Jeremiah 36:19

KJV

Then said the princes unto Baruch, Go, hide thee, thou and Jeremiah; and let no man know where ye be.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then said {H559} the princes {H8269} unto Baruch {H1263}, Go {H3212}, hide {H5641} thee, thou and Jeremiah {H3414}; and let no man {H376} know {H3045} where {H375} ye be.

Complete Jewish Bible

At this, the officials said to Barukh, "Go and hide yourselves, you and Yirmeyahu; don't let anyone know where you are."

Berean Standard Bible

Then the officials said to Baruch, “You and Jeremiah must hide yourselves and tell no one where you are.”

American Standard Version

Then said the princes unto Baruch, Go, hide thee, thou and Jeremiah; and let no man know where ye are.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 36:19 captures a pivotal moment of urgent counsel from the Judean princes to Baruch, Jeremiah's scribe, and the prophet himself, instructing them to go into hiding. This directive underscores the extreme peril they faced from King Jehoiakim, who, upon hearing the divine judgment recorded in the scroll, reacted with furious defiance and sought to apprehend those who delivered God's word. The verse highlights the immediate need for protective measures to safeguard God's messengers and the sacred message they carried in the face of royal opposition and life-threatening danger.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a dramatic and dangerous sequence of events in Jeremiah chapter 36. Following God's command to Jeremiah to record all the prophecies given to him concerning Judah and Jerusalem since the beginning of his ministry ([Jeremiah 36:1-3](/jeremiah/36-1 "Jeremiah 36:1-3 - God's Command to Jeremiah")), Baruch, Jeremiah's faithful scribe, diligently transcribed these words onto a scroll. Baruch then publicly read this scroll in the temple courts on a fast day, and later to a group of princes who had gathered in the scribe's chamber ([Jeremiah 36:9-15](/jeremiah/36-9 "Jeremiah 36:9-15 - Baruch Reads the Scroll")). The princes, recognizing the gravity of the message and the potential for the king's wrath, reported the contents to King Jehoiakim. Instead of repentance, the king responded with hardened defiance, cutting the scroll into pieces and burning it in the fire ([Jeremiah 36:23](/jeremiah/36-23 "Jeremiah 36:23 - King Jehoiakim Burns the Scroll")). It is immediately after this act of blasphemous rebellion that the princes, fearing for Jeremiah and Baruch's lives, issue the urgent command to hide, recognizing the king's murderous intent.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Jeremiah 36 unfold during the reign of King Jehoiakim (609-598 BC), a period marked by political instability and spiritual decline in Judah. Jehoiakim was a vassal king installed by Egypt, and his reign was characterized by apostasy, injustice, and a defiant rejection of God's prophetic word. The geopolitical landscape was dominated by the rising power of Babylon, which was rapidly eclipsing Assyria and Egypt. Jeremiah's prophecies consistently warned of impending Babylonian invasion and exile as divine judgment for Judah's persistent sin. In this context, the king's burning of the scroll was not merely an act of disrespect but a profound political and religious statement of defiance against both God and the prophetic warnings. The princes, caught between their duty to the king and their apprehension regarding the divine message, demonstrated a degree of prudence and concern by advising Jeremiah and Baruch to hide, understanding the cultural reality that a king's wrath could easily lead to summary execution.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 36:19 vividly contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Jeremiah and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the **persecution of God's messengers**; prophets who delivered unpopular truths often faced severe opposition, even death, from those in power, as seen with Urijah ([Jeremiah 26:20-23](/jeremiah/26-20 "Jeremiah 26:20-23 - The Martyrdom of Urijah")). Secondly, it underscores the **defiance of human authority against divine revelation**; King Jehoiakim's act of burning the scroll is a powerful symbol of hardened hearts and outright rebellion against God's truth, leading to severe consequences for himself and his kingdom ([Jeremiah 36:30-31](/jeremiah/36-30 "Jeremiah 36:30-31 - Consequences for Jehoiakim")). Thirdly, and paradoxically, it demonstrates **divine protection and the enduring power of God's word**; while the princes gave practical advice, God's overarching providence ensured the safety of His instruments and His message, which was subsequently rewritten and even expanded ([Jeremiah 36:32](/jeremiah/36-32 "Jeremiah 36:32 - The Rewritten Scroll")). This event reinforces the truth that God's word cannot be ultimately silenced, even when human authorities seek to suppress it.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Baruch (Hebrew, _Bârûwk'_):** passive participle from בָרַךְ; blessed; Baruch, the name of three Israelites. In this context, Baruch is Jeremiah's faithful scribe, whose name, meaning "blessed," stands in ironic contrast to the dangerous circumstances he finds himself in. His role is crucial as the one who wrote and read God's judgment, making him a primary target alongside Jeremiah. His "blessed" status is not one of worldly ease but of being blessed by God for his faithfulness in serving as an instrument for divine revelation.
* **hide (Hebrew, _çâthar'_):** a primitive root; to hide (by covering), literally or figuratively; be absent, keep close, conceal, hide (self), (keep) secret, [idiom] surely. The imperative "hide" (הִתְחַבְּאוּ, _hithchab'u_, from a related root חבא) used here is an urgent command for active self-preservation. It implies a deliberate and necessary measure to conceal themselves from the king's wrath, emphasizing the immediate and serious threat to their lives. This was not a casual suggestion but a vital instruction for survival, indicating the extreme danger.
* **know (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** a primitive root; to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition...). The instruction "let no man know where ye be" uses this verb, emphasizing the need for absolute secrecy regarding their whereabouts. The princes' concern is not just that they hide, but that their hiding place remains entirely unknown, preventing the king's agents from finding and apprehending them. This speaks to the thoroughness required for their protection.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then said the princes unto Baruch,"**: This opening clause establishes the speaker and the recipient of the urgent counsel. The "princes" (or officials) are those who had heard the scroll read, were clearly disturbed by its contents, and had witnessed King Jehoiakim's furious and defiant reaction. Their address to Baruch first, rather than directly to Jeremiah, might indicate Baruch's more visible role in the public reading and his immediate proximity, or simply that the message was for both, delivered through Baruch.
* **"Go, hide thee, thou and Jeremiah;"**: This is the core of the princes' advice, an urgent and direct imperative. The command "Go, hide" (לְכוּ הִתְחַבְּאוּ, _lekhu hithchab'u_) signifies the immediate and severe danger. It's a call to active concealment, not merely a suggestion. The inclusion of "thou and Jeremiah" emphasizes that both Baruch, who read the scroll, and Jeremiah, who dictated it, were equally targets of the king's wrath, and their safety was intertwined.
* **"and let no man know where ye be."**: This final clause amplifies the urgency and necessity of secrecy. It's a command for complete discretion, ensuring that their hiding place remains unknown to anyone who might betray them to the king. This highlights the extent of the danger and the princes' understanding that their lives depended on absolute concealment, preventing any possibility of discovery or capture.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey its urgency and significance. **Urgency** is palpable in the direct, imperative commands: "Go, hide thee" and "let no man know." This immediate instruction reflects the dire peril facing Jeremiah and Baruch. There is an element of **Foreshadowing** as the king's extreme reaction and the need for hiding hint at the greater persecution Jeremiah would face throughout his ministry, and the ultimate judgment that would befall Judah due to its leaders' hardened hearts. The scene also contains a subtle **Irony**: the very princes who brought the scroll to the king, thereby exposing Jeremiah and Baruch to danger, are now the ones advising their escape. This suggests a complex moral landscape where some officials, though complicit in the system, still recognized the gravity of the prophetic word and the king's irrationality. The act of **Hiding** itself can be seen as a form of **Symbolism**, representing the temporary withdrawal of God's direct prophetic voice from the public square in the face of unrepentant rebellion, yet also God's providential protection of His messengers.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 36:19 profoundly illustrates the tension between divine revelation and human rebellion, a recurring theme throughout biblical history. The princes' urgent counsel to hide underscores the reality that God's truth, when confronting sin and injustice, often provokes fierce opposition from those in power. Yet, even in such perilous moments, God's sovereignty is evident. While human agents provide practical advice, it is ultimately God who orchestrates circumstances for the protection of His chosen instruments and the preservation of His infallible word. The fact that the scroll was subsequently rewritten and even expanded ([Jeremiah 36:32](/jeremiah/36-32 "Jeremiah 36:32 - The Rewritten Scroll")) powerfully demonstrates that no human act of defiance can thwart God's ultimate purposes or silence His eternal truth. This passage reminds believers that faithfulness to God's call may involve risk, but it is always met with divine oversight and an assurance that His word will prevail.

