Jeremiah 37:6

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

Then came the word ^{H1697} of the LORD ^{H3068} unto the prophet ^{H5030} Jeremiah ^{H3414}, saying ^{H559},

Then this word of ADONAI came to the prophet Yirmeyahu:

Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet:

Then came the word of Jehovah unto the prophet Jeremiah, saying,

Context

Jeremiah 37:6 marks a pivotal moment in the narrative, occurring during a desperate period for the kingdom of Judah. Jerusalem is under siege by the powerful Babylonian army, led by King Nebuchadnezzar. King Zedekiah, Judah's last king, has sent a delegation to the prophet Jeremiah, pleading for him to "pray unto the LORD our God for us" (Jeremiah 37:3). This request came as the Babylonian forces had temporarily withdrawn from Jerusalem due to the approach of the Egyptian army, sparking a brief, false hope among the people. This verse, "Then came the word of the LORD unto the prophet Jeremiah, saying," signifies God's direct and immediate response to Zedekiah's inquiry, setting the stage for a crucial divine revelation concerning the fate of Jerusalem and the Babylonian siege.

Key Themes

Divine Communication: This verse emphasizes that God actively communicates with humanity, particularly through His chosen messengers. The phrase "the word of the LORD came" highlights the direct, authoritative, and unsolicited nature of God's revelation.
Jeremiah's Prophetic Authority: It reaffirms Jeremiah's role as a true prophet, a vessel through whom God's message is delivered. In a time of political turmoil and spiritual confusion, Jeremiah stands as the authentic voice of God.
God's Sovereignty: Even amidst military conflict and political maneuvering (like the Egyptian intervention), God remains sovereign. His word is not subject to human circumstances but dictates them, as will be revealed in the subsequent verses regarding the Babylonian return (Jeremiah 37:7).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the word of the LORD" translates from the Hebrew dabar Yahweh (דְּבַר יְהוָה). This is a foundational phrase throughout the prophetic books of the Old Testament. Dabar means "word," "speech," "matter," or "thing," indicating not just spoken words but also the power and reality behind them. When combined with Yahweh (God's personal covenant name), it signifies an authoritative, divine utterance that carries inherent power and truth. It signals that what follows is not Jeremiah's opinion or political analysis, but a direct, infallible message from the Almighty God.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 37:6 reminds us that God is a speaking God. While we may not receive direct audible words as Jeremiah did, God's "word" continues to come to us today primarily through the inspired Scriptures, the Bible. In times of uncertainty, crisis, or decision-making, we are called to seek God's guidance through His revealed Word and prayer. Just as King Zedekiah sought a word from the Lord, we too can find clarity, direction, and comfort by diligently studying the Bible and listening for God's voice, trusting that His word is always true and powerful (Psalm 119:105).

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.

No cross-references found for this verse.