Jeremiah 25:1

KJV

¶ The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the people of Judah in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, that [was] the first year of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon;

KJV (with Strong's)

The word {H1697} that came to Jeremiah {H3414} concerning all the people {H5971} of Judah {H3063} in the fourth {H7243} year {H8141} of Jehoiakim {H3079} the son {H1121} of Josiah {H2977} king {H4428} of Judah {H3063}, that was the first {H7224} year {H8141} of Nebuchadrezzar {H5019} king {H4428} of Babylon {H894};

Complete Jewish Bible

This is the word that came to Yirmeyahu concerning all the people of Y'hudah in the fourth year of Y'hoyakim the son of Yoshiyahu, king of Y'hudah; this was also the first year of N'vukhadretzar king of Bavel.

Berean Standard Bible

This is the word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the people of Judah in the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, which was the first year of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.

American Standard Version

The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the people of Judah, in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah (the same was the first year of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon),

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 25:1 serves as a crucial chronological and theological anchor, precisely dating the commencement of a profound prophetic message from God to Jeremiah concerning the people of Judah. It meticulously links the fourth regnal year of King Jehoiakim of Judah, a period of spiritual decline and political instability, with the inaugural year of Nebuchadrezzar's reign as king of Babylon, thereby signaling the imminent and divinely orchestrated judgment that would reshape the geopolitical landscape and bring about the Babylonian exile. This verse establishes the divine authority and historical specificity of the prophecies that follow, underscoring God's sovereign control over human history and the unfolding of His redemptive plan.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 25:1 acts as a formal superscription, introducing the extensive prophetic oracle that spans the remainder of chapter 25 and, by extension, sets the stage for many subsequent prophecies in the book. This precise dating mechanism is a common feature in prophetic literature, grounding the divine message in a specific historical moment. The immediately preceding chapters (Jeremiah 21-24) contain various pronouncements of judgment against Judah and its kings, particularly Zedekiah, but chapter 25 shifts the focus to a broader, more comprehensive judgment extending beyond Judah to surrounding nations, all framed by the rising power of Babylon. This verse thus marks a significant pivot point, ushering in a new phase of Jeremiah's prophetic ministry, characterized by the explicit threat of Babylonian conquest and the seventy-year exile.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The specified "fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah" is a critical historical marker. Jehoiakim, installed by Pharaoh Necho II after the death of his righteous father Josiah at Megiddo ([2 Kings 23:29-30](/2_kings/23-29 "2 Kings 23:29-30 - Josiah's Death")), ruled Judah from 609-598 BC. Unlike Josiah, Jehoiakim was a wicked king who oppressed his people, defied God's commands, and even burned Jeremiah's scroll ([Jeremiah 36:23](/jeremiah/36-23 "Jeremiah 36:23 - Jehoiakim Burns the Scroll")). The simultaneous mention of this being "the first year of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon" is profoundly significant. This year, approximately 605 BC, marks Nebuchadrezzar's ascension to the Babylonian throne following the decisive Battle of Carchemish ([Jeremiah 46:2](/jeremiah/46-2 "Jeremiah 46:2 - Battle of Carchemish")), where Babylon crushed the Egyptian army, effectively ending Egypt's dominance in the Levant and establishing Babylon as the preeminent regional power. For Judah, this meant a shift from Egyptian vassalage to Babylonian subjugation, initiating the series of deportations that would culminate in the destruction of Jerusalem and the Babylonian exile ([2 Kings 24:1-2](/2_kings/24-1 "2 Kings 24:1-2 - Nebuchadnezzar's First Invasion")).
* **Key Themes:** This introductory verse contributes to several overarching themes in Jeremiah. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty over History**, demonstrating that God is not merely an observer but an active orchestrator of geopolitical events, raising up and bringing down empires according to His purpose ([Daniel 2:21](/daniel/2-21 "Daniel 2:21 - God Changes Times and Seasons")). Secondly, it underscores the theme of **Imminent Judgment and Exile**, as the rise of Nebuchadrezzar directly foreshadows the seventy-year Babylonian captivity, a central prophecy in Jeremiah ([Jeremiah 25:11](/jeremiah/25-11 "Jeremiah 25:11 - The Seventy-Year Captivity")). Thirdly, the phrase "The word that came to Jeremiah" reinforces the theme of **Prophetic Authority and Divine Revelation**, establishing Jeremiah as God's chosen messenger, whose words are not his own but direct pronouncements from the Almighty, regardless of their unpopularity or the nation's resistance ([Jeremiah 1:4-10](/jeremiah/1-4 "Jeremiah 1:4-10 - Jeremiah's Call")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Word (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** From H1697, meaning "a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause." In this context, "the word" is not merely human speech but a divine communication, a revelation from God. It carries the weight of authority, truth, and purpose, indicating that what follows is a direct message from the Lord, not Jeremiah's personal opinion or political analysis. This emphasizes the divine origin and prophetic nature of the entire oracle.
* **Son (Hebrew, _bên'_):** From H1121, meaning "a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc.)." Here, it establishes the lineage of Jehoiakim as "the son of Josiah." This genealogical detail is crucial for historical identification, linking Jehoiakim to his righteous father, Josiah, whose reign was marked by revival, thereby highlighting the stark contrast in their character and leadership, and Judah's subsequent spiritual decline under Jehoiakim.
* **King (Hebrew, _melek'_):** From H4428, meaning "a king; royal." This term is used twice in the verse, referring to both Jehoiakim of Judah and Nebuchadrezzar of Babylon. Its repetition emphasizes the political powers at play and their respective roles in the unfolding divine drama. It highlights God's sovereignty over these earthly rulers, demonstrating that even the most powerful kings are instruments in His hands to accomplish His will, whether in judgment or in the establishment of His kingdom.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ The word that came to Jeremiah":** This opening phrase is a classic prophetic formula, establishing the divine origin and authority of the message. It signifies that the subsequent prophecy is not Jeremiah's own thoughts or political predictions, but a direct, authoritative revelation from God, delivered through His chosen prophet. The paragraph marker (¶) in the KJV often denotes a new section or a significant shift in thought.
* **"concerning all the people of Judah":** This specifies the primary audience and scope of the prophecy. The message is not exclusively for the king or the elite, but for the entire nation of Judah, indicating the widespread nature of their sin and the comprehensive scope of the impending judgment. It underscores that the consequences of their disobedience would affect every segment of society.
* **"in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah":** This provides the precise chronological setting from Judah's perspective. Jehoiakim's reign (609-598 BC) was characterized by idolatry, injustice, and opposition to Jeremiah's prophecies. Naming Josiah, his righteous father, serves as a poignant contrast, highlighting Judah's rapid spiritual decline under Jehoiakim's wicked leadership, which set the stage for divine wrath.
* **"that [was] the first year of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon;":** This crucial synchronism links Judah's internal situation with the rising external power that God would use as His instrument of judgment. Nebuchadrezzar's "first year" (c. 605 BC) marks his ascension to the Babylonian throne and the beginning of Babylon's undisputed regional dominance, following their victory over Egypt at Carchemish. This dual dating immediately signals the impending doom for Judah and the beginning of the seventy-year period of Babylonian subjugation and exile.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 25:1 employs several key literary devices to establish its significance. The most prominent is **Chronological Marker**, providing a precise double-dating—the fourth year of King Jehoiakim of Judah and the first year of King Nebuchadrezzar of Babylon. This meticulous dating grounds the prophecy in verifiable history, lending it credibility and emphasizing God's sovereign control over specific historical events. This also functions as a form of **Juxtaposition**, placing the declining kingdom of Judah under its wicked king Jehoiakim directly against the ascendant, divinely appointed power of Babylon under Nebuchadrezzar. This contrast immediately signals the shift in regional power dynamics and the impending judgment. Furthermore, the opening phrase, "The word that came to Jeremiah," serves as a **Prophetic Formula**, a common literary convention in prophetic books that authenticates the message as divine revelation rather than human opinion, establishing Jeremiah's authority as God's mouthpiece.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 25:1 powerfully articulates God's active involvement in human history, demonstrating His sovereignty over nations and kings. The precise dating highlights that divine judgment is not arbitrary but unfolds according to a divinely ordained timeline, directly linked to the moral and spiritual state of His people and the rise and fall of world powers. This verse sets the stage for the revelation of God's righteous judgment against Judah for their persistent idolatry and disobedience, while simultaneously revealing His use of foreign empires, even pagan ones like Babylon, as instruments of His will. It underscores the principle that national sin incurs divine consequences, and that God's prophetic word, though often unpopular, is always true and will inevitably come to pass.

