Jeremiah 24:4

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Complete Jewish Bible

The word of ADONAI came to me:

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

And the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 24:4 serves as a foundational prophetic formula, unequivocally establishing the divine origin and authoritative nature of the message Jeremiah is about to deliver. This concise statement acts as a crucial preface to the subsequent vision of the good and bad figs, signaling that the words are not merely human insights or opinions but a direct, unadulterated revelation from the sovereign God, thereby demanding the attention and obedience of the audience.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 24:4 functions as a direct introduction to the pivotal vision of the good and bad figs, which commences in [Jeremiah 24:5](/jeremiah/24-5 "Jeremiah 24:5 - The Vision of the Good and Bad Figs"). This verse is characteristic of prophetic literature, where such introductory formulas ("The word of the LORD came to me, saying...") frequently punctuate the narrative, serving to authenticate the prophet's message and underscore its divine source. In the broader book of Jeremiah, this formula appears numerous times (e.g., [Jeremiah 1:4](/jeremiah/1-4 "Jeremiah 1:4 - Jeremiah's Call"), [Jeremiah 2:1](/jeremiah/2-1 "Jeremiah 2:1 - God's Complaint Against Israel"), [Jeremiah 7:1](/jeremiah/7-1 "Jeremiah 7:1 - The Temple Sermon")), reinforcing the consistent theme of God's active and direct communication with His people through His chosen messenger. The "Again" in this verse highlights the continuous nature of God's revelation to Jeremiah, emphasizing that the prophet's ministry was an ongoing dialogue with the divine, not a series of isolated events.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This prophecy is situated in a tumultuous period for Judah, specifically shortly after the first Babylonian deportation in 597 BC. King Jehoiachin, along with many of Judah's political, religious, and social elite, had been taken into exile by Nebuchadnezzar. Jeremiah remained in Jerusalem, a city grappling with the trauma of defeat and the false hopes propagated by other prophets who promised a swift return of the exiles and an end to Babylonian subjugation (e.g., [Jeremiah 28:1-4](/jeremiah/28-1 "Jeremiah 28:1-4 - Hananiah's False Prophecy")). In this climate of political instability and spiritual confusion, Jeremiah's message, often unpopular and counter-cultural, consistently emphasized God's sovereignty over historical events and the necessity of repentance. The phrase "Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying" served as a powerful declaration that, despite the chaos and competing voices, the true and authoritative word of God was still being spoken through His faithful prophet.

* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 24:4 encapsulates several critical themes prevalent throughout the book of Jeremiah and the prophetic corpus. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Revelation**, asserting that God is not a distant deity but one who actively intervenes in human history by communicating His will and purposes. This divine initiative is the bedrock of prophecy. Secondly, it establishes **Prophetic Authority**, making it clear that Jeremiah's pronouncements derive their weight and legitimacy directly from God. The prophet is merely a vessel, and his words carry the very authority of the Almighty, demanding a response from the audience, whether it be repentance or judgment, as seen in Jeremiah's consistent call for Judah to turn back to God ([Jeremiah 3:12-14](/jeremiah/3-12 "Jeremiah 3:12-14 - Call to Return")). Thirdly, the word "Again" highlights the **Continuity and Persistence of God's Message**. Even amidst Judah's persistent rebellion and the escalating crisis, God did not abandon His people but continued to send His word, demonstrating His faithfulness and long-suffering love, even as He warned of impending judgment and offered hope for future restoration.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **word (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** From the root meaning "to speak," this term (H1697) is far more expansive than a mere utterance. It encompasses not only spoken words but also matters, affairs, things, commands, decrees, and even actions or events (as "spoken of" or brought about by divine speech). In this context, "the word of the LORD" signifies a comprehensive divine communication that carries inherent power and authority, not just information but a decree that shapes reality and demands a response. It is the active, dynamic expression of God's will.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the covenant name of God (H3068), often transliterated as "Jehovah" or rendered as "Yahweh," derived from the verb "to be" (הָיָה). It signifies the self-existent, eternal, and unchanging God who is actively present and involved in the affairs of His creation, particularly in His covenant relationship with Israel. The use of "Yᵉhôvâh" here emphasizes that the message is from the personal, relational, and sovereign God who is faithful to His promises and purposes, even when delivering messages of judgment or exile.
* **saying (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** This primitive root (H559) means "to say" and is used with great latitude, including to speak, declare, command, tell, or think. In Jeremiah 24:4, it indicates that the divine communication was articulated in a discernible form, often as direct speech, which Jeremiah then received and transmitted. It underscores the verbal and propositional nature of the revelation, confirming that God's message was clear, specific, and intended for human comprehension and action.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Again":** This adverb signifies a repetition or continuation of a previous event. In the context of Jeremiah's prophetic ministry, it emphasizes that God's communication with him was not a singular occurrence but an ongoing, persistent, and perhaps even relentless process. It highlights God's faithfulness in continually speaking to His people, even when they were disobedient, and underscores the cumulative nature of divine revelation.
* **"the word of the LORD came unto me":** This is the core of the prophetic formula, asserting the divine origin and authoritative transmission of the message. "The word of the LORD" (davar YHWH) indicates that the message is not Jeremiah's own thoughts or opinions, but a direct, active, and powerful communication from God Himself. "Came unto me" describes the manner of revelation, implying a direct, personal encounter or reception by the prophet, distinguishing it from human speculation or wisdom. It signifies a divine initiative, an unbidden impartation of truth.
* **"saying":** This participle indicates that the "word" received by Jeremiah was articulated in a verbal form, capable of being spoken or written. It prepares the audience for the content of the divine message that immediately follows, which in this case is the detailed vision and interpretation of the good and bad figs in Jeremiah 24. It confirms that the revelation was not merely an impression or feeling, but a clear, propositional communication.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 24:4 employs several significant literary devices. Foremost is **Formulaic Language**, specifically the recurring prophetic formula "the word of the LORD came unto me, saying." This standardized phrase serves as a powerful authentication device, signaling to the audience that the subsequent message is not human wisdom but divine revelation, thereby conferring absolute authority upon Jeremiah's pronouncements. The inclusion of "Again" introduces an element of **Repetition** or continuity, emphasizing the persistent and ongoing nature of God's communication with His prophet despite the tumultuous circumstances. This also subtly functions as **Authorial Frame**, where the prophet himself frames the upcoming message as divinely inspired, reinforcing his role as a mere conduit for God's voice. Furthermore, the very act described is one of **Divine Commissioning**, where God actively initiates communication with His chosen messenger, underscoring His sovereignty and active involvement in human affairs.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 24:4 is a profound theological statement about the nature of God's communication with humanity. It affirms that God is a speaking God, actively engaged with His creation and particularly with His covenant people. This verse reinforces the concept of **divine inspiration** – that the words of the prophet are not merely human insights but God-breathed truth, carrying the weight of His authority and character. It highlights God's unwavering commitment to reveal His will, His judgments, and His redemptive purposes, even in times of profound national crisis and spiritual apostasy. The "word of the LORD" is presented as a dynamic, living entity that "comes" to the prophet, signifying its power to penetrate human understanding and to bring about God's intended results, whether that be judgment or restoration. This foundational truth undergirds the entire biblical narrative, asserting that Scripture is God's authoritative and sufficient revelation for humanity.

* [Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1 "God Speaks Through His Son")
* [2 Timothy 3:16](/2_timothy/3-16 "All Scripture is God-breathed")
* [Amos 3:7](/amos/3-7 "God Reveals to His Servants")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 24:4 serves as a powerful reminder of the divine origin and authority of the Scriptures. Just as "the word of the LORD came" to Jeremiah, so too do we believe that the Bible is God's revealed truth for us, not merely a collection of ancient texts or human wisdom. This foundational truth calls us to approach the Bible with reverence, recognizing that within its pages, we encounter the very voice of God. It encourages us to listen attentively, to seek understanding, and to allow its timeless truths to shape our worldview, our values, and our actions. In a world saturated with competing voices and fleeting opinions, this verse anchors us to an unchanging source of truth and guidance. It also highlights God's ongoing desire to communicate with His people, inviting us to cultivate a posture of listening for His voice through His written word, through prayer, and through the guidance of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives, trusting that His word is always purposeful and relevant.

