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,

The word {H1697} that Jeremiah {H3414} the prophet {H5030} spake {H1696} unto Baruch {H1263} the son {H1121} of Neriah {H5374}, when he had written {H3789} these words {H1697} in a book {H5612} at the mouth {H6310} of Jeremiah {H3414}, in the fourth {H7243} year {H8141} of Jehoiakim {H3079} the son {H1121} of Josiah {H2977} king {H4428} of Judah {H3063}, saying {H559},

Here is what Yirmeyahu said to Barukh the son of Neriyah when he wrote these words in a book at Yirmeyahu's dictation, in the fourth year of Y'hoyakim the son of Yoshiyahu, king of Y'hudah:

This is the word that Jeremiah the prophet spoke to Baruch son of Neriah when he wrote these words on a scroll at the dictation of Jeremiah in the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah:

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

Context

Jeremiah 45:1 serves as a crucial chronological and contextual marker, placing this specific prophecy to Baruch in the turbulent period of Judah's history leading up to the Babylonian exile. It states the divine message was given in the fourth year of King Jehoiakim's reign (circa 605 BC). This verse introduces a personal word from the Lord to Baruch, Jeremiah's faithful scribe, immediately following the broader prophecies against Judah and various nations that Baruch had meticulously recorded.

Key Themes

  • The Scribe's Indispensable Role: Baruch, son of Neriah, is highlighted not merely as an assistant, but as the trusted and diligent recorder of God's prophetic word. His work was essential for the preservation and transmission of Jeremiah's often unpopular and challenging messages, underscoring the importance of faithful service in supporting roles within God's plan.
  • Divine Authority and Transmission: The phrase "at the mouth of Jeremiah" emphasizes that the words Baruch wrote were not his own, nor even Jeremiah's personal thoughts, but direct dictation from the prophet, who in turn received them from the Lord. This reinforces the divine origin and authoritative nature of the prophecy.
  • Historical Precision: The specific dating ("fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah") firmly anchors the prophecy in a real historical setting. This precision highlights God's active involvement in human history, interacting with His people within concrete geopolitical events rather than abstract concepts. King Jehoiakim's rule was marked by defiance against God's warnings, ultimately leading to Jerusalem's destruction and the Babylonian captivity.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "word" (dabar) in this context is significant. It means more than just a spoken utterance; it encompasses a matter, an affair, a message, or even an event that carries weight and authority. Baruch's task was to faithfully capture this powerful, divinely-given dabar from Jeremiah, ensuring its accurate recording and future impact.

Significance and Application

Jeremiah 45:1 introduces a unique moment where God addresses an individual who served faithfully behind the scenes. This passage reminds us:

  • Faithful Service is Valued: Baruch's dedication in recording unpopular and dangerous prophecies in a hostile environment is a powerful example of unwavering commitment. It teaches us that every role in God's kingdom, no matter how seemingly secondary, is vital for the preservation and spread of His truth.
  • God's Word Endures: Despite attempts to suppress or destroy God's message (as seen when King Jehoiakim burned the scroll in Jeremiah 36:23), God ensures His word is preserved through faithful individuals like Baruch. This speaks to the enduring power and ultimate triumph of divine revelation.
  • God's Personal Care: The very existence of Jeremiah 45 demonstrates God's specific concern for Baruch, offering him a personal word of comfort, warning, and guidance amidst the looming national crisis. It highlights that God sees and cares for those who serve Him, providing tailored encouragement even in difficult times.
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.

  • 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,

  • Jeremiah 36:4

    Then Jeremiah called Baruch the son of Neriah: and Baruch wrote from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the LORD, which he had spoken unto him, upon a roll of a book.

  • Jeremiah 32:12

    And I gave the evidence of the purchase unto Baruch the son of Neriah, the son of Maaseiah, in the sight of Hanameel mine uncle's [son], and in the presence of the witnesses that subscribed the book of the purchase, before all the Jews that sat in the court of the prison.

  • Jeremiah 36:32

    Then took Jeremiah another roll, and gave it to Baruch the scribe, the son of Neriah; who wrote therein from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the book which Jehoiakim king of Judah had burned in the fire: and there were added besides unto them many like words.

  • 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;

  • 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 32:16

    ¶ Now when I had delivered the evidence of the purchase unto Baruch the son of Neriah, I prayed unto the LORD, saying,

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