36:11 36:11

Jeremiah 36:12

36:13 36:13

Bible Versions

Then he went down into the king's house, into the scribe's chamber: and, lo, all the princes sat there, [even] Elishama the scribe, and Delaiah the son of Shemaiah, and Elnathan the son of Achbor, and Gemariah the son of Shaphan, and Zedekiah the son of Hananiah, and all the princes.
Then he went down {H3381} into the king's {H4428} house {H1004}, into the scribe's {H5608} chamber {H3957}: and, lo, all the princes {H8269} sat {H3427} there, even Elishama {H476} the scribe {H5608}, and Delaiah {H1806} the son {H1121} of Shemaiah {H8098}, and Elnathan {H494} the son {H1121} of Achbor {H5907}, and Gemariah {H1587} the son {H1121} of Shaphan {H8227}, and Zedekiah {H6667} the son {H1121} of Hananiah {H2608}, and all the princes {H8269}.
he went down to the king's palace, into the secretary's room. All the officials were there - Elishama the secretary, D'layahu the son of Sh'ma'yahu, Elnatan the son of 'Akhbor, G'maryah the son of Shafan, Tzidkiyahu the son of Hananyahu and all the [other] officials.
he went down to the scribe’s chamber in the king’s palace, where all the officials were sitting: Elishama the scribe, Delaiah son of Shemaiah, Elnathan son of Achbor, Gemariah son of Shaphan, Zedekiah son of Hananiah, and all the other officials.
he went down into the king’s house, into the scribe’s chamber: and, lo, all the princes were sitting there, to wit, Elishama the scribe, and Delaiah the son of Shemaiah, and Elnathan the son of Achbor, and Gemariah the son of Shaphan, and Zedekiah the son of Hananiah, and all the princes.

Jeremiah 36:12 describes a pivotal moment in the transmission of God's message through the prophet Jeremiah. Following Baruch’s public reading of the scroll containing Jeremiah’s prophecies, he is summoned to the royal palace where the powerful princes of Judah are gathered, ready to hear the divine word for themselves.

Context

This verse is set in the king's house (King Jehoiakim's palace) in Jerusalem, during a volatile period around 605-604 BC. Judah was facing imminent judgment from Babylon, and Jeremiah had been commissioned by God to deliver a message of repentance and warning. Having been previously barred from speaking in the Temple, Jeremiah dictated his prophecies to his scribe, Baruch. Baruch had just publicly read this scroll in the Temple precincts (Jeremiah 36:10). News of this significant event reached the palace officials, leading to this crucial meeting in the scribe's chamber. The named princes—Elishama, Delaiah, Elnathan, Gemariah, and Zedekiah—were high-ranking governmental figures, indicating the seriousness with which Baruch’s reading was taken.

Key Themes

  • Divine Word to Authority: The verse highlights God's intention for His message to reach all levels of society, especially those in positions of power. The gathering of the princes underscores the gravity of the prophetic warning.
  • The Role of the Scribe: Not only is Elishama mentioned as the scribe, but Baruch, Jeremiah's scribe, is the one delivering the message. This emphasizes the vital role of scribes in preserving and transmitting divine revelation in ancient Israel.
  • Accountability of Leadership: The assembled princes represent the leadership of Judah who were now directly confronted with God's word, making them accountable for their response to Jeremiah's prophecies. Their subsequent actions, particularly King Jehoiakim's destructive reaction (Jeremiah 36:23), would have severe consequences for the nation.

Linguistic Insights

The term "scribe's chamber" (Hebrew: lishkat hasopher) refers to an official room, likely within the palace complex, used for administrative duties or meetings. A "scribe" (Hebrew: sopher) was a highly educated and influential official, responsible for writing, record-keeping, and legal matters. Elishama's identification as "the scribe" suggests his prominent role among the princes, possibly indicating he was the chief royal scribe.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 36:12 reminds us that God's truth is not confined to religious circles but is meant to challenge and inform those in positions of influence and authority. It underscores the importance of courageously bringing God's word into public and political spheres, even when it is an unpopular message. For believers today, it encourages us to consider how we can effectively share biblical truth with leaders and decision-makers, recognizing their responsibility to hear and respond to God's standards for justice and righteousness.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Jeremiah 26:22

    And Jehoiakim the king sent men into Egypt, [namely], Elnathan the son of Achbor, and [certain] men with him into Egypt.

  • 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 22:12

    And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Michaiah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asahiah a servant of the king's, saying,

  • Jeremiah 41:1

    ¶ Now it came to pass in the seventh month, [that] Ishmael the son of Nethaniah the son of Elishama, of the seed royal, and the princes of the king, even ten men with him, came unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizpah; and there they did eat bread together in Mizpah.

  • Jeremiah 28:1

    ¶ And it came to pass the same year, in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the fourth year, [and] in the fifth month, [that] Hananiah the son of Azur the prophet, which [was] of Gibeon, spake unto me in the house of the LORD, in the presence of the priests and of all the people, saying,

  • Jeremiah 28:17

    So Hananiah the prophet died the same year in the seventh month.

  • Jeremiah 36:20

    ¶ And they went in to the king into the court, but they laid up the roll in the chamber of Elishama the scribe, and told all the words in the ears of the king.
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