Jeremiah 36 15

Jeremiah 36:15 kjv

And they said unto him, Sit down now, and read it in our ears. So Baruch read it in their ears.

Jeremiah 36:15 nkjv

And they said to him, "Sit down now, and read it in our hearing." So Baruch read it in their hearing.

Jeremiah 36:15 niv

They said to him, "Sit down, please, and read it to us." So Baruch read it to them.

Jeremiah 36:15 esv

And they said to him, "Sit down and read it." So Baruch read it to them.

Jeremiah 36:15 nlt

"Sit down and read the scroll to us," the officials said, and Baruch did as they requested.

Jeremiah 36 verses

Jeremiah 36 15 Meaning

This verse describes Jehudi reading the scroll, containing Jeremiah's prophecy against Judah and Jerusalem, to King Jehoiakim and his court. It highlights the confrontation between God's word and human defiance, particularly by a king who would later reject and destroy this very prophecy. The reading was not a mere recitation, but a public declaration intended to provoke a response, which indeed occurred.

Jeremiah 36 15 Context

Jeremiah chapter 36 narrates a crucial moment where Jeremiah's prophetic message, recorded by his scribe Baruch, is brought before King Jehoiakim. Despite earlier prophecies and the imminent threat of Babylonian invasion, Jehoiakim represents the defiant leadership of Judah. This specific verse (v. 15) marks the pivotal point of the scroll's initial presentation. The backdrop is a time of spiritual and political decay in Judah, with many leaders either indifferent or actively hostile to God's warnings, choosing a path of defiance rather than repentance, ultimately leading to judgment.

Jeremiah 36 15 Word Analysis

• "And when": Signifies a temporal connection to preceding events, introducing the action that follows.

• "Jehudi": (ye·hu·di) - Hebrew name possibly meaning "Judean" or "descendant of Judah." His action of reading is pivotal.

• "the son of Nethaniah": (ben net·an·yah·hu) - Provides his lineage, emphasizing his place within society. Nethaniah itself means "God has given."

• "the son of Delaiah": (ben del·ai·yah) - Further lineage. Delaiah could mean "Jehovah has drawn" or "the rope of God," perhaps implying leadership or divine drawing.

• "the son of Gemariah": (ben ge·mar·yah·hu) - Gemariah means "Jehovah has accomplished." This provides a genealogical chain, placing him within an established family, likely connected to scribal traditions.

• "the son of Shaphan": (ben sha·phan) - Shaphan was a royal scribe during Josiah's reign (2 Kings 22:3), indicating a family background in royal service and possibly familiarity with scripture. This lineage adds weight to his presence and involvement.

• "the son of Michaiah": (ben mi·kha·yah) - Michaiah means "Who is like Yahweh?" A common name signifying recognition of God's uniqueness.

• "when he was hearing all the words": (ki sho·me·a et kol ha·da·va·rim) - This phrase highlights his attentive listening to the full prophetic message. It's an active hearing, implying comprehension.

• "in the chamber of the upper room": (bash·ko·ah had·dli·ya) - Suggests a place of reception or perhaps a place of hearing important matters, possibly within the king's palace complex, indicating official proceedings. The "upper room" often signifies prominence or privacy.

• "where the scribe Baruch": (asher barukh ha·so·pher) - Identifies the source of the scroll – Baruch, Jeremiah's scribe. "Baruch" means "blessed." "Sopher" means scribe or secretary.

• "had read unto the king": (ka·tev lam·me·lekh) - This word here might be a slight misreading or misunderstanding by the scribes of the English translation. The Hebrew katav (כתב) typically means "wrote," not "read unto." The original Hebrew verse states Baruch read, not that Jehudi was told Baruch "wrote unto the king." Jehudi’s action in verse 13 is reading.

• "the words from the scroll": (et had·da·va·rim mih·hakh) - Refers to the written prophecy, the physical embodiment of Jeremiah's message.

• "that Baruch": (asher barukh) - Again identifies the scribe.

• "had written": (ka·tav) - Emphasizes the act of recording God's word.

• "from the mouth of Jeremiah": (mi·pikh Yir·me·ya·hu) - Directly attributes the content to Jeremiah, underscoring its divine origin and authority. "Mouth" signifies utterance and direct speech from God.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "Jehudi the son of Nethaniah, the son of Delaiah, the son of Gemariah, the son of Shaphan": This extended genealogy (v. 14), including its mention here again, establishes a chain of witnesses. Shaphan's connection to Josiah's reign and the rediscovery of the Law (2 Kings 22) subtly contrasts with the current king's actions. It shows an aristocratic or official context where God's word is being brought.
  • "hearing all the words... from the mouth of Jeremiah": This emphasizes the reception and authenticity of the divine message. It underscores that the words were directly dictated by God through Jeremiah, and now they are being heard by those in authority.

Jeremiah 36 15 Bonus Section

The text in Jeremiah 36 meticulously details the chain of custody and transmission of God's prophetic word. From Jeremiah dictating to Baruch, to Baruch writing and reading, to the officials hearing, and then Jehudi reporting and reading again, it underscores the importance of bearing witness to God's message. This narrative emphasizes that God's word is meant to be heard, considered, and responded to, and that resistance to it carries profound consequences, as seen in Jehoiakim's violent rejection and burning of the scroll. The "upper room" could signify a place where matters of state are discussed, indicating the seriousness with which the prophecy was presented, even if it was ultimately dismissed by the king.

Jeremiah 36 15 Commentary

Jehudi, despite his lineage seemingly connected to loyalty (father Nethaniah meaning "God has given," grandfather Shaphan involved in finding the Law), becomes an instrument in confronting the king with the written prophecy. The repetition of the names might be to establish accountability or to highlight that even from seemingly established lines, rebellion can arise. The act of hearing all the words is critical – they are not picking and choosing, but receiving the full message of judgment and a call to repentance. This sets the stage for the king's reaction, where hearing leads not to submission but to destruction of the message. This demonstrates that proximity to God’s word does not guarantee obedience.