Jeremiah 46 1

Jeremiah 46:1 kjv

The word of the LORD which came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Gentiles;

Jeremiah 46:1 nkjv

The word of the LORD which came to Jeremiah the prophet against the nations.

Jeremiah 46:1 niv

This is the word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the nations:

Jeremiah 46:1 esv

The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the nations.

Jeremiah 46:1 nlt

The following messages were given to Jeremiah the prophet from the LORD concerning foreign nations.

Jeremiah 46 verses

Jeremiah 46 1 Meaning

Jeremiah 46:1 introduces a new and distinct section of prophecies within the book of Jeremiah. This verse states that the forthcoming divine messages originated directly from the LORD and were given to Jeremiah, specifically focusing on various non-Israelite nations. It establishes the authoritative and global scope of God's sovereign dealings, indicating that His power and judgment extend far beyond His chosen people to encompass all the kingdoms of the earth.

Jeremiah 46 1 Context

Jeremiah chapter 46 marks a pivotal transition within the book. It introduces a substantial section (chapters 46-51) known as the "Oracles Against Nations" (OAN). Before this, the book largely focuses on prophecies directed towards Judah and Jerusalem, detailing their sin, impending judgment, and eventual exile. The immediate historical context is the late 7th and early 6th centuries BCE, a turbulent period dominated by the declining Assyrian empire and the rising powers of Egypt and Babylon. These oracles were delivered against nations that either oppressed Judah (like Babylon), or that Judah wrongly relied upon (like Egypt), or neighboring states often hostile to Israel. This collection serves to demonstrate that the God of Israel is sovereign over all nations, not just His chosen people. For the beleaguered people of Judah, experiencing defeat and exile, these prophecies would have offered both understanding (God is in control of all powers) and a measure of comfort (even their oppressors would face divine justice).

Jeremiah 46 1 Word analysis

• "The word": (Hebrew: davar, דָּבָר) - More than just a simple utterance; it carries the weight of divine authority, indicating an authoritative pronouncement that possesses inherent power and will be fulfilled. It represents God's active, intentional communication to humanity.
• "of the LORD": (Hebrew: Yahweh, יהוה) - Refers to the personal, covenantal name of God. This signifies that the message originates from the true, self-existent, and sovereign God of Israel, who is unique among all deities and holds supreme authority over creation and history.
• "which came": (Hebrew: hayah, הָיָה) - Literally "to be" or "to become." In this context, it implies a divine "falling upon" or direct bestowal of the message upon the prophet. It underscores the supernatural and unambiguous origin of the prophecy, emphasizing that it is not human thought but God's direct revelation.
• "to Jeremiah": (Hebrew: Yirmeyahu, יִרְמְיָהוּ) - Identifies the human instrument chosen by God to receive and declare these prophecies. His personal struggles and unique role as a prophet (whose name can imply "Yahweh will exalt" or "Yahweh casts/hurls") underscore the challenges and truthfulness of his mission.
• "the prophet": (Hebrew: haNavi, הַנָּבִיא) - This title distinguishes Jeremiah as an authentic messenger of God. A "prophet" is someone divinely called and commissioned to speak on God's behalf, communicating His will, warnings, and promises to humanity, often involving future events or divine judgment.
• "concerning": (Hebrew: al, עַל) - This preposition acts as a direct indicator of the subject or object of the preceding declaration. It clearly delineates the specific target audience for the prophecies that follow: the Gentile nations.
• "the nations": (Hebrew: haGoyim, הַגּוֹיִם) - The plural form of goy, typically refers to non-Israelite peoples or ethnic groups. In biblical prophecy, goyim often represent the unredeemed world or those who do not worship the God of Israel, and are thus subject to God's universal moral law and ultimate judgment for their idolatry, pride, or aggression.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "The word of the LORD": This powerful opening immediately establishes the absolute authority, truthfulness, and divine source of everything that follows. It highlights that the ensuing pronouncements are not human opinions but direct communications from the omnipotent God.
• "which came to Jeremiah the prophet": This phrase confirms the authenticity and divine transmission of the message through God's chosen and legitimate messenger, Jeremiah, validating his role as a true conduit of God's revelation. It also authenticates the message as specifically received by him.
• "concerning the nations": This key phrase sets the entire scope of Jeremiah chapters 46-51, redirecting the reader's focus from Israel to the global arena. It explicitly signals that God's authority and judgment extend universally, impacting and controlling all world powers, thus demonstrating His sovereignty over human history and political affairs.

Jeremiah 46 1 Bonus section

The placement of these Oracles Against Nations after Jeremiah's intense prophecies against Judah (and his personal struggles) is strategically significant. It reassures Judah that while they faced punishment, God had not abandoned His claim to sovereignty over the earth. It emphasizes His holiness and justice that applies universally, to Gentile nations as well as His own people. Historically, these prophecies often reflected contemporary geopolitical events, such as the battles between Egypt and Babylon for regional supremacy. The very first oracle in this series is directed at Egypt (Jer 46:2ff), a nation Judah had often wrongly allied with, showing the consequences of misplacing trust away from the LORD. These sections collectively dismantle the pride and self-sufficiency of nations, showing their vulnerability before the divine King.

Jeremiah 46 1 Commentary

Jeremiah 46:1 is a critical heading that introduces one of the most significant sections of the book: the "Oracles Against Nations" (chapters 46-51). This verse emphatically asserts the divine origin of these pronouncements, coming directly from "the word of the LORD" and transmitted through the accredited messenger, "Jeremiah the prophet." By stating the subject matter as "concerning the nations," it immediately establishes the universal dominion of the God of Israel, showcasing that He is not merely a tribal deity, but the sovereign ruler over all peoples and empires. For Judah, experiencing conquest and exile at the hands of powerful nations, these oracles offered profound theological comfort: their suffering was part of a larger divine plan, and their oppressors, despite their apparent power, were also under God's ultimate control and subject to His righteous judgment. This collection serves as a powerful reminder of divine justice and God's consistent plan to reveal His glory to the entire world, even through acts of judgment.