Jeremiah 36
A plain-spoken deep dive on the whole chapter. Read the chapter →
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
BARUCH WRITES, AND READS PUBLICLY JEREMIAH'S PROPHECIES COLLECTED IN A VOLUME. THE ROLL IS BURNT BY JEHOIAKIM, AND WRITTEN AGAIN BY BARUCH AT JEREMIAH'S DICTATION. (Jer. 36:1-32) fourth year--The command to write the roll was given in the fourth year, but it was not read publicly till the fifth year. As Isaiah subjoined to his predictions a history of events confirming his prophecies (Isa. 36:1-22; Isa. 37:1-38; Isa. 38:1-22; Isa 39:1-8), so Jeremiah also in the thirty-seventh through forty-third chapters; but he prefaces his history with the narrative of an incident that occurred some time ago, showing that he, not only by word, but in writing, and that twice, had testified all that he about to state as having subsequently come to pass [GROTIUS]. At the end of Jehoiakim's third year, Nebuchadnezzar enrolled an army against Jerusalem and took it in the end of the fifth or beginning of the sixth year, carrying away captive Jehoiakim, Daniel, &c. Jehoiakim returned the same year, and for three years was tributary: then he withheld tribute. Nebuchadnezzar returned and took Jerusalem, and carried off Jehoiakim, who died on the road. This harmonizes this chapter with 2Ki. 24:1-20 and Dan. 1:1-21. See on Jer 22:19.
Open source ↗And it came to pass in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah,.... Eighteen years before the destruction of Jerusalem: that this word came unto Jeremiah from the Lord; the following order to write in a roll all his prophecies he had hitherto delivered: saying; as follows:
Open source ↗In the fourth year of the reign of Jehoiakim the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah, bidding him commit to writing all the addresses he had previously delivered, that Judah might, if it were possible, still regard the threatenings and return (Jer 36:1-3). In accordance with this command, he got all the words of the Lord written down in a book by his attendant Baruch, with the further instruction that this should be read on the fast-day in the temple to the people who came out of the country into Jerusalem (Jer 36:4-8). When, after this, in the ninth month of the fifth year of Jehoiakim, a fast was appointed, Baruch read the prophecies to the assembled people in the chamber of Gemariah in the temple. Michaiah the son of Gemariah mentioned the matter to the princes who were assembled in the royal palace; these then sent for Baruch with the roll, and made him read it to them. But they were so frightened by what was read to them that they deemed it necessary to inform the king regarding it (Jer 36:9-19). At their advice, the king had the roll brought and some of it read before him; but scarcely had some few columns been read, when he cut the roll into pieces and threw them into the pan of coals burning in the room, at the same time commanding that Baruch and Jeremiah should be brought to him; but God hid them (Jer 36:20-26). After this roll had been burnt, the Lord commanded the prophet to get all his words written on a new roll, and to predict an ignominious fate for King Jehoiakim; whereupon Jeremiah once more dictated his addresses to Baruch (Jer 36:27-32). Since Jeremiah, according to Jer 36:3, Jer 36:6, Jer 36:7, is to get his addresses written down that Baruch may be able to read them publicly on the fast-day, now at hand, because he himself was prevented from getting…
Open source ↗In the beginning of Ezekiel's prophecy we meet with a roll written in vision, for discovery of the things therein contained to the prophet himself, who was to receive and digest them, Eze 2:9, Eze 2:10; Eze 3:1. Here, in the latter end of Jeremiah's prophecy, we meet with a roll written in fact, for discovery of the things contained therein to the people, who were to hear and give heed to them; for the written word and other good books are of great use both to ministers and people. We have here, I. The command which God gave to Jeremiah to write a summary of his sermons, of all the reproofs and all the warnings he had given in God's name to his people, ever since he first began to be a preacher, in the thirteenth year of Josiah, to this day, which was in the fourth year of Jehoiakim, Jer 36:2, Jer 36:3. What had been only spoken must now be written, that it might be reviewed, and that it might spread the further and last the longer. What had been spoken at large, with frequent repetitions of the same things, perhaps in the same words (which has its advantage one way), must now be contracted and put into less compass, that the several parts of it might be better compared together, which has its advantage another way. What they had heard once must be recapitulated, and rehearsed to them again, that what was forgotten might be called to mind again and what made no impression upon them at the first hearing might take hold of them when they heard it the second time. And what was perhaps already written, and published in single sermons, must be collected into one volume, that none might be lost. Note, The writing of the scripture is by divine appointment. And observe the reason here given for the writing of this roll (Jer 36:3): It may be the house of Judah will hear. Not tha…
