Jeremiah 32:1

KJV

¶ The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD in the tenth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, which [was] the eighteenth year of Nebuchadrezzar.

KJV (with Strong's)

The word {H1697} that came to Jeremiah {H3414} from the LORD {H3068} in the tenth {H6224} year {H8141} of Zedekiah {H6667} king {H4428} of Judah {H3063}, which was the eighteenth {H8083}{H6240}{H8141} year {H8141} of Nebuchadrezzar {H5019}.

Complete Jewish Bible

This is the word that came to Yirmeyahu from ADONAI in the tenth year of Tzidkiyahu king of Y'hudah, which was the eighteenth year of N'vukhadretzar.

Berean Standard Bible

This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD in the tenth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, which was the eighteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar.

American Standard Version

The word that came to Jeremiah from Jehovah in the tenth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, which was the eighteenth year of Nebuchadrezzar.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 32:1 serves as a critical chronological anchor, precisely dating the divine message delivered to the prophet Jeremiah. This verse places the prophetic word in the tenth year of King Zedekiah of Judah, which concurrently marked the eighteenth year of King Nebuchadrezzar of Babylon. This meticulous dating establishes the immediate historical context for the profound prophecy that follows, a message of hope and future restoration delivered amidst the dire circumstances of Jerusalem's final siege and impending destruction, underscoring God's sovereign control over history and the reliability of His word.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows a section in Jeremiah (chapters 30-31) often referred to as "The Book of Consolation," which contains prophecies of restoration and a new covenant for Israel and Judah after their exile. Jeremiah 32:1 abruptly shifts the narrative back to the immediate, grim reality of the siege of Jerusalem. It sets the stage for Jeremiah's imprisonment (Jeremiah 32:2-5) and the seemingly illogical command from the LORD for him to purchase a field in Anathoth (Jeremiah 32:6-15). This act, performed while the land was under enemy occupation, serves as a powerful symbolic sign of God's promise that "houses and fields and vineyards shall again be bought in this land" (Jeremiah 32:15). Thus, this introductory verse grounds the subsequent prophecy of hope in a very specific and desperate historical moment, highlighting the tension between present judgment and future restoration that permeates the book.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The precise dating to "the tenth year of Zedekiah king of Judah" and "the eighteenth year of Nebuchadrezzar" is crucial for understanding the historical backdrop. This period corresponds to late 588 BCE or early 587 BCE, a moment of profound crisis for the Kingdom of Judah. Jerusalem was under its final, devastating siege by Nebuchadrezzar's Babylonian forces, a siege that would culminate in the city's destruction and the exile of its inhabitants in 586 BCE (as detailed in [2 Kings 25:1-10](/2_kings/25-1 "2 Kings 25 - The Fall of Jerusalem") and [Jeremiah 39:1-10](/jeremiah/39-1 "Jeremiah 39 - The Fall of Jerusalem and Jeremiah's Release")). King Zedekiah, Judah's last monarch, had rebelled against Babylon, leading to this catastrophic confrontation. Jeremiah himself was imprisoned in the court of the guard (Jeremiah 32:2) due to his unpopular prophecies urging surrender to Babylon and announcing the city's inevitable fall. The dual chronological markers, referencing both the Judean and Babylonian regnal years, were a common practice in ancient Near Eastern historical records, serving to synchronize events across different kingdoms and lending significant historical veracity to the biblical account.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 32:1 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Jeremiah and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores the **Divine Sovereignty over History**, demonstrating that God's word and plans unfold precisely within human historical events, even those orchestrated by foreign rulers like Nebuchadrezzar. Secondly, the meticulous dating highlights the **Reliability and Precision of God's Prophetic Word**, emphasizing that God's announcements are not vague spiritual insights but concrete declarations tied to specific times and places, thereby reinforcing the trustworthiness of Jeremiah's message. Thirdly, the verse sets the stage for the theme of **Hope Amidst Judgment**, as the divine command to buy a field, despite the immediate impending destruction, foreshadows God's unwavering commitment to His covenant promises of future restoration for His people, as seen in the later promises of the [new covenant](/jeremiah/31-31 "Jeremiah 31:31 - The New Covenant"). Lastly, it exemplifies **God's Continued Communication in Crisis**, showing that even when His prophet is imprisoned and His people face utter devastation, the LORD continues to speak, revealing His purposes and offering a glimpse of future redemption.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Word (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** This term (H1697) is far more expansive than merely a spoken utterance. It encompasses a "matter," "thing," "affair," "decree," "deed," "report," or "purpose." In this context, "the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD" signifies not just a message, but a divine decree, a concrete instruction, and an unfolding of God's will that has tangible implications for history and human actions. It emphasizes the active, performative nature of God's communication.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This (H3068) is the sacred, covenantal name of God, often translated as "Yahweh" or "Jehovah." It signifies God as "the self-Existent" or "the Eternal One." The use of this name here emphasizes that the message coming to Jeremiah is not from a general deity but from the sovereign, covenant-keeping God of Israel, who is actively involved in the history of His people and fulfills His promises, even amidst judgment.
* **Jeremiah (Hebrew, _Yirmᵉyâh'_):** The prophet's name (H3414) means "Jah will rise" or "the LORD lifts up." This is significant given the context of Jeremiah's ministry, which often involved delivering messages of judgment and suffering, yet always with an underlying hope of God's future lifting up or restoration of His people. The verse establishes him as the divinely appointed recipient and messenger of this particular "word."

