Jeremiah 36:16

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Now it came to pass, when they had heard {H8085} all the words {H1697}, they were afraid {H6342} both {H413} one {H376} and other {H7453}, and said {H559} unto Baruch {H1263}, We will surely {H5046} tell {H5046} the king {H4428} of all these words {H1697}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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."

Berean Standard Bible

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.”

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 36:16 captures a pivotal moment in Judah's spiritual history, depicting the intense reaction of the princes to the scroll containing God's prophetic words delivered through Jeremiah. Upon hearing the divine pronouncements of impending judgment and destruction, they were struck with profound fear and a deep sense of urgency, immediately resolving to convey the weighty message to King Jehoiakim. This verse highlights the immediate impact of God's unadulterated word on those who genuinely listen, contrasting sharply with the subsequent hardened response of the king.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Jeremiah 36, a chapter detailing God's command to Jeremiah to record all the prophecies given against Israel, Judah, and the nations since the beginning of his ministry. The purpose was that the people might hear the words, repent, and receive forgiveness [Jeremiah 36:2-3](/jeremiah/36-2 "Jeremiah 36:2 - God Commands Jeremiah to Write"). As Jeremiah was confined, his scribe Baruch read the scroll publicly in the Temple during a fast day [Jeremiah 36:9-10](/jeremiah/36-9 "Jeremiah 36:9 - Baruch Reads the Scroll in the Temple"). Subsequently, Micaiah, who heard Baruch, reported the reading to the princes who were gathered in the scribe's chamber [Jeremiah 36:11-12](/jeremiah/36-11 "Jeremiah 36:11 - Micaiah Reports to the Princes"). The princes then summoned Baruch to read the scroll to them privately, leading directly to their fearful reaction described in [Jeremiah 36:16](/jeremiah/36-16 "Jeremiah 36:16 - The Princes' Fearful Reaction"). This immediate and powerful response sets the stage for the stark contrast with King Jehoiakim's defiant rejection of the scroll later in the chapter [Jeremiah 36:23-24](/jeremiah/36-23 "Jeremiah 36:23 - Jehoiakim Burns the Scroll").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Jeremiah 36 occurred in the fourth year of King Jehoiakim's reign (c. 605 BC), a period of escalating geopolitical tension and spiritual decline in Judah. The Babylonian Empire was rapidly rising to prominence, having recently defeated Egypt at Carchemish. Judah, having vacillated between allegiance to Egypt and Babylon, was now firmly under Babylonian influence, facing the threat of invasion and exile. Internally, King Jehoiakim was a notoriously wicked ruler, known for his oppression, injustice, and blatant disregard for God's law and prophets [Jeremiah 22:13-19](/jeremiah/22-13 "Jeremiah 22:13 - Jehoiakim's Unjust Reign"). The cultural landscape was marked by widespread idolatry, social corruption, and a general spiritual apathy among the people and their leaders. The prophetic warnings in Jeremiah's scroll, therefore, were not abstract theological concepts but urgent, tangible threats of divine judgment against a nation teetering on the brink of disaster, making the princes' fear a rational response to a very real and impending crisis.
* **Key Themes:** [Jeremiah 36:16](/jeremiah/36-16 "Jeremiah 36:16 - The Princes' Fearful Reaction") contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Jeremiah. Foremost is the **authority and power of God's Word**, demonstrated by its immediate and profound impact on the princes, who recognized its divine origin and weighty implications. This contrasts with the theme of **rejection of divine truth**, vividly portrayed by King Jehoiakim's contemptuous act of burning the scroll [Jeremiah 36:23](/jeremiah/36-23 "Jeremiah 36:23 - Jehoiakim Burns the Scroll"), highlighting the human capacity for spiritual stubbornness. The verse also underscores the theme of **impending judgment and accountability**, as the princes' fear stems from the dire prophecies of destruction for Judah's persistent sin. Finally, it touches upon the **responsibility of leadership**, as the princes, unlike the king, initially felt compelled to act on the divine warning, recognizing their duty to convey such a critical message to the highest authority for the welfare of the nation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **heard (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** From H8085, this verb signifies not merely the physical act of hearing, but to hear intelligently, often implying attention, understanding, and even obedience. In this context, the princes did not just passively receive the sounds; they comprehended the gravity and divine authority of the message, leading to their profound reaction. Their hearing was active and discerning.
* **words (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** From H1697, this term refers to a word, but by implication, it encompasses a matter, thing, or even a divine message or decree. Here, "all the words" emphasizes the comprehensive nature of God's revelation through Jeremiah—a complete and authoritative declaration of His will and judgment. It denotes the full scope and weight of the prophetic message.
* **afraid (Hebrew, _pâchad'_):** From H6342, this root means to be startled by a sudden alarm, hence to fear in general, to stand in awe, or to be made to shake. Unlike a casual apprehension, the princes' fear was a visceral, deeply unsettling response to the divine pronouncements. It was a fear born of understanding the imminent danger and the terrifying power of the God who spoke these words, suggesting a recognition of the holiness and justice behind the judgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now it came to pass, when they had heard all the words,"**: This clause establishes the immediate cause of the princes' reaction. The phrase "it came to pass" marks a significant event. The crucial element is their "hearing" of "all the words," emphasizing that they received the complete, unadulterated message from God through Baruch's reading. This hearing was not superficial but deeply impactful, indicating a comprehension of the weighty content.
* **"they were afraid both one and other,"**: This describes the collective and individual emotional response of the princes. The repetition of "both one and other" highlights the universality of this fear among them; it was not a singular reaction but a shared, pervasive dread. This fear (Hebrew: _pâchad_) was a powerful, unsettling alarm, signifying their recognition of the dire implications of the divine message for themselves and the nation.
* **"and said unto Baruch,"**: This transition indicates their immediate verbal response and decision-making. Their address to Baruch, Jeremiah's scribe, shows their acknowledgment of him as the messenger and the scroll as the source of the terrifying words. It sets up their subsequent declaration of intent.
* **"We will surely tell the king of all these words."**: This final clause reveals their firm resolution and sense of responsibility. The Hebrew construction "surely tell" (a reduplication of the verb _nâgad_) emphasizes their absolute determination and urgency to convey the entire message to King Jehoiakim. They understood that the king, as the ultimate authority, needed to hear and respond to God's warnings for the sake of Judah.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices. **Repetition** is evident in the phrase "all the words," which appears twice in the verse, underscoring the comprehensive and inescapable nature of God's message. This repetition emphasizes that the princes heard the entirety of the divine pronouncement, leaving no room for misinterpretation or partial understanding. The immediate and profound fear of the princes, contrasted with King Jehoiakim's subsequent defiant act of burning the scroll [Jeremiah 36:23](/jeremiah/36-23 "Jeremiah 36:23 - Jehoiakim Burns the Scroll"), creates a powerful instance of **dramatic irony** and **contrast**. The audience knows the king's ultimate fate and his rejection of the word, making the princes' initial, more appropriate response all the more poignant. The princes' fear itself functions as **foreshadowing**, hinting at the severe judgment that awaits Judah if the king and the people fail to repent. Their visceral reaction validates the terrifying truth of the prophecies contained within the scroll.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 36:16 profoundly illustrates the inherent power and authority of God's revealed word. The princes' immediate and overwhelming fear upon hearing "all the words" demonstrates that divine truth, when genuinely encountered, carries an intrinsic weight that demands a response. This fear (Hebrew: _pâchad_) was not mere panic but a profound awe and recognition of the holy and terrifying nature of God's justice and His unwavering commitment to His covenant. It stands as a stark theological contrast to the later, defiant act of King Jehoiakim, who embodies the hardened heart that rejects divine warning, ultimately sealing his own and Judah's fate. The passage underscores that God's word is not inert; it actively confronts, convicts, and calls for decision, whether that be repentance or rebellion.

