Introduction to Jeremiah 7:1: The Formal Superscription of Prophetic Speech
Jeremiah 7:1 opens a new unit of prophecy, famously known as the “Temple Sermon.” The verse uses a standard formula to introduce divine speech: הַדָּבָר אֲשֶׁר הָיָה אֶל־יִרְמְיָהוּ מֵאֵת יְהוָה לֵאמֹר. This syntactic structure is typical of prophetic books and serves to authenticate and mark the source of the prophet’s message. In this article, we will analyze the grammatical structure of this superscription and explain how the elements function within biblical Hebrew prophetic style.
הַדָּבָר֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר הָיָ֣ה אֶֽל־יִרְמְיָ֔הוּ מֵאֵ֥ת יְהוָ֖ה לֵאמֹֽר׃
Grammatical Analysis of the Superscription Formula
1. הַדָּבָר – “The word”
- Definite noun with the article הַ
- From the root דָּבָר, meaning “word, matter, event”
- Functions as the subject of the verbal clause הָיָה
This noun is used frequently to denote a divinely originated message in prophetic contexts. It often precedes relative clauses that describe its recipient and origin.
2. אֲשֶׁר הָיָה אֶל־יִרְמְיָהוּ – “which came to Yirmeyahu”
- אֲשֶׁר – relative pronoun: “which”
- הָיָה – Qal perfect 3ms of הָיָה, “to be, to happen”
- אֶל־יִרְמְיָהוּ – “to Yirmeyahu” – prepositional phrase marking the recipient
The verb הָיָה here does not mean mere existence but dynamic occurrence—the word “came” to the prophet, signaling revelation.
3. מֵאֵת יְהוָה – “from YHWH”
- מֵאֵת – preposition מִן with the noun אֵת (“origin/source”), “from [the agency of]”
- יְהוָה – the divine sender
This phrase attributes divine authorship to the message, underlining that the prophet is not an independent speaker, but a conduit of YHWH’s word.
4. לֵאמֹר – “saying”
- Infinitive construct of אָמַר, “to say”
- Used as a quotation introducer, signaling that what follows is the direct speech of YHWH
The infinitive לֵאמֹר frequently follows prophetic superscriptions, introducing divine discourse. It does not function grammatically with the verb הָיָה, but operates as a fixed idiomatic formula marking reported speech.
Literary and Theological Significance of the Superscription Formula
1. Authority and Structure in Prophetic Discourse
The formula הַדָּבָר…הָיָה…לֵאמֹר serves to legitimize the upcoming message by embedding it in a revelatory context. The prophet is not inventing; he is reporting. The language functions to establish that this word is from YHWH, not human speculation.
2. Temporal and Spatial Anchoring
The verb הָיָה (“was, came”) implicitly marks a moment in time and space when the divine word reached the prophet. The preposition אֶל (“to”) situates Yirmeyahu as the intentional recipient, grounding the message in real historical context.
3. Lexical Theology of דָּבָר
In biblical Hebrew, דָּבָר is not merely spoken language—it is dynamic, effectual, and revelatory. It carries the sense of an event-producing word, often tied to judgment, creation, or salvation.
4. Formulaic Continuity Across Prophetic Books
This superscription appears in many prophetic openings (cf. Hosea 1:1, Jonah 1:1, etc.), providing canonical coherence to prophetic texts and anchoring the prophet’s authority in divine commission.
The Role of הַדָּבָר…לֵאמֹר in Jeremiah 7:1
This clause serves multiple roles in Jeremiah 7:1:
- Grammatically: Introduces a nominal clause with embedded verbal relative structure
- Literarily: Marks the beginning of a new oracle unit (“Temple Sermon”)
- Theologically: Emphasizes divine origin, authority, and agency of the prophet
Thus, הַדָּבָר אֲשֶׁר הָיָה אֶל־יִרְמְיָהוּ מֵאֵת יְהוָה לֵאמֹר is more than an introduction—it is a divine inscription signaling that what follows is YHWH’s word for His people, spoken through His chosen prophet.
