Jeremiah 36:21

KJV

So the king sent Jehudi to fetch the roll: and he took it out of Elishama the scribe's chamber. And Jehudi read it in the ears of the king, and in the ears of all the princes which stood beside the king.

KJV (with Strong's)

So the king {H4428} sent {H7971} Jehudi {H3065} to fetch {H3947} the roll {H4039}: and he took {H3947} it out of Elishama {H476} the scribe's {H5608} chamber {H3957}. And Jehudi {H3065} read {H7121} it in the ears {H241} of the king {H4428}, and in the ears {H241} of all the princes {H8269} which stood {H5975} beside {H5921} the king {H4428}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The king sent Y'hudi to bring the scroll, and he took it from the room of Elishama the secretary. Y'hudi read it to the king and all the officials standing near the king.

Berean Standard Bible

Then the king sent Jehudi to get the scroll, and he took it from the chamber of Elishama the scribe. And Jehudi read it in the hearing of the king and all the officials who were standing beside him.

American Standard Version

So the king sent Jehudi to fetch the roll; and he took it out of the chamber of Elishama the scribe. And Jehudi read it in the ears of the king, and in the ears of all the princes that stood beside the king.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 36:21 marks a critical juncture in the confrontation between King Jehoiakim and the divine word delivered through the prophet Jeremiah. This verse details the king's direct engagement with the prophetic scroll, as he dispatches his servant Jehudi to retrieve it from Elishama the scribe's chamber and then listens intently as it is read aloud in his presence and that of his assembled princes. This scene underscores the direct presentation of God's unvarnished message of judgment and warning to Judah's highest authority, setting the stage for Jehoiakim's defiant and tragic response.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 36 is a pivotal chapter within the book of Jeremiah, serving as a narrative interlude that highlights the reception, or more accurately, the rejection, of God's prophetic word by the leadership of Judah. Preceding this verse, the Lord commands Jeremiah to record all the words He has spoken against Israel, Judah, and all nations, with the explicit hope that the people might repent and avert disaster ([Jeremiah 36:2-3](/jeremiah/36-2 "Jeremiah 36:2-3 - God's Command to Write the Prophecy")). Due to Jeremiah's confinement or restriction, he dictates these prophecies to his faithful scribe, Baruch son of Neriah ([Jeremiah 36:4](/jeremiah/36-4 "Jeremiah 36:4 - Baruch Writes Jeremiah's Words")). Baruch then courageously reads the scroll publicly in the temple courts on a fast day ([Jeremiah 36:9-10](/jeremiah/36-9 "Jeremiah 36:9-10 - Baruch Reads the Scroll Publicly")), leading to its being brought before the princes, who, upon hearing its contents, are filled with fear and decide to inform the king ([Jeremiah 36:16-19](/jeremiah/36-16 "Jeremiah 36:16-19 - The Princes Hear and Fear")). Verse 21 directly follows this, detailing the king's summons for the scroll, initiating his personal encounter with God's message.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This event unfolds during the tumultuous reign of King Jehoiakim (609-598 BC), a period characterized by political instability and spiritual decline in Judah. Jehoiakim was a puppet king installed by Pharaoh Neco II of Egypt after the Battle of Megiddo, and later became a vassal of Babylon after Nebuchadnezzar's victory at Carchemish ([2 Kings 23:34-35](/2_kings/23-34 "2 Kings 23:34-35 - Jehoiakim Becomes King")). His reign was marked by oppressive policies, injustice, and a blatant disregard for the Mosaic covenant, as evidenced by his building projects funded by forced labor and his shedding of innocent blood ([Jeremiah 22:13-19](/jeremiah/22-13 "Jeremiah 22:13-19 - Prophecy Against Jehoiakim")). In ancient Near Eastern cultures, royal courts were central to governance, and the king's word was law. The act of reading official documents, including prophetic or legal texts, "in the ears of the king" was a formal and authoritative means of communication, ensuring that the monarch was fully apprised of critical information. The presence of "princes" or high officials further validated the gravity of the occasion, as they served as advisors and witnesses to royal proceedings.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 36:21 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Jeremiah. Foremost is the **Authority and Unstoppability of God's Word**. Despite human resistance and attempts to suppress it, God's message perseveres and reaches its intended audience, even the highest authority in the land. The very act of the scroll being brought to the king underscores the divine imperative that His word be heard, regardless of the messenger's status or the recipient's inclination. Another prominent theme is **Royal Accountability**. As the leader of the nation, Jehoiakim is directly confronted with God's expectations and warnings, highlighting the profound responsibility of those in power to heed divine revelation. His subsequent actions, detailed in [Jeremiah 36:23](/jeremiah/36-23 "Jeremiah 36:23 - Jehoiakim Burns the Scroll"), serve as a stark illustration of the consequences of rejecting this accountability. The chapter also emphasizes the **Opportunity for Repentance**, as the scroll's purpose was to prompt a turning back to God. Even at this late stage in Judah's spiritual decline, God extends an invitation for change, which Jehoiakim tragically spurns. Finally, the scene implicitly highlights the **Role of the Scribe and Messenger** in preserving and transmitting divine truth, even in the face of danger.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **king (Hebrew, _melek'_):** From H4427, meaning "a king" or "royal." In this context, _melek_ refers specifically to King Jehoiakim, whose actions and decisions are central to the unfolding narrative. His title underscores his supreme authority in Judah, making his reception of the prophetic word exceptionally significant. The fact that the message is brought directly to him highlights the direct confrontation between divine authority and human sovereignty.
