Jeremiah 13 8

Jeremiah 13:8 kjv

Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

Jeremiah 13:8 nkjv

Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,

Jeremiah 13:8 niv

Then the word of the LORD came to me:

Jeremiah 13:8 esv

Then the word of the LORD came to me:

Jeremiah 13:8 nlt

Then I received this message from the LORD:

Jeremiah 13 verses

Jeremiah 13 8 Meaning

Jeremiah 13:8 serves as a pivotal introduction, declaring that the subsequent message directly originated from the Lord Himself to Jeremiah. Following a symbolic act of the ruined loincloth (Jer 13:1-7), this verse indicates a shift from prophetic action to divine interpretation, signifying God's direct revelation regarding the spiritual state and impending judgment upon Judah. It asserts the divine authority and unchallengeable source of the coming prophecy.

Jeremiah 13 8 Context

Jeremiah 13:8 follows a vivid object lesson God gave to Jeremiah: burying and later retrieving a linen loincloth (Jer 13:1-7). The loincloth, initially pure and close to Jeremiah's body, became ruined and useless, symbolizing Judah and Jerusalem, who were meant to be closely bound to God for His glory, yet had corrupted themselves through idolatry and pride.

This verse marks a crucial transition. Prior to verse 8, Jeremiah acts out a symbolic prophecy without explicit explanation; the meaning is then revealed directly from the Lord. This method underscores the gravity and divine authority of the subsequent interpretation (Jer 13:9-11), which explicitly details how Judah's pride, refusal to listen, and pursuit of other gods have made them useless for God's purposes, leading to inevitable exile and ruin, much like the defiled loincloth. The broader context of Jeremiah's ministry is God's persistent warning to Judah before their final exile to Babylon, highlighting their consistent rebellion against the covenant.

Jeremiah 13 8 Word analysis

• Then (וַיְהִי, va-y’hi): This Hebrew conjunction introduces a new narrative development or consequential event. It signifies a transition, marking a crucial moment where divine communication begins. Here, it shifts from Jeremiah's prophetic action to the direct explanation from God.
• the word (דְּבַר, dvar): From the Hebrew term dabar, this is much more than mere spoken utterance. It carries concepts of divine action, intention, and the power to effect change. In biblical thought, dabar YHWH is not just speech; it embodies God's authoritative message, creative power, and sovereign will.
• of the Lord (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is God's personal covenant name, the Tetragrammaton, revealing Him as the faithful, self-existent God who made a covenant with Israel. It emphasizes that the message originates from the supreme, sovereign, and true God, distinguishing it from human opinions or words of false deities.
• came (הָיָה, haya - related to "was" or "became," in this context implies arrival): This signifies divine initiative. The "word" actively approached Jeremiah, rather than him seeking it out or generating it. It highlights that the prophecy is a revelation, an impartation from God.
• to me (אֵלַי, elai): This specifies Jeremiah as the unique recipient of the divine message. It underscores his role as God's chosen messenger, burdened with delivering this specific prophetic word to the people.
• saying (לֵאמֹר, le’mor): This introduces the direct discourse that follows (Jer 13:9ff). It signals that the prophet is about to convey a precise message, indicating verbatim instruction from God rather than a general impression.

Words-group analysis:

• The word of the Lord: This entire phrase (dvar YHWH) is a fundamental identifier of authentic prophecy throughout the Old Testament. It establishes the absolute divine authority and reliability of the message that follows, counteracting any human doubt or false prophetic claims. Its recurring presence in prophetic books authenticates the prophet's ministry and underscores that God actively communicates with His people.
• Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying: This complete phrase (וַיְהִי דְּבַר יְהוָה אֵלַי לֵאמֹר, va-y’hi dvar YHWH elay le’mor) is a classic and solemn prophetic oracle formula. It signals a new divine disclosure, confirms its divine origin, identifies the specific prophet as the recipient, and prepares the audience for a direct message from God, emphasizing its unalterable truth and significance.

Jeremiah 13 8 Bonus section

• The structure of a prophetic action (Jer 13:1-7) followed by its divine interpretation (starting in v.8) is a common teaching methodology God uses through His prophets (e.g., Ezekiel's acts in Ezek 4-5). It is designed to capture attention and make a deep, memorable impression on an often-unresponsive audience.
• The recurrence of the phrase "the word of the Lord came to me/him" throughout the book of Jeremiah and other prophetic writings (e.g., Ezek 1:3, Jon 1:1, Hag 1:1, Zech 1:1) is a deliberate rhetorical device. It consistently asserts that God is the primary agent, speaking His message through a chosen human vessel, thus lending unassailable authority to the prophecy.
• The emphasis on "the Word" in Jeremiah 13:8 prefigures the New Testament understanding of God's Word as not merely speech but an active, living entity, as seen in passages like Hebrews 4:12 ("For the word of God is alive and active"). This highlights the continuous nature of God's self-revelation.

Jeremiah 13 8 Commentary

Jeremiah 13:8 is a brief but profoundly significant verse that shifts the narrative from a symbolic prophetic action to its divine explanation. By declaring, "Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying," it authenticates the interpretation that follows, marking it as a direct message from YHWH Himself. This is crucial for several reasons: it confirms Jeremiah's status as a true prophet, distinguishing his message from the competing voices of false prophets; it assures the audience of the divine origin and therefore the unerring truth of the prophecy; and it underscores God's persistent communication with His rebellious people, even amidst their spiritual decline. The explicit statement of divine source ensures the gravity of the impending judgment and exile detailed in subsequent verses cannot be dismissed as merely Jeremiah's opinion or human wisdom. It underscores that God remains actively engaged with His covenant people, patiently but firmly revealing their condition and the consequences of their choices.