TRV
Jeremiah 36:16
Bible Versions
Now it came to pass, when they had heard all the words, they were afraid both one and other, and said unto Baruch, We will surely tell the king of all these words.
After they had heard all the words, they turned in fear to each other and said to Barukh, "We will certainly tell the king about all these words."
When they had heard all these words, they turned to one another in fear and said to Baruch, “Surely we must report all these words to the king.”
Now it came to pass, when they had heard all the words, they turned in fear one toward another, and said unto Baruch, We will surely tell the king of all these words.
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Jeremiah 36:24
Yet they were not afraid, nor rent their garments, [neither] the king, nor any of his servants that heard all these words. -
Amos 7:10
¶ Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, Amos hath conspired against thee in the midst of the house of Israel: the land is not able to bear all his words. -
Amos 7:11
For thus Amos saith, Jeroboam shall die by the sword, and Israel shall surely be led away captive out of their own land. -
Jeremiah 13:18
Say unto the king and to the queen, Humble yourselves, sit down: for your principalities shall come down, [even] the crown of your glory. -
Acts 24:25
And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee. -
Acts 24:26
He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him. -
Jeremiah 38:1
¶ Then Shephatiah the son of Mattan, and Gedaliah the son of Pashur, and Jucal the son of Shelemiah, and Pashur the son of Malchiah, heard the words that Jeremiah had spoken unto all the people, saying,
Jeremiah 36:16 KJV describes a pivotal moment during the tumultuous reign of King Jehoiakim in Judah. After Baruch, Jeremiah's scribe, read the Lord's words from a scroll in the scribe's chamber, the princes present were struck with profound fear and immediately recognized the gravity of the message, resolving to inform the king.
Context
This verse is set against the backdrop of Jeremiah's prophetic ministry, a time when Judah was facing imminent Babylonian invasion due to its persistent idolatry and disobedience. God commanded Jeremiah to write down all the words He had spoken against Israel, Judah, and all the nations, hoping that the people would hear and repent (Jeremiah 36:2-3). Since Jeremiah was forbidden to enter the temple, Baruch read the scroll publicly and later to the princes in the scribe's chamber. The words contained prophecies of divine judgment, destruction, and exile, making the princes' reaction in verse 16 understandable.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Hebrew verb yare' (ירא), translated as "afraid," carries a rich semantic range. While it certainly denotes fear, it also encompasses concepts of awe, reverence, and respect. In this context, the princes' fear was not merely panic, but a recognition of the holy and terrifying nature of God's word and the dire consequences it foretold. This kind of fear is often a prerequisite for repentance and wisdom.
Related Scriptures
The princes' fear stands in stark contrast to King Jehoiakim's defiant response, who famously cut up and burned the scroll, showing utter contempt for God's word. This highlights the different ways individuals can react to divine truth. While the king's heart was hardened, the princes, at least initially, showed a degree of spiritual sensitivity. This passage also reminds us of God's ultimate desire for repentance, as expressed in Ezekiel 33:11, where He declares He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Despite the king's actions, the enduring power of God's word ensures it will accomplish its purpose, even if rejected.
Practical Application
For a general audience today, Jeremiah 36:16 serves as a powerful reminder of how we should approach God's Word. Do we treat it lightly, or do we receive it with the reverence and awe it deserves? The princes' reaction challenges us to consider the weighty implications of biblical truth, particularly when it speaks of sin, judgment, and the call to repentance. It also underscores the responsibility of those in positions of influence to listen to and share divine warnings, even if unpopular. Our response to God's warnings determines our destiny, just as it did for Judah.