Open source ↗36:1-32 This description of Jehoiakim’s cynical response to God’s attempt to call him to repentance and covenant obedience (36:3, 7) graphically underscores the hopelessness of the situation. • Nowhere else does the Old Testament provide this much detail about the process of preserving spoken messages in written form. 36:1-2 The fourth year of Jehoiakim’s reign, 605 BC, was the year Nebuchadnezzar first attacked Jerusalem (see study note on Dan 1:1). • In those days, a scroll was a roll of papyrus or leather strips joined edge to edge and rolled up.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
רְבִיעִי (rᵉbîyʻîy, H7243) — fourth; also (fractionally) a fourth שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time) יְהוֹיָקִים (Yᵉhôwyâqîym, H3079) — Jehojakim, a Jewish king בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יֹאשִׁיָּה (Yôʼshîyâh, H2977) — Joshijah, the name of two Israelites מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יִרְמְיָה (Yirmᵉyâh, H3414) — Jirmejah, the name of eight or nine Israelites יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude)
Open source ↗לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) מְגִלָּה (mᵉgillâh, H4039) — a roll סֵפֶר (çêpher, H5612) — properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book כָּתַב (kâthab, H3789) — to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe) דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… יֹאשִׁיָּה (Yôʼshîyâh, H2977) — Joshijah, the name of two Israelites
Open source ↗בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) חָשַׁב (châshab, H2803) — properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e. (literally) to weave or (generally) to… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb סָלַח (çâlach, H5545) — to forgive עָוֺן (ʻâvôn, H5771) — perversity, i.e. (moral) evil חַטָּאָה (chaṭṭâʼâh, H2403) — an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or…
Open source ↗יִרְמְיָה (Yirmᵉyâh, H3414) — Jirmejah, the name of eight or nine Israelites קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… בָּרוּךְ (Bârûwk, H1263) — Baruk, the name of three Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… נֵרִיָּה (Nêrîyâh, H5374) — Nerijah, an Israelite כָּתַב (kâthab, H3789) — to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe) פֶּה (peh, H6310) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech);… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… מְגִלָּה (mᵉgillâh, H4039) — a roll סֵפֶר (çêpher, H5612) — properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book
Open source ↗יִרְמְיָה (Yirmᵉyâh, H3414) — Jirmejah, the name of eight or nine Israelites צָוָה (tsâvâh, H6680) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin בָּרוּךְ (Bârûwk, H1263) — Baruk, the name of three Israelites אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) עָצָר (ʻâtsâr, H6113) — to inclose; by analogy, to hold back; also to maintain, rule, assemble יָכֹל (yâkôl, H3201) — to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… מְגִלָּה (mᵉgillâh, H4039) — a roll כָּתַב (kâthab, H3789) — to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe) פֶּה (peh, H6310) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech);… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֹזֶן (ʼôzen, H241) — broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form in man) עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) צוֹם (tsôwm, H6685) — a fast יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere…
Open source ↗נָפַל (nâphal, H5307) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or… תְּחִנָּה (tᵉchinnâh, H8467) — graciousness; causatively, entreaty פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent אַף (ʼaph, H639) — properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the… חֵמָה (chêmâh, H2534) — heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever) דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence…
Open source ↗בָּרוּךְ (Bârûwk, H1263) — Baruk, the name of three Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… נֵרִיָּה (Nêrîyâh, H5374) — Nerijah, an Israelite עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application יִרְמְיָה (Yirmᵉyâh, H3414) — Jirmejah, the name of eight or nine Israelites נָבִיא (nâbîyʼ, H5030) — a prophet or (generally) inspired man צָוָה (tsâvâh, H6680) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… סֵפֶר (çêpher, H5612) — properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