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD":** This opening phrase immediately establishes the divine origin and authority of the message that follows. It is not Jeremiah's own insight or opinion, but a direct revelation from YHWH, the covenant God of Israel. This underscores the prophetic nature of the entire chapter and the certainty of its fulfillment.
* **"in the tenth year of Zedekiah king of Judah":** This provides the first, internal chronological marker, dating the divine word according to the reign of Judah's last king. This period was characterized by political instability, spiritual apostasy, and the escalating siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonians, setting a desperate immediate context for the prophecy.
* **"which [was] the eighteenth year of Nebuchadrezzar":** This second chronological marker provides an external, cross-cultural reference point, synchronizing the event with the reign of the Babylonian king who was God's instrument of judgment against Judah. The precision of this dual dating highlights the historical accuracy of the biblical narrative and God's sovereign orchestration of events through both His covenant people and foreign powers.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Jeremiah 32:1 is **Chronological Precision**, specifically through **Synchronism**. By providing two distinct regnal dates—one from the Judean king Zedekiah and one from the Babylonian king Nebuchadrezzar—the text meticulously anchors the divine revelation in a specific historical moment. This precision serves not only as a historical marker but also as a powerful rhetorical tool, lending immense credibility and verifiability to the prophecy that follows. It emphasizes that God's word is not abstract or timeless in a detached sense, but deeply embedded in the unfolding of human history, demonstrating His active involvement and sovereign control over nations and their rulers. This verse also functions as a **Framing Device**, setting the immediate, dire context for the entire chapter, which will then juxtapose this despair with a profound message of hope and future restoration.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 32:1 powerfully asserts God's absolute sovereignty over human history. The meticulous dating of the divine word, referencing both the king of Judah and the king of Babylon, demonstrates that God is not merely an observer but the orchestrator of all events, using even pagan rulers as instruments of His will and judgment. This precision underscores the reliability of His prophetic word, assuring that His promises, whether of judgment or restoration, will be fulfilled in their appointed time. It highlights that God's communication is not hindered by dire circumstances or human imprisonment, but continues to break through, offering hope even in the darkest hours. This divine meticulousness prepares the reader for the remarkable act of faith Jeremiah is commanded to perform—buying a field during a siege—a tangible sign of God's faithfulness to restore His people and their land, even after the impending exile.

* [Isaiah 46:9-10](/isaiah/46-9 "Isaiah 46:9-10 - God Declares the End from the Beginning"): Emphasizes God's foreknowledge and sovereign declaration of events before they happen, aligning with the precise timing of Jeremiah's prophecy.
* [Amos 3:7](/amos/3-7 "Amos 3:7 - God Reveals His Secrets to His Servants the Prophets"): Affirms that the LORD God does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets, explaining why Jeremiah received such a specific word.
* [Habakkuk 2:3](/habakkuk/2-3 "Habakkuk 2:3 - The Vision Awaits its Appointed Time"): Reinforces the idea that divine visions and prophecies have an appointed time for fulfillment, even if they seem to tarry, underscoring the importance of God's timing.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 32:1, with its stark precision, invites us to consider God's active involvement in our own lives and in the broader sweep of history. Just as God delivered a specific word to Jeremiah in a moment of profound national crisis, so too does His word speak to us in our personal trials and global uncertainties. This verse encourages us to trust in God's perfect timing, recognizing that even when circumstances appear bleak or illogical, His sovereign plan is unfolding with meticulous precision. It reminds us that God's promises are reliable and will come to pass, often in ways we cannot foresee. Therefore, we are called to listen attentively to His word, even when it challenges our assumptions or calls us to acts of faith that seem counter-intuitive in our present circumstances, knowing that His ultimate purposes are for our good and His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the precise dating in this verse impact your understanding of God's involvement in human history?**
* **In what ways does God's word continue to speak into your "crisis moments," even when circumstances seem dire or hopeless?**
* **What "illogical" acts of faith might God be calling you to undertake today, trusting in His future promises despite present difficulties?**

