Jeremiah 33:23
Moreover the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, saying,
Original Language Analysis
וַֽיְהִי֙
H1961
וַֽיְהִי֙
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 6
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
דְּבַר
Moreover the word
H1697
דְּבַר
Moreover the word
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
2 of 6
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 6
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Historical Context
This second oracle came during the same imprisonment period as chapter 32 (588-587 BC), likely days or weeks after the initial revelation. Jerusalem was still under siege, conditions worsening daily. The delay between first and second words tests prophetic patience—God's timing differs from human urgency, yet His word comes 'a second time' (שֵׁנִית), confirming and expanding initial promises.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's willingness to address doubts and objections inform your approach to honest questions about His promises?
- What does the timing—a second word during continued imprisonment—teach about God's communication pattern in trials?
- Why might God separate His messages into multiple revelations rather than giving complete information at once?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Moreover the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, saying (וַיְהִי דְבַר־יְהוָה אֶל־יִרְמְיָהוּ שֵׁנִית לֵאמֹר)—a second revelation while Jeremiah remains imprisoned (v. 1, 'shut up in the court of the prison'). The Hebrew debar-YHWH (word of the LORD) marks prophetic authority—not Jeremiah's opinion but divine speech. This formula appears over 150 times in Jeremiah, grounding hope in God's initiative, not human optimism.
The verse serves as transitional hinge: vv. 1-22 detailed Davidic and Levitical covenant promises; vv. 23-26 address skeptical objections to those promises. The structure mirrors ancient Near Eastern disputation oracles where the prophet anticipates and refutes doubts. God doesn't merely announce restoration—He engages with Israel's unbelief, dignifying their doubts with reasoned response.