“For twenty-three years, from the thirteenth year of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah, to this day, the word of the LORD has come to me, and I have spoken persistently to you, but you have not listened.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jeremiah isn't just complaining about his listeners' deafness; he's emphasizing the sheer persistence of God's message, highlighting that "rising early and speaking" signifies the prophet's constant, diligent effort over twenty-three long years. This detail reveals how God relentlessly offered His people opportunities for change, even in the face of their stubborn refusal.
“For twenty-three years, from the thirteenth year of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah, to this day, the word of the LORD has come to me, and I have spoken persistently to you, but you have not listened.
English Standard Version (ESV)
For twenty-three long years, Jeremiah has been faithfully delivering God's message, starting from the thirteenth year of King Josiah's reign all the way to the fourth year of King Jehoiakim. Despite his persistent warnings and diligent efforts, rising early to speak God's word, the people of Judah have consistently refused to listen or change their ways. This chapter, which falls in the fourth year of Jehoiakim and the first of Nebuchadnezzar's rise to power, sets the stage for a stark prophecy of judgment upon Judah and other nations, framed by God's repeated, unheeded calls for repentance.
Jeremiah wasn't a newcomer; he’d been faithfully delivering God’s message for over two decades before this chapter. Imagine speaking truth for that long without seeing much change. What does that tell us about God’s heart and Jeremiah’s commitment?
This verse pinpoints Jeremiah's prophetic ministry starting in the 13th year of King Josiah and continuing to the 23rd year of his ministry. That's a span of twenty-three years, covering nineteen years under Josiah and four under Jehoiakim.
A Marathon of Ministry
Jeremiah was called as a young man, likely a teenager, and by this point, he was a seasoned prophet. For over two decades, he had a direct line to God, receiving His word and then diligently, persistently sharing it. He describes this diligence with the phrase 'rising early and speaking' – a picture of eagerness and constant effort, like someone starting their work at the break of dawn.
Unwavering Loyalty
This wasn't a casual gig. Jeremiah's loyalty to God’s call and his persistence in speaking, despite the people's rejection, is profound. It highlights that God’s faithfulness to speak to His people is met with a call for a similar faithfulness in His messengers.
Twenty-three years of God’s word, delivered through Jeremiah, met with a deaf ear. This isn't just about Jeremiah's effort; it's about God's relentless pursuit of His people and their stubborn resistance.
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The core tragedy in these verses is the stark contrast between God's unwavering communication and His people's unyielding disobedience.
God's Tireless Voice
God had spoken. He sent His word to Jeremiah, and Jeremiah, in turn, relentlessly delivered it. The phrase 'rising early and speaking' applied to Jeremiah’s efforts is also implicitly applied to God’s sending of prophets. God was actively, earnestly trying to get their attention.
The Stubborn Heart
Despite this sustained divine effort, the people 'have not listened.' This wasn't a one-time lapse; it was a pattern of deaf ears and hardened hearts, even after decades of warnings, invitations, and pronouncements. Their refusal was a deliberate choice, making their spiritual condition dire.
Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Noun
The personal, covenantal name of the God of Israel (Yahweh). It signifies His self-existence, faithfulness, and His personal relationship with His people.
shama' · Hebrew Verb
To give heed, pay attention, or obey. In a biblical context, it implies more than just hearing sound; it involves responding to or acting upon what has been heard.
This verse highlights Jeremiah's long and difficult ministry, spanning from the hopeful reforms of Josiah's reign to the increasingly dire warnings of impending Babylonian exile. The 23-year period underscores the people's persistent deafness to God's persistent call for repentance.
648 BC
Josiah becomes king
Josiah ascends to the throne of Judah, beginning a reign marked by religious reform.
c. 627 BC— this verse
Jeremiah called to prophesy
In the thirteenth year of Josiah's reign, God calls Jeremiah to be a prophet. This marks the beginning of the 23-year period mentioned in the verse.
