Jeremiah 36:27

KJV

Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, after that the king had burned the roll, and the words which Baruch wrote at the mouth of Jeremiah, saying,

KJV (with Strong's)

Then the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068} came to Jeremiah {H3414}, after {H310} that the king {H4428} had burned {H8313} the roll {H4039}, and the words {H1697} which Baruch {H1263} wrote {H3789} at the mouth {H6310} of Jeremiah {H3414}, saying {H559},

Complete Jewish Bible

Then this word of ADONAI came to Yirmeyahu after the king had burned the scroll with the words Barukh had written at Yirmeyahu's dictation:

Berean Standard Bible

After the king had burned the scroll containing the words that Baruch had written at Jeremiah’s dictation, the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah:

American Standard Version

Then the word of Jehovah came to Jeremiah, after that the king had burned the roll, and the words which Baruch wrote at the mouth of Jeremiah, saying,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 36:27 marks a pivotal moment in the prophetic narrative, immediately following King Jehoiakim's defiant act of burning the scroll containing God's word. This verse powerfully asserts the divine response to human rebellion, demonstrating that the Lord's message is not nullified or silenced by opposition but rather reasserted with intensified authority, setting the stage for further divine pronouncements and judgments against the king and his kingdom.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the dramatic narrative of Jeremiah chapter 36, which details the creation, public reading, and ultimate destruction of the first prophetic scroll. Jeremiah, confined, dictates God's message of judgment against Judah and Jerusalem to his scribe, Baruch ([Jeremiah 36:1-4](/jeremiah/36-1 "Jeremiah 36:1-4 - Jeremiah Dictates the Scroll")). Baruch then reads this scroll in the temple and later before the king's officials ([Jeremiah 36:9-19](/jeremiah/36-9 "Jeremiah 36:9-19 - Baruch Reads the Scroll")). Upon hearing the scroll, King Jehoiakim, in a brazen act of defiance and contempt for God's word, cuts and burns it piece by piece ([Jeremiah 36:20-25](/jeremiah/36-20 "Jeremiah 36:20-25 - King Jehoiakim Burns the Scroll")). Verse 27 serves as the immediate divine counter-response to this act, initiating the process of rewriting the scroll, often with amplified judgments, as detailed in the subsequent verses ([Jeremiah 36:28-32](/jeremiah/36-28 "Jeremiah 36:28-32 - The Rewritten Scroll and Judgment on Jehoiakim")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Jeremiah 36 unfold during the turbulent reign of King Jehoiakim (609-598 BC), a period marked by shifting geopolitical powers, particularly the rising threat of Babylon. Jehoiakim was a vassal king, initially appointed by Egypt, and later forced to submit to Babylon. His reign was characterized by political instability, spiritual apostasy, and social injustice, frequently condemned by Jeremiah. In this cultural setting, written scrolls were authoritative documents, and the act of burning a prophetic scroll was not merely an act of censorship but a profound symbolic rejection of the divine authority from which the message originated. It was an attempt to erase the word of God and, by extension, God Himself, from the public consciousness and the national record.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 36:27 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Jeremiah and biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores the **Unstoppable Nature of God's Word**. Despite human attempts to silence or destroy it, divine truth cannot be nullified; it persists and accomplishes its purpose, as seen in God's command to rewrite the scroll ([Jeremiah 36:28](/jeremiah/36-28 "Jeremiah 36:28 - God Commands Jeremiah to Rewrite the Scroll")). Secondly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty** over human will. Jehoiakim's rebellion is futile against the omnipotent God whose decrees ultimately stand. Thirdly, the verse exemplifies the theme of **Rejection and Consequence**. Jehoiakim's flagrant disrespect for God's word leads not to escape from judgment but to its intensification, with specific and severe consequences detailed for him and his lineage ([Jeremiah 36:30-31](/jeremiah/36-30 "Jeremiah 36:30-31 - Prophecy Against Jehoiakim's House")). Finally, it subtly reveals God's **Persistence** in communicating with His people, even in the face of profound defiance, offering renewed warnings and opportunities for repentance, though Jehoiakim's heart remained hardened.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **word (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** This term is far richer than a mere utterance. From its root, it implies not just spoken language but also a "matter," "thing," "affair," or "decree." In this context, "the word of the LORD" (dâbâr YHWH) signifies a comprehensive divine communication, an active force, and an authoritative decree that encompasses both pronouncements and their inevitable fulfillment. It emphasizes the dynamic, effective nature of God's revelation.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the sacred, covenantal name of God, often translated as "Yahweh" or "Jehovah." It signifies the self-existent, eternal, and sovereign God who is faithful to His covenant promises and threats. The use of this name here underscores that the message is not from Jeremiah, nor a mere human opinion, but a direct, authoritative communication from the ultimate Ruler of the cosmos, whose word is absolute and unchallengeable.
* **burned (Hebrew, _sâraph'_):** This verb denotes a destructive act of setting on fire, often to consume utterly. King Jehoiakim's action was a deliberate, violent attempt to annihilate the physical manifestation of God's message. The use of this word highlights the king's extreme contempt and defiance, making the subsequent divine response all the more striking as a demonstration of God's word's invincibility.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah,"**: This opening clause employs a standard prophetic formula, immediately signaling a direct, fresh revelation from God. The timing, "Then," is crucial, indicating that this divine communication is an immediate, direct response to King Jehoiakim's defiant act of burning the scroll, underscoring God's active involvement and His inability to be silenced.
* **"after that the king had burned the roll,"**: This phrase establishes the specific context and catalyst for the new divine word. It explicitly names the king as the perpetrator and highlights the destructive act of burning the "roll" (scroll), which contained God's previously delivered message. This detail emphasizes the human rebellion that provoked the divine response.
* **"and the words which Baruch wrote at the mouth of Jeremiah, saying,"**: This final clause clarifies precisely which "roll" was burned, reaffirming its divine origin and human transmission. It emphasizes that the destroyed document was not merely Baruch's or Jeremiah's words, but "the words... at the mouth of Jeremiah," meaning dictated by God through Jeremiah. The concluding "saying" then prepares the reader for the subsequent divine instruction and judgment that follows in the next verses.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 36:27 masterfully employs several literary devices to amplify its message. **Irony** is prominent, as King Jehoiakim's attempt to destroy God's word through fire paradoxically leads to its re-creation and amplification. His act of defiance, intended to silence the prophecy, instead provokes a stronger, more detailed divine pronouncement. There is a stark **Contrast** between human futility and divine omnipotence; the king's transient power to burn a physical scroll is set against God's eternal power to ensure His word prevails. The **Repetition** of "word" (Hebrew: *dâbâr*) throughout the chapter, and specifically in this verse, emphasizes its central importance and active nature. The phrase "the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah" functions as a **Formulaic Expression**, reinforcing the divine origin and authority of the message, establishing it as an undeniable truth that transcends human opposition.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 36:27 profoundly reinforces the biblical truth that God's word is living, active, and ultimately indestructible by human will or power. King Jehoiakim's act of burning the scroll was a futile attempt to negate divine truth, but it only served to highlight the sovereignty of God and the enduring power of His revelation. This event demonstrates that while human beings may reject, suppress, or even physically destroy the vessels of God's word, the divine message itself remains intact and will accomplish its intended purpose, often with intensified consequences for those who defy it. It is a powerful reminder that God's truth stands eternal, irrespective of human reception or opposition.

