Jeremiah 25:3

From the thirteenth year of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, even unto this day, that [is] the three and twentieth year, the word of the LORD hath come unto me, and I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking; but ye have not hearkened.

From the thirteenth {H7969}{H6240} year {H8141} of Josiah {H2977} the son {H1121} of Amon {H526} king {H4428} of Judah {H3063}, even unto this day {H3117}, that is the three {H7969} and twentieth {H6242} year {H8141}, the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068} hath come unto me, and I have spoken {H1696} unto you, rising early {H7925} and speaking {H1696}; but ye have not hearkened {H8085}.

"For twenty-three years, since the thirteenth year of Yoshiyahu the son of Amon, king of Y'hudah, until today, the word of ADONAI has come to me; and I have proclaimed it to you on numerous occasions; but you haven't listened.

“From the thirteenth year of Josiah son of Amon king of Judah until this very day—twenty-three years—the word of the LORD has come to me, and I have spoken to you again and again, but you have not listened.

From the thirteenth year of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah, even unto this day, these three and twenty years, the word of Jehovah hath come unto me, and I have spoken unto you, rising up early and speaking; but ye have not hearkened.

Commentary

Context

Jeremiah 25:3 serves as a crucial preface to the extensive prophecies of judgment that follow in this chapter, specifically concerning the seventy-year Babylonian captivity. The verse establishes the duration and diligence of Jeremiah's prophetic ministry. It highlights that from the thirteenth year of King Josiah's reign (around 627 BC), when Jeremiah first received his call, until the twenty-third year of his ministry (around 605 BC), he faithfully delivered God's messages to the people of Judah. This period spans the reigns of Josiah, Jehoiakim, and part of Jehoiachin's reign, leading up to the first major deportation to Babylon. It underscores the long period of divine warning before the foretold judgment.

Key Themes

  • Divine Patience and Persistent Warning: The passage underscores God's immense patience and His consistent effort to warn His people. For twenty-three years, He repeatedly sent His word through Jeremiah, giving Judah ample opportunity to repent and turn back to Him. This reflects God's desire for reconciliation rather than immediate judgment.
  • Human Disobedience and Stubbornness: Despite the clear and persistent warnings, the people of Judah refused to heed God's voice. Their refusal to "hearken" signifies a deep-seated spiritual rebellion and a hardening of hearts, leading them down a path toward inevitable judgment.
  • Prophetic Faithfulness: Jeremiah's ministry is characterized by unwavering obedience to God's command. He diligently proclaimed the Lord's message, even when it was unpopular and met with resistance, demonstrating the prophet's commitment to his divine calling.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "rising early and speaking" (KJV) is a significant Hebrew idiom, shakam v'dabber. It doesn't merely refer to the time of day but emphasizes the earnestness, diligence, and persistence with which God (through His prophets) sought to communicate with His people. It conveys the idea of God making every effort, leaving no stone unturned, to reach Judah. This idiom is also found in other prophetic books, such as Jeremiah 7:25 and 2 Chronicles 36:15, highlighting God's consistent pleading with His disobedient people.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 25:3 serves as a powerful reminder for believers today:

  • Heeding God's Word: Just as Judah was called to "hearken," we too are continually called to listen to and obey God's Word, which comes to us through Scripture, wise counsel, and the Holy Spirit. Ignoring spiritual warnings can lead to dire consequences, as it did for Judah.
  • God's Longsuffering: The passage highlights God's incredible patience. He does not wish for anyone to perish but for all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). This should inspire both gratitude and a sense of urgency to respond to His call.
  • The Cost of Disobedience: The eventual judgment on Judah, detailed in the following verses, serves as a stark warning about the spiritual cost of prolonged disobedience and spiritual apathy.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 11:7

    For I earnestly protested unto your fathers in the day [that] I brought them up out of the land of Egypt, [even] unto this day, rising early and protesting, saying, Obey my voice.

  • Jeremiah 1:2

    To whom the word of the LORD came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign.

  • Jeremiah 26:5

    To hearken to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I sent unto you, both rising up early, and sending [them], but ye have not hearkened;

  • Jeremiah 7:13

    And now, because ye have done all these works, saith the LORD, and I spake unto you, rising up early and speaking, but ye heard not; and I called you, but ye answered not;

  • Jeremiah 29:19

    Because they have not hearkened to my words, saith the LORD, which I sent unto them by my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending [them]; but ye would not hear, saith the LORD.

  • 2 Chronicles 34:8

    ¶ Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, when he had purged the land, and the house, he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, and Maaseiah the governor of the city, and Joah the son of Joahaz the recorder, to repair the house of the LORD his God.

  • 2 Chronicles 34:3

    For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father: and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images.
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