Jeremiah 43:1

KJV

¶ And it came to pass, [that] when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking unto all the people all the words of the LORD their God, for which the LORD their God had sent him to them, [even] all these words,

KJV (with Strong's)

And it came to pass, that when Jeremiah {H3414} had made an end {H3615} of speaking {H1696} unto all the people {H5971} all the words {H1697} of the LORD {H3068} their God {H430}, for which the LORD {H3068} their God {H430} had sent {H7971} him to them, even all these words {H1697},

Complete Jewish Bible

When Yirmeyahu had finished telling all the people everything ADONAI their God had said, which ADONAI their God had sent him to tell them, the entire speech cited above,

Berean Standard Bible

When Jeremiah had finished telling all the people all the words of the LORD their God—everything that the LORD had sent him to say—

American Standard Version

And it came to pass that, when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking unto all the people all the words of Jehovah their God, wherewith Jehovah their God had sent him to them, even all these words,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 43:1 serves as a crucial transitional verse, marking the definitive conclusion of Jeremiah’s faithful delivery of God’s complete message to the remnant of Judah. Following a period of intense divine communication and the people's solemn promise to obey, this verse underscores the prophet's unwavering commitment to his divine commission, having fully discharged the weighty responsibility of conveying every word that the LORD their God had sent him to speak, setting the stage for the remnant's subsequent, and tragic, decision.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 43:1 immediately follows the detailed account in [Jeremiah 42](/jeremiah/42 "Jeremiah 42 - The Remnant Seeks Counsel") where the remnant of Judah, having survived the destruction of Jerusalem and the Babylonian siege, sought divine counsel from Jeremiah. They had solemnly promised to obey whatever the LORD commanded, "whether it be good, or whether it be evil" ([Jeremiah 42:6](/jeremiah/42-6 "Jeremiah 42:6 - The Remnant's Promise")). After a ten-day wait, Jeremiah delivered God's explicit instruction: remain in the land, and God would protect them; go to Egypt, and they would perish by sword, famine, and pestilence ([Jeremiah 42:17](/jeremiah/42-17 "Jeremiah 42:17 - God's Warning Against Egypt")). This verse, then, acts as the concluding statement to that prophetic interaction, emphasizing that Jeremiah had now fully and completely conveyed the divine will, leaving no room for ambiguity before the people's fateful response.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop is the immediate aftermath of the fall of Jerusalem to Babylon in 586 BC. The city lay in ruins, the temple destroyed, and the majority of the population deported. A small, vulnerable remnant remained in Judah, fearful of Babylonian reprisals and uncertain of their future. In this climate of profound instability and trauma, the prospect of seeking refuge in Egypt, a historically powerful nation and a traditional ally (though often a source of temptation away from God's covenant), would have been culturally appealing to many. The people's request for Jeremiah's word, and their subsequent rejection of it, highlights a recurring theme in Israel's history: a tendency to trust in human alliances and perceived safety rather than in God's explicit commands, even when those commands seem counter-intuitive or dangerous.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Jeremiah. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Prophetic Faithfulness**, showcasing Jeremiah's unwavering obedience to God's command to speak "all the words," regardless of the personal cost or the message's unpopularity. Secondly, it underscores the **Completeness and Authority of God's Word**, emphasizing that the divine message delivered through Jeremiah was exhaustive and unambiguous, leaving the people without excuse. Thirdly, its placement immediately before the account of the people's disobedience in [Jeremiah 43:2-7](/jeremiah/43-2 "Jeremiah 43:2-7 - The People's Disobedience") powerfully sets up the theme of **Human Rebellion Against Divine Counsel**. It creates a dramatic tension, foreshadowing the tragic irony of a people who earnestly sought God's word but ultimately chose to disregard it when it contradicted their own desires and plans, a pattern seen throughout Israel's history, from the wilderness wanderings to the exile itself, as recounted in books like [Numbers](/numbers/1 "Numbers - The Wilderness Wanderings") and [2 Kings](/2_kings/25 "2 Kings 25 - The Fall of Jerusalem").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Jeremiah (Hebrew, _Yirmᵉyâh'_):** From H3414, meaning "Jah will rise." This name is highly significant for the prophet, as his ministry often involved declaring God's rising judgment against Judah's sin, but also the eventual rising of a remnant and a new covenant. In this verse, it grounds the prophetic message in the person of God's chosen messenger.
* **made an end (Hebrew, _kâlâh'_):** From H3615, a primitive root meaning "to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitived (to complete, prepare, consume)." Here, it signifies the absolute completion of Jeremiah's speaking task. It conveys a sense of finality, that nothing was held back, and the divine communication was fully discharged.
* **words (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** From H1697, meaning "a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing." The repetition of "all the words" (H1697) following "speaking" (H1696, _dâbar_, the verb form of the same root) emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the message. It was not just a general idea, but specific, detailed instructions given by God, encompassing every aspect of His will for the remnant.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it came to pass, that when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking unto all the people":** This opening clause establishes the setting and the completion of a significant event. The phrase "made an end of speaking" highlights the finality and thoroughness of Jeremiah's address to the entire gathered remnant, indicating that the prophetic discourse was exhaustive.
* **"all the words of the LORD their God":** This crucial phrase emphasizes the divine origin and comprehensive nature of the message. It was not Jeremiah's opinion, but the direct, complete revelation from "the LORD their God" (Yahweh, their covenant God). The repetition of "all the words" underscores that no part of the divine counsel was omitted.
* **"for which the LORD their God had sent him to them, even all these words":** This concluding segment reinforces Jeremiah's role as a divinely commissioned messenger. His authority derived entirely from the LORD, who "sent him to them" with this specific and complete message. The final reiteration of "all these words" serves as a powerful summary, leaving no doubt about the totality of the divine instruction delivered.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Emphasis** is achieved through repetition, particularly the phrase "all the words," which appears twice within the short verse. This repetition underscores the completeness and exhaustive nature of the divine message delivered by Jeremiah, leaving no room for misunderstanding or partial obedience. Furthermore, the verse functions as a powerful moment of **Foreshadowing**. By explicitly stating that Jeremiah had finished speaking "all the words," the text subtly prepares the reader for the subsequent narrative of disobedience. The meticulous completion of Jeremiah's duty stands in stark contrast to the people's impending failure to heed the very words they had promised to obey, creating a dramatic **Irony** that permeates the following chapters.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 43:1 profoundly illustrates the divine economy of revelation and human responsibility. It underscores God's faithfulness in providing clear, complete, and authoritative guidance to His people, even in their most desperate circumstances. The thoroughness of Jeremiah's delivery reflects God's own thoroughness in communicating His will, leaving no ambiguity for those who genuinely seek to obey. The theological weight of "all the words of the LORD their God" is immense; it signifies that God's counsel is sufficient, comprehensive, and demands a full response, not a selective one. This verse sets the stage for the tragic reality that even when God speaks plainly, human will often chooses its own path, revealing the persistent tension between divine sovereignty and human freedom, and the profound consequences of rejecting revealed truth.

