Jeremiah 33:1
Moreover the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah the second time, while he was yet shut up in the court of the prison, saying,
Original Language Analysis
וַיְהִ֧י
H1961
וַיְהִ֧י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 12
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
דְבַר
Moreover the word
H1697
דְבַר
Moreover the word
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
2 of 12
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
יְהוָ֛ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֛ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 12
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
יִרְמְיָ֖הוּ
came unto Jeremiah
H3414
יִרְמְיָ֖הוּ
came unto Jeremiah
Strong's:
H3414
Word #:
5 of 12
jirmejah, the name of eight or nine israelites
שֵׁנִ֑ית
the second
H8145
שֵׁנִ֑ית
the second
Strong's:
H8145
Word #:
6 of 12
properly, double, i.e., second; also adverbially, again
וְהוּא֙
H1931
וְהוּא֙
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
7 of 12
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
עוֹדֶ֣נּוּ
H5750
עוֹדֶ֣נּוּ
Strong's:
H5750
Word #:
8 of 12
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
עָצ֔וּר
time while he was yet shut up
H6113
עָצ֔וּר
time while he was yet shut up
Strong's:
H6113
Word #:
9 of 12
to inclose; by analogy, to hold back; also to maintain, rule, assemble
בַּחֲצַ֥ר
in the court
H2691
בַּחֲצַ֥ר
in the court
Strong's:
H2691
Word #:
10 of 12
a yard (as inclosed by a fence); also a hamlet (as similarly surrounded with walls)
Cross References
Jeremiah 37:21Then Zedekiah the king commanded that they should commit Jeremiah into the court of the prison, and that they should give him daily a piece of bread out of the bakers' street, until all the bread in the city were spent. Thus Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison.Jeremiah 38:28So Jeremiah abode in the court of the prison until the day that Jerusalem was taken: and he was there when Jerusalem was taken.Jeremiah 32:8So Hanameel mine uncle's son came to me in the court of the prison according to the word of the LORD, and said unto me, Buy my field, I pray thee, that is in Anathoth, which is in the country of Benjamin: for the right of inheritance is thine, and the redemption is thine; buy it for thyself. Then I knew that this was the word of the LORD.2 Timothy 2:9Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.
Historical Context
Jeremiah was imprisoned by King Zedekiah (circa 588 BC) in the court of the guard for prophesying Jerusalem's conquest by Babylon. From this confined space, God revealed some of Scripture's most glorious restoration promises, showing that physical captivity could not limit divine revelation.
Questions for Reflection
- When have you experienced God's clearest guidance during your most restricted circumstances?
- How does Jeremiah's prison testimony encourage faithfulness when speaking truth costs you freedom?
- What 'second time' words of hope might God be speaking to situations you've already given up on?
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Analysis & Commentary
Moreover the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah the second time—This divine word (דְּבַר־יְהוָה, debar-YHWH) came while Jeremiah remained imprisoned in the court of the prison (חֲצַר הַמַּטָּרָה, chatsar hammattarah). The 'second time' refers back to chapter 32, emphasizing God's persistent grace even when Jeremiah was confined for prophesying Jerusalem's fall. The prison courtyard became a pulpit for restoration promises—God speaks His brightest words in our darkest places.
This pattern of hope-in-confinement anticipates Paul's prison epistles (Philippians, Ephesians) where captivity produced theology of cosmic restoration. The prophet who announced judgment now receives revelation of redemption, demonstrating that God's final word is always grace.