Jeremiah 33:1

KJV

¶ Moreover the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah the second time, while he was yet shut up in the court of the prison, saying,

KJV (with Strong's)

Moreover the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068} came unto Jeremiah {H3414} the second {H8145} time, while he was yet shut up {H6113} in the court {H2691} of the prison {H4307}, saying {H559},

Complete Jewish Bible

The word of ADONAI came to Yirmeyahu a second time while he was still imprisoned in the guards' quarters:

Berean Standard Bible

While Jeremiah was still confined in the courtyard of the guard, the word of the LORD came to him a second time:

American Standard Version

Moreover the word of Jehovah came unto Jeremiah the second time, while he was yet shut up in the court of the guard, saying,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 33:1 serves as a profound testament to God's unhindered sovereignty and unwavering commitment to communicate His divine will, even amidst the most dire human circumstances. This verse introduces a pivotal revelation of hope and restoration, delivered to the prophet Jeremiah while he was physically confined in a royal prison during Jerusalem's final siege by the Babylonians. It underscores that no human barrier—be it political opposition, physical imprisonment, or national despair—can impede the active and purposeful flow of the Lord's word.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 33:1 immediately follows the detailed account in [Jeremiah 32](/jeremiah/32 "Jeremiah 32 - Jeremiah's Purchase of a Field") where Jeremiah, while imprisoned, is commanded by God to purchase a field in Anathoth. This seemingly irrational act, performed during a siege when the land was about to be overrun, served as a powerful prophetic sign of future restoration and the eventual return of the exiles to their land. The phrase "the second time" in [Jeremiah 33:1](/jeremiah/33-1 "Jeremiah 33:1 - The Word of the Lord Comes Again") explicitly links this new revelation to the preceding one, emphasizing a renewed divine initiative and a continuation of God's dialogue with His prophet, despite Jeremiah's confinement. The entire chapter of [Jeremiah 33](/jeremiah/33 "Jeremiah 33 - Promises of Restoration") then unfolds as a magnificent oracle of hope, promising national restoration, the establishment of a righteous Davidic king, and an enduring covenant with Israel and Judah.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting of [Jeremiah 33:1](/jeremiah/33-1 "Jeremiah 33:1 - The Word of the Lord Comes Again") is the final, desperate phase of the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem, around 588-586 BC. The city was under immense pressure, with famine and disease rampant, and its eventual fall seemed inevitable. King Zedekiah, desperate but unwilling to heed Jeremiah's prophecies of surrender, had imprisoned the prophet in the "court of the prison" (likely a section of the royal palace grounds, as detailed in [Jeremiah 32:2-3](/jeremiah/32-2 "Jeremiah 32:2-3 - Jeremiah's Imprisonment")). In ancient Near Eastern cultures, prophets often faced persecution for delivering unpopular divine messages, especially those foretelling national disaster. Jeremiah's imprisonment was a direct consequence of his faithful proclamation of God's word, which was perceived as treasonous and demoralizing to the besieged populace. This backdrop of national collapse and personal confinement highlights the extraordinary nature of God's continued revelation.
* **Key Themes:** [Jeremiah 33:1](/jeremiah/33-1 "Jeremiah 33:1 - The Word of the Lord Comes Again") introduces several crucial themes that permeate the book of Jeremiah and particularly this chapter. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Communication Amidst Adversity**, demonstrating that God's word is not constrained by human circumstances or physical barriers. Even when His prophet is "shut up," the divine message flows unimpeded, emphasizing God's unwavering commitment to His people and His sovereign plan. Secondly, the phrase "the word of the LORD came... the second time" underscores **God's Sovereignty and Persistence**. It signifies a renewed and emphatic divine revelation, asserting God's ultimate control and initiative even when human rulers oppose Him or seek to silence His truth. This persistence is a hallmark of God's character throughout the prophetic books, as seen in His repeated calls for repentance and promises of restoration (e.g., [Hosea 14:4](/hosea/14-4 "Hosea 14:4 - God's Healing and Love")). Finally, this verse serves as a critical **Introduction to Hope and Restoration**. Despite the grim immediate circumstances of siege and imprisonment, God is preparing to reveal profound promises of future restoration, including the coming of the [Righteous Branch](/jeremiah/33-15 "Jeremiah 33:15 - The Righteous Branch") and the establishment of an [everlasting covenant](/jeremiah/31-31 "Jeremiah 31:31 - The New Covenant"), transforming despair into a vision of divine faithfulness.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Word (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** From the root meaning "to speak," _dâbâr_ here signifies more than just a spoken utterance; it denotes a living, active, and authoritative communication from God. It encompasses the entire divine message, decree, or affair. Its "coming" to Jeremiah implies an active, dynamic force, not merely a passive reception of information. In prophetic contexts, _dâbâr_ carries the weight of divine will and power, ensuring its fulfillment.
* **Shut up (Hebrew, _ʻâtsâr'_):** This verb means "to enclose," "to hold back," or "to restrain." In Jeremiah's context, it vividly describes his physical confinement, emphasizing his lack of freedom and control over his circumstances. The use of this word highlights the stark contrast between Jeremiah's human limitation and the unhindered nature of God's word, which cannot be "shut up" or restrained.
* **Prison (Hebrew, _maṭṭârâʼ'_):** This noun refers to a "jail" or "guard-house," but also carries the connotation of an "aim" or "mark" (as something closely watched). In Jeremiah's case, it denotes his place of detention. The fact that the divine word reaches him specifically in this location underscores God's ability to transcend all human-imposed barriers, turning a place of confinement into a conduit for divine revelation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Moreover the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah the second time,"**: This clause establishes the divine origin and authoritative nature of the message. The phrase "the word of the LORD" (davar YHWH) is a hallmark of prophetic literature, signifying a direct, active, and powerful communication from God Himself. The addition "the second time" emphasizes a renewed, emphatic, and perhaps even more significant revelation, following the previous divine instruction in [Jeremiah 32](/jeremiah/32 "Jeremiah 32 - Jeremiah's Purchase of a Field"). It highlights God's persistence and initiative in speaking to His prophet.
* **"while he was yet shut up in the court of the prison, saying,"**: This part of the verse provides the crucial context of Jeremiah's physical confinement. "Shut up" (Hebrew: _ʻâtsâr_) powerfully conveys his restricted state, emphasizing that despite human attempts to silence or contain God's messenger, the divine message remains unconstrained. The "court of the prison" refers to the specific location of his detention within the royal palace grounds, underscoring that even the most secure human barriers cannot prevent God's word from reaching its intended recipient. The final "saying" introduces the content of the subsequent divine message, which will unfold as a profound oracle of hope and restoration in the remainder of [Jeremiah 33](/jeremiah/33 "Jeremiah 33 - Promises of Restoration").

