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;
Original Language Analysis
הַדָּבָ֞ר
The word
H1697
הַדָּבָ֞ר
The word
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
1 of 22
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
2 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הָיָ֤ה
H1961
הָיָ֤ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
3 of 22
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
עַֽל
H5921
עַֽל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
4 of 22
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יִרְמְיָ֙הוּ֙
that came to Jeremiah
H3414
יִרְמְיָ֙הוּ֙
that came to Jeremiah
Strong's:
H3414
Word #:
5 of 22
jirmejah, the name of eight or nine israelites
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
6 of 22
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
7 of 22
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עַ֣ם
concerning all the people
H5971
עַ֣ם
concerning all the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
8 of 22
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
יְהוּדָ֑ה
of Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָ֑ה
of Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
9 of 22
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
בֶּן
the son
H1121
בֶּן
the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
13 of 22
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יְהוּדָ֑ה
of Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָ֑ה
of Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
16 of 22
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
הִ֗יא
H1931
הִ֗יא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
17 of 22
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
Cross References
Jeremiah 36:1And 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 46:2Against Egypt, against the army of Pharaoh-necho king of Egypt, which was by the river Euphrates in Carchemish, which Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon smote in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah.Daniel 1:1In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.
Historical Context
The fourth year of Jehoiakim (605 BC) marked a turning point in Judean history. Jehoiakim was a vassal of Egypt, but Nebuchadnezzar's victory at Carchemish shifted regional power decisively to Babylon. Within months, Judah would become Babylon's vassal. Jehoiakim was an evil king who rejected Jeremiah's warnings, even burning the prophet's scroll (chapter 36). This prophecy came after 23 years of faithful preaching to deaf ears, demonstrating God's patience before executing judgment.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's precise timing in sending this word at this historical moment demonstrate His sovereignty over nations and empires?
- What does Jeremiah's 23 years of faithful preaching to an unresponsive audience teach about perseverance in proclaiming God's word?
- How should the synchronization of Judah's judgment with Babylon's rise inform our understanding of God's use of secular powers to accomplish His purposes?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the people of Judah in the fourth year of Jehoiakim—This precise chronological marker (605 BC) identifies a pivotal moment in redemptive history. The Hebrew dāḇār (דָּבָר, word) signifies more than mere speech; it denotes divine revelation carrying creative and prophetic power. This was the first year of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, synchronizing Judah's history with the rise of the Neo-Babylonian Empire that would execute God's judgment. Jeremiah received this oracle 23 years into his ministry (v. 3), making this a comprehensive assessment of Judah's persistent rebellion.
The synchronization of Jehoiakim's fourth year with Nebuchadnezzar's first year is historically significant. This was the year of the Battle of Carchemish (605 BC), where Babylon crushed Egypt and established dominance over the ancient Near East. Daniel and his companions were taken in the first deportation this same year (Daniel 1:1). Jeremiah's prophecy anticipated these events, revealing God's sovereign orchestration of world empires to accomplish His redemptive purposes. The prophet's 23-year ministry of warning was reaching its climax—judgment was no longer future but imminent.