" was a cynical, audacious challenge, implying that if God's word were truly powerful and true, it would manifest instantly, thus proving Jeremiah a false prophet and allowing them to continue in their sinful ways without fear of consequence. They failed to grasp God's immense patience, which offered them precious time for repentance, and His sovereign timing, which operates beyond human comprehension and for His ultimate purposes, as seen throughout [the Old Testament](/genesis/1 "The Book of Genesis").

**What does the phrase "Where is the word of the LORD? let it come now" signify about the people's spiritual condition?**

Answer: This phrase reveals a profound spiritual decay and a state of active rebellion against God. The rhetorical question, "Where is the word of the LORD?", expresses deep skepticism, pervasive cynicism, and a blatant challenge to divine authority and faithfulness. It signifies a fundamental lack of faith in God's power, His integrity, and His commitment to His own declarations. The subsequent imperative, "let it come now," underscores their impatience, their desire to test God on their own terms, and perhaps even a defiant dare for God to bring the judgment, believing themselves immune or that His threats were empty. This attitude is indicative of a people who have decisively rejected divine counsel, preferring their own delusions of security and self-sufficiency over the uncomfortable, yet redemptive, truth of God's impending judgment. It highlights a spiritual arrogance that presumes to dictate terms to the Almighty, a dangerous posture that ultimately leads to destruction, as documented in [Jeremiah's prophecies](/jeremiah/1 "The Book of Jeremiah").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 17:15, though a cry of mockery leveled against God's prophet, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is the very "Word of the LORD" made flesh ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). Just as Jeremiah faced scorn, skepticism, and demands for immediate proof of his prophetic words, Jesus, the ultimate Prophet and embodiment of divine truth, endured similar taunts and challenges throughout His earthly ministry. The religious leaders and crowds frequently demanded signs to validate His claims ([Matthew 12:38-39](/matthew/12-38-39 "Matthew 12:38-39 - The Sign of Jonah")), and most poignantly, during His crucifixion, they mocked His divine authority, daring Him to "come down from the cross" if He truly was the Son of God ([Matthew 27:40](/matthew/27-40 "Matthew 27:40 - Mockery at the Cross")). The apparent "delay" in the full establishment of His kingdom and His promised second coming is also met with similar skepticism by scoffers in every generation, who ask, "Where is the promise of his coming?" ([2 Peter 3:3-4](/2_peter/3-3-4 "2 Peter 3:3-4 - Scoffers in the Last Days")). Yet, just as Jeremiah's prophecies were ultimately and undeniably vindicated by the Babylonian exile, so too was Christ's word and identity supremely vindicated by His glorious resurrection from the dead ([Romans 1:4](/romans/1-4 "Romans 1:4 - Declared Son of God by Resurrection")) and will be fully revealed at His triumphant return. Jesus perfectly embodies the "word of the LORD" that does not return void ([Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Accomplishes Its Purpose")), for in Him, every promise of God finds its resounding "Yes" and "Amen" to the glory of God ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises are Yes in Christ")).

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

Isaiah 5:19

That say, Let him make speed, [and] hasten his work, that we may see [it]: and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw nigh and come, that we may know [it]!

Jeremiah 20:7

¶ O LORD, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived: thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me.

Jeremiah 20:8

For since I spake, I cried out, I cried violence and spoil; because the word of the LORD was made a reproach unto me, and a derision, daily.

Ezekiel 12:27

Son of man, behold, [they of] the house of Israel say, The vision that he seeth [is] for many days [to come], and he prophesieth of the times [that are] far off.

Ezekiel 12:28

Therefore say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; There shall none of my words be prolonged any more, but the word which I have spoken shall be done, saith the Lord GOD.

2 Peter 3:3

¶ Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,

2 Peter 3:4

And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as [they were] from the beginning of the creation.