### FAQ

**Why is the dating in Jeremiah 32:1 so specific, referencing two different kings?**

Answer: The precise dating, referencing both "the tenth year of Zedekiah king of Judah" and "the eighteenth year of Nebuchadrezzar," serves multiple crucial purposes. Firstly, it provides a highly accurate historical anchor for the prophecy, allowing scholars to synchronize biblical events with known ancient Near Eastern chronologies. This dual dating was a common practice in ancient records to ensure accuracy across different kingdoms. Secondly, it underscores God's absolute sovereignty over all nations and rulers. By referencing Nebuchadrezzar, the pagan king who was God's instrument of judgment, the text subtly highlights that even the actions of foreign powers are within God's divine plan. Lastly, it emphasizes the reliability and precision of God's prophetic word, demonstrating that His plans unfold exactly as and when He declares them. This meticulousness lends credibility to the extraordinary prophecy of hope that follows in [Jeremiah 32](/jeremiah/32 "Jeremiah 32 - Jeremiah Buys a Field").

**What was the significance of "the tenth year of Zedekiah" for Judah?**

Answer: The tenth year of King Zedekiah (c. 588/587 BCE) marked a critical and desperate turning point for the Kingdom of Judah. At this time, Jerusalem was under a brutal siege by the Babylonian army, which had begun in Zedekiah's ninth year ([2 Kings 25:1](/2_kings/25-1 "2 Kings 25:1 - The Siege of Jerusalem Begins")). The city was suffering from famine, disease, and the constant threat of assault. This period represented the final throes of Judah's independence before its ultimate destruction and the Babylonian exile. It was a time of immense despair and hopelessness, making the prophecy of future restoration that Jeremiah receives in this very moment all the more remarkable and counter-intuitive.

**What was Jeremiah's situation when he received this word from the LORD?**

Answer: As stated in the immediately following verses, [Jeremiah 32:2-5](/jeremiah/32-2 "Jeremiah 32:2-5 - Jeremiah Imprisoned"), Jeremiah was imprisoned in the court of the guard, which was part of the royal palace in Jerusalem. He had been confined by King Zedekiah himself because of his persistent prophecies that the city would fall to the Babylonians and that Zedekiah would be captured. Receiving a divine word while imprisoned highlights God's ability to communicate with His prophets regardless of their physical circumstances or political opposition, emphasizing that God's word cannot be bound.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 32:1, with its emphasis on the precise timing of God's word amidst judgment and the promise of future restoration, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD" ultimately points to the very **Word of God incarnate**, Jesus Christ, through whom God fully and finally spoke to humanity ([John 1:1-14](/john/1-1 "John 1:1-14 - The Word Became Flesh"), [Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Has Spoken Through His Son")). Just as God's word to Jeremiah came at a specific, desperate historical juncture, so too did Christ come "in the fullness of time" ([Galatians 4:4](/galatians/4-4 "Galatians 4:4 - The Fullness of Time")), at a divinely appointed moment in history to accomplish salvation. The promise of future restoration for Judah, symbolized by Jeremiah buying the field, foreshadows the greater spiritual restoration and new covenant established through Christ's atoning sacrifice. The new covenant, explicitly promised in [Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - The New Covenant"), is inaugurated by Christ's blood ([Luke 22:20](/luke/22-20 "Luke 22:20 - The New Covenant in His Blood")), fulfilling the hope of a renewed relationship with God that Jeremiah's prophecy hinted at. Thus, Jeremiah 32:1, by grounding a message of hope in historical precision, ultimately anticipates the coming of the Messiah, who is the embodiment of God's faithful word and the guarantor of eternal restoration for all who believe.

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 39:1

¶ In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, came Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon and all his army against Jerusalem, and they besieged it.

Jeremiah 39:2

[And] in the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, the ninth [day] of the month, the city was broken up.

2 Kings 25:1

¶ And it came to pass in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth [day] of the month, [that] Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came, he, and all his host, against Jerusalem, and pitched against it; and they built forts against it round about.

2 Kings 25:2

And the city was besieged unto the eleventh year of king Zedekiah.

Jeremiah 25:1

¶ 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;

2 Chronicles 36:11

¶ Zedekiah [was] one and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned eleven years in Jerusalem.

Jeremiah 52:4

And it came to pass in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth [day] of the month, [that] Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon came, he and all his army, against Jerusalem, and pitched against it, and built forts against it round about.