Jeremiah 18:5

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Complete Jewish Bible

Then the word of ADONAI came to me:

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

Then the word of Jehovah came to me, saying,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 18:5 serves as a pivotal transitional verse, introducing a profound divine revelation to the prophet Jeremiah. It marks the direct commencement of a new message from the Almighty, signaling to the audience that the subsequent discourse is not merely human insight but an authoritative utterance from the sovereign God of Israel. This brief declaration sets the stage for the powerful parable of the potter and the clay, which follows immediately, underscoring God's absolute sovereignty over nations and individuals, and His prerogative to shape, reshape, or even destroy according to His righteous will.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 18:5 acts as a crucial narrative hinge, immediately preceding the iconic parable of the potter and the clay, which begins in [Jeremiah 18:6](/jeremiah/18-6 "Jeremiah 18:6 - The Potter's Right"). Prior to this verse, Jeremiah has been delivering various messages of judgment and warning to Judah, interspersed with glimpses of hope. The preceding verses in [Jeremiah 18](/jeremiah/18 "Jeremiah 18 - The Potter and the Clay") describe Jeremiah's call to go down to the potter's house, where he observes the potter at work. Verse 5 then interrupts this observation, indicating that the divine interpretation and application of the potter's work are about to be revealed directly from the LORD. This structure emphasizes that the following message is not Jeremiah's own deduction but a divinely inspired explanation of the visual lesson.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah prophesied during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, spanning the reigns of several kings from Josiah to Zedekiah, leading up to the Babylonian exile (c. 627-586 BC). The nation was steeped in idolatry, social injustice, and a false sense of security based on the presence of the Temple in Jerusalem. God had repeatedly sent prophets to call His people to repentance, but their hearts remained hardened. The imagery of a potter and clay would have been immediately recognizable to an ancient Israelite audience, as pottery was a common and essential craft. Potters were ubiquitous, and their absolute control over the clay was a powerful metaphor for divine sovereignty, understood within the cultural framework of a hierarchical society where kings and deities held ultimate authority. The message of God's right to "break down and to destroy" nations ([Jeremiah 18:7](/jeremiah/18-7 "Jeremiah 18:7 - God's Sovereignty Over Nations")) would have resonated deeply with the political instability and encroaching imperial powers of the time.
* **Key Themes:** This verse introduces the overarching theme of **Divine Revelation**, emphasizing that God actively communicates His will and purposes to humanity through His chosen messengers. The phrase "the word of the LORD came to me" underscores the **Prophetic Authority** of Jeremiah; his pronouncements are not personal opinions but authoritative declarations from the Creator, demanding attention and obedience. This divine communication also highlights God's **Sovereignty and Control**, as the subsequent parable will illustrate His absolute right to shape and reshape nations and individuals, much like a potter with clay. It sets the stage for a message of **Judgment and Hope**, where God's just dealings with His people and the nations are revealed, along with the possibility of repentance leading to a change in divine decree, as seen in [Jeremiah 18:8](/jeremiah/18-8 "Jeremiah 18:8 - The Possibility of Repentance"). The very act of God speaking directly to Jeremiah reinforces the theme of God's **Active Involvement** in human history and His covenant relationship with His people.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **word (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** From the root דָבַר, this term carries a rich semantic range beyond a mere utterance. While it can mean "word" or "saying," it also encompasses "matter," "thing," "affair," "decree," "act," or "purpose." In this context, it signifies a definitive, authoritative communication from God that is not just spoken but carries inherent power and the potential for action or fulfillment. It is a divine message that is weighty and consequential.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the covenant name of God, often transliterated as "Jehovah" or rendered as "Yahweh." Derived from the verb "to be" (הָיָה), it signifies "the Self-Existent One" or "the Eternal One." Its use here emphasizes that the message originates from the personal, covenant-keeping God of Israel, the one who is sovereign over all creation and history, and who reveals Himself in relationship with His people.
* **saying (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** A primitive root, this verb means "to say," but like _dâbâr_, it has a broad application, including "to appoint," "to declare," "to command," "to speak," or "to tell." Here, it functions as a direct introduction to the divine speech that follows, indicating that the preceding "word of the LORD" is about to be articulated in specific, direct terms to Jeremiah. It signals the immediate delivery of the message.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then the word of the LORD came to me,"**: This clause establishes the divine origin and authoritative nature of the message Jeremiah is about to receive and convey. It indicates a direct, supernatural communication from God (Yᵉhôvâh) to His chosen prophet. The "word" (_dâbâr_) is not simply an idea or a thought, but a potent, active message that "came" to Jeremiah, implying a specific, undeniable encounter with divine revelation. This phrase is a common prophetic formula, validating the prophet's subsequent pronouncements as God's own.
* **"saying,"**: This single word acts as a direct transition, indicating that the content of the divine "word" is about to be verbally articulated. It signals the commencement of direct speech from the LORD, setting the stage for the profound theological instruction and prophetic declaration that follows in the subsequent verses regarding the potter and the clay. It emphasizes the verbal and explicit nature of God's communication to Jeremiah.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 18:5 primarily employs **Prophetic Formula** and **Divine Address**. The phrase "Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying," is a classic prophetic formula used throughout the Old Testament (e.g., [Ezekiel 1:3](/ezekiel/1-3 "Ezekiel 1:3 - The Word of the Lord to Ezekiel"), [Hosea 1:1](/hosea/1-1 "Hosea 1:1 - The Word of the Lord to Hosea")) to authenticate the message as originating directly from God, not from human wisdom or speculation. This device lends immense **Authority** to the subsequent message, ensuring the audience understands that what follows carries the weight of divine decree. It also creates **Anticipation**, signaling to the reader or listener that a significant revelation is imminent, demanding their full attention. The direct **Divine Address** ("came to me, saying") underscores the personal and intimate nature of God's communication with His chosen servant, Jeremiah, highlighting his role as a direct conduit for God's will.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 18:5 is a foundational statement about the nature of divine revelation and God's active engagement with His creation. It asserts that God is not a silent, distant deity but one who speaks directly, purposefully, and authoritatively to humanity through His chosen instruments. This verse underscores the absolute necessity of prophets in the Old Testament economy as the primary means by which God communicated His covenant demands, warnings, and promises to His people. The "word of the LORD" is portrayed as dynamic and effective, not merely informative, preparing the way for the powerful demonstration of God's sovereignty over nations and individuals, as seen in the subsequent potter analogy. This divine communication is the bedrock upon which all subsequent prophetic ministry and theological understanding rests.

