Jeremiah 36:14

Therefore all the princes sent Jehudi the son of Nethaniah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Cushi, unto Baruch, saying, Take in thine hand the roll wherein thou hast read in the ears of the people, and come. So Baruch the son of Neriah took the roll in his hand, and came unto them.

Therefore all the princes {H8269} sent {H7971} Jehudi {H3065} the son {H1121} of Nethaniah {H5418}, the son {H1121} of Shelemiah {H8018}, the son {H1121} of Cushi {H3570}, unto Baruch {H1263}, saying {H559}, Take {H3947} in thine hand {H3027} the roll {H4039} wherein thou hast read {H7121} in the ears {H241} of the people {H5971}, and come {H3212}. So Baruch {H1263} the son {H1121} of Neriah {H5374} took {H3947} the roll {H4039} in his hand {H3027}, and came {H935} unto them.

whereupon all the officials sent Y'hudi the son of N'tanyahu, the son of Shelemyahu, the son of Kushi, to Barukh to say, "Take in your hand the scroll from which you read in the hearing of the people, and come." So Barukh the son of Neriyah took the scroll in his hand and went to them.

Then all the officials sent word to Baruch through Jehudi son of Nethaniah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Cushi, saying, “Bring the scroll that you read in the hearing of the people, and come here.” So Baruch son of Neriah took the scroll and went to them.

Therefore all the princes sent Jehudi the son of Nethaniah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Cushi, unto Baruch, saying, Take in thy hand the roll wherein thou hast read in the ears of the people, and come. So Baruch the son of Neriah took the roll in his hand, and came unto them.

Commentary

Jeremiah 36:14 records a pivotal moment in the dramatic narrative of God's word being delivered to Judah during the reign of King Jehoiakim. This verse describes the princes, high-ranking officials of the kingdom, summoning Baruch, the scribe of the prophet Jeremiah, to bring the prophetic scroll and read it in their presence.

Context

This verse is situated within Jeremiah chapter 36, which details Jeremiah's instruction from the Lord to write down all the prophecies He had spoken against Israel, Judah, and all nations since the time of Josiah (Jeremiah 36:2). Because Jeremiah was confined and could not go to the Temple, he dictated these words to his faithful scribe, Baruch son of Neriah. Baruch then read the scroll publicly in the Lord's house on a fast day, in the hearing of all the people (Jeremiah 36:8). News of this reading reached the princes, who, out of curiosity or concern, desired to hear the divine pronouncements themselves. Their sending Jehudi to Baruch signifies the importance they attached to the message, even if their ultimate response would vary.

Key Themes

  • The Transmission of Divine Revelation: This verse highlights the critical role of human instruments—prophets and scribes—in making God's word accessible. Baruch, as Jeremiah's scribe, was entrusted with the weighty responsibility of preserving and proclaiming the prophetic message.
  • The Authority of God's Word: The princes' immediate response to hear the scroll underscores the perceived authority and significance of the prophetic message, even among those in power. They understood that this was not merely human opinion but a declaration from the Lord concerning the future of their nation.
  • Initial Curiosity vs. Ultimate Response: While the princes show initial interest, the broader narrative of Jeremiah 36 reveals a spectrum of responses to God's word, culminating in King Jehoiakim's defiant act of burning the scroll (Jeremiah 36:23). This verse captures a moment of potential receptiveness before the hardened hearts of some were fully revealed.

Linguistic Insights

The term "roll" (Hebrew: megillah, מְגִלָּה) refers to a scroll, which was the standard form of written document in ancient times. This specific megillah was no ordinary document; it contained the very words of the Lord, making it a sacred text with profound implications for the people of Judah. The detailed lineage of Jehudi ("the son of Nethaniah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Cushi") emphasizes the official nature of the summons, lending credibility and formality to the interaction.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 36:14 reminds us of the enduring importance of engaging with God's word. Just as the princes sought to hear the scroll, believers today are called to diligently read, study, and meditate on the Scriptures. The readiness of Baruch to bring forth the scroll also serves as an example of faithful stewardship of divine truth. Despite potential dangers or opposition, those who carry God's message are called to deliver it faithfully. This passage encourages us to consider our own response when confronted with divine revelation: do we merely listen out of curiosity, or do we allow God's truth to transform our hearts and actions, leading to true repentance and obedience?

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 36:2

    Take thee a roll of a book, and write therein all the words that I have spoken unto thee against Israel, and against Judah, and against all the nations, from the day I spake unto thee, from the days of Josiah, even unto this day.

  • 2 Kings 25:23

    And when all the captains of the armies, they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah governor, there came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, even Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan the son of Careah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah the son of a Maachathite, they and their men.

  • Zephaniah 1:1

    ¶ The word of the LORD which came unto Zephaniah the son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hizkiah, in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah.

  • Matthew 10:28

    And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

  • Ezekiel 2:6

    ¶ And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns [be] with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they [be] a rebellious house.

  • Ezekiel 2:7

    And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they [are] most rebellious.

  • Jeremiah 41:18

    Because of the Chaldeans: for they were afraid of them, because Ishmael the son of Nethaniah had slain Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, whom the king of Babylon made governor in the land.
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