* [Jeremiah 1:19](/jeremiah/1-19 "Jeremiah 1:19 - God's Promise of Protection to Jeremiah")
* [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Will Not Return Void")
* [Acts 5:29](/acts/5-29 "Acts 5:29 - Obedience to God Rather Than Men")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 36:19 offers timeless wisdom for believers navigating a world often resistant to God's truth. It reminds us that proclaiming the Gospel and standing for righteousness may, at times, invite opposition, misunderstanding, or even persecution, especially when that truth challenges prevailing cultural norms or powerful institutions. However, this passage also provides profound assurance that God watches over His faithful servants. While He calls us to boldness and unwavering commitment to His word, He also provides wisdom for discretion and protection when needed. The princes' advice to hide was not an act of cowardice but a prudent response to a clear and present danger, demonstrating that wisdom often involves knowing when to speak and when to withdraw for strategic preservation. Ultimately, this passage reinforces the enduring power and invincibility of God's word; though people may attempt to destroy or suppress it, it cannot be ultimately silenced and will always accomplish its divine purpose. We are called to value, proclaim, and preserve God's word, trusting in His sovereignty and provision even amidst adversity.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might proclaiming God's truth invite opposition in our current cultural context?**
* **How do we discern between a call to bold proclamation and a need for wise discretion or temporary withdrawal for safety?**
* **What does King Jehoiakim's reaction to the scroll teach us about the human heart's capacity for rebellion against divine truth?**
* **How does this passage encourage us to trust in God's providence and the ultimate triumph of His word, even when it seems threatened?**

