Jeremiah 40:3

KJV

Now the LORD hath brought [it], and done according as he hath said: because ye have sinned against the LORD, and have not obeyed his voice, therefore this thing is come upon you.

KJV (with Strong's)

Now the LORD {H3068} hath brought {H935} it, and done {H6213} according as he hath said {H1696}: because ye have sinned {H2398} against the LORD {H3068}, and have not obeyed {H8085} his voice {H6963}, therefore this thing {H1697} is come upon you.

Complete Jewish Bible

and ADONAI has brought it about; he has done what he said he would do, because you people sinned against ADONAI and did not listen to what he said; that is why this has come upon you.

Berean Standard Bible

and now the LORD has fulfilled it; He has done just as He said. Because you people have sinned against the LORD and have not obeyed His voice, this thing has happened to you.

American Standard Version

and Jehovah hath brought it, and done according as he spake: because ye have sinned against Jehovah, and have not obeyed his voice, therefore this thing is come upon you.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 40:3 records the astonishing declaration of Nebuzaradan, the Babylonian captain of the guard, who attributes the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of Judah not to Babylonian might, but to the sovereign hand of the LORD, the God of Israel. He explicitly states that this catastrophe is the direct consequence of Judah's persistent sin against Yahweh and their refusal to obey His divine voice, thereby affirming the prophetic warnings delivered by Jeremiah and other prophets.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 40:3 occurs immediately after the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC and the subsequent Babylonian exile. The preceding chapters (Jeremiah 39) detail the city's siege and destruction, the capture of King Zedekiah, and the specific orders given by Nebuchadnezzar concerning Jeremiah. Jeremiah, who had consistently advocated submission to Babylon as the will of God, is found among the captives destined for exile. Nebuzaradan, acting on Nebuchadnezzar's instructions, singles out Jeremiah, releases him, and grants him the freedom to choose his dwelling place. This verse, therefore, serves as a pivotal moment of external validation for Jeremiah's long-standing, unpopular prophetic ministry, coming from the very instrument of God's judgment. It sets the stage for Jeremiah's ministry to the remnant left in the land.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in 586 BC marked a catastrophic turning point in Israelite history, fulfilling centuries of prophetic warnings. The Babylonians, under Nebuchadnezzar, were the dominant superpower, known for their military prowess and brutal efficiency in subjugating conquered peoples. For a high-ranking Babylonian official like Nebuzaradan to acknowledge the LORD (Yahweh), the God of a defeated nation, as the true orchestrator of events, is highly unusual and culturally significant. In the ancient Near East, the defeat of a nation's army and the destruction of its capital were typically interpreted as the defeat of its gods. Nebuzaradan's statement, however, defies this conventional understanding, pointing instead to Yahweh's supreme sovereignty over all nations, even those who do not acknowledge Him. This recognition underscores the unique nature of Israel's God, whose power transcends national boundaries and human political machinations.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Jeremiah and the broader prophetic corpus. Firstly, it underscores the **Divine Sovereignty in Judgment**, demonstrating that God is not merely a passive observer but actively orchestrates historical events, even using pagan empires as instruments of His righteous wrath, as seen in passages like [Isaiah 10:5-6](/isaiah/10-5 "Isaiah 10:5-6 - Assyria as God's Instrument"). Secondly, it highlights the **Consequences of Disobedience**, explicitly stating that Judah's suffering is a direct result of their "sinned against the LORD" and failure to "obey his voice." This reaffirms the covenantal warnings found in the Mosaic Law, particularly the curses outlined in [Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15ff - Curses for Disobedience"). Finally, the verse serves as a profound testament to **Prophetic Fulfillment**, validating Jeremiah's decades of unpopular warnings that God would indeed bring judgment upon Judah if they did not repent. Nebuzaradan's words confirm that God's word, spoken through His prophets, is utterly reliable and will always come to pass, whether in judgment or in promise, as affirmed in [Jeremiah 25:11-12](/jeremiah/25-11 "Jeremiah 25:11-12 - Prophecy of 70-Year Babylonian Captivity").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the Tetragrammaton, the personal, covenantal name of Israel's God, Jehovah or Yahweh. Nebuzaradan's use of this specific name, rather than a generic term for deity, is profoundly significant. It indicates a recognition, perhaps even an awe, of the particular God of Israel as the active agent behind the destruction, not merely a vague divine force. It points to the self-existent, eternal God who reveals Himself and acts in history.
* **said (Hebrew, _dâbar'_):** This verb means "to speak," "to declare," or "to command." In this context, it emphasizes the authoritative and intentional nature of God's communication. It implies that God's judgment was not arbitrary but was a direct fulfillment of His previously declared word—His prophecies and covenant warnings. The "saying" of the LORD carries the weight of divine decree and unchangeable purpose.
