Jeremiah 36 17

Jeremiah 36:17 kjv

And they asked Baruch, saying, Tell us now, How didst thou write all these words at his mouth?

Jeremiah 36:17 nkjv

And they asked Baruch, saying, "Tell us now, how did you write all these words?at his instruction?"

Jeremiah 36:17 niv

Then they asked Baruch, "Tell us, how did you come to write all this? Did Jeremiah dictate it?"

Jeremiah 36:17 esv

Then they asked Baruch, "Tell us, please, how did you write all these words? Was it at his dictation?"

Jeremiah 36:17 nlt

"But first, tell us how you got these messages. Did they come directly from Jeremiah?"

Jeremiah 36 verses

Jeremiah 36 17 meaning

Jeremiah 36:17 presents a pivotal inquiry by the princes of Judah to Baruch, Jeremiah's scribe. Their question, "Tell us now, How did you write all these words at his mouth?", seeks to understand the exact process by which the prophetic scroll was produced. It aims to ascertain if Baruch transcribed Jeremiah's words directly as dictated by the prophet, implying a direct divine source, or if he composed them himself based on Jeremiah's general message. The essence of the verse highlights the critical issue of prophetic inspiration, accuracy, and authority, seeking verification of the message's true origin and integrity.

Jeremiah 36 17 Context

Jeremiah 36 unfolds during the tumultuous reign of King Jehoiakim of Judah, specifically in the fourth year (c. 605/604 BC). This period followed the Battle of Carchemish where Babylon defeated Egypt, marking the ascendancy of Babylonian power and foreboding Judah's future. The chapter begins with God commanding Jeremiah to write down "all the words that I have spoken to you" concerning Israel, Judah, and other nations, with the hope that hearing them might prompt repentance and avert destruction. Since Jeremiah was banned from entering the temple, he dictated these words to his scribe, Baruch son of Neriah, who then read them publicly in the temple courts on a fast day. This public reading drew the attention of various officials and princes who, upon hearing the grim prophecies, reacted with a mixture of fear, concern, and apprehension, not outright defiance initially. Their questioning of Baruch in verse 17 marks their attempt to verify the legitimacy and source of these profoundly impactful, and potentially politically dangerous, messages before presenting them to the king. They understand the grave implications of these "words" and wish to confirm they are indeed direct divine revelation and not merely Jeremiah's or Baruch's own composition.

Jeremiah 36 17 Word analysis

• And they asked (וַיִּשְׁאֲלוּ - vayish'alu): From the Hebrew root שָׁאַל (sha'al), meaning to ask, inquire, demand. The use here denotes a formal and significant inquiry, indicating a genuine desire for information, likely to assess the gravity and authority of the message they had heard. This wasn't merely casual conversation but a serious attempt to understand the nature of the scroll.
• Baruch (בָּרוּךְ - Barukh): Jeremiah's faithful scribe and close associate. His name means "blessed." In ancient Near Eastern culture, scribes were highly educated and vital for record-keeping, communication, and administration. Baruch was not just a copyist; he actively collaborated with Jeremiah, potentially organizing and preserving the prophetic messages. His role as the physical author of the scroll makes him the direct point of inquiry regarding its creation.
• How (אֵיךְ - eikh): This interrogative pronoun seeks the method, manner, or process. The princes were not questioning if the words were written, but how the specific interaction between Jeremiah and Baruch resulted in the scroll. This probes the mechanics of divine inspiration mediated through human agents.
• did you write (כָּתַבְתָּ - katavta): Second person masculine singular of the verb כָּתַב (katav), "to write." The focus is on Baruch's personal act of writing. They directly confront him about his role in setting down these words.
• all these words (כָּל־הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה - kol-ha-devarim ha'elleh): "All the words" emphasizes the totality and completeness of the message delivered. The Hebrew word דָּבָר (davar) means more than just "word"; it can also mean "matter," "thing," "decree," or "event," signifying the entire content and gravity of the prophecy. "These" (הָאֵלֶּה - ha'elleh) points directly to the specific words they had just heard from the scroll, acknowledging their tangible existence.
• at his mouth (מִפִּיו - mipyv): This is the most crucial phrase. Mipyv literally means "from his mouth" (from מִן - min "from" + פֶּה - peh "mouth" + the third-person masculine singular suffix). It directly inquires about verbal dictation. The question is whether Baruch literally took down Jeremiah's exact words as they were spoken. This signifies the method of reception and implies an understanding that truly authoritative prophecy originated directly from the prophet's utterance, which was inspired by God. This phrase highlights the "verbatim" nature they were seeking to confirm, lending full divine weight to the message.
• Words-group: "Tell us now" (לֵאמֹר אֵיךְ...): While le'mor often serves as a conjunction translating as "saying," in this context, the entire phrase conveys an imperative for immediate and clear disclosure. The princes demand an answer promptly, recognizing the urgency and impact of the prophecy.

Jeremiah 36 17 Bonus section

The detailed questioning about the method of writing (from the prophet's mouth) implies a high level of expectation regarding the precision and directness of divine revelation. It speaks to the ancient belief that true prophecy was God-breathed and articulated through His servant. This interaction between the princes and Baruch offers an important glimpse into the process of biblical canon formation as well; scribal activity was not mere note-taking but a critical element in preserving what was understood to be God's authoritative word. Baruch, in faithfully transcribing Jeremiah's dictated words, became an instrumental figure in the preservation of prophecy for future generations. The fact that the princes even ask indicates a general cultural awareness that God's word often came via dictation or clear utterance through His prophets, distinguishing it from merely human wisdom or political opinion. This also serves as an early example of discerning authenticity in religious texts.

Jeremiah 36 17 Commentary

Jeremiah 36:17 captures a moment of intense scrutiny regarding the origin of divine revelation. The princes' question to Baruch is more than just curiosity; it reflects a foundational understanding in ancient Israel concerning prophetic authority. For a prophecy to be genuinely binding and true, its source had to be God, delivered directly through His chosen prophet. The inquiry "How did you write all these words at his mouth?" aims to establish a clear chain of custody: Did God speak to Jeremiah, and did Jeremiah, in turn, articulate those precise words to Baruch for transcription?

This process, of Jeremiah speaking and Baruch writing verbatim, signifies that the scroll contained not merely Jeremiah's ideas about God's message, but the very words that God had put into Jeremiah's mouth (Jer 1:9; Jer 15:19). The integrity of the message, its truthfulness, and its demanding call for repentance rested on this direct divine origin. The question, therefore, serves to validate the scroll's divine authority. It anticipates the skepticism and potential rejection they knew King Jehoiakim and his court would exhibit. If the words were simply Baruch's or even Jeremiah's personal thoughts, they could be dismissed; if they were from the mouth of a prophet moved by God, they carried unignorable weight, demanding either submission or condemnation. This verse therefore underscores the concept of divine inspiration, emphasizing not only the prophet's receiving the message but also the faithful transmission through scribal record-keeping, ensuring the message's enduring power.