* [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")
* [Psalm 119:89](/psalms/119-89 "Psalm 119:89 - God's Word is Forever Settled in Heaven")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 36:27 serves as a powerful and sobering reminder for all generations regarding our posture toward God's word. Just as King Jehoiakim could not eradicate the divine message by burning a scroll, we cannot escape or nullify God's truth by ignoring it, dismissing it, or actively rebelling against it. This verse calls us to profound reverence for Scripture, recognizing its divine origin, its enduring authority, and its inherent power to accomplish God's purposes. It challenges us to examine our own hearts: do we truly embrace and submit to the challenging truths of God's word, or do we, like Jehoiakim, seek to "burn" away the parts that make us uncomfortable or demand change? Our response to God's revealed truth is not a neutral act; it has eternal implications, determining whether we walk in blessing or invite intensified judgment.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might we, in our modern context, attempt to "burn" or dismiss parts of God's word that we find challenging or inconvenient?**
* **How does the persistence of God's word, even in the face of such defiance, encourage you in your faith or in sharing the Gospel?**
* **What specific truths from Scripture are you tempted to ignore or downplay, and what might this verse teach you about the futility of such an approach?**

### FAQ

**Why did God give Jeremiah the same message again, even after it was burned?**

Answer: God's command to rewrite the scroll was not merely a repetition but an amplification and reassertion of His divine authority and the certainty of His word. It demonstrated that human rebellion cannot thwart divine purpose. The new scroll, as detailed in [Jeremiah 36:32](/jeremiah/36-32 "Jeremiah 36:32 - The Second Scroll and Added Words"), contained "many like words in addition," meaning the judgments against Judah and Jehoiakim were not only reiterated but also intensified, highlighting the increased consequences of their defiance. This act underscored God's sovereignty and the futility of opposing His decrees.

**What was King Jehoiakim's motivation for burning the scroll?**

Answer: King Jehoiakim's primary motivation for burning the scroll was profound defiance and a desperate attempt to assert his own authority over God's. The scroll contained messages of impending judgment, including invasion by Babylon and the downfall of his kingdom, which he found politically inconvenient and personally offensive ([Jeremiah 36:2](/jeremiah/36-2 "Jeremiah 36:2 - God Commands Jeremiah to Write All the Words")). By destroying the physical scroll, he likely believed he could nullify the prophecy, silence the prophet, and avoid the uncomfortable truth of God's impending wrath. It was an act of open rebellion against the divine warnings and a rejection of the call to repentance.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 36:27, with its powerful declaration of God's word prevailing despite human opposition, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the Living Word. Just as the written word of God could not be destroyed by Jehoiakim's fire, so too the Incarnate Word, Jesus, could not be ultimately defeated by human sin or the powers of death. The attempts to silence God's message through the crucifixion of Christ were, in fact, the very means by which God's ultimate plan of salvation was accomplished. Jesus Himself declared, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away" ([Matthew 24:35](/matthew/24-35 "Matthew 24:35 - Heaven and Earth Will Pass Away, But My Words Will Never Pass Away")), echoing the divine permanence seen in Jeremiah. The resurrection of Christ is the ultimate demonstration that God's word—His plan, His promises, and His very Son—cannot be nullified by any human act of rebellion or destruction. He is the [Word made flesh](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"), whose life, death, and resurrection perfectly fulfill every prophetic utterance and whose eternal reign ensures that God's purposes will always prevail, bringing judgment to those who reject Him and eternal life to those who embrace Him ([John 12:48](/john/12-48 "John 12:48 - Jesus' Words Will Judge on the Last Day")).

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 36:4

Then Jeremiah called Baruch the son of Neriah: and Baruch wrote from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the LORD, which he had spoken unto him, upon a roll of a book.