* [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - The Efficacy of God's Word")
* [Hebrews 4:12](/hebrews/4-12 "Hebrews 4:12 - The Living and Active Word of God")
* [2 Timothy 3:16](/2_timothy/3-16 "2 Timothy 3:16 - All Scripture is God-Breathed")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 18:5, though brief, carries profound implications for our understanding of God and our posture towards His revelation. It reminds us that God is a speaking God, one who initiates communication and desires to make His will known to His creation. For Jeremiah, this meant a direct, audible word, but for us today, God's authoritative "word" is primarily found in the Holy Scriptures, which are "God-breathed" ([2 Timothy 3:16](/2_timothy/3-16 "2 Timothy 3:16 - All Scripture is God-Breathed")). This verse challenges us to cultivate a posture of attentive listening and humble submission to God's revealed truth. Just as Jeremiah's message carried divine authority, so too does the Bible, demanding our careful study, belief, and obedience. Recognizing that God still speaks through His Word encourages us to seek His guidance in all areas of life, trusting that His instructions are for our good and His glory. It also reminds us that the God who spoke to Jeremiah is the same God who is actively involved in shaping our lives and the world around us, inviting us to discern His ongoing work and respond faithfully.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does recognizing the divine origin of Scripture (the "word of the LORD") impact your approach to reading and studying the Bible?**
* **In what ways do you believe God "speaks" to His people today, and how can you better attune yourself to His voice?**
* **Considering that God's word often precedes a significant revelation or challenge, what might Jeremiah 18:5 imply about God's readiness to work in your life?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the phrase "the word of the LORD came to me" in the Old Testament?**

Answer: This phrase is a common and highly significant prophetic formula used repeatedly throughout the Old Testament (e.g., [Ezekiel 1:3](/ezekiel/1-3 "Ezekiel 1:3 - The Word of the Lord to Ezekiel"), [Jonah 1:1](/jonah/1-1 "Jonah 1:1 - The Word of the Lord to Jonah")). Its significance is multi-faceted:
* **Divine Origin:** It explicitly states that the message originates from God Himself, not from the prophet's own thoughts, wisdom, or political agenda. This establishes the message's infallible and authoritative nature.
* **Prophetic Authority:** It validates the prophet's role as a true messenger of God, distinguishing him from false prophets who spoke from their own imaginations. The prophet is merely a conduit for God's divine revelation.
* **Urgency and Importance:** It signals to the audience that what follows is of utmost importance, a direct communication from the sovereign Lord, demanding attention and obedience.
* **Active God:** It demonstrates that God is not a passive or silent deity but an active, communicating God who engages with His people and reveals His will and purposes in history.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 18:5, proclaiming "the word of the LORD came to me, saying," finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament prophets received the "word of the LORD" in spoken or visionary forms, God's final and complete revelation is embodied in His Son. As [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," identifying Jesus as the eternal Logos, the very expression and communication of God Himself. [Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Has Spoken Through His Son") powerfully articulates this: "Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son." Thus, the fragmented and progressive revelations to prophets like Jeremiah culminate in Christ, who is not merely a messenger of God's word but the living Word incarnate ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). All of God's purposes, His sovereignty, and His redemptive plan, which Jeremiah's "word of the LORD" began to unfold, are perfectly and finally revealed and accomplished in Jesus, the ultimate expression of God's will and the perfect image of the invisible God ([Colossians 1:15](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - Christ, the Image of God")).

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.