Jeremiah 36:10

Then read Baruch in the book the words of Jeremiah in the house of the LORD, in the chamber of Gemariah the son of Shaphan the scribe, in the higher court, at the entry of the new gate of the LORD'S house, in the ears of all the people.

Then read {H7121} Baruch {H1263} in the book {H5612} the words {H1697} of Jeremiah {H3414} in the house {H1004} of the LORD {H3068}, in the chamber {H3957} of Gemariah {H1587} the son {H1121} of Shaphan {H8227} the scribe {H5608}, in the higher {H5945} court {H2691}, at the entry {H6607} of the new {H2319} gate {H8179} of the LORD'S {H3068} house {H1004}, in the ears {H241} of all the people {H5971}.

It was then that Barukh read from the scroll the words of Yirmeyahu in the house of ADONAI, in the chamber of G'maryahu the son of Shafan the secretary, in the upper courtyard, at the entry to the New Gate of ADONAI's house, for all the people to hear.

From the chamber of Gemariah son of Shaphan the scribe, which was in the upper courtyard at the opening of the New Gate of the house of the LORD, Baruch read from the scroll the words of Jeremiah in the hearing of all the people.

Then read Baruch in the book the words of Jeremiah in the house of Jehovah, in the chamber of Gemariah the son of Shaphan the scribe, in the upper court, at the entry of the new gate of Jehovah’s house, in the ears of all the people.

Commentary

Jeremiah 36:10 describes a pivotal moment in ancient Judah, detailing the public reading of Jeremiah’s prophetic scroll by his faithful scribe, Baruch. This event took place during a time of national fasting in the ninth month, likely a period of seeking God's favor or lamenting current circumstances, making the temple a natural gathering place for the people.

Context

The prophet Jeremiah had been commanded by the LORD to write down all the words He had spoken against Israel, Judah, and all nations, from the time of Josiah's reign onward (Jeremiah 36:2). Because Jeremiah himself was "shut up" or restricted from entering the temple (Jeremiah 36:5), he instructed his loyal assistant, Baruch son of Neriah, to take the scroll and read it publicly. The specific setting for this reading was significant: the chamber of Gemariah, a son of Shaphan the scribe, within the House of the LORD. Shaphan's family was well-known and respected, having previously been instrumental in discovering the Book of the Law during King Josiah's reign (2 Kings 22:8), lending a measure of authority and reverence to the location.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Proclamation: This verse highlights the vital process by which God's word, delivered through His prophet, was then formally recorded and publicly proclaimed. It underscores the LORD's desire for His message to be heard by all people.
  • The Role of Baruch: Baruch acts as a faithful intermediary, demonstrating obedience and courage in delivering Jeremiah's often unpopular prophecies. His role as Jeremiah's scribe and messenger was indispensable for the transmission of divine revelation.
  • Call to Repentance: The underlying purpose of the scroll, and thus its public reading, was to call the people of Judah to repentance, with the hope that they might "turn every man from his evil way" and avert God's impending judgment (Jeremiah 36:3).
  • Authority of the Temple Setting: Reading the scroll "in the house of the LORD" lent immense authority to the message, signaling that it was not merely human words but a divine utterance from God Himself, delivered in His sacred dwelling. The "new gate" and "higher court" further emphasize a prominent and accessible location for public hearing.

Linguistic Insights

The name Baruch (בָּרוּךְ) means "blessed," a fitting name for one who faithfully served God's prophet. The detailed description of the location—"in the chamber of Gemariah the son of Shaphan the scribe, in the higher court, at the entry of the new gate of the LORD'S house"—emphasizes the precise, official, and public nature of this event. It was not a clandestine meeting but a prominent declaration intended for "all the people" to hear.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 36:10 reminds us of the enduring importance of God's word being heard and received. Just as Baruch faithfully delivered the message, believers today are called to share biblical truth, whether through preaching, teaching, or personal witness. The public setting underscores that God's message is for everyone, regardless of their background or status. It challenges us to consider our own response to God's warnings and invitations to repentance, just as the people of Judah were confronted with a choice to heed or ignore the divine word.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 36:11

    When Michaiah the son of Gemariah, the son of Shaphan, had heard out of the book all the words of the LORD,

  • Jeremiah 26:10

    When the princes of Judah heard these things, then they came up from the king's house unto the house of the LORD, and sat down in the entry of the new gate of the LORD'S [house].

  • Jeremiah 52:25

    He took also out of the city an eunuch, which had the charge of the men of war; and seven men of them that were near the king's person, which were found in the city; and the principal scribe of the host, who mustered the people of the land; and threescore men of the people of the land, that were found in the midst of the city.

  • 2 Samuel 8:17

    And Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, [were] the priests; and Seraiah [was] the scribe;

  • Jeremiah 36:25

    Nevertheless Elnathan and Delaiah and Gemariah had made intercession to the king that he would not burn the roll: but he would not hear them.

  • 2 Kings 15:35

    Howbeit the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burned incense still in the high places. He built the higher gate of the house of the LORD.

  • Jeremiah 29:3

    By the hand of Elasah the son of Shaphan, and Gemariah the son of Hilkiah, (whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent unto Babylon to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon) saying,
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