Jeremiah 32:26

KJV

¶ Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah, saying,

KJV (with Strong's)

Then came the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068} unto Jeremiah {H3414}, saying {H559},

Complete Jewish Bible

Then this word of ADONAI came to Yirmeyahu:

Berean Standard Bible

Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah:

American Standard Version

Then came the word of Jehovah unto Jeremiah, saying,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 32:26 marks a profound turning point in the book of Jeremiah, serving as the divine and authoritative response to the prophet's earnest prayer and deep perplexity. This concise yet weighty declaration, "Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah, saying," signals the immediate and direct onset of God's communication, providing not only clarity and reassurance but also a powerful reaffirmation of His sovereign plan for both judgment and future restoration for His covenant people, even amidst the overwhelming despair of the Babylonian siege.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse functions as a critical pivot within the narrative of [Jeremiah 32](/jeremiah/32 "Jeremiah 32 - The Purchase of the Field"). It immediately follows Jeremiah's heartfelt and honest prayer in [Jeremiah 32:17-25](/jeremiah/32-17-25 "Jeremiah's Prayer of Awe and Perplexity"), where he expresses both profound awe at God's omnipotence and a candid confusion regarding the divine command to purchase a field in Anathoth. This command, detailed in [Jeremiah 32:1-16](/jeremiah/32-1-16 "Jeremiah Buys a Field in Anathoth"), seemed utterly illogical given Jerusalem's imminent fall to the Babylonians. Verse 26 thus introduces God's direct and comprehensive answer, moving the narrative from human perplexity and an act of faith to divine revelation, explaining the theological significance of the land purchase and expanding upon God's unwavering purposes.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical setting for [Jeremiah 32](/jeremiah/32 "Jeremiah 32 - The Purchase of the Field") is the dire period of the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem (circa 588-586 BC), a time of unprecedented national catastrophe, famine, and despair for the Kingdom of Judah. The city was on the brink of collapse, and its inhabitants faced the grim prospects of death, exile, or slavery. In this desperate scenario, the act of purchasing land, particularly in a territory under siege, was not only counter-intuitive but economically irrational. Land ownership in Israel was deeply intertwined with covenant promises, identity, and inheritance, symbolizing stability and future hope. Jeremiah's obedience to God's command, therefore, was a radical prophetic sign, demanding immense faith in God's future restoration, despite the overwhelming present reality. God's "word" breaking through in such a desperate situation profoundly underscores His active involvement in history and His unwavering commitment to His covenant, even when His people are experiencing the consequences of their disobedience.
* **Key Themes:** [Jeremiah 32:26](/jeremiah/32-26 "Jeremiah 32:26 - The Word of the LORD Comes") introduces and reinforces several foundational themes prevalent throughout the book of Jeremiah and the broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Communication**, emphasizing God's active, direct, and authoritative engagement with humanity through His chosen prophets, ensuring His will and plans are made known (as articulated in [Amos 3:7](/amos/3-7 "Amos 3:7 - God reveals His secret to His servants")). Secondly, the verse underscores **God's Responsiveness to Prayer**, demonstrating that God hears and directly addresses the sincere, even questioning, inquiries of His servants, affirming His approachability and attentiveness (a theme powerfully echoed in [Jeremiah 33:3](/jeremiah/33-3 "Jeremiah 33:3 - Call to me and I will answer you")). Finally, it sets the stage for the overarching theme of **Assurance Amidst Uncertainty**, as God's subsequent message will powerfully reaffirm His unwavering purposes for both judgment and ultimate restoration, providing profound hope in the face of overwhelming despair and confirming that His divine plans will prevail regardless of present circumstances (a promise beautifully articulated in [Jeremiah 29:11](/jeremiah/29-11 "Jeremiah 29:11 - Plans to prosper you, not to harm you")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **word (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** (H1697) This term transcends a simple utterance; it encompasses a spoken word, a matter, a thing, an affair, a decree, or even an action. In the context of "the word of the LORD," _dâbâr_ signifies a powerful, active, and authoritative declaration that carries the full weight of divine will. It is not merely information but a potent force that initiates and accomplishes God's purposes, shaping reality according to His design.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** (H3068) This is the sacred, covenantal name of God, often transliterated as Yahweh, emphasizing His self-existence, eternal nature, and unwavering faithfulness to His promises. The use of "LORD" here underscores that the message originates from the sovereign, unchanging God who is eternally bound by His covenant with Israel. It powerfully reinforces the absolute authority, reliability, and redemptive intent behind the message, even amidst judgment.
* **saying (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** (H559) This primitive root signifies "to say" with broad application, including to declare, command, appoint, or utter. In this verse, _ʼâmar_ denotes a direct, explicit, and authoritative declaration from God. It indicates that what follows is not a suggestion or a mere thought, but a definitive, unambiguous statement from the Almighty, intended to be heard, understood, and obeyed by Jeremiah and, through him, by the people of Israel.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then came the word of the LORD":** This opening phrase underscores divine initiative and sovereignty. It is not Jeremiah seeking a word, but God's word actively and purposefully "coming" to him. This highlights the authoritative, unsolicited nature of the revelation, asserting God's active engagement in the affairs of His people, particularly in their darkest hour, and demonstrating His commitment to communicate His will.
* **"unto Jeremiah":** This clause precisely identifies the recipient of the divine message. Jeremiah, as God's chosen prophet, serves as the designated conduit through whom God communicates His will to His people. This emphasizes his unique, though often burdensome, role as God's faithful messenger, entrusted with delivering both messages of impending judgment and profound hope.
* **"saying,":** This concluding participle signals that the divine communication is direct, verbal, and immediately followed by its specific content. It prepares the listener or reader for the detailed, explicit message that God is about to impart, indicating a clear, unambiguous, and authoritative divine declaration that demands attention.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 32:26 primarily employs a **Prophetic Formula**. The phrase "Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah, saying" is a classic and frequently recurring literary device found throughout the Old Testament prophetic books (e.g., [Ezekiel 1:3](/ezekiel/1-3 "Ezekiel 1:3 - The Word of the LORD Came to Ezekiel"), [Hosea 1:1](/hosea/1-1 "Hosea 1:1 - The Word of the LORD That Came to Hosea")). This formula serves several crucial functions: it authenticates the ensuing message as directly from God, establishes the prophet's divine authority as a true messenger, and signals a new, authoritative revelation. It acts as a **Transition Marker**, smoothly shifting the narrative from Jeremiah's personal prayer and perplexity to God's direct, comprehensive, and sovereign response. Furthermore, it embodies **Divine Initiative**, emphasizing that God is the active agent in communication, not merely a passive recipient of human prayer, thereby reinforcing His absolute sovereignty and His ongoing, active engagement with His covenant people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 32:26 is a profound theological statement about the nature of divine communication and God's unwavering commitment to His covenant. It underscores that God is not silent in times of crisis or human perplexity; rather, He actively intervenes with His authoritative "word." This verse reinforces the theological truth that God is both transcendent (His word "comes" from beyond) and immanent (He speaks directly "unto Jeremiah"). It demonstrates God's responsiveness to the sincere prayers of His servants, even those expressing doubt or confusion, affirming His attentiveness and willingness to provide clarity and assurance. Ultimately, it sets the stage for a powerful revelation of God's sovereign plan, reminding us that His purposes will prevail despite human understanding or dire circumstances.

* [Amos 3:7](/amos/3-7 "Surely the Lord GOD does nothing unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.")
* [Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1-2 "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.")
* [Isaiah 55:10-11](/isaiah/55-10-11 "For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 32:26 offers timeless and deeply encouraging lessons for believers navigating uncertainty, confusion, and seeking divine guidance in their own lives. Just as God directly addressed Jeremiah's honest doubts and fears, this verse serves as a powerful reminder that God is intimately attentive to our prayers, even when they are filled with perplexity or questioning. It encourages us to bring our deepest confusions and anxieties before the Lord, trusting that He will, in His perfect timing and wisdom, provide His word of clarity, comfort, or direction. This passage powerfully reaffirms the authority, reliability, and active nature of God's communication, whether received through the inspired Scriptures, the inner promptings of the Holy Spirit, or the wise counsel of godly individuals. It assures us that His message is potent and capable of sustaining hope and shaping our understanding even in the most challenging and seemingly contradictory circumstances. Our faith ultimately rests not in our limited ability to fully comprehend God's intricate ways, but in His unwavering faithfulness to reveal His will and fulfill His promises across all generations.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jeremiah's honest and vulnerable prayer, immediately preceding this verse, encourage you to be more open and transparent with God about your own doubts and confusions?**
* **In what tangible ways do you experience "the word of the LORD" coming to you today, and what practices help you discern its authenticity and authority in your life?**
* **How does the certainty of God's direct and active communication, as powerfully demonstrated in this verse, strengthen your trust in His overarching plans even when your present circumstances seem contradictory or hopeless?**
* **What practical steps can you commit to taking this week to better position yourself to receive, understand, and obediently respond to God's word in your daily life?**

