Jeremiah 35:12

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 the 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 35:12 serves as a pivotal transitional verse, signaling the immediate and authoritative arrival of a divine message to the prophet Jeremiah. Following the profound object lesson of the Rechabites' unwavering obedience to their ancestor's command, this verse establishes that the Lord Himself is about to speak, directly interpreting the significance of their faithfulness in stark contrast to the persistent disobedience of Judah. It underscores the divine origin and weighty importance of the pronouncement that follows, preparing the audience for a direct word from God concerning covenant fidelity and its consequences.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse acts as a crucial hinge within Jeremiah chapter 35. It immediately follows the detailed account of the Rechabites' steadfast adherence to the ancient command of their ancestor Jonadab, which involved abstaining from wine, living in tents, and refraining from agricultural pursuits ([Jeremiah 35:1-11](/jeremiah/35-1 "Jeremiah 35:1-11 - The Rechabites' Obedience")). Jeremiah, under divine instruction, had presented them with wine, testing their resolve, and their unwavering refusal provided a powerful, living illustration of obedience. Verse 12 then signals a shift from the narrative of the test to the divine interpretation and application of this object lesson, setting the stage for God's direct comparison between the Rechabites' faithfulness and Judah's pervasive rebellion.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jeremiah's prophetic ministry unfolded during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, marked by political instability, spiritual apostasy, and the looming threat of Babylonian invasion. The people of Judah and Jerusalem had repeatedly broken their covenant with Yahweh, engaging in idolatry, social injustice, and rejecting prophetic warnings. In this context, the Rechabites represented a unique, counter-cultural group that maintained a semi-nomadic lifestyle and strict adherence to ancestral traditions, standing in stark contrast to the settled, often syncretistic, society of Judah. Their disciplined, obedient way of life, though rooted in human tradition, served as a powerful indictment of Judah's failure to obey divine commands.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 35:12, while brief, contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Jeremiah. It powerfully highlights the theme of **Divine Revelation**, emphasizing that God actively communicates His will and judgment to humanity through His chosen prophets. The phrase "the word of the LORD" underscores **Prophetic Authority**, validating Jeremiah's role as God's authoritative messenger and ensuring that the subsequent message carries ultimate divine weight, not merely human opinion. Furthermore, this verse sets the immediate stage for the theme of **Obedience vs. Disobedience**, as God is about to draw a direct comparison between the Rechabites' faithfulness and Judah's persistent rebellion, a comparison central to the subsequent verses ([Jeremiah 35:13-16](/jeremiah/35-13 "Jeremiah 35:13-16 - God's Judgment on Judah")). It also subtly introduces the theme of **God's Justice**, as the arrival of His word signals an imminent, righteous assessment and consequence for Judah's actions.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **word (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** This term, H1697, is far more comprehensive than merely a spoken utterance. It encompasses a "matter," "thing," "affair," "decree," "report," or "business." When applied to God, as "the word of the LORD," it signifies not just a message, but an authoritative declaration, a divine act, or a binding decree that carries the full weight of God's character and power. It implies something that is not only spoken but also effective and performative.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the covenantal, personal name of God, H3068, often translated as "Jehovah" or "Yahweh." It signifies "the self-Existent" or "Eternal One." The use of this specific name emphasizes that the message originates from the sovereign, covenant-keeping God of Israel, the one who is faithful to His promises and just in His judgments. It underscores the ultimate authority and unwavering nature of the forthcoming revelation.
* **saying (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** H559, this primitive root means "to say" with great latitude, including "to appoint," "declare," "command," or "utter." In this context, it reinforces the directness and intentionality of God's communication to Jeremiah. It's not a vague impression but a clear, verbal pronouncement, indicating that the following message is a direct divine speech act, requiring immediate attention and obedience.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then came the word of the LORD":** This is a classic prophetic formula, frequently used throughout the Old Testament (e.g., [1 Kings 12:22](/1_kings/12-22 "1 Kings 12:22 - Shemaiah's Prophecy"), [Isaiah 38:4](/isaiah/38-4 "Isaiah 38:4 - Isaiah's Message to Hezekiah")). It signifies a direct, undeniable divine initiative. It's not Jeremiah seeking God, but God actively revealing Himself and His message. The "word" (`dâbâr`) here carries inherent authority and power, representing God's will and intention.
* **"unto Jeremiah":** This specifies the recipient of the divine revelation. Jeremiah is God's chosen prophet, His mouthpiece to the people of Judah. The message is specifically directed to him, empowering him to deliver it with divine authority and ensuring its authenticity. This highlights the personal relationship between God and His prophet, and the divine appointment of Jeremiah for this specific task.
* **"saying":** This participle indicates that the "word" is not merely an abstract concept but an active, verbal communication. It implies that the content of God's message immediately follows, making this verse a direct introduction to the divine pronouncement concerning the Rechabites and Judah. It sets the expectation for a direct address from the Almighty.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 35:12 primarily employs a **Prophetic Formula**, a recurring literary device in the Old Testament prophetic books. The phrase "Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah, saying," is a standardized opening that immediately establishes the divine origin and absolute authority of the subsequent message. This formula functions to validate the prophet's pronouncements as direct revelation from God Himself, distinguishing them from human opinion or wisdom. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **Juxtaposition** by placing the divine pronouncement directly after the narrative of the Rechabites' obedience. This immediate sequencing creates a powerful contrast, setting the stage for God to directly compare the faithfulness of a non-Israelite group to the rampant disobedience of His own covenant people, Judah. This literary arrangement amplifies the impact of God's impending judgment. Finally, the verse represents a **Divine Speech Act**, where God's words are not merely descriptive but performative, initiating a new phase of revelation and judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 35:12 underscores the profound theological truth that God is a speaking God, actively engaged with His creation and particularly with His covenant people. The consistent arrival of "the word of the LORD" throughout the prophetic literature emphasizes God's initiative in revealing His character, His will, and His purposes. This divine communication is not arbitrary but often arises in response to human actions, whether obedience or rebellion, demonstrating God's sovereign oversight and His commitment to justice and covenant fidelity. The authority of this divine word demands a response from humanity, highlighting the critical importance of heeding God's voice, as both blessing and judgment are contingent upon it.

