in the days of Jehoiakim
Jehoiakim was the son of Josiah and reigned as king of Judah from approximately 609 to 598 BC. His reign was marked by political turmoil and shifting allegiances, particularly with the rising power of Babylon. Jehoiakim's reign is significant in biblical history as it was a time of increasing threat from Babylon, leading to the eventual exile. This period is crucial for understanding the context of Jeremiah's prophecies, as they often addressed the impending judgment and call for repentance. The historical context of Jehoiakim's reign is also detailed in 2 Kings 23:36-24:7 and 2 Chronicles 36:5-8.

son of Josiah
Josiah was one of the most righteous kings of Judah, known for his religious reforms and efforts to restore the worship of Yahweh, as recorded in 2 Kings 22-23. His legacy is one of faithfulness to God, contrasting with the subsequent decline under his successors. The mention of Josiah serves as a reminder of the covenant faithfulness expected of Judah, which Jehoiakim failed to uphold. Josiah's reforms and the rediscovery of the Book of the Law are significant events that set the stage for the prophetic messages of Jeremiah.

king of Judah
Judah was the southern kingdom, consisting of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, with Jerusalem as its capital. The kingdom of Judah had a unique covenant relationship with God, which included the Davidic line of kingship. The role of the king was to lead the people in covenant faithfulness, but many kings, including Jehoiakim, failed in this duty. The mention of Judah highlights the specific audience of Jeremiah's prophecies and the impending judgment due to their unfaithfulness. The kingdom's history and its eventual fall to Babylon are central themes in the prophetic literature, including the books of Jeremiah and Lamentations.

• Scripture identifies what follows as an authoritative, divinely preserved message, not human speculation (2 Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 55:11).

• The definite article—“the word”—underscores that God’s revelation is singular and clear, just as in Exodus 20:1, where “God spoke all these words.”

• The phrase sets the stage for obedience: when God speaks, His people are expected to listen (James 1:22).

• God initiates; Jeremiah receives. Similar patterns appear in Jeremiah 1:4 – “The word of the LORD came to me.”

• This reminds us that true prophecy is received, not invented (2 Peter 1:21).

• God’s personal approach to Jeremiah assures us He still knows His servants by name (John 10:3).

• The covenant name of God guarantees the message carries His authority (Malachi 3:6).

• Because the LORD speaks, His people can rely on the promise that “He who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23).

• The phrase separates God’s word from mere religious opinions, echoing Deuteronomy 18:21-22 on testing genuine prophecy.

• Pinpoints the historical context: Jehoiakim reigned 609-598 BC (2 Kings 23:36).

• His era was marked by disobedience and looming judgment; Jeremiah 22:18-19 foretells that Jehoiakim would receive “the burial of a donkey.”

• Noting the timeframe helps us see that God speaks into real-world crises, not abstractions (Psalm 46:1).

• By linking Jehoiakim to Josiah, Scripture contrasts a righteous father (2 Kings 22:2) with a wayward son.

• The mention underscores personal responsibility; a godly heritage does not guarantee faithful descendants (Ezekiel 18:20).

• It also highlights the rapid spiritual decline of Judah after Josiah’s reforms (2 Chronicles 34–35).

• The national leadership bears direct accountability for leading the people (Proverbs 29:2).

• Even kings stand under God’s word; Jeremiah, though a prophet, speaks with higher authority (Jeremiah 1:10).

• The title “king of Judah” reminds readers that God’s covenant focuses on Judah’s line and points forward to the ultimate King, Jesus (Matthew 1:1).

Jeremiah 35:1 anchors the forthcoming narrative in divine authority, personal revelation, covenant identity, historical reality, generational accountability, and national leadership. God’s trustworthy word breaks into a specific moment—Jehoiakim’s troubled reign—calling Judah back to obedience and reminding every reader that when the LORD speaks, His message is timeless, authoritative, and demands a response.

(1) In the days Jehoiakim.--The prophecy that follows carries us back over a period of about seventeen of years to the earlier period of the prophet's life and work. Jerusalem was not yet besieged. Jehoiakim had not filled up the measure of his iniquities. The armies of the Chaldaeans were, however, in the meantime moving on the outskirts of the kingdom of Judah (Jeremiah 35:11) or were driving the nomad inhabitants, who had hitherto dwelt in tents, to take refuge in the cities. The first capture of the city by Nebuchadnezzar was in B.C. 607.

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