* **sinned (Hebrew, _châṭâʼ'_):** Properly meaning "to miss the mark," this root broadly refers to "to sin," "to forfeit," or "to lack." It encapsulates the full spectrum of Israel's moral and spiritual failure to adhere to God's commands and covenant obligations. Their sin was not merely an oversight but a deliberate missing of the target of God's righteous standards, leading to a forfeiture of their blessings and a incurring of divine judgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now the LORD hath brought [it], and done according as he hath said:"** This opening clause is a startling admission from a pagan official. Nebuzaradan explicitly attributes the recent catastrophic events—the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile—to the direct action of the LORD (Yahweh), not to the military might of Babylon. The phrase "hath brought [it], and done" emphasizes God's active, intentional, and completed work. It is a powerful affirmation that the events are a precise fulfillment of God's declared word, demonstrating His absolute sovereignty over human history and the nations.
* **"because ye have sinned against the LORD,"** This clause provides the divine rationale for the judgment. The "because" establishes a direct cause-and-effect relationship: the "thing" that has come upon Judah is a direct consequence of their cumulative transgression. Their sin was not against a generic deity but specifically "against the LORD," the God who had entered into a covenant relationship with them and revealed His righteous laws. This highlights the broken covenant and the violation of divine trust.
* **"and have not obeyed his voice,"** This further specifies the nature of their sin: it was a failure of obedience. "His voice" refers to God's commands, instructions, and prophetic warnings delivered through His messengers. Judah's persistent refusal to listen and respond to God's word, despite repeated calls to repentance, sealed their fate. This emphasizes that God's judgment is not arbitrary but a just response to willful and prolonged rebellion against His revealed will.
* **"therefore this thing is come upon you."** This concluding clause reiterates the inescapable consequence. The "thing" refers to the devastating judgment they have just experienced—the siege, famine, destruction, and exile. The "therefore" solidifies the logical and theological connection between their disobedience and the calamity. It underscores the certainty of divine retribution when covenant obligations are ignored, and God's voice is continually disregarded.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 40:3 is rich with literary significance. The most striking device is **Irony**, as the profound theological truth of God's sovereignty and justice is articulated not by a prophet or an Israelite, but by Nebuzaradan, a pagan military commander. This unexpected source lends an undeniable weight and external validation to Jeremiah's message, suggesting that God's hand is so evident that even His enemies must acknowledge it. The verse also employs **Cause and Effect**, clearly linking Judah's "sin" and "disobedience" as the direct cause for "this thing" (the judgment) that "is come upon" them. This rhetorical structure underscores the moral accountability of the people before God. Furthermore, the verse functions as a powerful statement of **Prophetic Fulfillment**, confirming that the long-warned-of consequences of covenant breaking have indeed materialized, validating the reliability of God's word spoken through His prophets.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 40:3 stands as a stark reminder of God's unwavering justice and His absolute sovereignty over all creation and human history. It powerfully demonstrates that God is not bound by human expectations or political outcomes; He uses even the most formidable empires as instruments to accomplish His divine purposes, particularly in executing judgment upon unrepentant sin. This verse affirms God's faithfulness to His covenant, even in judgment, showing that His warnings are as sure as His promises. It underscores the profound seriousness of sin and the dire consequences of persistent disobedience to God's revealed will, highlighting the principle that divine judgment is a just and necessary response to human rebellion.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [Lamentations 1:18](/lamentations/1-18 "Lamentations 1:18 - Jerusalem's Confession of Sin")
* [Amos 3:7](/amos/3-7 "Amos 3:7 - God Reveals His Plan to Prophets")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 40:3 offers profound lessons for believers today. Firstly, it calls us to a deeper understanding of God's absolute sovereignty. Even in the midst of chaos, destruction, or personal hardship, this verse reminds us that God remains on His throne, orchestrating events according to His perfect will, often using unexpected means and agents. This should cultivate a posture of trust, even when circumstances are beyond our control or comprehension. Secondly, the verse serves as a sober warning about the consequences of sin and disobedience. Just as Judah faced severe judgment for their rebellion, so too does sin in our lives create separation from God and bring about undesirable outcomes. It compels us to serious introspection, prompting us to examine areas where we might be neglecting God's voice or knowingly walking in disobedience. Finally, it reinforces the utter reliability of God's Word. If God faithfully executed His warnings of judgment, how much more will He fulfill His promises of salvation, grace, and restoration for those who turn to Him in faith? This should inspire confidence in His promises and motivate us to diligently heed His voice in all matters.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life might you be resisting God's "voice" or knowingly living in disobedience?**
* **How does Nebuzaradan's acknowledgment of the LORD's sovereignty challenge your own understanding of God's control over global events and personal circumstances?**
* **What "thing" in your life or in the world around you might be a consequence of collective or personal sin, and how does this verse prompt you to respond?**
* **How does the fulfillment of God's judgment warnings in this verse strengthen your faith in the reliability of all of God's promises, including those of salvation and restoration?**

### FAQ
**Why is it significant that a pagan official, Nebuzaradan, acknowledges the LORD's role in Judah's destruction?**

Answer: This is profoundly significant because in the ancient Near East, military victory was typically attributed to the superior power of the victor's gods over the vanquished's gods. For Nebuzaradan, a high-ranking Babylonian official, to explicitly state that the LORD (Yahweh), the God of the defeated Judah, was the one who "brought [it], and done according as he hath said," is an extraordinary theological admission. It demonstrates that God's sovereignty is so undeniable that even those outside His covenant people, and indeed His enemies, are compelled to recognize His hand in history. It validates the prophetic message of Jeremiah from an unexpected, external source, underscoring that the catastrophe was not merely a geopolitical event but a divine judgment orchestrated by the one true God, as seen in [Isaiah 45:5-7](/isaiah/45-5 "Isaiah 45:5-7 - God is the Only God").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 40:3, while detailing a moment of severe judgment for disobedience, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "thing" that came upon Judah—the consequence of sin and disobedience—is the universal human condition. All humanity has "sinned against the LORD, and have not obeyed his voice," and therefore faces the ultimate "thing": spiritual death and separation from God, as [Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned") declares. Jesus, the perfectly obedient Son of God, came not to bring judgment (though He will return in judgment), but to bear the judgment that humanity deserved. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, as proclaimed in [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). On the cross, Christ became sin for us, enduring the "thing" of God's righteous wrath so that we might be reconciled to God ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Furthermore, where Israel failed to "obey his voice," Jesus perfectly fulfilled the divine command, demonstrating perfect obedience even unto death ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience Unto Death")). Thus, the ultimate "thing" that God "brought" and "done according as he hath said" is not just judgment for sin, but also salvation and reconciliation through the obedient sacrifice of His Son, fulfilling the promises of restoration that were always interwoven with the warnings of judgment.

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

Romans 2:5

But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;

Jeremiah 50:7

All that found them have devoured them: and their adversaries said, We offend not, because they have sinned against the LORD, the habitation of justice, even the LORD, the hope of their fathers.

Daniel 9:11

Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that [is] written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him.

Daniel 9:12

And he hath confirmed his words, which he spake against us, and against our judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil: for under the whole heaven hath not been done as hath been done upon Jerusalem.

Nehemiah 9:33

Howbeit thou [art] just in all that is brought upon us; for thou hast done right, but we have done wickedly:

Deuteronomy 29:25

Then men shall say, Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD God of their fathers, which he made with them when he brought them forth out of the land of Egypt:

Romans 3:19

¶ Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.