#### 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 "the word of the LORD" comes to you today, and how do you discern its truth amidst other voices?**
* **Considering the tumultuous context of Jeremiah's prophecy, how does God's continued communication offer comfort or challenge in your own difficult circumstances?**

### FAQ
**Why is this introductory phrase so common in prophetic books?**

Answer: This phrase, "Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying," or variations of it, is a standard prophetic formula used to establish the divine authority and origin of the message that follows. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the source of a message determined its credibility and power. By explicitly stating that the message came from "the LORD," the prophet unequivocally declared that he was not speaking his own thoughts or opinions, but delivering a direct revelation from the sovereign God. This formula served to authenticate the prophet's role as God's messenger and to underscore the imperative nature of the divine command or prophecy, demanding attention and obedience from the audience. It is a literary device that reinforces the core theological truth that God actively communicates with humanity, as seen throughout the prophetic books, such as in [Ezekiel 1:3](/ezekiel/1-3 "The Word of the Lord Came to Ezekiel") or [Hosea 1:1](/hosea/1-1 "The Word of the Lord That Came to Hosea").

**What is the significance of the word "Again" in this verse?**

Answer: The word "Again" (Hebrew: `shuv` or `od` in various forms, here implied by the context of a repeated action) is significant because it emphasizes the continuous and persistent nature of God's communication with Jeremiah. It indicates that divine revelation was not a one-time event but an ongoing process, a repeated initiative from God to His prophet. This highlights God's faithfulness and patience, continually speaking to His people even when they were disobedient or unresponsive. It also underscores the urgency and cumulative weight of God's messages, showing that He was persistently warning, guiding, and revealing His purposes throughout a period of national crisis, as He did with prophets like Isaiah in [Isaiah 6:8](/isaiah/6-8 "Here Am I, Send Me").

**Does God still speak to people today like He did to Jeremiah?**

Answer: While God no longer speaks to individuals in the same direct, propositional, and authoritative manner as He did to the biblical prophets for the purpose of adding to the canon of Scripture, He absolutely continues to communicate with humanity. The primary way God speaks today is through His completed and authoritative written Word, the Bible, which is "God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness" ([2 Timothy 3:16](/2_timothy/3-16 "All Scripture is God-breathed")). The Holy Spirit illuminates the Scriptures, applies its truths to our lives, and guides believers (e.g., [John 16:13](/john/16-13 "The Spirit of Truth Will Guide You")). God also speaks through creation ([Psalm 19:1](/psalm/19-1 "The Heavens Declare the Glory of God")), through the person of Jesus Christ (the ultimate "Word" of God, as seen in [Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1 "God Speaks Through His Son")), and sometimes through providential circumstances, wise counsel, and inner promptings that align with His revealed will in Scripture.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 24:4, with its declaration that "the word of the LORD came unto me, saying," finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Jeremiah was a faithful conduit for God's word, Jesus Himself is the living, embodied "Word of God" (the **Logos**), as profoundly articulated in [John 1:1](/john/1-1 "The Word was God") and [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "The Word Became Flesh"). God, who "at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son" ([Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1 "God Speaks Through His Son")). Jeremiah received God's word; Jesus *is* God's final and complete word, the full revelation of God's character, will, and redemptive plan. All the prophetic messages, including those received by Jeremiah, pointed forward to Christ, who is the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Jesus Fulfills the Law and the Prophets")). In Him, God's word not only "came" but "dwelt among us," making the divine accessible and tangible, culminating in the ultimate act of salvation. The authority of Jeremiah's message derived from God; the authority of Jesus is inherent, for He is God Himself, the one whose name is called "The Word of God" ([Revelation 19:13](/revelation/19-13 "The Word 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.