The word of the LORD which came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Gentiles;

JEREMIAH 46:1KJV
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Jeremiah 46:1 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 46:1 mean?

Jeremiah 46:1 introduces a message that God gave to Jeremiah, specifically directed against the Gentile nations. This verse serves as a heading, letting the reader know that what follows will be prophecies concerning various foreign peoples, not just Israel or Judah.

Jeremiah, the prophet, is receiving and passing on a word from the LORD (God) about nations outside of Israel. The historical setting is a time when many surrounding nations were powerful and often in conflict with Israel. This verse marks the beginning of a new section in the book, shifting focus from messages to God’s own people to messages about other nations.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 46:1

  • word (דָּבָר, davar): This Hebrew word means "message" or "communication." In this context, it emphasizes that what follows is not Jeremiah’s own thoughts, but a direct message from God.
  • LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of Israel’s God, highlighting the authority and source of the message.
  • Jeremiah (יִרְמְיָהוּ, Yirmeyahu): Naming Jeremiah as the prophet here underlines his role as God’s chosen spokesperson.
  • prophet (נָבִיא, navi’): This term means someone who speaks on behalf of God, showing that Jeremiah’s words carry divine weight.
  • Gentiles (גּוֹיִם, goyim): This word means "nations" or "peoples" and often refers to non-Israelite groups. Here, it makes clear that the coming messages are directed at foreign nations, not Israel.

Why Jeremiah 46:1 matters

  • Jeremiah 46:1 signals a shift in the book’s focus, preparing the reader for a series of prophecies about other nations, which is a major section in Jeremiah.
  • The verse clarifies that God’s concern and authority extend beyond Israel, showing that God addresses all peoples and nations.
  • By introducing these messages as coming from the LORD through Jeremiah, the verse emphasizes the seriousness and divine origin of the prophecies that follow.

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 38:7 Now when Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, one of the eunuchs which was in the king's house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the dungeon; the king then sitting in the gate of Benjamin;