Jeremiah 36:25

KJV

Nevertheless Elnathan and Delaiah and Gemariah had made intercession to the king that he would not burn the roll: but he would not hear them.

KJV (with Strong's)

Nevertheless Elnathan {H494} and Delaiah {H1806} and Gemariah {H1587} had made intercession {H6293} to the king {H4428} that he would not burn {H8313} the roll {H4039}: but he would not hear {H8085} them.

Complete Jewish Bible

Elnatan, D'layahu and G'maryahu had begged the king not to burn the scroll; but he wouldn't listen to them.

Berean Standard Bible

Even though Elnathan, Delaiah, and Gemariah urged the king not to burn the scroll, he would not listen to them.

American Standard Version

Moreover Elnathan and Delaiah and Gemariah had made intercession to the king that he would not burn the roll; but he would not hear them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 36:25 captures a poignant moment of moral courage amidst King Jehoiakim's defiant destruction of God's prophetic scroll. Despite the king's hardened heart and contempt for divine revelation, three prominent officials—Elnathan, Delaiah, and Gemariah—bravely interceded, pleading with him to cease burning the sacred text. Their courageous, though ultimately futile, attempt to preserve the word of God starkly highlights the king's profound spiritual blindness and stubborn rebellion, underscoring the severe consequences awaiting a kingdom that rejects divine truth.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the dramatic narrative of [Jeremiah chapter 36](/jeremiah/36 "Jeremiah 36 - The Burning of the Scroll"), which chronicles King Jehoiakim's audacious and sacrilegious rejection of God's revealed word. The preceding verses detail the divine command to Jeremiah to record all his prophecies concerning Judah's impending judgment onto a scroll, which was then publicly read by his scribe Baruch ([Jeremiah 36:1-8](/jeremiah/36-1-8 "Jeremiah 36:1-8 - The Scroll is Written")). After being read to the officials, the scroll was brought before the king. In a shocking display of contempt, Jehoiakim systematically cut the scroll with a scribe's knife and burned it piece by piece in a brazier, despite the warnings it contained ([Jeremiah 36:20-23](/jeremiah/36-20-23 "Jeremiah 36:20-23 - Jehoiakim's Defiance")). Verse 25 immediately follows this act of destruction, introducing the isolated voices of reason and courage who dared to challenge the king's brazen defiance. The narrative then swiftly moves to God's response: the re-dictation of the scroll with even more severe judgments against Jehoiakim and his house ([Jeremiah 36:32](/jeremiah/36-32 "Jeremiah 36:32 - God's Word Endures")).

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of [Jeremiah 36](/jeremiah/36 "Jeremiah 36 - King Jehoiakim's Reign") unfolded around 605-604 BC, a tumultuous period during the reign of King Jehoiakim (609-598 BC). Judah was caught between the waning power of Egypt and the rising dominance of Babylon, with Jehoiakim serving as a puppet king installed by Pharaoh Neco ([2 Kings 23:34](/2_kings/23-34 "2 Kings 23:34 - Jehoiakim's Accession")). Unlike his father, the righteous King Josiah, Jehoiakim was characterized by political instability, economic oppression, and profound spiritual apostasy, openly defying God's law and prophetic warnings. In the ancient Near East, royal courts were often environments where challenging the king, especially on matters of divine pronouncements, could lead to severe repercussions, including death. The act of burning a scroll containing divine words was not merely an act of defiance against a prophet; it was a direct affront to the deity whose words were inscribed, a profound act of sacrilege and a public rejection of divine authority, signaling a dangerous spiritual blindness.

* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 36:25 profoundly contributes to several key themes within the book of Jeremiah and broader biblical theology. It vividly illustrates the theme of **Rejection of God's Word**, as King Jehoiakim's stubborn refusal to acknowledge divine authority culminates in his contemptuous destruction of the prophetic scroll. His unwillingness to "hear them" (the officials) mirrors his deeper unwillingness to hear God, highlighting the perilous state of a hardened heart that leads to inevitable judgment ([Jeremiah 36:30-31](/jeremiah/36-30-31 "Jeremiah 36:30-31 - Judgment on Jehoiakim")). Conversely, the verse showcases the theme of **Courageous Intercession and Moral Integrity**, as Elnathan, Delaiah, and Gemariah display remarkable bravery by risking the king's wrath to speak truth to power and prevent an act of sacrilege. Their actions stand in stark contrast to the passive or complicit attitudes of other officials present. Finally, the broader narrative, including this verse, powerfully underscores the **Unstoppable Nature of God's Word**. Despite the king's attempt to nullify the physical scroll, God's word could not be thwarted. Jeremiah was commanded to write another scroll, adding even more severe judgments against Jehoiakim ([Jeremiah 36:32](/jeremiah/36-32 "Jeremiah 36:32 - The New Scroll and Added Judgments")), illustrating that God's plans and pronouncements are sovereign and will ultimately be fulfilled, regardless of human opposition ([Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Will Not Return Void")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **intercession (Hebrew, _pâgaʻ'_):** A primitive root meaning "to impinge, by accident or violence, or (figuratively) by importunity." In this context, it signifies an earnest, direct, and urgent plea or appeal made on behalf of someone or something. It highlights the active and direct nature of the officials' plea to the king, not merely a casual suggestion, indicating a bold and potentially dangerous act of advocacy in a royal court where dissent was severely punished.
* **roll (Hebrew, _mᵉgillâh'_):** Derived from the root meaning "to roll," referring to a scroll or volume. In ancient times, books were written on scrolls of papyrus or parchment. This particular "roll" was not just any document; it was the inspired word of God, dictated by Jeremiah, containing divine warnings and prophecies. The king's burning of this "roll" was a symbolic and literal act of rejecting God's authority and an attempt to nullify His pronouncements.
* **hear (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** A primitive root meaning "to hear intelligently," often with an implication of attention, obedience, or understanding. In this context, "he would not hear them" implies more than just a failure to perceive sound; it signifies a deliberate refusal to heed, obey, or consider their counsel. It powerfully points to the king's hardened heart and his willful rejection of both human wisdom and divine warning.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Nevertheless Elnathan and Delaiah and Gemariah had made intercession to the king":** This clause introduces the courageous intervention of three specific royal officials. The opening "Nevertheless" serves as a powerful conjunction, highlighting their actions as a stark contrast to the king's destructive behavior and the probable silence or complicity of others in the court. Their "intercession" (pâgaʻ) was a direct and earnest plea, signifying their moral courage in confronting the king's sacrilege.
* **"that he would not burn the roll":** This specifies the precise object of their intercession: to prevent the king from continuing his destructive act against the sacred scroll containing God's word. Their plea demonstrates an understanding of the profound gravity of the king's actions, recognizing the scroll's divine origin and its paramount importance as a message from Yahweh.
* **"but he would not hear them":** This concluding phrase delivers the tragic and pivotal outcome of their courageous effort. The king's refusal to "hear" (shâmaʻ) them indicates not merely a lack of auditory perception but a hardened heart, an obstinate refusal to heed their wise counsel or the divine message they implicitly defended. His defiance was absolute and unyielding, sealing his own fate and that of his kingdom.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 36:25 powerfully employs **Contrast** to highlight the profound moral and spiritual chasm between King Jehoiakim and the three courageous officials. The king's impious act of burning the scroll is set against the officials' brave intercession, emphasizing his stubborn rebellion versus their righteous, albeit futile, attempt to avert disaster. There is also a strong element of **Irony** in the king's actions; by attempting to destroy God's word, he inadvertently ensures its further proliferation and intensified judgment, as God commands Jeremiah to write another scroll with additional pronouncements ([Jeremiah 36:32](/jeremiah/36-32 "Jeremiah 36:32 - God's Word Endures")). The "roll" itself functions as potent **Symbolism**, representing not just a physical document but the very word, authority, and covenant of God. The king's burning of it is a symbolic act of rejecting divine sovereignty, while the officials' plea is a symbolic affirmation of their reverence for it.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse underscores the profound theological truth that human defiance, no matter how powerful or brazen, cannot ultimately thwart the sovereign will and immutable word of God. King Jehoiakim's act of burning the scroll was a direct assault on divine authority and an attempt to nullify its power, yet it proved utterly futile in diminishing the certainty or efficacy of God's pronouncements. The courage of Elnathan, Delaiah, and Gemariah serves as a powerful testament to the importance of standing for truth and interceding for righteousness, even when such actions are unpopular, dangerous, or seem destined for failure in the face of overwhelming opposition. Their intercession, though rejected, highlights the moral responsibility of those in positions of influence to speak truth to power and advocate for divine principles. The king's ultimate refusal to hear them demonstrates the perilous state of a hardened heart that rejects divine warning, leading inevitably to severe judgment.

