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,
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},
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:
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:
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,
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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.
Jeremiah 36:27 marks a pivotal moment in the narrative of King Jehoiakim's defiance against God's word. This verse immediately follows the king's shocking act of burning the prophetic scroll dictated by Jeremiah, underscoring the unstoppable nature of divine revelation.
Historical and Cultural Context
The prophet Jeremiah had, at God's command, dictated a scroll containing warnings of impending judgment against Judah and Jerusalem due to their idolatry and wickedness. This message was meticulously recorded by his scribe, Baruch (Jeremiah 36:4). The scroll was read publicly, even before King Jehoiakim. However, the king, in a brazen act of rebellion, cut and burned sections of the scroll as they were read (Jeremiah 36:23), believing he could eradicate the divine message and its implied threat. Verse 27 reveals God's immediate and resolute response to this direct affront to His authority and His word.
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah" is a standard prophetic formula (Hebrew: davar Yahweh). It underscores the divine origin and authoritative nature of the message. This was not Jeremiah's personal opinion but a direct communication from God, emphasizing its infallibility and power, even when seemingly rejected.
Practical Application
Jeremiah 36:27 serves as a timeless reminder that we cannot escape God's truth by ignoring, suppressing, or actively rejecting it. Just as Jehoiakim found, efforts to silence God's word are futile and only invite graver consequences. For believers, this verse encourages reverence for Scripture, recognizing its divine origin and enduring power. For all, it highlights the importance of listening to and obeying divine warnings, understanding that God's word "shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please" (Isaiah 55:11). Our response to God's word determines our destiny.