King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 25:3 Mean?

Jeremiah 25:3 in the King James Version says “From the thirteenth year of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, even unto this day, that is the three and twentieth ye...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 25 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“From the thirteenth year of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, even unto this day, that is the three and twentieth year, the word of the LORD hath come unto me, and I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking; but ye have not hearkened.”

Jeremiah 25:3 · KJV

Context

1

The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the people of Judah in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, that was the first year of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon;

2

The which Jeremiah the prophet spake unto all the people of Judah, and to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying,

3

From the thirteenth year of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, even unto this day, that is the three and twentieth year, the word of the LORD hath come unto me, and I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking; but ye have not hearkened.

4

And the LORD hath sent unto you all his servants the prophets, rising early and sending them; but ye have not hearkened, nor inclined your ear to hear.

5

They said, Turn ye again now every one from his evil way, and from the evil of your doings, and dwell in the land that the LORD hath given unto you and to your fathers for ever and ever:

Read Jeremiah 25 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
From the thirteenth year of Josiah...even unto this day, that is the three and twentieth year, the word of the LORD hath come unto me, and I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking; but ye have not hearkened. The phrase hashkem wĕḏabbēr (הַשְׁכֵּם וְדַבֵּר, rising early and speaking) employs a Hebrew idiom indicating persistent, diligent effort. God and His prophet worked tirelessly to warn Judah, beginning ministry under righteous King Josiah (627 BC) and continuing through increasingly evil kings. The verb shāmaʿ (שָׁמַע, to hear/hearken) means more than auditory reception—it implies obedient response. Judah heard the words but refused to obey.

Twenty-three years of consistent warning reveals God's patience and longsuffering before executing judgment. This extended period allowed multiple generations opportunity to repent, fulfilling God's stated desire that the wicked turn from evil and live (Ezekiel 18:23, 33:11). Yet persistent rejection eventually brings inevitable consequences. The New Testament echoes this principle: God's kindness leads to repentance (Romans 2:4), but despising His patience stores up wrath (Romans 2:5). Christ wept over Jerusalem's rejection of repeated prophetic warnings (Matthew 23:37).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jeremiah began prophesying in 627 BC during Josiah's reform movement. Despite Josiah's efforts to restore covenant faithfulness, the reforms were superficial—the people's hearts remained unchanged (3:10). After Josiah's death (609 BC), Judah rapidly declined under Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and finally Zedekiah. Each king rejected Jeremiah's warnings. The prophet's 23-year ministry spanned this entire tragic trajectory from reform to destruction.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does God's 23-year patience with Judah reveal about His character, and how should this shape our understanding of divine judgment?
  2. How can we distinguish between truly hearing God's word (with obedient response) versus merely listening without responding?
  3. In what areas might we be hearing God's word repeatedly without genuine response, and what are the consequences of persistent disobedience?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 26 words
מִן1 of 26
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

שָׁלֹ֤שׁ2 of 26

“From the thirteenth”

H7969

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

עֶשְׂרֵ֣ה3 of 26
H6240

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

שָׁנָ֔ה4 of 26

“year”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

לְיֹאשִׁיָּ֣הוּ5 of 26

“of Josiah”

H2977

joshijah, the name of two israelites

בֶן6 of 26

“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

אָמוֹן֩7 of 26

“of Amon”

H526

amon, the name of three israelites

מֶ֨לֶךְ8 of 26

“king”

H4428

a king

יְהוּדָ֜ה9 of 26

“of Judah”

H3063

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

וְעַ֣ד׀10 of 26
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

הַיּ֣וֹם11 of 26

“even unto this day”

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

הַזֶּ֗ה12 of 26
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

זֶ֚ה13 of 26
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

שָׁלֹ֤שׁ14 of 26

“From the thirteenth”

H7969

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

וְעֶשְׂרִים֙15 of 26

“and twentieth”

H6242

twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth

שָׁנָ֔ה16 of 26

“year”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

הָיָ֥ה17 of 26
H1961

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

דְבַר18 of 26

“the word”

H1697

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

יְהוָ֖ה19 of 26

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

אֵלָ֑י20 of 26
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

וְדַבֵּ֖ר21 of 26

“and speaking”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

אֲלֵיכֶ֛ם22 of 26
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אַשְׁכֵּ֥ים23 of 26

“unto you rising early”

H7925

literally, to load up (on the back of man or beast), i.e., to start early in the morning

וְדַבֵּ֖ר24 of 26

“and speaking”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

וְלֹ֥א25 of 26
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

שְׁמַעְתֶּֽם׃26 of 26

“but ye have not hearkened”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

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 25:3 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 25:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 11:7Jeremiah 1:2Jeremiah 26:5Jeremiah 7:132 Chronicles 34:3Jeremiah 29:19

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