* [Deuteronomy 4:2](/deuteronomy/4-2 "Deuteronomy 4:2 - Do Not Add or Subtract from God's Word")
* [Proverbs 14:12](/proverbs/14-12 "Proverbs 14:12 - A Way That Seems Right")
* [Luke 10:16](/luk/10-16 "Luke 10:16 - He Who Hears You Hears Me")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 43:1 serves as a powerful mirror for both those who speak God's word and those who hear it. For those entrusted with proclaiming divine truth, it is a solemn reminder of the imperative to deliver "all the words" faithfully, without addition, subtraction, or compromise, regardless of the audience's receptivity or the personal cost. It calls for integrity, courage, and unwavering commitment to the full counsel of God. For those who listen, this verse is a profound challenge to genuine obedience. It highlights the danger of seeking God's guidance with a pre-determined outcome in mind, or of promising obedience only to disregard it when the divine will conflicts with personal desires, comfort, or perceived safety. Our response to God's complete revelation is the ultimate test of our faith and the true posture of our hearts. Do we truly desire God's will, or merely confirmation of our own?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be tempted to seek God's counsel but then disregard it if the answer is not what I desire?**
* **How does Jeremiah's faithfulness in delivering "all the words" challenge my own commitment to sharing the full truth of God's word, even when it is unpopular?**
* **What does the phrase "the LORD their God had sent him to them" imply about the authority and urgency of the messages we receive from God's word today?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the phrase "all the words" in this verse?**

Answer: The repeated phrase "all the words" (Hebrew: *dâbâr*) is highly significant because it emphasizes the completeness, comprehensiveness, and finality of the message Jeremiah delivered. It underscores that Jeremiah held nothing back; every instruction, warning, and promise that "the LORD their God had sent him to them" was fully communicated. This precision highlights the divine origin and authority of the message, leaving the remnant without excuse for their subsequent disobedience, as detailed in [Jeremiah 43:2-7](/jeremiah/43-2 "Jeremiah 43:2-7 - The People's Disobedience"). It signifies that God's revelation was sufficient and clear, demanding a full and unreserved response.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 43:1, with its emphasis on the complete and faithful delivery of God's word by His prophet, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Jeremiah was a faithful messenger, but Christ is the very embodiment and culmination of God's word. As [John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God") declares, He is "the Word" made flesh, the perfect revelation of God. While Jeremiah delivered "all the words" *from* the LORD, Jesus *is* "all the words" of God, fully revealing the Father ([John 14:9](/john/14-9 "John 14:9 - He Who Has Seen Me Has Seen the Father")). Just as Jeremiah was "sent" by the LORD ([Jeremiah 43:1](/jeremiah/43-1 "Jeremiah 43:1 - Jeremiah Completes His Message")), Jesus repeatedly affirms that He was "sent" by the Father to accomplish His will ([John 5:36](/john/5-36 "John 5:36 - Jesus Sent by the Father")). Jeremiah's completed message was rejected by many, leading to judgment; similarly, Jesus' perfect revelation of truth was rejected, leading to His crucifixion, yet through His obedience, He secured salvation for all who would believe ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). Thus, Jeremiah's faithfulness foreshadows Christ's ultimate and perfect obedience in fully revealing and accomplishing God's redemptive plan.

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

Jeremiah 26:8

Now it came to pass, when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking all that the LORD had commanded [him] to speak unto all the people, that the priests and the prophets and all the people took him, saying, Thou shalt surely die.

Jeremiah 42:22

Now therefore know certainly that ye shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, in the place whither ye desire to go [and] to sojourn.

Jeremiah 51:63

And it shall be, when thou hast made an end of reading this book, [that] thou shalt bind a stone to it, and cast it into the midst of Euphrates:

Jeremiah 1:7

But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I [am] a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.

Matthew 28:20

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.

Acts 5:20

Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.

1 Samuel 8:10

And Samuel told all the words of the LORD unto the people that asked of him a king.