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.

Yet they were not afraid {H6342}, nor rent {H7167} their garments {H899}, neither the king {H4428}, nor any of his servants {H5650} that heard {H8085} all these words {H1697}.

But even though they heard all these words, neither the king nor any of his servants grew afraid or tore their clothes.

Yet in hearing all these words, the king and his servants did not become frightened or tear their garments.

And they were not afraid, nor rent their garments, neither the king, nor any of his servants that heard all these words.

Jeremiah 36:24 (KJV) describes the chilling indifference of King Jehoiakim and his officials to the prophetic warnings from God, delivered through Jeremiah and written by Baruch. Despite hearing the grave words of impending judgment, their response was one of profound apathy and defiance, rather than the expected fear and remorse.

Context

This verse is a critical moment in the narrative of Jeremiah chapter 36. Jeremiah, imprisoned, dictated God's messages of impending judgment against Judah to his scribe, Baruch. This scroll contained stern warnings about the consequences of their idolatry and disobedience, including the threat of invasion and exile. The scroll was first read to the people, then to the king's officials, and finally to King Jehoiakim himself. Instead of a humble or fearful response, the king reacted with contempt, cutting and burning the scroll piece by piece, as recounted in Jeremiah 36:23. Verse 24 specifically highlights the disturbing lack of alarm among the king and his court.

Key Themes

  • Hardness of Heart: The most striking theme is the king's and his servants' extreme spiritual insensitivity. Their refusal to acknowledge God's word demonstrates a profound stubbornness and rebellion against divine authority.
  • Rejection of Prophetic Warning: This verse illustrates the dangerous act of dismissing God's clear warnings. Unlike other biblical figures who responded to divine messages with repentance (e.g., King Josiah who tore his clothes in fear upon hearing the Law), Jehoiakim's court showed no such contrition.
  • Spiritual Apathy: The phrase "not afraid, nor rent their garments" underscores a deep-seated spiritual apathy. They were unmoved by the gravity of God's word, which spoke of national catastrophe.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "rent their garments" refers to a common ancient Near Eastern custom. Tearing one's clothes was a deeply symbolic act, signifying intense grief, mourning, distress, or profound repentance in response to tragic news, blasphemy, or a divine pronouncement. The explicit mention that neither the king nor his servants performed this act powerfully conveys their utter lack of fear, remorse, or respect for the sacred message they had just heard. It emphasizes their defiant and unrepentant posture before God.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 36:24 serves as a stark warning about the dangers of spiritual indifference and the tragic consequences of rejecting God's word. It prompts us to examine our own hearts:

  • Responding to God's Word: How do we react when confronted with biblical truth, especially passages that call for repentance or warn of judgment? Do we receive it with humility, or do we, like Jehoiakim, dismiss or even defiantly reject it?
  • The Peril of Apathy: Spiritual apathy can lead to a hardened heart, making one insensitive to God's voice and the consequences of sin. This verse highlights the importance of maintaining a tender heart towards the Lord.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: Ultimately, Jehoiakim's defiance led to the fulfillment of the very judgments he scorned. This reminds us that God's warnings are not empty threats but expressions of His justice and faithfulness, and that there are real consequences for prolonged unrepentance, as seen in Proverbs 1:24-28.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Jeremiah 36:16

    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.

  • Psalms 36:1

    ¶ To the chief Musician, [A Psalm] of David the servant of the LORD. The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, [that there is] no fear of God before his eyes.

  • 2 Kings 19:1

    ¶ And it came to pass, when king Hezekiah heard [it], that he rent his clothes, and covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the LORD.

  • 2 Kings 19:2

    And he sent Eliakim, which [was] over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz.

  • Isaiah 36:22

    Then came Eliakim, the son of Hilkiah, that [was] over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah, the son of Asaph, the recorder, to Hezekiah with [their] clothes rent, and told him the words of Rabshakeh.

  • Isaiah 37:1

    ¶ And it came to pass, when king Hezekiah heard [it], that he rent his clothes, and covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the LORD.

  • 1 Kings 21:27

    And it came to pass, when Ahab heard those words, that he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly.

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