Jeremiah 32:1
The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD in the tenth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, which was the eighteenth year of Nebuchadrezzar.
Original Language Analysis
הַדָּבָ֞ר
The word
H1697
הַדָּבָ֞ר
The word
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
1 of 18
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
2 of 18
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 18
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
יִרְמְיָ֙הוּ֙
that came to Jeremiah
H3414
יִרְמְיָ֙הוּ֙
that came to Jeremiah
Strong's:
H3414
Word #:
5 of 18
jirmejah, the name of eight or nine israelites
מֵאֵ֣ת
H853
מֵאֵ֣ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְהוָ֔ה
from the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
from the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
7 of 18
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
הָעֲשִׂרִ֔ית
in the tenth
H6224
הָעֲשִׂרִ֔ית
in the tenth
Strong's:
H6224
Word #:
9 of 18
tenth; by abbreviation, tenth month or (feminine) part
יְהוּדָ֑ה
of Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָ֑ה
of Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
12 of 18
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
הִ֧יא
H1931
הִ֧יא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
13 of 18
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
שְׁמֹנֶֽה
which was the eighteenth
H8083
שְׁמֹנֶֽה
which was the eighteenth
Strong's:
H8083
Word #:
15 of 18
a cardinal number, eight (as if a surplus above the 'perfect' seven); also (as ordinal) eighth
Historical Context
Zedekiah (597-586 BC) was Judah's last king, installed by Nebuchadnezzar after deporting Jehoiachin. The tenth year marks the beginning of the final siege (January 588 BC, 2 Kings 25:1). Jeremiah prophesied through this 18-month ordeal, imprisoned for 'treason' (v. 2-3). Archaeological evidence confirms the Babylonian siege layers.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does God anchor His word in specific historical moments rather than timeless abstractions?
- How does the precision of biblical chronology strengthen confidence in Scripture's reliability?
- What does God's speaking during crisis (not just peacetime) reveal about His character?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The tenth year of Zedekiah (598 BC) corresponds to the eighteenth year of Nebuchadrezzar (Nebuchadnezzar)—the Babylonian spelling emphasizes historical accuracy. This synchronism anchors prophecy in verifiable history, demonstrating Scripture's historical reliability.
The careful dating (unique to Jeremiah among prophets) serves theological purpose: God acts in real time and space. The tenth year of Zedekiah was Jerusalem's penultimate year—Jeremiah receives God's word precisely when judgment is imminent yet not complete. The Hebrew aseret (tenth) carries covenant significance (tithes, Ten Commandments), suggesting divine ordering even in catastrophe. This is not random chaos but divine visitation (paqad).