* [Amos 3:7](/amos/3-7 "Amos 3:7 - God Reveals to His Servants")
* [Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God's Revelation Through Son")
* [2 Timothy 3:16](/2_timothy/3-16 "2 Timothy 3:16 - All Scripture is God-breathed")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 35:12, though brief, serves as a profound reminder of the living and active nature of God's Word. Just as God directly communicated with Jeremiah in a specific historical context, He continues to speak to us today through the inspired Scriptures and the Holy Spirit. This verse calls us to cultivate a posture of attentiveness and reverence towards divine revelation, recognizing that true wisdom and guidance originate from God, not from human ingenuity or prevailing cultural trends. It challenges us to consider whether we are as receptive and obedient to God's clear commands as the Rechabites were to their ancestral tradition, especially when God's word confronts our comfortable norms or challenges our ingrained patterns of disobedience. Our response to God's speaking determines our spiritual trajectory and relationship with Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the phrase "the word of the LORD came" impact your understanding of the Bible's authority?**
* **In what ways do you actively listen for God's voice in your daily life, beyond merely reading Scripture?**
* **What "object lessons" or examples of obedience (or disobedience) in your own context might God be using to speak to you or your community today?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of the phrase "Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah, saying" in this specific context?**

Answer: This phrase, a common prophetic formula, is particularly significant in Jeremiah 35:12 because it immediately follows the detailed narrative of the Rechabites' exemplary obedience ([Jeremiah 35:1-11](/jeremiah/35-1 "Jeremiah 35:1-11 - The Rechabites and Their Obedience")). Its appearance here signals that God is about to directly comment on and apply the lesson of the Rechabites' faithfulness. It establishes that the subsequent message is not Jeremiah's personal observation or critique, but a direct, authoritative divine pronouncement, setting up a stark and powerful comparison between the Rechabites' steadfastness and Judah's persistent rebellion against God's commands. It elevates the coming message to the highest level of divine importance and judgment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 35:12, with its emphasis on the arrival of "the word of the LORD," finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ. While God spoke "at many times and in various ways" through His prophets in the Old Testament ([Hebrews 1:1](/hebrews/1-1 "Hebrews 1:1 - God Spoke Through Prophets")), He has now spoken to us definitively "by His Son" ([Hebrews 1:2](/hebrews/1-2 "Hebrews 1:2 - God Spoke Through His Son")). Jesus is not merely a messenger of God's word; He *is* the living Word made flesh ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God"), [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). The authoritative divine pronouncements that came to Jeremiah now culminate in the very embodiment of God's truth and revelation in Christ. Just as the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah to expose disobedience and call for repentance, so too does Jesus, the ultimate Word, confront humanity with its sin and call for radical obedience to God's will. His life, death, and resurrection are the definitive divine message, the ultimate act of God speaking to humanity, offering both judgment for unrepentance and salvation for those who hear and obey His voice ([John 5:24](/john/5-24 "John 5:24 - Hearing Jesus' Word")). In Christ, the authoritative word of the LORD is not just heard, but seen and experienced.

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.