Jeremiah 36 13

Jeremiah 36:13 kjv

Then Michaiah declared unto them all the words that he had heard, when Baruch read the book in the ears of the people.

Jeremiah 36:13 nkjv

Then Michaiah declared to them all the words that he had heard when Baruch read the book in the hearing of the people.

Jeremiah 36:13 niv

After Micaiah told them everything he had heard Baruch read to the people from the scroll,

Jeremiah 36:13 esv

And Micaiah told them all the words that he had heard, when Baruch read the scroll in the hearing of the people.

Jeremiah 36:13 nlt

When Micaiah told them about the messages Baruch was reading to the people,

Jeremiah 36 verses

Jeremiah 36 13 Meaning

This verse describes a specific action taken by the scribe Baruch during a critical period for Judah. Under Jeremiah's direction, Baruch publicly reads a scroll containing prophetic warnings and pronouncements from God. This act is not merely informative; it is a public proclamation and a demonstration of obedience to God's command, intended to incite repentance in the people.

Jeremiah 36 13 Context

Jeremiah chapter 36 describes a pivotal event during the reign of King Jehoiakim of Judah. The Babylonians were encroaching, and the nation was in deep spiritual and political crisis. God instructed Jeremiah to write down all His previous messages of judgment and a call to repentance on a scroll. This scroll was then to be read publicly. Jeremiah, unable to go himself due to restrictions, delegated this task to his faithful scribe, Baruch. Baruch reads the scroll in the Temple during a time of fasting, aiming to prompt the people and their leaders to turn from their sin so God might relent. However, the scroll's message is ultimately presented to the king, who defiantly cuts it up and burns it, hardening his heart further against God's word.

Jeremiah 36 13 Word Analysis

• And Baruch:

  • And (וְ - we): A conjunctive particle indicating connection, continuation, or sequence. Here, it connects Baruch's action to the divine instruction given to Jeremiah in the previous verses.
  • Baruch (בָּרוּךְ - Baruk): Hebrew for "blessed." This name is significant, reflecting his spiritual character and his blessed role as a faithful conduit of God's word.

• did read:

  • did read (וַיִּקְרָא - wayyigra): From the root קָרָא (qara), meaning "to call out," "to read," "to proclaim." The consecutive imperfect tense (וַיִּקְרָא) indicates a narrative sequence, highlighting Baruch's active and public declaration of the words. It implies not just silent reading but an audible proclamation.

• from:

  • from (מִן - min): A preposition indicating origin or source. Here, it specifies the source from which Baruch is reading: the scroll.

• the book:

  • the book (הַסֵּפֶר - hasēper): From סֵפֶר (sēper), meaning "scroll" or "book." In ancient times, important texts were written on scrolls, which were carefully unrolled for reading. The definite article "ha" (הַ) indicates a specific, known scroll—the one containing Jeremiah's prophecy.

• in the ears:

  • in (בְּ - bē): A preposition indicating location or means.
  • the ears (אׇזְנֵי - ozney): From אֹזֶן (ozen), meaning "ear." This idiomatically refers to conveying something audibly, directly to the hearing of someone, emphasizing the intentionality of making the message heard.

• of:

  • of (בְּ - bē): Here, used possessively or inclusively.

• all:

  • all (כָּל - kol): Denoting totality. Baruch read the entirety of the message on the scroll.

• the words:

  • the words (הַדְּבָרִים - haddebarim): From דָּבָר (dabar), meaning "word," "thing," "matter," "message." Refers to the divine utterances Jeremiah had recorded. The plural form suggests multiple statements or a compilation of prophecies.

• of the LORD:

  • of the LORD (יְהוָה - YHWH): The covenant name of God, emphasizing that the words originated from Yahweh Himself, carrying divine authority.

• which:

  • which (אֲשֶׁר - 'aser): A relative pronoun, connecting the "words" to their source.

• he heard:

  • he heard (שָׁמַע - shama): From שָׁמַע (shama), meaning "to hear," "to listen," "to obey." Implies Baruch received these words directly by hearing Jeremiah speak them.

• from:

  • from (מִפִּי - mippi): Literally "from the mouth of." Emphasizes the direct oral transmission from Jeremiah to Baruch, highlighting Jeremiah's role as God's mouthpiece.

• his mouth:

  • his mouth (יִרְמְיָהוּ - Yirməyahū): The name Jeremiah, identifying the human instrument through whom God communicated.

• in:

  • in (בְּ - bē): Preposition.

• that:

  • that (בַּיּוֹם - bayyom): Hebrew for "in the day."

• day:

  • day (הַהוּא - hahū'): "that day." Refers to the specific day of fasting previously mentioned, making the reading contextually significant.

• of:

  • of (צוֹם - tsom): Hebrew for "fasting."

• fasting:

  • fasting (הַהוּא - hahū'): Denotes a day set apart for solemn fasting, typically a time of seeking God, making Baruch's public reading particularly potent and timely.

Phrase/Group Analysis

• "read...from the book in the ears of all the people": This is not passive reading but an active, public proclamation. The focus is on making God's words heard by the entire populace during a day of communal introspection. It highlights the public dimension of prophetic ministry and the intent to reach the entire community.

• "all the words of the LORD, which he heard from the mouth of Jeremiah": This emphasizes the complete fidelity of Baruch's transcription and reading. The message is unequivocally presented as originating from the Lord Himself, transmitted directly through Jeremiah, and accurately conveyed by Baruch. It underscores the divine authority and the integrity of the prophetic message.

• "in the house of the LORD": This setting (the Temple) amplifies the significance. It is the place of God's dwelling, where His presence was acknowledged. Reading God's judgment in this sacred space serves as a direct confrontation of the people's unfaithfulness within their most holy site.

• "on the day of fasting": This context adds a layer of irony and urgency. A day of fasting was meant for repentance and seeking God. Instead of turning to God as they should, many would hear the very words they had evidently caused God to judge them. It presents a moment of opportunity that, as history shows, was largely missed.

Jeremiah 36 13 Bonus Section

The public reading of the scroll was a powerful symbolic act, meant to confront the people directly with the consequences of their disobedience. In ancient Near Eastern culture, public readings of important decrees or pronouncements were common. However, this reading was uniquely spiritual, carrying the weight of divine authority. The day of fasting was significant because it was a recognized time for the nation to seek God and acknowledge their sinfulness. Baruch's reading turned this seeking into a direct encounter with the specific reasons for God's displeasure and the impending judgment. This act prefigures New Testament principles where believers are called to be witnesses (Acts 1:8) and to share the gospel publicly, echoing the mandate to let God's word be heard. The scroll itself became a tangible representation of God's persistent message, a message that would prove more resilient than any human attempt to destroy it, as evidenced by God's command to rewrite it.

Jeremiah 36 13 Commentary

Baruch's action in reading the scroll in the Temple during a fast day is a crucial act of prophetic witness. It signifies the direct engagement of God's word with the community, particularly during a time designated for spiritual reflection. The specific mention of reading "in the ears of all the people" emphasizes the public nature and comprehensiveness of the message, aimed at provoking a collective response. This reading is an extension of Jeremiah's own prophetic calling to confront Judah's sin and call them to repentance. The intention behind the reading, as stated in verse 7, is to prompt individual turning and corporate forgiveness from the LORD. This underscores the salvific purpose of prophecy: to guide people back to God, even through the proclamation of judgment. The complete and accurate transmission of the message ("all the words... which he heard from the mouth of Jeremiah") highlights Baruch's faithfulness and the unadulterated authority of the divine word. The location and timing magnify the message's impact, a stark contrast to the eventual rejection by King Jehoiakim.