622 BC
Josiah's religious reforms
Following the discovery of the Book of the Law, King Josiah institutes sweeping religious reforms, attempting to centralize worship and purge idolatry. Jeremiah likely supported these reforms but would soon see their limitations.
609 BC
Death of Josiah
King Josiah is killed in battle at Megiddo while trying to stop Pharaoh Neco of Egypt. His death is a major blow to Judah and its reforms.
609 BC
Jehoiakim becomes king
Jehoiakim, Josiah's son, is installed as king by the Egyptians. His reign is marked by corruption and defiance of God, contrasting sharply with his father's legacy.
c. 603 BC
Compilation of early prophecies
This year marks the end of the 23-year period of Jeremiah's prophetic ministry mentioned in the verse. It is also around this time that the first collection of Jeremiah's prophecies was made.
605 BC
First Babylonian deportation
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon besieges Jerusalem and deports a number of prominent citizens, including Daniel, to Babylon. This event signals the rising power of Babylon and impending judgment.
This passage echoes Jeremiah's experience, highlighting God's persistent message through a prophet and the people's resistance. Ezekiel is told he will be sent to a rebellious people, much like Jeremiah was to Judah.
Matthew 23:37Jesus expresses a similar sorrow and frustration to Jeremiah's, lamenting Jerusalem's consistent refusal to heed God's messengers. Both passages reveal God's deep desire for His people to turn to Him.
Luke 11:47-51This passage directly connects the rejection of prophets throughout history, from Abel to Zechariah, to the impending judgment on that generation. It underscores the long pattern of unresponsiveness that Jeremiah experienced.
Hebrews 3:7-19This New Testament text warns against hardening hearts, drawing a parallel between the Israelites' disobedience in the wilderness and the Jews' rejection of Jesus and His messengers. It emphasizes the dire consequences of prolonged spiritual stubbornness.
barnesJeremiah 25:3: "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."
The three and twentieth year - i. e., nineteen under Josiah, and four under Jehoiakim. This prophecy divides itself into three parts, (1) the judgment of Judah Jeremiah 25:3-11, and Babylon's doom Jeremiah 25:12-14; (2) the wine-cup of…
gillJeremiah 25:3: "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."
From the thirteenth year of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, even unto this day,.... The year in which Jeremiah began to prophesy, Jeremiah 1:2 ; (that is, the three and twentieth year); for Josiah reigned one and thirty years; so…
Jeremiah isn't just complaining about his listeners' deafness; he's emphasizing the sheer persistence of God's message, highlighting that "rising early and speaking" signifies the prophet's constant, diligent effort over twenty-three long years. This detail reveals how God relentlessly offered His people opportunities for change, even in the face of their stubborn refusal.
For twenty-three long years, Jeremiah has been faithfully delivering God's message, starting from the thirteenth year of King Josiah's reign all the way to the fourth year of King Jehoiakim. Despite his persistent warnings and diligent efforts, rising early to speak God's word, the people of Judah have consistently refused to listen or change their ways. This chapter, which falls in the fourth year of Jehoiakim and the first of Nebuchadnezzar's rise to power, sets the stage for a stark prophecy of judgment upon Judah and other nations, framed by God's repeated, unheeded calls for repentance.
For twenty-three long years, Jeremiah has been faithfully delivering God's message, starting from the thirteenth year of King Josiah's reign all the way to the fourth year of King Jehoiakim. Despite his persistent warnings and diligent efforts, rising early to speak God's word, the people of Judah have consistently refused to listen or change their ways. This chapter, which falls in the fourth year of Jehoiakim and the first of Nebuchadnezzar's rise to power, sets the stage for a stark prophecy of judgment upon Judah and other nations, framed by God's repeated, unheeded calls for repentance.
"“For twenty-three years, from the thirteenth year of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah, to this day, the word of the LORD has come to me, and I have spoken persistently to you, but you have not listened." — Jeremiah isn't just complaining about his listeners' deafness; he's emphasizing the sheer persistence of God's message, highlighting that "rising early and speaking" signifies the prophet's constan…
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Last reviewed October 2026