* [Daniel 2:21](/daniel/2-21 "Daniel 2:21 - God Changes Times and Seasons")
* [Isaiah 10:5-7](/isaiah/10-5 "Isaiah 10:5-7 - Assyria as God's Instrument")
* [Amos 3:7](/amos/3-7 "Amos 3:7 - God Reveals His Plan to Prophets")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This introductory verse reminds us that God's divine purposes are intricately woven into the fabric of human history, operating through the reigns of kings and the rise of empires. Just as God precisely timed the delivery of Jeremiah's message to coincide with pivotal geopolitical shifts, His plans for our lives and for the world unfold according to His perfect schedule and sovereign will. We are called to discern the "times and seasons" in which we live, recognizing that even amidst political turmoil and societal decay, God remains on His throne, orchestrating events for His glory and the ultimate good of His people. The consistent rejection of God's word by Jehoiakim and Judah serves as a sober warning: persistent disobedience and spiritual apathy inevitably lead to consequences, both personal and corporate. Yet, even in judgment, God's ultimate aim is often to bring about repentance and restoration, demonstrating His unwavering faithfulness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the precise historical dating in this verse encourage your trust in God's sovereignty over current global events?**
* **In what ways might we, like Judah, be prone to ignoring or rejecting God's word when it challenges our comfortable disobedience?**
* **What are the "signs of the times" in our contemporary world that might indicate God's active work, whether in judgment or in grace?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the "fourth year of Jehoiakim" being the "first year of Nebuchadrezzar"?**