### FAQ

**Why is the phrase "the word of the LORD came" so significant in biblical prophecy?**

Answer: This phrase is a crucial prophetic formula that signifies a direct, authoritative, and undeniable revelation from God. It emphasizes divine initiative, indicating that the message originates solely with God and is not the prophet's own interpretation, speculation, or personal opinion. It authenticates the ensuing message as pure, unadulterated divine truth, establishing the prophet's role as a faithful messenger and underscoring the absolute reliability and power of God's word to accomplish His purposes. It assures the audience that what follows is God's own declaration, demanding their attention, belief, and obedience.

**How does this verse relate to Jeremiah's prayer in the preceding verses?**

Answer: [Jeremiah 32:26](/jeremiah/32-26 "Jeremiah 32:26 - The Word of the LORD Comes") acts as God's direct and comprehensive answer to Jeremiah's prayer of perplexity and awe, recorded in [Jeremiah 32:17-25](/jeremiah/32-17-25 "Jeremiah's Prayer of Awe and Perplexity"). After being commanded to buy a field in a besieged city—an act symbolizing future restoration despite imminent destruction—Jeremiah expressed his profound awe at God's omnipotence but also his candid confusion about the command given the dire present circumstances. This verse signals that God is about to address Jeremiah's specific questions and doubts, reaffirming His sovereign power and explaining the deeper meaning behind the seemingly illogical command, thus demonstrating God's responsiveness to the honest inquiries of His faithful servants.

**Does God still speak to people today in the same way as "the word of the LORD came" to Jeremiah?**

Answer: While the direct, audible, and public prophetic declarations experienced by Old Testament prophets like Jeremiah were unique to their historical context and specific roles as foundational messengers, the principle of God communicating His will to His people remains constant. Today, God primarily speaks through His inspired, inerrant, and authoritative written Word, the Bible, which is sufficient for all matters of faith and life ([2 Timothy 3:16-17](/2_timothy/3-16-17 "2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable")). Additionally, God communicates powerfully through the indwelling Holy Spirit, who illuminates Scripture, guides believers into truth ([John 16:13](/john/16-13 "John 16:13 - The Spirit of truth will guide you into all truth")), convicts, and empowers. God also speaks through providential circumstances, and through the wise counsel of godly individuals within the community of faith. While the *mode* of communication may differ from the direct prophetic utterance to Jeremiah, the *truth* that God actively speaks to His people for guidance, revelation, and relationship remains a foundational reality for believers.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 32:26, with its profound emphasis on "the word of the LORD" actively "coming" to humanity, finds its ultimate, most complete, and most profound fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ. The author of Hebrews eloquently states that while God spoke "at various times and in various ways in time past to the fathers by the prophets," in these last days, He has "spoken to us by His Son" ([Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1-2 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God's Final Word in His Son")). Jesus is not merely a messenger who delivers God's word; He *is* the living Word made flesh, the eternal Logos who was with God and was God ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - In the beginning was the Word") and [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word became flesh")). In Him, the divine communication is no longer a transient utterance or a written scroll, but a permanent, embodied reality. Christ perfectly reveals the Father, for "He is the image of the invisible God" ([Colossians 1:15](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - The image of the invisible God")). Thus, the "word of the LORD" that came to Jeremiah, bringing both judgment and promises of future restoration, foreshadows the ultimate, personal, and complete revelation of God's redemptive plan in Jesus, through whom God's covenant promises are not just declared but fully accomplished 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.