* **roll (Hebrew, _mᵉgillâh'_):** From H1556, meaning "a roll" or "volume." This term denotes the physical written document containing Jeremiah's prophecies. In ancient times, scrolls were the primary medium for preserving important texts, including legal documents, historical records, and prophetic utterances. The _megillah_ represents the tangible form of God's spoken word, transforming it from an ephemeral message into a permanent, accessible testimony that could be read, reread, and preserved (or, in this case, destroyed).
* **read (Hebrew, _qârâ'_):** A primitive root (H7121), meaning "to call out to," "address by name," or "to read." Here, _qârâ_ signifies the public proclamation and vocalization of the scroll's contents. In an oral culture, "reading" was often synonymous with "proclaiming aloud" for an audience. Jehudi's act of reading "in the ears of the king" emphasizes a direct, audible, and unavoidable transmission of the divine message, ensuring that the king and his princes could not claim ignorance of its contents.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So the king sent Jehudi to fetch the roll:"** This opening clause highlights King Jehoiakim's initiative. Having been informed by his princes about the scroll's contents, he actively seeks to hear the message for himself. The sending of Jehudi, a royal messenger, signifies the king's immediate and formal response, demonstrating the gravity with which the scroll's existence was initially perceived in the royal court.
* **"and he took it out of Elishama the scribe's chamber."** This detail provides the precise location from which the scroll was retrieved. Elishama was likely a high-ranking scribe or official, and his chamber would have been a secure place for important documents. The act of taking it out implies a formal transfer of custody, bringing the divine word from a place of storage or safekeeping directly into the royal presence, preparing it for its fateful public hearing.
* **"And Jehudi read it in the ears of the king, and in the ears of all the princes which stood beside the king."** This final clause describes the crucial act of proclamation. Jehudi, acting as the king's proxy, audibly presents the scroll's message. The phrase "in the ears of" emphasizes the direct, personal, and undeniable hearing by the king and his assembled advisors. This public reading before the highest authorities ensures that the message of God's judgment and call to repentance is delivered with full transparency and undeniable clarity, leaving no room for misunderstanding or denial of its reception.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 36:21 employs several literary devices that enhance its dramatic and theological impact. The scene is a powerful example of **Foreshadowing**, as the king's initial curiosity and demand to hear the scroll set the stage for his subsequent, and far more significant, act of defiance in burning it. The detailed description of Jehudi fetching the scroll from a specific chamber and reading it aloud creates a sense of **Realism** and immediacy, grounding the divine message in a tangible, historical event. The repeated phrase "in the ears of the king, and in the ears of all the princes" uses **Repetition** to emphasize the directness and public nature of the message's delivery, ensuring that no one present could claim ignorance of its content. This also highlights the **Symbolism** of the scroll itself, which represents the living and active word of God confronting human authority. The contrast between the divine word's inherent power and the king's eventual human rebellion creates a dramatic **Irony**, as the very act intended to bring about repentance ultimately reveals the depth of Jehoiakim's hardened heart.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 36:21 highlights the persistent nature of God's communication with humanity, even in the face of impending judgment. It underscores the principle that God's word is not hidden but is made accessible to all, from the common person to the highest authority, offering an opportunity for response. The scene serves as a powerful reminder of divine sovereignty over human affairs and the unwavering commitment of God to speak truth, regardless of how uncomfortable or challenging it may be for those in power. While Jehoiakim's response was one of defiant rejection, the very act of the scroll being read before him demonstrates God's long-suffering patience and His desire for repentance, even for the most hardened hearts. This divine initiative to confront human sin with truth is a consistent theme throughout Scripture, emphasizing that ignorance of God's will is rarely an excuse for disobedience.

* [Deuteronomy 31:11-12](/deuteronomy/31-11 "Public Reading of the Law")
* [Nehemiah 8:3](/nehemiah/8-3 "Ezra Reads the Law to the People")
* [Hebrews 4:12](/hebrews/4-12 "The Living and Active Word of God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 36:21 serves as a profound mirror for our own engagement with God's word. Just as the prophetic scroll was brought directly into the king's presence, so too is the Bible, God's living and active word, readily available to us today. This verse challenges us to examine our posture when confronted with divine truth. Do we, like Jehoiakim, approach it with a superficial curiosity, only to dismiss or even destroy it when it challenges our comfort, our sinful habits, or our established ways of living? Or do we receive it with humility, allowing it to penetrate our hearts and minds, leading to genuine repentance and transformation? The king's immediate access to the scroll underscores our own responsibility to actively seek out, listen to, and seriously consider God's revealed will, recognizing that our response has eternal implications. Our attentiveness to His voice, whether through personal study, corporate worship, or faithful preaching, determines the trajectory of our lives and our relationship with the Almighty.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How readily do I make time to "fetch the roll" – to engage deeply with God's word in my daily life?**
* **What is my typical emotional or spiritual response when God's word challenges my preconceived notions or comfortable habits?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to "cut up" or "burn" parts of God's message that I find inconvenient or difficult to accept?**
* **How does my personal response to God's word impact those around me, especially if I am in a position of influence?**

### FAQ
**Why was the scroll read in the king's "ears" specifically?**

Answer: The phrase "in the ears of" (Hebrew: _b'oznei_) emphasizes an audible, direct, and undeniable proclamation. In ancient cultures, where literacy was not widespread, public reading was the primary means of disseminating important information. By reading it "in the ears" of the king and his princes, Jehudi ensured that they personally heard every word, leaving no room for them to claim ignorance or misinterpretation of the divine message. It highlights the direct confrontation between God's word and the king's will, demanding a personal response.

**Who was Jehudi, and why was he chosen for this task?**

Answer: Jehudi is identified as a royal messenger or official. His name (H3065, _Yᵉhûwdîy_) means "Jew" or "Judean," which might suggest his origin, but more importantly, he was a servant of the king. He was likely chosen for this task because of his position in the royal court, making him a trusted and appropriate individual to retrieve and read such an important document directly to the monarch. His role underscores the formality and gravity of the king's summons for the scroll, indicating that this was not a casual inquiry but a formal royal directive.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 36:21, though a narrative of rejection, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate confrontation between God's word and human authority, culminating in the person of Jesus Christ. Just as the prophetic scroll was brought directly to King Jehoiakim, so too did God's ultimate Word, His Son, enter human history to confront a world steeped in sin and rebellion. Jesus, the living Word ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "The Word Became Flesh")), did not merely have a message; He *was* the message, embodying the very truth and will of God. His teachings, like the scroll, were read and proclaimed "in the ears" of the people, from the common crowds to the religious and political leaders of His day ([Matthew 7:28-29](/matthew/7-28 "The Authority of Jesus' Teaching")).

The rejection of Jeremiah's scroll by Jehoiakim finds its ultimate and tragic parallel in the rejection of Christ by His own people and their leaders ([John 1:11](/john/1-11 "He Came to His Own")). The world, like Jehoiakim, often prefers to "cut up" and "burn" the challenging truths of God, rather than submit to their transformative power. However, just as God's word through Jeremiah could not be ultimately destroyed—it was rewritten and preserved ([Jeremiah 36:32](/jeremiah/36-32 "The Scroll Rewritten"))—so too the truth of Christ's life, death, and resurrection endures eternally, triumphing over all human opposition. The scene in Jeremiah 36:21 thus serves as a somber reminder of humanity's propensity to resist divine truth, but also as a backdrop against which the steadfastness and ultimate victory of God's Word in Christ shine even more brightly, offering salvation to all who will hear and believe ([Romans 10:17](/romans/10-17 "Faith Comes by Hearing")).

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

2 Kings 22:10

And Shaphan the scribe shewed the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath delivered me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king.

Ezekiel 2:4

For [they are] impudent children and stiffhearted. I do send thee unto them; and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD.

Ezekiel 2:5

And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they [are] a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them.

2 Chronicles 34:18

Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath given me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king.

Jeremiah 26:2

Thus saith the LORD; Stand in the court of the LORD'S house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the LORD'S house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word:

Jeremiah 36:15

And they said unto him, Sit down now, and read it in our ears. So Baruch read [it] in their ears.

Jeremiah 23:28

The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What [is] the chaff to the wheat? saith the LORD.