Answer: This dual dating is profoundly significant because it precisely marks the historical moment when Judah's fate became inextricably linked with the rising power of Babylon. The "fourth year of Jehoiakim" (c. 605 BC) was the year of the Battle of Carchemish, where Nebuchadrezzar decisively defeated Egypt, establishing Babylon as the dominant force in the ancient Near East. His "first year" as king thus signaled the end of Judah's reliance on Egypt and the beginning of its subjugation under Babylon, leading directly to the seventy-year Babylonian exile foretold by Jeremiah ([Jeremiah 25:11](/jeremiah/25-11 "Jeremiah 25:11 - The Seventy-Year Captivity")). It highlights God's sovereign timing and His use of a foreign power to execute judgment on His disobedient people.

**Who were Jehoiakim and Josiah, and why is their relationship mentioned?**

Answer: Josiah was a righteous king of Judah who initiated significant religious reforms, seeking to restore the nation to covenant faithfulness ([2 Kings 22:1-23:30](/2_kings/22-1 "2 Kings 22-23 - Josiah's Reign and Reforms")). His son, Jehoiakim, however, was a wicked king who reversed many of his father's reforms, practiced idolatry, oppressed his people, and actively resisted God's prophets, including Jeremiah ([Jeremiah 22:13-19](/jeremiah/22-13 "Jeremiah 22:13-19 - Judgment on Jehoiakim")). The mention of Jehoiakim as "the son of Josiah" serves as a poignant contrast, highlighting Judah's rapid moral and spiritual decline from the revival under Josiah to the deep apostasy under Jehoiakim, which ultimately hastened the divine judgment.

**What does "The word that came to Jeremiah" imply about the nature of the prophecy?**

Answer: This phrase is a common prophetic formula throughout the Old Testament, signifying that the message originated directly from God, not from Jeremiah's own thoughts, political analysis, or personal opinions. It underscores the divine authority, truthfulness, and infallibility of the prophecy that follows. Jeremiah was merely the vessel through whom God communicated His will to His people. This emphasizes that the subsequent pronouncements of judgment and future hope are divinely inspired and therefore carry the full weight of God's own declaration ([Jeremiah 1:9](/jeremiah/1-9 "Jeremiah 1:9 - God Puts His Words in Jeremiah's Mouth")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 25:1, with its precise historical dating and declaration of divine judgment, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in several ways. The "word that came to Jeremiah" foreshadows the ultimate "Word" who became flesh, Jesus Christ ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), through whom God's final and most complete revelation is given. Just as Jeremiah faithfully delivered God's unpopular message of impending judgment, Jesus, the greater Prophet, came proclaiming the kingdom of God and calling a rebellious generation to repentance, warning of a greater judgment to come for those who reject Him ([Matthew 23:37-38](/matthew/23-37 "Matthew 23:37-38 - Jesus Laments Over Jerusalem")). The judgment brought by Nebuchadrezzar upon Judah for their sin, orchestrated by God, points to Christ's bearing of the ultimate judgment for sin on the cross, thereby offering redemption to all who believe ([Romans 8:3](/romans/8-3 "Romans 8:3 - God Sent His Son to Condemn Sin")). Furthermore, the precise timing of God's historical interventions, evident in Jeremiah 25:1, finds its ultimate expression in the "fullness of time" when God sent His Son ([Galatians 4:4](/galatians/4-4 "Galatians 4:4 - God Sent His Son in the Fullness of Time")), demonstrating that all history, including the rise and fall of nations, ultimately serves God's redemptive purpose culminating in Christ and His eternal kingdom ([Ephesians 1:9-10](/ephesians/1-9 "Ephesians 1:9-10 - God's Plan to Unite All Things 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

Jeremiah 36:1

¶ And it came to pass in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, [that] this word came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,

2 Kings 24:1

¶ In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his servant three years: then he turned and rebelled against him.

2 Kings 24:2

And the LORD sent against him bands of the Chaldees, and bands of the Syrians, and bands of the Moabites, and bands of the children of Ammon, and sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by his servants the prophets.

Jeremiah 46:2

Against Egypt, against the army of Pharaohnecho king of Egypt, which was by the river Euphrates in Carchemish, which Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon smote in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah.

Daniel 1:1

¶ In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.