Open source ↗חֲמִישִׁי (chămîyshîy, H2549) — fifth; also a fifth שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time) יְהוֹיָקִים (Yᵉhôwyâqîym, H3079) — Jehojakim, a Jewish king בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יֹאשִׁיָּה (Yôʼshîyâh, H2977) — Joshijah, the name of two Israelites מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… תְּשִׁיעִי (tᵉshîyʻîy, H8671) — ninth חֹדֶשׁ (chôdesh, H2320) — the new moon; by implication, a month קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… צוֹם (tsôwm, H6685) — a fast פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence…
Open source ↗קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… בָּרוּךְ (Bârûwk, H1263) — Baruk, the name of three Israelites סֵפֶר (çêpher, H5612) — properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יִרְמְיָה (Yirmᵉyâh, H3414) — Jirmejah, the name of eight or nine Israelites בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God לִשְׁכָּה (lishkâh, H3957) — a room in a building (whether for storage, eating, or lodging) גְּמַרְיָה (Gᵉmaryâh, H1587) — Gemarjah, the name of two Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… שָׁפָן (shâphân, H8227) — a species of rockrabbit (from its hiding), i.e. probably the hyrax סָפַר (çâphar, H5608) — properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e. (by implication) to inscribe,… עֶלְיוֹן (ʻelyôwn, H5945) — an elevation, i.e. (adj.) lofty (compar.); as title, the Supreme חָצֵר (châtsêr, H2691) — a yard (as inclosed by a fence); also a hamlet (as similarly surrounded with walls)
Open source ↗מִיכָיְהוּ (Mîykâyᵉhûw, H4321) — Mikajah, the name of three Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… גְּמַרְיָה (Gᵉmaryâh, H1587) — Gemarjah, the name of two Israelites שָׁפָן (shâphân, H8227) — a species of rockrabbit (from its hiding), i.e. probably the hyrax שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… סֵפֶר (çêpher, H5612) — properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗יָרַד (yârad, H3381) — to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) סָפַר (çâphar, H5608) — properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e. (by implication) to inscribe,… לִשְׁכָּה (lishkâh, H3957) — a room in a building (whether for storage, eating, or lodging) שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… אֱלִישָׁמָע (ʼĔlîyshâmâʻ, H476) — Elishama, the name of seven Israelites דְּלָיָה (Dᵉlâyâh, H1806) — Delajah, the name of five Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… שְׁמַעְיָה (Shᵉmaʻyâh, H8098) — Shemajah, the name of twenty-five Israelites אֶלְנָתָן (ʼElnâthân, H494) — Elnathan, the name of four Israelites עַכְבּוֹר (ʻAkbôwr, H5907) — Akbor, the name of an Idumaean and of two Israelites גְּמַרְיָה (Gᵉmaryâh, H1587) — Gemarjah, the name of two Israelites
Open source ↗מִיכָיְהוּ (Mîykâyᵉhûw, H4321) — Mikajah, the name of three Israelites נָגַד (nâgad, H5046) — properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… בָּרוּךְ (Bârûwk, H1263) — Baruk, the name of three Israelites קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… סֵפֶר (çêpher, H5612) — properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book אֹזֶן (ʼôzen, H241) — broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form in man) עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence…
Open source ↗שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) יְהוּדִי (Yᵉhûwdîy, H3065) — Jehudi, an Israelite בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… נְתַנְיָה (Nᵉthanyâh, H5418) — Nethanjah, the name of four Israelites שֶׁלֶמְיָה (Shelemyâh, H8018) — Shelemjah, the name of nine Israelites כּוּשִׁי (Kûwshîy, H3570) — Cushi, the name of two Israelites בָּרוּךְ (Bârûwk, H1263) — Baruk, the name of three Israelites אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), מְגִלָּה (mᵉgillâh, H4039) — a roll קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… אֹזֶן (ʼôzen, H241) — broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
This is the word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the people of Judah in the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, which was the first year of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.
This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD in the days of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah:
This is the word that Jeremiah the prophet spoke to Baruch son of Neriah when he wrote these words on a scroll at the dictation of Jeremiah in the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, king of Judah:
Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eleven years. And he did evil in the sight of the LORD his God.