Charles Ellicott Commentary Jeremiah 1:4

"Now the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying," — Jeremiah 1:4 (ASV)

The word of the Lord came unto me. —The words imply obviously a revelation, the introduction of a new element into human consciousness. In many cases, such a revelation also implied the spiritual tension of an ecstatic or trance-like state, a dream, or an open vision. It almost presupposed previous training, outward or inward, a mind troubled by intense thoughts and mourning over the sins of the people.

Here, there is no mention of dream or vision, and we must, therefore, assume a distinct consciousness that the voice he heard in his inmost soul was from Jehovah. For the thought of pre-natal calling, see Isaiah 49:1.