Jeremiah 35:1

¶ The word which came unto Jeremiah from the LORD in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, saying,

The word {H1697} which came unto Jeremiah {H3414} from the LORD {H3068} in the days {H3117} of Jehoiakim {H3079} the son {H1121} of Josiah {H2977} king {H4428} of Judah {H3063}, saying {H559},

This word came to Yirmeyahu from ADONAI during the time of Y'hoyakim the son of Yoshiyahu, king of Y'hudah:

This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD in the days of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah:

The word which came unto Jeremiah from Jehovah in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, saying,

Jeremiah 35:1 serves as a crucial introductory verse, setting the stage for one of the most compelling narratives in the Book of Jeremiah: the story of the Rechabites. This verse establishes the divine origin and specific historical context of the prophetic message that follows.

Context

This verse immediately places the prophecy within a precise historical period: "in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah." King Jehoiakim reigned from approximately 609-598 BC. His rule was marked by political instability, spiritual decline, and a general turning away from God, contrasting sharply with the reforms initiated by his father, King Josiah. During this era, Judah was caught between the waning power of Egypt and the rising dominance of Babylon, facing impending judgment due to its persistent idolatry and disobedience. The mention of Jehoiakim's reign highlights a time of significant moral decay, making the upcoming example of the Rechabites' faithfulness all the more striking.

Key Themes

  • Divine Revelation: The phrase "The word which came unto Jeremiah from the LORD" emphasizes that the message is not Jeremiah's own thoughts or opinions, but a direct communication from God. This divine origin underscores the authority and truthfulness of the prophecy. Throughout the book, Jeremiah consistently delivers the word of the Lord, often against the popular opinion of his time.
  • Historical Specificity: Dating prophecies to specific kings' reigns was common practice in ancient Near Eastern prophetic literature. This detail anchors the spiritual message in real-world events, making it verifiable and demonstrating God's active involvement in human history.
  • Setting the Stage for Contrast: While this verse itself is brief, it introduces the chapter that will powerfully contrast the unwavering obedience of the nomadic Rechabites with the chronic disobedience of the people of Judah, particularly under King Jehoiakim's corrupt leadership.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase translated "The word which came unto Jeremiah from the LORD" is dabar Yahweh (דבר יהוה). Dabar means "word," "matter," "thing," or "event," implying not just spoken words but also divine action and revelation. Yahweh is the personal, covenantal name of God, signifying His active presence and relationship with His people. This opening establishes the immediate and authoritative nature of the divine communication.

Reflection and Application

Jeremiah 35:1 reminds us that God speaks into specific historical moments. For us today, it underscores the importance of seeking and heeding God's word as revealed in Scripture. Just as the word came to Jeremiah with a purpose – to expose disobedience and call for faithfulness – so too does God's word come to us. This verse prepares the reader for the lessons of loyalty and obedience found in the subsequent verses, particularly as God uses the example of the Rechabites to rebuke Judah's faithlessness. It challenges us to consider if we are truly listening to and obeying God's specific instructions for our lives, regardless of the surrounding cultural or political climate. The narrative that follows, beginning in Jeremiah 35:2, reveals a powerful object lesson on consistent devotion.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 2 Kings 23:35

    And Jehoiakim gave the silver and the gold to Pharaoh; but he taxed the land to give the money according to the commandment of Pharaoh: he exacted the silver and the gold of the people of the land, of every one according to his taxation, to give [it] unto Pharaohnechoh.

  • 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;

  • Jeremiah 1:3

    It came also in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, unto the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah the son of Josiah king of Judah, unto the carrying away of Jerusalem captive in the fifth month.

  • Jeremiah 36:29

    And thou shalt say to Jehoiakim king of Judah, Thus saith the LORD; Thou hast burned this roll, saying, Why hast thou written therein, saying, The king of Babylon shall certainly come and destroy this land, and shall cause to cease from thence man and beast?

  • 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 24:6

    So Jehoiakim slept with his fathers: and Jehoiachin his son reigned in his stead.

  • 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.

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