### FAQ
**Why did the princes advise Jeremiah and Baruch to hide?**

Answer: The princes advised Jeremiah and Baruch to hide because they recognized the extreme and immediate danger posed by King Jehoiakim's furious reaction to the scroll. Upon hearing the prophecies of judgment, the king not only defiantly burned the scroll ([Jeremiah 36:23](/jeremiah/36-23 "Jeremiah 36:23 - King Jehoiakim Burns the Scroll")) but also immediately ordered the arrest of Jeremiah and Baruch ([Jeremiah 36:26](/jeremiah/36-26 "Jeremiah 36:26 - King Jehoiakim Seeks to Arrest Jeremiah and Baruch")). The princes, having witnessed the king's rage, understood that their lives were in imminent peril and that hiding was a necessary measure for their survival and the preservation of God's prophetic message.

**Does hiding contradict the call to boldly proclaim God's word?**

Answer: No, hiding in this context does not contradict the call to boldly proclaim God's word; rather, it demonstrates wisdom and strategic preservation. Jeremiah and Baruch had already boldly delivered God's message publicly. The command to hide was a tactical decision by the princes, and implicitly sanctioned by God, to protect the lives of His messengers so they could continue their ministry. Jesus Himself sometimes withdrew from crowds or those seeking to harm Him before His appointed time ([John 8:59](/john/8-59 "John 8:59 - Jesus Hides from the Crowd"); [John 10:39](/john/10-39 "John 10:39 - Jesus Escapes from His Opponents")). This act of hiding was not out of fear that God's word would fail, but a recognition of the practical realities of persecution, allowing God's servants to survive and continue their mission when the immediate danger was too great.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 36:19, with its depiction of a prophet facing mortal danger for delivering God's word and being advised to hide, powerfully foreshadows aspects of Christ's own ministry and the enduring nature of God's message. Just as Jeremiah delivered an unpopular message of judgment and salvation, Jesus, the ultimate Prophet, came proclaiming the truth of God's kingdom, which often provoked fierce opposition from religious and political authorities ([John 7:7](/john/7-7 "John 7:7 - The World Hates Jesus")). There were times when Jesus, knowing His hour had not yet come, would withdraw or "hide" from those who sought to kill Him or prematurely make Him king ([John 8:59](/john/8-59 "John 8:59 - Jesus Hides from the Crowd"); [John 10:39](/john/10-39 "John 10:39 - Jesus Escapes from His Opponents")). This was not a sign of fear, but divine wisdom and strategic timing, ensuring His mission would unfold according to God's perfect plan, culminating in His atoning sacrifice on the cross. Ultimately, while King Jehoiakim attempted to destroy God's word by burning the scroll, the divine message could not be extinguished; it was rewritten and amplified. Similarly, though Christ was crucified and His followers persecuted ([Matthew 10:23](/matthew/10-23 "Matthew 10:23 - Persecution of Disciples")), His word, the Gospel, cannot be silenced. It continues to spread and transform lives, fulfilling the promise that "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away" ([Matthew 24:35](/matthew/24-35 "Matthew 24:35 - The Permanence of Jesus' Words")). The preservation of Jeremiah and Baruch points to God's unwavering commitment to His message, a commitment fully realized in the enduring power and triumph of Christ and His eternal word.

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

1 Kings 17:3

Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that [is] before Jordan.

1 Kings 18:4

For it was [so], when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)

Jeremiah 26:20

And there was also a man that prophesied in the name of the LORD, Urijah the son of Shemaiah of Kirjathjearim, who prophesied against this city and against this land according to all the words of Jeremiah:

Jeremiah 26:24

Nevertheless the hand of Ahikam the son of Shaphan was with Jeremiah, that they should not give him into the hand of the people to put him to death.

Jeremiah 36:26

But the king commanded Jerahmeel the son of Hammelech, and Seraiah the son of Azriel, and Shelemiah the son of Abdeel, to take Baruch the scribe and Jeremiah the prophet: but the LORD hid them.

1 Kings 18:10

[As] the LORD thy God liveth, there is no nation or kingdom, whither my lord hath not sent to seek thee: and when they said, [He is] not [there]; he took an oath of the kingdom and nation, that they found thee not.

Amos 7:12

Also Amaziah said unto Amos, O thou seer, go, flee thee away into the land of Judah, and there eat bread, and prophesy there: