King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 1:2 Mean?

Jeremiah 1:2 in the King James Version says “To whom the word of the LORD came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his rei...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“To whom the word of the LORD came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign.”

Jeremiah 1:2 · KJV

Context

1

The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests that were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin:

2

To whom the word of the LORD came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign.

3

It came also in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, unto the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah the son of Josiah king of Judah, unto the carrying away of Jerusalem captive in the fifth month.

4

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

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse establishes the chronological framework for Jeremiah's call, dating it to King Josiah's thirteenth year (approximately 627 BC). The phrase 'the word of the LORD came unto him' (hayah debar-YHWH elav, הָיָה דְבַר־יְהוָה אֵלָיו) is the classic formula for prophetic revelation throughout Scripture, emphasizing divine initiative—God spoke to Jeremiah, not vice versa. The verb 'came' (hayah, הָיָה, literally 'became' or 'occurred') indicates a definite event when God's word entered prophetic consciousness. This wasn't gradual religious enlightenment but specific divine communication at a particular historical moment. Josiah's reign (640-609 BC) was marked by religious reforms after discovering the Book of the Law during temple repairs (2 Kings 22-23). Jeremiah's call during Josiah's reign positions him as both supporter of genuine reform and subsequent critic of its superficiality—many people changed external practices without heart transformation.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Josiah became king at age eight after his father Amon's assassination (2 Kings 21:23-26). His reforms, beginning in his twelfth year and intensifying after discovering the Law scroll in his eighteenth year, attempted to reverse the idolatry of his grandfather Manasseh's fifty-five-year reign—the longest and wickedest in Judah's history. Jeremiah's call in Josiah's thirteenth year (627 BC) places it amid these reform efforts and coincides with Assyria's declining power. The Assyrian capital Nineveh fell in 612 BC, creating a power vacuum that Babylon filled. This geopolitical shift forms the backdrop for Jeremiah's prophecies about 'the enemy from the north' (Babylon). Some scholars debate whether Jeremiah was active during early Josiah years or began more visibly after the king's death, but the text clearly dates his call to this period.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the phrase 'the word of the LORD came unto him' reveal about the nature of biblical prophecy versus human religious insight?
  2. How might Jeremiah's call during Josiah's reform period have shaped his understanding of the difference between external religious change and authentic heart transformation?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
אֲשֶׁ֨ר1 of 15
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הָיָ֤ה2 of 15
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

דְבַר3 of 15

“To whom the word”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

יְהוָה֙4 of 15

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֵלָ֔יו5 of 15
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בִּימֵ֛י6 of 15

“came in the days”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

יֹאשִׁיָּ֥הוּ7 of 15

“of Josiah”

H2977

joshijah, the name of two israelites

בֶן8 of 15

“the son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

אָמ֖וֹן9 of 15

“of Amon”

H526

amon, the name of three israelites

מֶ֣לֶךְ10 of 15

“king”

H4428

a king

יְהוּדָ֑ה11 of 15

“of Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

בִּשְׁלֹשׁ12 of 15

“in the thirteenth”

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

עֶשְׂרֵ֥ה13 of 15
H6240

ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth

שָׁנָ֖ה14 of 15

“year”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

לְמָלְכֽוֹ׃15 of 15

“of his reign”

H4427

to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 1:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 1:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 1:4Jeremiah 1:11Hosea 1:1Jonah 1:1Micah 1:11 Kings 13:20

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