The Bible Says
Jeremiah 1:1-3 Meaning

The Book of Jeremiah begins by identifying the prophet's lineage and hometown: The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests who were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin (v. 1). Jeremiah’s father, Hilkiah, was a priest-a detail underlining Jeremiah’s roots in spiritual service. Anathoth, located to the north of Jerusalem in the territory of Benjamin, was a Levitical city designated for priests; it was close enough to serve the temple, yet distinct from the center of royal power. These origins reveal Jeremiah as a man of priestly heritage, set apart for a significant role during a pivotal moment in Judah’s history. Though Jeremiah’s position gave him access to the religious structures of the day, God would soon call him to deliver messages that challenged both religious and political authorities.

Jeremiah himself lived during a tumultuous period in the seventh and sixth centuries BC. He witnessed the decline of the kingdom of Judah, as world powers such as Egypt and Babylon vied for dominance in the region. The mention of his father, Hilkiah, points to a family that likely served faithfully in temple duties, preparing Jeremiah for a life devoted to God’s call. These first few words present Jeremiah as chosen from among the priesthood for a prophetic ministry extending beyond the temple walls of Jerusalem and reaching into the spheres of politics and international conflict.

The location, Anathoth, is significant not merely as a place of residence but as a symbol of transition between the old priestly order and the new prophetic message. The city’s setting in Benjamin’s territory connected Jeremiah with his ancestral roots and the traditions of the southern kingdom, emphasizing how the word of the LORD would emerge from within the covenant community and yet speak to the entire nation and beyond.

Jeremiah 1:2 describes the context and importance of the prophet: 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 (v. 2) King Josiah reigned from approximately 640 to 609 BC, and his thirteenth year corresponds to around 627 BC. This makes Jeremiah’s ministry contemporaneous with Josiah’s religious reforms, when the king sought to clean up the idolatry that had permeated Judah. By placing Jeremiah in this timeframe, the verse highlights God’s intentional choice: the prophet would speak forth divine truth during a season of attempted revival, calling the people to a deeper transformation beyond mere external reforms.

Josiah stands as a relatively righteous king in Judah’s final decades, known for rediscovering the Book of the Law in the temple (2 Kings 22). His efforts to restore covenant faithfulness signified a hope that Judah might turn from the wickedness that led previous generations astray. Jeremiah’s appearance at this juncture indicates God’s desire to couple Josiah’s heartfelt reforms with prophetic guidance-calling the people to genuine repentance and heartfelt devotion.

The phrase “the word of the LORD came” (v. 2) underscores that Jeremiah did not speak by his own ambition or imagination. Instead, he served as a mouthpiece through whom the living God addressed His covenant people. Though Josiah’s reform movement was highly significant, Jeremiah’s task would be even more urgent-to proclaim God’s intentions for Judah, including warnings of impending judgment if the nation refused to repent.

Jeremiah 1:3 spans the rest of Jeremiah’s prophetic timeline, covering the reigns of subsequent kings: It came also in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, until the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah the son of Josiah, king of Judah, until the exile of Jerusalem in the fifth month (v. 3) After Josiah’s death, Jehoiakim (who reigned from about 609 to 598 BC) led Judah into deeper troubles, often defying prophetic warnings. Zedekiah, Josiah’s final son to rule (597-586 BC), witnessed the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple at the hands of the Babylonian forces. Jeremiah’s ministry thus continued up until the climax of national calamity when the kingdom of Judah fell and many of its people were forced into exile.

These widespread changes in leadership underscore the tumultuous state of Judah near its end as a sovereign kingdom. Jeremiah’s consistent ministry throughout these transitions demonstrates this prophet’s steadfast commitment in times of shifting power and increasing crises. Rather than a brief call, Jeremiah’s role lasted throughout the buildup to-and the eventual occurrence of-the devastating exile in the fifth month of 586 BC. This catastrophic event profoundly shaped the faith and identity of the Judean people for generations.

In referencing both Jehoiakim and Zedekiah, Jeremiah 1:3 highlights the weighty epoch in which God placed the prophet. His task demanded perseverance under hostile conditions, as his messages clashed with the corrupted priorities of the day. Jeremiah’s unwavering service showcased God’s persistence in seeking the repentance of His people before the final judgment arrived, affirming the LORD’s long-suffering nature even amid looming national collapse.