* [Proverbs 29:1](/proverbs/29-1 "Proverbs 29:1 - A Hardened Neck")
* [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Accomplishes Its Purpose")
* [Hebrews 4:12](/hebrews/4-12 "Hebrews 4:12 - The Living and Active Word of God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 36:25 offers a stark mirror for self-examination, prompting us to consider our own posture towards God's word. Are we, like King Jehoiakim, prone to dismiss, disregard, or even actively reject divine warnings that challenge our comfort, our sinful inclinations, or our preconceived notions? Do we find ourselves cutting away parts of Scripture that make us uncomfortable, effectively "burning the scroll" in our own hearts? Or do we emulate the courageous officials, willing to stand for truth and intercede for righteousness, even when it comes at personal cost or seems futile in the face of overwhelming opposition? This passage reminds us that true wisdom and spiritual health lie not in resisting God's truth but in humbly receiving it, allowing it to penetrate our hearts, shape our lives, and lead us to repentance and obedience. The enduring power of God's word, despite human attempts to suppress or destroy it, should inspire us to cherish, diligently study, and faithfully live by the Scriptures, trusting that its promises and warnings will ultimately come to pass in God's perfect timing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life might you be tempted to "burn the scroll" by dismissing or ignoring God's clear commands or warnings from Scripture?**
* **When have you had the opportunity to "make intercession" for truth or righteousness in a challenging situation, even when it was unpopular or risky? What held you back, or what empowered you to act?**
* **How does King Jehoiakim's obstinate refusal to "hear" God's word challenge your own attentiveness, receptivity, and obedience to the Scriptures in your daily life?**
* **What does the ultimate futility of the king's actions teach you about the enduring power, authority, and invincibility of God's word in your life and in the world?**

### FAQ
**Why did King Jehoiakim burn the scroll, and what was the significance of this act?**

Answer: King Jehoiakim burned the scroll as a brazen act of defiance and profound contempt for God's word and authority. The scroll contained Jeremiah's prophecies of impending judgment and exile against Judah, which were unwelcome and threatening to the king's reign. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, destroying a sacred text or a message from a deity was a profound act of rebellion and sacrilege, symbolizing a complete rejection of the divine message and an attempt to nullify its power. Jehoiakim believed he could negate the prophecies by destroying the physical medium. However, this act was ultimately futile, as God simply commanded Jeremiah to write another, even more comprehensive scroll, reinforcing that God's word cannot be thwarted by human opposition ([Jeremiah 36:32](/jeremiah/36-32 "Jeremiah 36:32 - The New Scroll")).

**Who were Elnathan, Delaiah, and Gemariah, and why were their actions significant?**

Answer: Elnathan, Delaiah, and Gemariah were officials in King Jehoiakim's royal court. Their actions were highly significant because they displayed remarkable moral courage and integrity in an environment often characterized by fear, self-preservation, and sycophancy. They risked the king's wrath by openly pleading with him not to burn the scroll. In a context where opposing the king, especially on matters perceived as divine, could lead to severe punishment, their intercession stands out as a rare moment of righteousness and an attempt to uphold divine truth. Their brave but rejected plea starkly contrasts with the king's hardened heart and the likely passivity of other officials present, highlighting their unique commitment to God's word.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 36:25, though rooted in the Old Testament, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate rejection of God's word embodied in the person of Jesus Christ. Just as King Jehoiakim defiantly burned the scroll, representing God's written word, so too did the religious and political leaders of Jesus' day reject the living Word made flesh, the very embodiment of God's revelation ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). Their hardened hearts, unwilling to "hear" the truth of God's kingdom and the call to repentance, led them to crucify the very Son of God ([Acts 7:51-53](/acts/7-51-53 "Acts 7:51-53 - Stephen's Rebuke and the Rejection of Christ")). Yet, just as the burning of the scroll could not nullify God's message, so the death of Christ could not thwart God's redemptive plan. Instead, Christ's sacrifice became the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises, demonstrating that God's word, even when seemingly destroyed or rejected, rises in power and accomplishes its eternal purpose ([Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Will Not Return Void")). Furthermore, the intercession of Elnathan, Delaiah, and Gemariah, though rejected by an obstinate king, points to the greater, perfect intercession of Christ, who continually pleads for His people before the Father ([Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Romans 8:34 - Christ's Intercession")). His intercession, unlike theirs, is always heard and eternally effective, securing salvation and reconciliation for all who believe ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Jesus Lives to Intercede")).

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

Acts 5:34

Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;

Acts 5:39

But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.

Genesis 37:22

And Reuben said unto them, Shed no blood, [but] cast him into this pit that [is] in the wilderness, and lay no hand upon him; that he might rid him out of their hands, to deliver him to his father again.

Jeremiah 36:12

Then he went down into the king's house, into the scribe's chamber: and, lo, all the princes sat there, [even] Elishama the scribe, and Delaiah the son of Shemaiah, and Elnathan the son of Achbor, and Gemariah the son of Shaphan, and Zedekiah the son of Hananiah, and all the princes.

Matthew 27:24

When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but [that] rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed [his] hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye [to it].

Matthew 27:25

Then answered all the people, and said, His blood [be] on us, and on our children.

Proverbs 21:29

¶ A wicked man hardeneth his face: but [as for] the upright, he directeth his way.