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as the word of the omnipotent God comes to a prophet who is physically "shut up" and powerless in a human prison. This stark contrast highlights God's sovereignty over human limitations and opposition. The "court of the prison" functions as a **symbol** of human attempts to control or suppress divine truth, which ultimately prove futile. The repeated "word of the LORD came" also demonstrates **emphatic repetition**, underscoring the divine initiative and the unstoppable nature of God's communication, even when His messenger is confined. This divine utterance is an act of **divine sovereignty**, asserting that God's plan and message are not contingent upon human freedom or political circumstances.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 33:1 powerfully articulates the theological truth that God's word is not bound by human limitations or circumstances. It is a living, active, and sovereign force that transcends physical barriers, political opposition, and personal despair. This verse serves as a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, even when His people are in a state of judgment and affliction. It demonstrates that God's ultimate purpose is to bring about restoration and hope, and He will continue to speak and act to achieve His redemptive ends, regardless of how bleak the present reality may appear. The divine word, once spoken, will accomplish its purpose, bringing life and order even to chaos.

* [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Accomplishes Its Purpose")
* [2 Timothy 2:9](/2_timothy/2-9 "2 Timothy 2:9 - The Word of God Is Not Bound")
* [Hebrews 4:12](/hebrews/4-12 "Hebrews 4:12 - The Word of God Is Living and Active")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 33:1 offers profound encouragement for believers navigating their own "prisons" of life. It reminds us that God's communication is not limited by our external circumstances, whether they be physical confinement, emotional distress, financial hardship, or societal pressures. Even when we feel "shut up" by difficulties, isolated, or powerless, God's voice can still break through. This verse challenges us to cultivate a posture of listening and expectation, trusting that God's sovereign purposes cannot be thwarted by human opposition or the apparent hopelessness of our situations. It invites us to look beyond immediate trials to the larger, hopeful narrative of God's faithfulness and His power to bring about renewal, even from the ashes of despair. Just as God spoke a message of restoration to Jeremiah in prison, He continues to speak words of hope, guidance, and life to us today, reminding us that His presence and promises are not diminished by our limitations.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do I feel "shut up" or confined in my current circumstances, and how might God be speaking to me even within those limitations?**
* **How does Jeremiah's experience of receiving God's word in prison challenge my assumptions about where and when God communicates?**
* **What specific promises of God, even those that seem impossible given my present reality, am I called to trust and believe in today?**

