New International Version But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. New Living Translation The LORD replied, “Don’t say, ‘I’m too young,’ for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. English Standard Version But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Berean Standard Bible But the LORD told me: “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ For to everyone I send you, you must go, and all that I command you, you must speak. Berean Literal Bible And YHWH said to me, “Do not say ‘I am a youth.’ For you shall go to all to whom I shall send you, and all that I command you, you shall speak. King James Bible But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. New King James Version But the LORD said to me: “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ For you shall go to all to whom I send you, And whatever I command you, you shall speak. New American Standard Bible But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ Because everywhere I send you, you shall go, And all that I command you, you shall speak. NASB 1995 But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ Because everywhere I send you, you shall go, And all that I command you, you shall speak. NASB 1977 But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ Because everywhere I send you, you shall go, And all that I command you, you shall speak. Legacy Standard Bible But Yahweh said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ Because everywhere I send you, you shall go, And all that I command you, you shall speak. Amplified Bible But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am [only] a young man,’ Because everywhere I send you, you shall go, And whatever I command you, you shall speak. Berean Annotated Bible But the LORD {YHWH} told me: “Do not say, ‘I am only a child. For to everyone I send you, you must go, and all that I command you, you must speak. Christian Standard Bible Then the LORD said to me: Do not say, “I am only a youth,” for you will go to everyone I send you to and speak whatever I tell you. Holman Christian Standard Bible Then the LORD said to me: Do not say, “I am only a youth,” for you will go to everyone I send you to and speak whatever I tell you. American Standard Version But Jehovah said unto me, Say not, I am a child; for to whomsoever I shall send thee thou shalt go, and whatsoever I shall command thee thou shalt speak. Contemporary English Version "Don't say you're too young," the LORD answered. "If I tell you to go and speak to someone, then go! And when I tell you what to say, don't leave out a word! English Revised Version But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for to whomsoever I shall send thee thou shalt go, and whatsoever I shall command thee thou shalt speak. GOD'S WORD® Translation But the LORD said to me, "Don't say that you are only a boy. You will go wherever I send you. You will say whatever I command you to say. Good News Translation But the LORD said to me, "Do not say that you are too young, but go to the people I send you to, and tell them everything I command you to say. International Standard Version Then the LORD told me, "Don't say, 'I'm only a young man,' for you will go everywhere I send you, and you will speak everything I command you. NET Bible The LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am too young.' But go to whomever I send you and say whatever I tell you. New Heart English Bible But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am a child;' for to whoever I shall send you, you shall go, and whatever I shall command you, you shall speak. Webster's Bible Translation But the LORD said to me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatever I command thee thou shalt speak. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleBut the LORD told me: “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ For to everyone I send you, you must go, and all that I command you, you must speak. World English Bible But Yahweh said to me, “Don’t say, ‘I am a child;’ for you must go to whomever I send you, and you must say whatever I command you. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd YHWH says to me, “Do not say, I [am] a youth, for to all to whom I send you—go, and all that I command you—speak. Berean Literal Bible And YHWH said to me, “Do not say ‘I am a youth.’ For you shall go to all to whom I shall send you, and all that I command you, you shall speak. Young's Literal Translation And Jehovah saith unto me, 'Do not say, I am a youth, for to all to whom I send thee thou goest, and all that I command thee thou speakest. Smith's Literal Translation And Jehovah will say to me, Thou shalt not say, I a boy; for thou shalt go to all to whom I shall send thee, and all which I shall command thee thou shalt speak. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd the Lord said to me: Say not: I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee: and whatsoever I shall command thee, thou shalt speak. Catholic Public Domain Version And the Lord said to me: “Do not choose to say, ‘I am a boy.’ For you shall go forth to everyone to whom I will send you. And you shall speak all that I will command you. New American Bible But the LORD answered me, Do not say, “I am too young.” To whomever I send you, you shall go; whatever I command you, you shall speak. New Revised Standard Version But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a boy’; for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and you shall speak whatever I command you. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd the LORD said to me, Do not say, I am a child; for you shall go to all that I shall send you, and whatever I command you you shall speak. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And LORD JEHOVAH said to me: "Do not say, ‘I am a boy', because to everyone to whom I will send you, you shall go, and all that I shall command you, you shall speak OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917But the LORD said unto me: Say not: I am a child; For to whomsoever I shall send thee thou shalt go, And whatsoever I shall command thee thou shalt speak. Brenton Septuagint Translation And the Lord said to me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all to whomsoever I shall send thee, and according to all the words that I shall command thee, thou shalt speak. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context The Call of Jeremiah…6“Ah, Lord GOD,” I said, “I surely do not know how to speak, for I am only a child!” 7But the LORD told me: “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ For to everyone I send you, you must go, and all that I command you, you must speak. 8Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you,” declares the LORD.… Cross References But the LORD told me: 1 Samuel 3:10 Then the LORD came and stood there, calling as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.” Exodus 3:4 When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called out to him from within the bush, “Moses, Moses!” “Here I am,” he answered. Isaiah 6:8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying: “Whom shall I send? Who will go for Us?” And I said: “Here am I. Send me!” “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ 1 Kings 3:7 And now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king in my father David’s place. But I am only a little child, not knowing how to go out or come in. 1 Timothy 4:12 Let no one despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 1 Samuel 17:33 But Saul replied, “You cannot go out against this Philistine to fight him. You are just a boy, and he has been a warrior from his youth.” For to everyone I send you, John 20:21 Again Jesus said to them, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, so also I am sending you.” Ezekiel 2:3 “Son of man,” He said to me, “I am sending you to the Israelites, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against Me. To this very day they and their fathers have rebelled against Me. Romans 10:15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” you must go, Genesis 12:1 Then the LORD said to Abram, “Leave your country, your kindred, and your father’s household, and go to the land I will show you. Jonah 3:2 “Get up! Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message that I give you.” Matthew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and all that I command you, Joshua 1:7 Above all, be strong and very courageous. Be careful to observe all the law that My servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may prosper wherever you go. Deuteronomy 5:32 So be careful to do as the LORD your God has commanded you; you are not to turn aside to the right or to the left. John 14:15 If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. you must speak. Deuteronomy 18:18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. I will put My words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him. Treasury of Scripture But the LORD said to me, Say not, I am a child: for you shall go to all that I shall send you, and whatever I command you you shall speak. for thou shalt Jeremiah 1:17,18 Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them… Exodus 7:1,2 And the LORD said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet… Numbers 22:20,38 And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do… Jump to Previous Child Command Everywhere Goest Orders Speak Speakest Whatever Whatsoever Whomsoever YouthJump to Next Child Command Everywhere Goest Orders Speak Speakest Whatever Whatsoever Whomsoever YouthJeremiah 1 1. The time4. And the calling of Jeremiah 11. His prophetical visions of an almond rod and a seething pot 15. His heavy message against Judah 17. God encourages him with his promise of assistance But the LORD told me: The Lord answered Jeremiah’s fear with His own authority. Jeremiah’s ministry rested not on personal confidence, age, or ability, but on the God who called and commissioned him. As God spoke to Moses, Isaiah, and other prophets, He made Jeremiah a faithful witness to His covenant word. 1Sa 3:10 Then the LORD came and stood there, calling as before,… “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ Jeremiah’s youth did not disqualify him from God’s service. The Lord did not deny Jeremiah’s weakness; He forbade him from allowing it to become an excuse for disobedience. God often chooses those who know their insufficiency so that His power and faithfulness are plainly displayed. 1Ki 3:7 And now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king… For to everyone I send you, Jeremiah would serve as the Lord’s messenger, not as an independent religious teacher. God would determine both the audiences Jeremiah confronted and the nations addressed through his ministry, including Judah, Jerusalem, and surrounding kingdoms. Jhn 20:21 Jesus said to them, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me,”… you must go, Obedience required Jeremiah to stand before kings, priests, false prophets, and a resistant people. His calling would bring rejection and danger, yet the Lord’s command governed his path. God’s servants are responsible to go where He sends, even when the assignment is costly. Gen 12:1 Then the LORD said to Abram, “Leave your country… and all that I command you, Jeremiah was to deliver God’s message completely and faithfully. He could not soften warnings of judgment, omit calls to repentance, or reshape God’s promises to gain acceptance. The authority of prophetic ministry came from speaking the words God gave. Jos 1:7 Above all, be strong and very courageous.… you must speak. Jeremiah’s voice would become an instrument through which the Lord exposed sin, announced judgment, and preserved hope for a future restoration. Though many would oppose him, God’s word would accomplish His purposes and point beyond Judah’s exile to the coming fulfillment of His covenant promises. Deu 18:18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you… Persons / Places / Events 1. JeremiahA prophet called by God to deliver His messages to the people of Judah. Known for his reluctance due to his youth and inexperience. 2. The LORD (Yahweh) The covenant God of Israel, who calls and commissions Jeremiah for a prophetic mission. 3. Judah The southern kingdom of Israel, which was the primary audience of Jeremiah's prophetic ministry. 4. Prophetic Calling The event where God calls Jeremiah to be His prophet, despite Jeremiah's initial hesitations. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty in CallingGod chooses whom He wills, regardless of human limitations or self-perceived inadequacies. Obedience Overcomes Inadequacy Our perceived weaknesses do not hinder God's plans; obedience is key. Youth is Not a Barrier God can use anyone, regardless of age, to fulfill His purposes. Divine Empowerment When God calls, He also equips and empowers for the task. Faithful Proclamation We are called to speak God's truth, regardless of our personal feelings of inadequacy. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Jeremiah 1:7?2. How does Jeremiah 1:7 challenge our excuses for not serving God today? 3. What does "you must go to everyone I send you" imply about obedience? 4. How can Jeremiah 1:7 inspire confidence in God's calling for our lives? 5. Connect Jeremiah 1:7 with Moses' reluctance in Exodus 4:10-12. What similarities exist? 6. How can we apply "do not say, 'I am only a child'" today? 7. How does Jeremiah 1:7 challenge the idea of age as a limitation in serving God? 8. What does Jeremiah 1:7 reveal about God's authority in appointing leaders? 9. How does Jeremiah 1:7 address feelings of inadequacy in fulfilling God's calling? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 1? What Does Jeremiah 1:7 Mean But the LORD told me• Jeremiah’s authority begins with God’s personal word, the same source that empowered Moses (Exodus 3:4) and Samuel (1 Samuel 3:10). • Because the speaker is the Lord, the message carries unbreakable certainty—“the word of the LORD remains forever” (1 Peter 1:25). • God’s voice overrides every human limitation, echoing Isaiah 55:11 where His word always accomplishes its purpose. Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ • God forbids Jeremiah’s excuse; divine calling cancels self-doubt. • He similarly reassured other hesitant servants—Gideon felt weak (Judges 6:15-16) and Moses slow of speech (Exodus 4:10-12). • Youth is no barrier; Paul later writes, “Let no one despise your youth” (1 Timothy 4:12). • The pattern runs through Scripture: God chose the shepherd boy David (1 Samuel 16:11-13) and the young Daniel in Babylon (Daniel 1:4, 17). For to everyone I send you, you must go • The authority of the Sender defines the mission, as with Abraham who “went as the LORD had told him” (Genesis 12:4). • “Send” implies backing and presence; God soon adds, “I am with you” (Jeremiah 1:8), paralleling Matthew 28:19-20. • The mandate is unconditional; Jonah’s story (Jonah 1:1-3; 3:1-3) warns against resisting a divine commission. • Obedience brings courage—“The righteous are as bold as a lion” (Proverbs 28:1). and all that I command you, you must speak • Jeremiah is to relay the full message, just as Ezekiel ate the scroll “written on the front and back” (Ezekiel 2:8–3:3). • Selective obedience is sin; Saul learned this when he spared Amalek’s king (1 Samuel 15:22-23). • Paul followed the same standard: “I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27). • Delivering every word may provoke opposition, yet God promises, “They will fight against you but will not prevail” (Jeremiah 1:19). summary Jeremiah 1:7 reveals a pattern for every servant of God: the Lord speaks with absolute authority, cancels our excuses, assigns specific people and places, and requires us to proclaim His entire message. Because the call is His, we can obey with confidence that His presence and power go with us. (7) The Lord said unto me.—The misgiving, which was not reluctance, is met by words of encouragement. God gave the work; He would also give the power.Verse 7. - Thou shalt go, etc. Thoughts of self are altogether out of place in one who has received a Divine commission. Jeremiah's duty is simple obedience. In put-suing this path he cannot but be safe (ver. 8).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew But the LORDיְהוָה֙ (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel told וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say me: אֵלַ֔י (’ê·lay) Preposition | first person common singular Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to “Do not אַל־ (’al-) Adverb Strong's 408: Not say, תֹּאמַ֖ר (tō·mar) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say ‘I [am] אָנֹ֑כִי (’ā·nō·ḵî) Pronoun - first person common singular Strong's 595: I only a child.’ נַ֣עַר (na·‘ar) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5288: A boy, lad, youth, retainer For כִּ֠י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction to עַֽל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against everyone כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every I send you, אֶֽשְׁלָחֲךָ֙ (’eš·lā·ḥă·ḵā) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular | second person masculine singular Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out you must go, תֵּלֵ֔ךְ (tê·lêḵ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk and all כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every that אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that I command you, אֲצַוְּךָ֖ (’ă·ṣaw·wə·ḵā) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - first person common singular | second person masculine singular Strong's 6680: To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order you must speak. תְּדַבֵּֽר׃ (tə·ḏab·bêr) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue Additonal Resources Jeremiah 1:7 Blue Letter BibleJeremiah 1:7 Bible Gateway Jeremiah 1:7 Bible.com Jeremiah 1:7 NIV |
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