* [Jeremiah 36:23](/jeremiah/36-23 "Jeremiah 36:23 - Jehoiakim Burns the Scroll")
* [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Accomplishes Its Purpose")
* [Proverbs 9:10](/proverbs/9-10 "Proverbs 9:10 - The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 36:16 serves as a powerful mirror for contemporary believers, challenging us to examine our own posture toward God's Word. The princes' immediate and profound fear, though born of impending judgment, also reflects a deep reverence for the divine message. Do we approach Scripture with such awe and seriousness, recognizing its authority and the weighty implications it holds for our lives and the world? This passage compels us to move beyond superficial reading to a genuine engagement that allows God's truth to stir our hearts, convict us of sin, and prompt us to action. It also highlights the responsibility of those in positions of influence—whether in the church, family, or society—to heed divine warnings and courageously communicate them, even when unpopular or inconvenient. Our response to God's warnings, whether in fear and obedience or defiance and rejection, ultimately shapes our destiny, just as it did for ancient Judah.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does your personal response to God's Word compare to the princes' reaction in Jeremiah 36:16?**
* **In what areas of your life might you be treating God's warnings too lightly?**
* **What responsibility do you have to share difficult truths from God's Word with others, especially those in authority?**

### FAQ
**What was the content of "all the words" that the princes heard?**

Answer: The "words" referred to were the prophecies God had given to Jeremiah over many years, recorded by Baruch on a scroll. These prophecies contained stern warnings of divine judgment against Judah and other nations due to their persistent idolatry, injustice, and disobedience. They foretold the impending Babylonian invasion, the destruction of Jerusalem, and the exile of the people, along with calls for repentance. For example, [Jeremiah 25:8-11](/jeremiah/25-8 "Jeremiah 25:8 - Seventy Years of Exile") details the seventy-year Babylonian captivity, a key part of these warnings.

**Why were the princes "afraid" (Hebrew: _pâchad_)? Was it just panic?**

Answer: The Hebrew word _pâchad_ (H6342) signifies more than mere panic. While it certainly includes being startled by alarm, it also carries the nuance of standing in awe or being made to shake. In this context, the princes' fear was a profound, visceral reaction born of understanding the divine origin and dire implications of the message. It was a recognition of the terrifying holiness and justice of God, and the imminent, unavoidable consequences of the nation's sin. This fear was a healthy, appropriate response to divine revelation, contrasting sharply with the king's later contempt [Jeremiah 36:23](/jeremiah/36-23 "Jeremiah 36:23 - Jehoiakim Burns the Scroll").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 36:16, though rooted in the Old Covenant, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. Just as the princes heard "all the words" of God's judgment and were struck with fear, so too did humanity encounter the ultimate "Word" of God in the incarnation of Jesus Christ [John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God"), [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"). Jesus' message, like Jeremiah's, contained warnings of judgment for sin, but also the ultimate offer of salvation and repentance. His teaching often evoked a similar range of reactions: some were "astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority" [Matthew 7:28-29](/matthew/7-28 "Matthew 7:28-29 - Authority of Jesus' Teaching"), while others were filled with "awe" and glorified God [Luke 5:26](/luke/5-26 "Luke 5:26 - Awe at Jesus' Power"). Yet, tragically, many, like King Jehoiakim, rejected the Word made flesh, refusing to hear or believe [John 1:11](/john/1-11 "John 1:11 - He Came to His Own"). Jesus Himself is the ultimate "telling the king," for He is the one who perfectly revealed the Father's will and character, bringing both judgment and grace. His life, death, and resurrection are the final, decisive "words" of God to humanity, demanding a response of faith or rejection, leading to eternal consequences.

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.

Cross-References

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,