### FAQ

**Why was Jeremiah imprisoned when the word of the Lord came to him?**

Answer: Jeremiah was imprisoned by King Zedekiah because his prophetic messages were deeply unpopular and considered treasonous. He consistently foretold Jerusalem's destruction by the Babylonians and urged surrender, which was seen as demoralizing the people and undermining the war effort. [Jeremiah 32:2-3](/jeremiah/32-2 "Jeremiah 32:2-3 - Jeremiah's Imprisonment") explicitly states that Jeremiah was confined "in the court of the prison, which was in the king's house" because of his prophecies. His imprisonment highlights the human opposition to God's truth, yet simultaneously underscores God's ability to communicate His word regardless of human attempts to suppress it.

**What is the significance of "the second time" in this verse?**

Answer: The phrase "the second time" indicates a renewed and emphatic divine revelation, following the previous message given to Jeremiah in [Jeremiah 32](/jeremiah/32 "Jeremiah 32 - Jeremiah's Purchase of a Field") concerning the purchase of the field in Anathoth. It signifies God's persistence and initiative in speaking to His prophet. It also suggests that this subsequent message, which unfolds in [Jeremiah 33](/jeremiah/33 "Jeremiah 33 - Promises of Restoration") as a profound oracle of hope and restoration, is not a mere repetition but a significant, perhaps even more expansive, continuation of God's dialogue with Jeremiah and, through him, with His people. It emphasizes that God continues to speak even when circumstances seem most bleak.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 33:1, with its emphasis on the unhindered "word of the LORD" breaking through human confinement, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the living [Word of God made flesh](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"), the ultimate and complete revelation of God to humanity. Just as God's word came to Jeremiah in prison, Jesus' ministry and message continually broke through the "prisons" of sin, death, and human limitation. His teaching was not confined by religious legalism or political opposition; rather, it powerfully [proclaimed freedom to the captives](/luke/4-18 "Luke 4:18 - Jesus Proclaims Freedom") and [opened the eyes of the blind](/john/9-6 "John 9:6 - Jesus Heals the Blind Man"). Even when physically confined, tried, and executed, the word of God in Christ could not be "shut up." His resurrection from the tomb, the ultimate "prison" of death, demonstrates that no power, human or spiritual, can restrain the life-giving, redemptive purposes of God's Word. Through Christ, the promises of restoration and a new covenant, hinted at in [Jeremiah 33](/jeremiah/33 "Jeremiah 33 - Promises of Restoration"), are fully realized, offering true freedom and hope to all who believe, fulfilling the divine purpose that the [Lamb of God would take away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb 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.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 38:28

So Jeremiah abode in the court of the prison until the day that Jerusalem was taken: and he was [there] when Jerusalem was taken.

Jeremiah 32:2

For then the king of Babylon's army besieged Jerusalem: and Jeremiah the prophet was shut up in the court of the prison, which [was] in the king of Judah's house.

Jeremiah 32:3

For Zedekiah king of Judah had shut him up, saying, Wherefore dost thou prophesy, and say, Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall take it;

Jeremiah 37:21

Then Zedekiah the king commanded that they should commit Jeremiah into the court of the prison, and that they should give him daily a piece of bread out of the bakers' street, until all the bread in the city were spent. Thus Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison.

Jeremiah 32:8

So Hanameel mine uncle's son came to me in the court of the prison according to the word of the LORD, and said unto me, Buy my field, I pray thee, that [is] in Anathoth, which [is] in the country of Benjamin: for the right of inheritance [is] thine, and the redemption [is] thine; buy [it] for thyself. Then I knew that this [was] the word of the LORD.

2 Timothy 2:9

Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, [even] unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.