Jeremiah 36:1

¶ And it came to pass in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, [that] this word came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,

And it came to pass in the fourth {H7243} year {H8141} of Jehoiakim {H3079} the son {H1121} of Josiah {H2977} king {H4428} of Judah {H3063}, that this word {H1697} came unto Jeremiah {H3414} from the LORD {H3068}, saying {H559},

In the fourth year of Y'hoyakim the son of Yoshiyahu, king of Y'hudah, this word came to Yirmeyahu from ADONAI:

In the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, this word came to Jeremiah from the LORD:

And it came to pass in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, that this word came unto Jeremiah from Jehovah, saying,

Commentary

Context of Jeremiah 36:1

Jeremiah 36:1 introduces a pivotal moment in the prophetic ministry of Jeremiah and the tumultuous history of the kingdom of Judah. The verse precisely dates the events to the fourth year of Jehoiakim, the son of Josiah, king of Judah. This period, around 605 BC, was a critical juncture. King Jehoiakim's reign (609-598 BC) was marked by profound spiritual decline, injustice, and a defiant rejection of God's laws, standing in stark contrast to the reforms initiated by his righteous father, King Josiah. During this specific fourth year, the Babylonian Empire, under Nebuchadnezzar, had decisively defeated Egypt at the Battle of Carchemish, solidifying Babylon's dominance in the Near East. Judah was increasingly a vassal state, caught between powerful empires. Despite the nation's apostasy and impending judgment, the phrase "this word came unto Jeremiah from the LORD" underscores God's persistent grace and His unwavering commitment to communicate with His people, urging them toward repentance through His chosen prophet.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Revelation and Authority: The core message of this verse is that the forthcoming words are not human opinions but a direct "word... from the LORD." This establishes the divine origin and unquestionable authority of the messages Jeremiah was commanded to deliver. It highlights God's active involvement in human affairs and His intentional communication with humanity, even amidst widespread rebellion.
  • The Prophet's Role: Jeremiah 36:1 emphasizes Jeremiah's crucial role as God's faithful messenger. Despite facing immense personal persecution and national indifference (as seen throughout the book, earning him the title "the weeping prophet"), Jeremiah consistently delivered the divine message. His ministry exemplifies the unwavering commitment required of those called to speak truth from God. For a deeper understanding of Jeremiah's call, see Jeremiah 1:5.
  • Historical Precision and God's Timing: The specific dating ("fourth year of Jehoiakim") is vital. It grounds the divine revelation in concrete historical circumstances, showing that God's messages are not abstract but are given at precise moments in history, directly addressing the spiritual and political realities of the time. This particular year would precede the first Babylonian deportation of Judah's elite (including Daniel) in 605 BC.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "this word came unto Jeremiah from the LORD" translates the Hebrew "וַיְהִי הַדָּבָר אֶל־יִרְמְיָהוּ מֵאֵת יְהוָה" (wayĕhî haddāvār ’el-yirmĕyāhû mē’ēt Yahweh). The Hebrew word davar (דָּבָר), translated as "word," is rich in meaning. It can refer not only to spoken words but also to a matter, an affair, a thing, or an event. In a prophetic context, it signifies a dynamic, active communication from God—a divine utterance with inherent power and purpose. The source "from the LORD" (מֵאֵת יְהוָה, me'ēt Yahweh) is a definitive statement of divine origin, distinguishing Jeremiah's pronouncements from human wisdom or political speculation.

Related Scriptures

To further contextualize Jeremiah 36:1 and its significance:

  • The character of King Jehoiakim, who would later defiantly burn the scroll of Jeremiah's prophecies, is vividly described in Jeremiah 22:17, highlighting his injustice and greed.
  • The power and certainty of God's word, which never returns void, are beautifully articulated in Isaiah 55:11.
  • For the ultimate fate of King Jehoiakim and the end of his reign, see 2 Kings 24:6.

Practical Application and Significance

Jeremiah 36:1 serves as a timeless reminder of God's unwavering commitment to communicate with humanity, even when His people are in rebellion. It highlights the divine initiative behind prophetic ministry, emphasizing that God's word is not a human invention but a direct revelation from the Almighty. For believers today, this verse underscores the importance of listening to and heeding God's word, whether through Scripture, prayer, or the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The resistance faced by Jeremiah, despite the clear divine origin of his message, foreshadows the challenges faced by those who faithfully proclaim God's truth. The chapter that follows this verse details the writing and reading of the scroll containing God's warnings, and Jehoiakim's defiant act of burning it, serving as a powerful lesson on the grave consequences of rejecting divine warnings and spiritual stubbornness.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 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 35:1

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

  • 2 Chronicles 36:5

    Jehoiakim [was] twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem: and he did [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD his God.

  • Jeremiah 45:1

    ¶ The word that Jeremiah the prophet spake unto Baruch the son of Neriah, when he had written these words in a book at the mouth of Jeremiah, in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, saying,

  • 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 24:2

    And the LORD sent against him bands of the Chaldees, and bands of the Syrians, and bands of the Moabites, and bands of the children of Ammon, and sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by his servants the prophets.
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