Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah, saying,

JEREMIAH 35:12KJV
Know the Bible

Jeremiah 35:12 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 35:12 mean?

Jeremiah 35:12 describes a moment when God speaks directly to Jeremiah, giving him a message to deliver. The verse marks a turning point in the story, signaling that what follows is not Jeremiah’s own words, but a message from God Himself.

In this setting, Jeremiah is acting as a prophet in Jerusalem during a time of national trouble. The verse comes after Jeremiah has interacted with the Rechabite family, who were known for their strict obedience to their ancestor’s command not to drink wine. Now, God is about to use this example to teach a lesson to the people of Judah through Jeremiah.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 35:12

  • word (דָּבָר, davar): This word means "message," "word," or "matter." Here, it emphasizes that what Jeremiah is about to say is not his own opinion, but a specific message from God.
  • LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible, often translated as "the LORD." Its use here highlights the authority and seriousness of the message.
  • Jeremiah (יִרְמְיָהוּ, Yirmeyahu): The prophet’s name is mentioned to make clear who is receiving the message and who is responsible for delivering it.
  • saying (אָמַר, amar): This verb means "to say" or "to speak." It introduces the content of God’s message, showing that what follows are God’s own words.

Why Jeremiah 35:12 matters

  • This verse signals a shift from narrative to direct divine speech, letting the reader know that the next words carry God’s authority and are meant to be taken seriously.
  • By highlighting that the message comes from יְהוָה (YHWH), the verse underlines the importance of obedience to God, which is a central theme in the surrounding passage.
  • The verse connects the example of the Rechabites’ obedience to a broader lesson for Judah, preparing the reader for a comparison between human faithfulness and the people’s response to God.

Where else these words appear

“Jeremiah” Hebrew H3414 · used in 133 verses

  • 2 Kings 23:31 Jehoahaz was twenty and three years old when he began to reign; and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.
  • Jeremiah 28:15 Then said the prophet Jeremiah unto Hananiah the prophet, Hear now, Hananiah; The LORD hath not sent thee; but thou makest this people to trust in a lie.
  • Jeremiah 38:9 My lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet, whom they have cast into the dungeon; and he is like to die for hunger in the place where he is: for there is no more bread in the city.